jjl0r4ultitt[Hl. 
SELECT ALOCASIAS. 
A correspondent of the Journal of Hor¬ 
ticulture says:—The gcuus A locasia has 
deservedly become very popular, and, al¬ 
though less brilliant in Oolor than their near 
allies, the Caladlums , they possess many 
advantages, and are charming subjects for 
the stove of an amateur, ns well as that of 
the professional cult ivator, or for exhibition 
purposes. The majority of the Alocasins 
are not deciduous, and lienee their orna¬ 
mental leaves and distinct characters arc 
enjoyable during tho dull winter months. 
This is a decided advantage, as they con¬ 
trast beautifully with such flowers as Poin- 
settias . Euphorbias, Gardenia*, Evcharis, 
and other denizens of t he hot-house which 
display their charms at that uugeuial sea¬ 
son. Another recommendation that Al<>- 
capias possess is the easy manner in which 
they may he grown, which, combined with 
tho leathery texture of tho leaves of most 
of the species, renders them well adapted 
for the decoration of the drawing-room or 
the dinner-table, always providing there is 
no gas in the rooms. While upon the sub¬ 
ject of gas, 1 must impress upou the minds 
of my amateur readers that it Is utterly im¬ 
possible to maintain the health of plants for 
any considerable length of time in apart¬ 
ments which are illuminated with gas. 
Tho majority of these plants may be grown 
in very small pots, and thus the amateur 
may remove them from l he plant-house to 
the drawing-room, plunge them in an orna¬ 
mental pot or vase, and enjoy their beau¬ 
ties in such posit ions for a long time. A 
week, or perhaps two, will be sufficient, for 
each plant to stand in such positions; but 
if live or six plants are kept(aud if they are 
in small pot s they will not, take up much 
space), their admirers can always have one 
or two in their apartments during the win¬ 
ter months. The following species are all 
very beautiful, thoroughly distinct in ap¬ 
pearance, ami adapted for tho purpose to 
which 1 have before alluded. 
A, in ter media, -For the illustration of 
this really superb plant, tho readers of tho 
journal are indebted to Messrs. V eitch & 
Sons of Chelsea, in whose establishment It 
originated. J l is a hybrid between A . lomj- 
iluhn and A. VeltchU, and is, perhaps, more 
ornamental than any other kind in cultiva¬ 
tion, The sterns attain a bight of from one 
to three feet (the latter only when well 
grown); their leafstalks are beautifully 
mottled, and banded with green and metal¬ 
lic white. The blade of the leaf varies from 
one to three feet in length, and its longears 
render it very conspicuous. The upper sur¬ 
face is of a deep green, suffused ami veined 
with silvery white, while the hack of tho 
leaf is tinged with dull purple. 
A. vnc.Uilliea .—This is a plant of dwarfer 
habit than that previously named, usually 
growing from 13 to 18 inches high. Tho 
leaves are of great substance, obtusely'ovate 
iu shape, and of a uniform deep bronzy hue, 
which gives it, a most distinct appearance. 
It is a native of Borneo. 
A . Lowlt. —A species from the same island 
as A.metalllca , producing cordate-sagit¬ 
tate leaves, which are bright, green on the 
upper side, ribbed with ivory white, the re¬ 
verse of tho leaf being deep purple, it is a 
most ornamental species. 
A. ijujantca.—Ui some respects this plant 
resembles A. Intermedia •, it may, however, 
be readily distinguished by' the long, spread¬ 
ing, car-like lobes of its large sagittate 
leaves, which are deep green above, veined 
with white and deep slate color below. 
A. Sedenl.— 1 This is another beautiful hy¬ 
brid, produced iu the establishment of 
Messrs. Veitou, by crossing A. mctallica 
with A . l.oivii; and when I say it combines 
tho colors and characters of both its pa¬ 
rents, my readers will readily understand 
that it is at once a handsome plant, und a 
valuable addition to our stove ornaments. 
