HARDY  AIAUAS. 
This  plant  i»  one  of  the  moat  valuable  grown. 
Although  deciduous  and  wanting  in  the  rich 
foliage  which  characterizea  the  Rhododendron, 
itR  brilliant  bloom  of  white,  orange,  pink,  scarlet 
and  tho  various  shades  of  each  give  it  a  charm 
and  a  refinement  of  character  >iot  ktjown  to  the 
more  robust  beauty  of  the  former.  Its  excel¬ 
lence  grows  upon  tho  owner  and  each  yeai  it 
gives  bin)  an  added  pleasnre.  Like  tho  lll'.rxlo- 
dendron  it  can  be  trajisplanUsl  at  any  season 
when  the  ground  is  not  absolutely  frozen  and  no 
plant  Is  adapted  to  a  wider  range  of  soil  and 
climato.  No  garden  small  or  large  can  afford  to 
be  without  it  and  on  lawns  the  finest  effect  is 
produced  by  planting  in  massfis. 
Among  tlie  best  of  these  will  be  found  Boit- 
quf-t  <b-  Flore,  pink  ami  white,  ('oiiciuna  dark 
orange.'.  Orof  Von  Marnn  rosy-white  and  <louble, 
Mirabilix,  lilac.  Aarcixxijiora,  double  and  line 
yellow,  I'eincellata  xlvlUitu,  straw  and  salmon 
color,  I’orUica  iniperialix,  ]o.rge  yellow  ami  I'nni- 
cea,  crimaou-Hcarlet.  Here  again  I*  lushing  sced- 
lingB  o<*cu|iy  an 
important  posi- 
_ _ tion  and  among 
t'boao  the  best  are 
J)r.  Gray,  scar- 
let-orange,  large, 
»P***T^\  Dr.  Kirtland, 
\  \  deep-rose  crimp- 
.  -  \  \  ed,  Fluaking- 
\  _  gmeu,  deep-sal- 
ifiiteh.  \  varietiesfrom  Ja- 
totlie'ilfoHfs  fum- 
Laurel,  is  one 
of  tho  most  hardy 
~  jiH  and  beautiful 
plants.  Its  foli¬ 
age  is  evergreen, 
its  habit  compact  and  its  bloom  most  abundant. 
When  planted  in  massoa  its  effect  is  almost  bril¬ 
liant.  It  is  adaptwl  to  a  wide  range  of  soil  and  uli- 
niate  and  grows  abundantly  in  valleys  and  on  lull- 
sides  wlioro  peat  is  never  known.  Like  t  he  Rho- 
dmlemlron  it  blooms  bettor  In  the  sun  while  its 
foliage  is  darker  in  the  shade.  It  sp<.)rts  very 
much,  somotimes  nearly  white  and  sometimes 
bright  pink.  There  are  several  Hpe(.'les,  but  the 
latifolin  is  by  far  the  host.  Tho  Kalmia  is  in- 
dispeusablo  for  every  garden.  Tho  lihoilora 
OanadriiHia  is  but  little  known.  It  bears  an 
abundance  of  juirpllsh  llowers  early  in  tho 
spring  before  tho  leaves  uiipear  and  is  very  valu¬ 
able  for  its  earlinoBH.  Its  native  habitat  is  New 
England  and  Now  V'ltrk  ami  it  may  thus  be  re¬ 
lied  upon  for  its  hardiness. 
The  Andromedaa  are  also  little  known.  They 
are  all  small  shrubs  except  A.  arborea  or  Sorrel 
Tree,  which  is  deciduous  ami  gi-ows  to  be  a  sec- 
«iud  class  tree.  Its  foliage  is  bright  and  glossy, 
the  now  loaves  have  a  delicate;  pinkish-bronze 
tint  in  tho  Spring  and  clothed  in  tho  brightest 
colors  in  A'ltumn.  A,  inuriuHn  or  Af/Z-oa//,  is  a 
small  shrill)  of  great  btsauty  with  clusters  of 
largo  pink  llowers  like  the  Lily  of  the  Valley. 
Androowikl  florUnwla  is  an  evergreen  shrub 
forming  its  bloom  buds  in  tlie  Autumn  and 
blooming  very  early  in  the  spring.  It  is  very 
beautiful  but  somewhat  dillioult  to  manage. 
A.  vatrahaei  and  calyoulata  are  both  good  and 
worthy  of  a  plircc  m  any  garden.  The  Mayno- 
Haa  are  also  cultivated  in  peat  in  Europe,  but  it 
is  so  well  understood  in  this  country  that  they 
nourish  bettor  in  common  soil  that  we  will  defer 
their  description  for  another  paper. 
