MOORE’S  RURAU  MEW-YORKER. 
a 
d 
m 
of  a  eiiiglo  one  among  the  newer  and  uncommon 
apecies  that  is  bettor  adapted  for  general  culture 
in  this  country  than  the  Heliuispora  pinifera. 
It  may  be  Htrctching  a  point  somewhat  to  term 
it  new,  l)ut  It  is,  jievtTtbclcss,  comparatively 
scarce  in  onr  nurseries,  as  well  as  in  our  private 
grounds,  and  certainly  deserves  great  praise  for 
the  admirable  nianner  hi  which  it  behaves.  Tins 
very  hanilaome  (roe  slricUy  belongs  to  the 
Cypress  (Cnpnww.s),  but  on  account  of  the 
rosinoiiB  coating  of  its  seods  has  been  given  to 
another  genus  by  BiEnoim.  It  is  a  native  of  tlie 
Island  of  Nippon,  in  Japan,  where  it  attains  (o 
a  medium-sized  specimen,  of  slcudor  growth, 
exceedingly  graceful  in  ontlino,  with  dark-grocn 
loaves,  marked  underneath  with  silvoiy,  glacous 
bands.  It  grows  compact  and  conical  in  fonn, 
and,  with  generous  cultivation,  ipiickly  makes  a 
fine  fipccimen.  During  the  years  it  has  been 
known  in  this  country  it  has  given  universal  sat¬ 
isfaction  in  regard  to  bardiuese,  and  hideed  so 
reliable  has  it  proven  Uiat  hedges  of  it  are  now 
being  tested  in  various  places,  whicb,  if  success¬ 
ful,  will  cortairdy  be  very  attractive  at  least. 
A  closely-allied  siiecies,  li.  uhlutta,  is  more 
open  in  growth,  with  long,  pendulous  branches 
and  larger-sized  fruit ;  it  also  forma  a  tree  of 
100  feet  in  Light  on  the  Island  of  Nipjion,  in 
Jaiian,  where  it  is  so  plentiful  as  to  constitute 
largo  forests.  It  is  equally  as  hardy  as  the  jne- 
ceding,  and  is  ucstiued  to  become  one  of  our 
most  popular  oniamciitivl  trees  in  the  Jliddlo 
Stiites.  Its  rajiid  growtli,  graceful  form,  beauti¬ 
ful  color,  outiro  reliability  luid  excellent  timber 
are  all  of  tbo  highest  ordm-.  The  value  of  this 
species  for  ornanieutal  purimscs  will  in  time  bo 
duly  aijprcciatcd,  as  it  seems  to  combine  all  tlie 
requisites  found  iu  oiu-  American  Arbor  Vita?  or 
Hemlock  Spruce. 
The  ruiinisponis  arc  all  beautiful,  without 
any  exception,  and  for  the  most  part  hardy  and 
rehable,  unless  in  extremely  trying  winters,  but 
as  this  article  is  intended  only  to  cull  attention  to 
noted  species,  tbo  many  baudsomo  forms  grouped 
under  this  generic  title  will  have  to  be  passed 
over  in  silence. 
Anotlier  suction  of  Ibo  Abies,  whieii  baa  been 
classed  by  somo  botanists  as  the  Pitmen  or  Hilver 
Firs,  contiihis  very  many  beautiful  species.  Tbo 
larger  portion  of  tbeso  ujipeaj'  to  bo  well  known 
to  our  exiierlencod  tree-growers  at  least,  but 
there  is  a  class  of  jdiiiitcrs  looming  up  who  wish 
to  know  Homclhiog  more  about  tbo  i-ecent  be¬ 
havior  of  tlie  most  iittnaetivo  of  these,  and  to 
such  I  desh'O  to  say,  make  a  note  of  the  A.  I^^'ord- 
iiiannianri  -a  free  that  fills  the  bill  iu  every  pai‘- 
tioular.  I  mu  jdeaseJ  to  boo  that  it  is  becoming 
quite  well  known  in  some  sections,  and  wborover 
this  i.s  the  case,  it  is,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
highly  appreciated.  It  improves  on  acquaint¬ 
ance,  as  the  glowing  promise  of  its  youth  is  more 
than  voriliod  iu  the  tree  of  more  mature  growtli. 
From  the  ground  ujj  it  is  a  dense  mass  of  the 
deepest  green  \  erdino,  which  neither  the  cold  of 
winter  nor  yet  the  heat  of  summer  can  impair. 