A, zehrina .—This is a grand species; a 
larger grower than any of those previously 
named, and, therefore, not so easily accom¬ 
modated by those amateurs having but lim¬ 
ited space; nevertheless, those who can 
And room for it will be amply repaid by its 
majestic character. The blade of the leaf 
is large, broadly sagittate, and full; deep, 
shining green in color. The leaves are sup¬ 
ported upon stout footstalks, which are 
pole green, and beautifully striped with nu¬ 
merous zig-zag bands or belts of deep green. 
It is a native of the Philippines. 
There are several other species which 
form splendid objects in the stove, hut are 
not inoluded here, as my object has been to 
name only those which will bear removal to 
the dwelling-house. The soil I prefer for 
these plauts is a mixture of peat, thorough¬ 
ly good decomposed manure, some sphag¬ 
num moss, a little loam, and some sharp 
silver sand. Let the pots bo well drained 
during the growing season ; give an abund- 
Tho Trichamancs Luschranthtanum is 
another beautiful climbing fern, with beau¬ 
tiful feather-like leaves, as shown in Fig. 2. 
It requires a warm, moist atmosphere, and 
is only suitable for house culture. A few 
Figure 1. 
anceof water, and there will be no difficulty 
in the amateur providing himself or herself 
with elegant specimens of A locaslas for the 
winter decoration of apartments. 
—-». 
CLIMBING FERNS. 
The cultivation of ferns is sadly neglected 
in this country, but as WO progress in llori- 
oulture, and learn that beauty iu plants is 
not altogether confined to those possessing 
brilliant colored foliage or (lowers, the ferns 
will oome in for a larger share of attention, 
the climbing ferns, of which there are many 
species, natives of different parts of the 
world, are really superb little plants, suita¬ 
ble for culture In the Wardian ease, or for 
training on lattice-work in a window. Our 
native climbing fern (/,//(/odium palma- 
turn), although quite, a rare plant, can be 
occasionally found from Connecticut to 
Florida. The plants produce two forms of 
leaves, the lower ones being separated into 
live divisions or palmate, while tho upper 
Figure 3. 
such plants, well cared for, in a room or 
conservatory, are worth scores of common 
kinds; and one always feels a satisfaction 
iu having something unique and rare. As 
a guide to culture of such plants we have 
only t<» know from whence t hey come and 
the nature of tin'climate, which is a kind 
of knowledge readily obtained without any 
great amount of research into the mysteries 
of geography or nature. 
-♦♦♦- 
FLORICULTURAL NOTES. 
Spiderwort. —Inclosed find a plant and 
its flowers; please give the common and bo¬ 
tanical name. It Is a hardy peronuiiil plant, 
blooming in May and June. It has a pretty 
blue flower with three petals which open in 
early morning and rinse about noon. The 
only name it has here is “ Neon Sleeper.” 
( . 13lea kney, Saltshurg, Pa. 
The common name of t he plant is Spider- 
wort, and the botanical Tradcxcantia Vtr¬ 
ip ii ira. There are several native, and many 
i .otic species of this plant, which are cul- 
1 j 
ALOCASIA IKTTEPUVEEIDIAA. 
Squirrel-Corn.—I live in Laporto Co., 
lad., about, six miles from the city of La 
Porte, in tho country, a very beautiful place. 
I often go into the woods and gather wild 
llowers, and hare often noticed this plant. 
I do not, know to what, family it belongs, 
nor its name, and cannot llnd out. Will 
you please inform mo. It, grows in t he for¬ 
est among beech, maple, oak and hickory 
trees, fdugtbis up and pressed it; it has 
retained its color about the best, of any¬ 
thing I know of. I have sent you the whole 
plant.—S. F. Clough. 
The plant is commonly known as ‘■Squir¬ 
rel-corn,” and by botanists as Dtcentra can¬ 
adensis. It is a near relative of tho com¬ 
mon “Bleeding bcart ,’’—Diccntra specta- 
hilis of our gardens. It is, however, a very 
pretty plant, and we are not surprised that 
it attract,od your attention. 