KluBhlng,  N.  V. 
good  shrubs  and  the  result  will  justify  the 
soundness  of  our  opinion.  Of  this  class  of 
plants  the  Rhododendron  stands  deservedly  at 
the  hetid.  Its  broad  rich  green  roliage  keeping 
its  color  and  freshness  in  winter  as  well  as  sum¬ 
mer  would  alone  entitle  it  to  the  first  rank.  Rut 
when  June  comes  and  eivch  branch  clothed  with 
these  broad  leaves  is  crowned  with  a  cluster  of 
llowers  large  enough  for  a  hand  bouquet  and  of 
varied  colors,  white-,  lilac,  blue,  mauve,  pink  and 
scarlet,  superlatives  are  exhausted  in  describing 
their  beauty. 
Of  the  brilliancy  of  tho  late  English  tent  exhi¬ 
bition  of  theiw!  plants  in  Philadelphia  there  could 
be  given  tho  proper  pitch.  The  blinds,  must  of 
course  be  also  adjusted. 
We  wish  also  to  say  a  word  concerning  some¬ 
thing  novel  in  the  threshing  machine  here.  It  is  a 
small  thresher  and  se|):tralor  (without  cleaner) 
for  the  use  of  those  who  raise  small  grain  crops, 
and  desire  to  do  thcii'  own  threshing  at  their 
leisure.  Its  construction  is  simple  and  durable, 
and  the  imj)lcniont  looks  as  if  it  would  jierform 
all  that  is  chiimwl  for  it.  Mr.  Ruavlev  will  send 
catalogues  and  particulars  free  to  all  who  may 
apjjly  for  the  same. 
If  it  were  possible  for  our  friends  intending  to 
visit  the  Conteiuiial  to  so  time  their  ariival  as  to 
THE  BUFFALO  PITTS  THRESHER 
VisiTouH  to  the  Centennial  will  find  an  Art 
Gallery  in  Agricultural  Hall,  as  well  as  else¬ 
where.  We  refer  tej  the  very  Hue  display  of  Im- 
plemcuts  deiiign^d  to  assist  tho  farmer.  Manu¬ 
facturers  have  indulged  in  silver  plating  and 
similar  embclUshmouts,  until  the  machines  are 
as  pretty  as  pictures.  Looming  up  like  giants 
among  tho  lesser  machines,  stand  the  threshers, 
and  Oio  golden 
grain  ^so^  much 
^'in  Hections  T 
Rkonson,  who  is 
ially  fitted  to  ex-  1 1 
Friend"  in  par- 
The  Buffalo 
Pitts  Grain 
Threshers,  man¬ 
ufactured  by  Mr. 
James  Ruavlky  at  the  Pitts  Agricultvual  Works, 
Buffalo,  N.  V.,  have  the  reputation,  not  oijly  in 
tho  United  Htatos,  but  throughout  tho  grain 
growing  World,  of  being  superior  implements 
and  second  to  none.  The  materials,  workman¬ 
ship  and  finish  of  Mr.  Bhaylev’s  exhibit  at  tho 
Centennial,  satisfies  us  that  this  reputation  is 
deserved. 
Everything  about  tho  machine  indicates 
strength  and  durahitity  of  materials,  aimplicity 
atid  perfection  in  construction,  tlie  liniKh  and 
ornamentation  being  decidedly  rich  and  taatefuL 
Wo  hoard  tostiniouy  to  the  excoUoul  qualities  of 
the  Riilfalo  Pitts  from  throsherraen  and  farmers 
on  a  vihit  to  llie  “  big  show."  In  jiarticular,  wo 
noted  one  old  farmer  who  says  he  is  still  using  a 
thresher  bought  of  .Ino.  A.  Pitts  (the  founder 
of  tho  I’itts  Ag’l  Works)  in  18i;i  and  that  it  ia  in 
good  nmning  order  yet. 
These  machines  are  furnished  with  solid  steel 
cylinder  shafts  whicli  in  the  band  machines  are 
extra  heavy,  having  double  beai-ings  with  jiivot 
lioint  boxes  and  self-oilers.  Tliis  fits  them  for 
use  with  water  or  steam  power. 
Wc  noticed,  too,  tliat  tlio  girts  w  hich  brace 
and  stiffen  Hie  frame  are  much  larger  than  nswi 
in  oUier  moclilnos  of  tho  same  size,  'riiis  stif¬ 
fening  of  the  frame  prevents  the  twisting  of 
shafting  and  gearing  out  of  lino  and  must  save  a 
great  deal  in  expense  of  repairs. 
The  concaves  that  were  formerly  in  two  pieces 
are  now  cast  in  three,  occupying  the  same  amount 
of  space  as  formerly.  Each  of  these  concaves  have 
holes  for  two  rows  of  teeth  making  six  rows  al¬ 
together  tliat  can  ho  used,  if  necessary,  in  thresh¬ 
ing  tough  grain.  When  gram  is  dry  and  in  good 
order,  the  concave  can  be  taken  out  and  a  grate 
substituted.  Those  who  have  been  used  to  making 
those  ohaugob  in  the  old  way  can  fully  aiijirecinte 
this  improvement.  Tho  diameters  of  the  jiulloys 
and  shafting  have  been  enlarged,  thus  avoiding 
straining  the  belts  and  requiring  less  power  to  do 
the  worL  Tho  grain  is soparate-d  from  the  straw 
as  it  passes  from  tho  cylinder  on  the  main,  or 
first  caiTior  and  over  an  open  raddle. 
The  great  length  of  tliis  raddle  and  the  use  of 
tho  new  “  Patent  Agitator,”  seems  to  make  a 
perfect  separation  of  tho  grain  from  tho  sUaw. 
The  newest  and  most  iniiiortant  feature  is  the 
shoe  or  “  End  Sliake  "  wliioh  lias  a  longitudinal 
motion,  that  is,  it  is  agitated  longthwiso  of  tho 
machine.  This  motion  is  communicated  by  means 
of  occeiitries  and  pitmans  that  arc  attached  to 
the  under  side  of  tho  shoe  and  is  driven  by  a 
bolt  from  the  fan-shaft  on  the  outsido.  The  shoo 
runs  without  noise  or  jarring  the  maohlne. 
It  is  claimed  that  by  this  contrivance  grain  or 
flax  can  bo  cleaned  fit  for  market  without  chang¬ 
ing  anything  except  tho  sieves  ;  which  have  to 
T’  I  I  ItKBTlIi:  JA. 
bo  but  one  opinion  and  with  comioissem’s  but 
Olio  regret— that  nearly  all  these  high  colors 
belong  to  varieties  not  hardy  in  this  climate. 
In  the  climate  of  England  such  beautiful  varie¬ 
ties  as  Alarm,  John  Wak^rer,  Conwaaum  and 
others  are  jierfectly  hardy,  hut  in  our  climate 
Hiey  will  endure  neither  summer  nor  winter.  I 
am  writing  now  of  the  latitude  of  New  York. 
At  Baltimore  some  of  the  high-colorcd  varieties 
would  hear  the  winter  but  the  liot  summer 
would  lest  them  severely.  Out  of  150  of  the 
liest  English  sorts  which  wo  have  testesl  in  every 
way  for  20  years  there  arc  scarcely  more  tliau  a 
dozen  or  filteicii  which  w’o  can  pronounce  iihso- 
lutelj  hardy  and  reliable  under  all  circumstances 
and  some  of  tliese  varieties  arc  not  known  in 
England  because  they  are  seedlings  originating 
in  tills  country. 
As  the  character  of  Abhauam  Li.nooln  stands 
out  in  held  relief  among  the  eminent  men  whom 
America  lias  iiroducfsl,  so  tho  Rhododondrou 
Abraham  Lincoln  stands  far  in  advance  of  all 
its  congeners.  Its  leaf  is  solid,  hard  and  pre¬ 
eminently  hardy,  its  llowers  well-shaped,  com¬ 
pactly  placed  and  of  a  rich  rosy -crimson. 
Ik-iiig  a  seedling  produced  at  FliisMng  snnifi 
years  must  elapse  before  it  will  be  abundant. 
Next  come  Graiulijloruw  and  L'cerealianum.  tho 
first  K  light-bluish  crimson,  tlio  second  hlnlsh-lilae 
crimped.  They  are  both  valnahle  not  only  for 
their  well-tried  hardiness  but  also  for  the  fiwnlity 
with  which  tliey  set  on  hnds.  They  Jiavc  long 
been  and  will  continue  to  he  two  of  the  most 
jKipular  Hurts.  Then  come  Album  elegana  a 
standard-growing  sort  with  large  white  llowers 
very  slightly  tinted,  Candidiaaimiin  the  nearest 
approach  to  a  iniro  while.  Album  grOndlJtor-uiH 
white  and  hlusli,  ISertie  Jktrsons,  a  favorite 
Flushing  seedling  with  a  soft  delicate  piuk- 
mauve  color,  (-renei’al  Gruid  another  Flushing 
seedling  of  a  lively  scarlet,  Bicolor  a  dark  rose 
color,  Oelestinuiu  with  a  bluish  roso-lint,  2)eti~ 
caliaainiuTii  wliile  and  blusli  with  a  very  superior 
foliage,  Furjntreuin  criapurn  a  puriile  crimped 
variety.  Purpureum  ek-gana,  a  fine  purple, 
Hoaeuni  elegana,  a  fine  rose  color.  Thoi'o  are 
some  other  varieties  among  the  Englisli  sorts 
which  future  years  may  prove  hardy.  At  this 
time  those  who  plant  the  varieties  we  have 
named  may  feel  sure  of  satisfactory  results, 
wliilo  tliOMO  who  are  misled  by  high  colors  oi; 
charming  maculations  and  go  outside  of  those 
viu'ictles  embark  upon  a  sea  of  uncertain 
hopes. 