Aphides on Plants.—Can you give mo 
a remedy for green lice on plants?—F. p. m. 
Syringe the plants with tobacco water, 
if they are large; but if small tint into a 
tight box and fumigate with tobacco. Take 
an old pan, or other dish, and put in it few 
live coals, and on to these throw a little 
line-cut tobacco; cover up the box and 
allow tho plants to remain in the smoke for 
an hour or two; then take out and syringe 
with pure water. 
are finely cut into many, as shown in the 
accompanying illustration, Fig. I. The 
plants grow several feet high and form a 
splendid natural wreath of green leaves 
when trained around a window or trellis. 
tlvated for ornament. This genus was 
named in honor of tho celebrated gardener 
and botanist, John Tradescant, who lived 
and wrote quite ft celebrated botanical work 
early in the 18th century. 
^rborimliunil. 
PEAR BLIGHT. 
I ASK information in regard to the best 
treatment to give my pear orchard. Last 
season branches died in July and August, 
which I immediately cut off below tho dis¬ 
eased part. Now the leaves on almost 
every tree are blighting to an extent that 
seems to indicate a total loss of I he trees, 
if no preventive can he found. The ground 
is rat her Hat, and not drained. Hoping you 
will be able to suggest a remedy, 1 am—F. P. 
Martin, yellow Sprtnijs, 0, 
You it trees are affected with what is 
known as “ Pear Blight," a terrible scourge 
in many portions of the country. It is 
more abundant in localities where the soil 
Is clayey and rather wet than elsowbere, in 
fact, wo have never knew trees to ho injured 
by blight in a light, well drained soil, al¬ 
though there may be instances of the kind. 
A great amount of theorizing has been done 
during the past twenty years in regard to 
the cause and best methods of checking this 
disease; but the res nits are entirely unsat¬ 
isfactory, and wo can offer no better advice 
than to replant, on a. well drained soil, and 
one not so rich as to produce a late growth 
in autumn. In localities further south tho 
danger from late growt h is very slight, be¬ 
cause tho trees naturally ripen their wood 
during tho dry months of August, and Sep¬ 
tember, and pear blight is almost unknown 
except, in very tenaoious, wet soils. In our 
experience of eighteen years, with pears, 
in the vicinity of New York City, we have 
never had a tree attacked or injured with 
blight; therefore we attribute the disease 
to causes named. 
-»»» , . ■ 
ARBORICULTURAL NOTES. 
Forest Tree Planting in the West.— 
The Kansas Farmer says:—“We learn that 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad 
Company have engaged 8. T. Kelsey of 
Pomona, to experiment in planting and 
i growing forest, fruit, and ornamental trees, 
il and hedges, grains, grasses, and vegetables. 
For this purpose the Company are to give 
Mr. K. a section of land every ten miles 
along the line of the road, from Hutchinson 
to the western line of the State, three hun¬ 
dred miles, upou which he is to make ex¬ 
periments, and plant 160 acres of forest to 
each section. This is a great work, and we 
hardly know which to commend most—their 
wisdom and liberality, or their good judg¬ 
ment in selecting so able a man to execute 
it as 8. T. Kelsey.” This is a wise poli¬ 
cy which other of the great Western roads 
might, imitate with prolit. 
Whit e Pine and Birch.—Please tell me 
1 about White Fine seed; also Gray Birch, 
i When is the proper time to gather them for 
JA sowing, and the best method of gathering? 
—Reader. 
The cones of White Pine should be gath¬ 
ered in Autumn, as soon as tho seed Is ripe, 
and before if, begins to fall. Place the cones 
in a dry room, on a tight lloor, and they 
will soon open and the seed drop out. The 
seed may then be gathered up and put 
into paper or cloth bags. Tho small cones 
of Gray Birch may In; treated in tho same 
manner, although tho seed is exceedingly 
small, and requires considerable care in 
cleansing. Tho seed also ripen in late Sum¬ 
mer or Autumn, but by observation you can 
determine the proper time for gathering. 