Tho  liituro  of  Rhododendron  culture  liere 
must  re^t  largely  upon  American  seedlings 
many  of  which  are  in  process  of  testing.  With 
the  sorts  now  known  it  is  a  safe  rule  that  tho 
lighter  the  color  the  more  tender  the  variety. 
AMERICAN  PLANTS, 
HV  H.  li.  TAllBON.S. 
class  of  plants  which  are  supiiosed  to  grow  better 
in  peat  soil,  it  is  a  class  indi8peiisabl<*to  every 
garden  small  or  largo  iui<l  tho  culture  of  which  is 
presumed  to  require  csjiecial  care  and  expeiiso. 
Ro  general  for  many  years,  has  been  tliis  inipres- 
sion  that  a  niidille-agod  I'liiglish,  Bcotch  or  Irish 
gardener  can  scarcely  he  found  who  is  not  jier- 
fectly  couvincfsl  that  no  good  plants  of  this  class 
can  ho  grown  without  pciil  and  sliado.  There  is 
no  gi-oatcr  fallacy.  I'hoso  who  have  watched  the 
llorticultiiral  .lournals  of  England  for  the  past 
ten  years  have  noticed  the  gradual  iiuoatl  of 
doubts  on  thU  point.  •  Year  by  year  the  Opinion 
of  intelligent  men  has  found  expression  and 
many  of  tlio  best  cultivators  now  openly  assort 
that  any  gooil  open  garden  soil,  witli  plenty  of 
ImtnUH,  will  grow  UhododeiidroiiH  and  Azaleas  as 
well  as  the  best  peat-lands  Of  Rnrroy.  While 
claiming  only  an  eiiiiality  in  adaptation  of  tlicso 
different  soils,  many  go  still  further  and  assert 
that  plants  grownin ])cat  cannot,  M'itliout injury’, 
ho  transplanted  to  ordinary  soils  and  thus  prefer 
to  obtain  plants  grown  in  the  latter. 
If  such  is  becoming  the  opinion  of  intelligent 
men  ill  England,  it  applies  with  tenfold  force  to 
this  country.  Under  our  hot  smi,  in  our  exciting 
air  and  variable  temperature,  diffcruig  entirely 
from  tlie  moist  and  eqiiahlo  climate  of  England, 
this  equality  of  adaplation  in  the  soil  is  posi¬ 
tively  injurious.  The  failure  of  Rhododendrons 
ill  many  parts  of  the  country  is  doubtless  owing 
to  tlio  peat  culture  to  which  so  many  of  our 
gardeners  steadily  mlhorc  wltile  llio  siiocess  of 
the  same  plants  in  small  suburhan  gai-dens 
whose  owners  know  nothing  of  jioat  attests  the 
BouuduoHS  of  our  jiositiou.  The  struggling 
otforts  of  foreign  Rliododoudrons  to  estubllsli 
themselves  hero  is  due  in  a  groat  moasiiro  to 
tboir  liavhig  been  grown  in  peat  soil.  Many  who 
admire  those  beautiful  plants  are  deterred  from 
using  them  by  the  idea  that  they  require  espeoial 
soil  and  especial  culture.  To  encourage  these 
we  have  enlarged  upon  this  point  and  our 
opinion  is  based  upon  an  experience  of  thirty 
years. 
Let  them  be  planted  as  are  Roses  and  any 
FLORICULTURAL  NOTES, 
Fureing.— At  tlio  last  meeting  of  the  Massa- 
clinsetts  Horlicultural  Society,  Mr.  Hovev  said 
that  he  hiwl  placed  Verbena  cuttings  in  wet  sand 
in  a  lemiic-ratm’o  of  80  or  00^,  and  they  rooted 
immediately  —certainly  by  the  next  morning. 
Mr.  WiLDKU  said  that  ho  had  rooted  Verbena 
cnttiiigs  in  tliirly-six  hours,  soon  after  hot  water 
was  first  introduced  for  propugating  beds ;  but 
not  many  plants  root  so  easily. 
Th-ailing  Arbulu.a.—J amkh  tlnuiKSHANKS  re- 
imu  ked  that  no  one  had  yet  succeedodin  making 
Kpigaea  rtpens  look  well  in  cultivation. 
Mr.  Ranh  said  that  he  had  been  successful  in 
growing  it  in  his  Rhododendron  bods,  hut  that 
Mr.  C.  was  right  as  to  its  culture  in  ordinary 
garden  soils. 
[Is  Mr.  Ranh  still  Huceossfiil  in  its  cultivation  ; 
jf  so,  what  is  the  soil  of  his  Rhodq^eudi-ou  hods  ?J 
I 