But  it  will  not  do  to  linger  long  among  the 
Firs,  as  an  extended  article  might  very  readily 
be  written  on  them  alone.  A  few  words,  how¬ 
ever,  on  some  of  tlio  rarer  speciiiB  may  not  prove 
amiss.  The  Siberian  fiilvor  Fir,  or  .4.  I'ichta, 
is  among  olir  valuable  evergreens,  although 
rather  slow  iu  growth,  and  it  never  grows  to  a 
large  size.  It  Is,  however,  of  a  very  dark  tint  ot 
green,  exceedingly  compact  iu  form  and  entirely 
hardy,  three  features  of  ilio  highest  importance 
in  a  specimen  for  the  finished,  woll-kcpt  lawn. 
As  I  approach  tbo  Oonifers  of  our  I’acific 
Slope,  and  even  of  tbo  Itooky  Mountain  range,  I 
feci  a  diftldcncc,  aniounling  in  many  lustarices 
to  rolnot.mco,  to  urge  their  claims,  notwilbstand- 
ing  tlieii’  beauty  is  of  the  liigbe.st  order  of  merit. 
But  the  tm’ui  variable  uppUes  with  so  niiuh  force 
to  the  whole  list  that  to  recommend  a  single  spe¬ 
cies  for  all  localities,  ovtft  in  the  Middle  States, 
would  bo,  soouoi-  or  later,  to  have  one’s  kiunvl- 
odgo  Called  in  question,  cspocbilly  at.  the  close  of 
a  severe  winter  mar’.iod  by  sudden  and  extreme 
obauges  of  tempei  aturo. 
Tlie  A.  nobUiis,  A.  grflwlis  and  .4.  mngn\]h'a, 
as  their  specific  names  .denote,  are  all  of  the 
highest  chariKJter  as  regards  ornamental  trees, 
but  not  entirely  nnobjocUonablo  as  to  reliability. 
Tlie  latter  of  the  trio  is  from  the  summits  of  tbo 
Sierra  Nevada,  in  California,  and  is  generally 
known  there  as  A.  anuibtlia,  although  entirely 
distinct  from  that  rare  and  unreliable  tree.  I 
may  remark  hero,  as  I  have  previously  said,  that 
as  a  rule  the  trees,  Blirubs  and  plants  generally 
of  onr  for  Western  country  are  not  at  all  adapted 
to  tbe  East,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  those  from 
Japan,  our  antipodal  repre.sentativea,  are  for  the 
most  part  of  the  greatest  utility  in  tliis  climate. 
There  are  oxcoptioiiSi  of  coTU*se,  to  each,  but  the 
rule  is  a  good  one. 
A.  Ceiyfia^onica,  a  native  of  the  Black  Moun¬ 
tains  of  Cephalonia,  is  mostly  saUsfactorj',  not¬ 
withstanding  that,  during  very  cold  weather,  the 
leading  shoot  is  frequently  destroyed.  When 
well  grown;  it  is  among  our  most  beautiful 
specuneus. 
A.  fitvna,  from  Japau,  is  succeeding  admii’ubly, 
much  to  the  astoiiishiiieut  of  cultivators,  who 
notice  the  peculiar,  spongy  character  of  its  young 
wood,  and  the  seemingly  unripe  condition  of  the 
same  at  the  opening  of  winter ;  yet,  despite  these, 
it  mostly  comes  through  all  right,  and  presents 
one  distuict  cliaractcr,  unlike  any  other  species 
of  the  genus. 
The  most  pertinent  question  in  respect  to  the 
J’mua,  or  Fine  family,  is  not  whether  the  species 
are  hardy,  so  much  as  whether  they  are  exempt 
from  diseaKo.  Home  peculiar  form  of  blight  ap¬ 
pears  on  many  of  the  Pines,  confining  itself,  to 
all  outward  appearances,  to  the  foliage,  which 
first  becomes  spotted,  then  brown,  and  finally 
fall  from  tbe  twigs.  Another  and  more  decisive 
form  of  blight  is  that  noticed  in  the  Bhutan 
Pino,  or  P.  i-xceha,  where  large  branches,  and 
perhaps  the  main  tnink,  become  diseased  and 
soon  jiresont  the  ai>pearance  as  if  struck  by 
lightning.  These  causes  liave  prevented  many 
enthusiastic  cultivators  from  devoting  much  atr 
teulion  to  the  genus,  and  especially  those  from 
the  Pacific  Coast. 
Among  the  rarer  species,  although  far  from 
now,  might  be  classed  as  eutirrily  reliable  the 
Swiss  Stone  Pino  (/'.  fembm).  It  has  its  draw¬ 
backs.  however,  although  none  tliat  shoJdd  bo 
considered  as  serious  faults.  Iu  growth  it  is 
very  slow,  perhaps  more  so  thau  any  other  spe- 
cioK,  Imt  the  beauty  of  its  form  and  color  fully 
compensates  for  this.  Of  the  richest  shade  of 
green,  prettily  diversified  with  the  silvery  glau- 
cousnosH  of  the  W'hito  Pine  section,  a  profuse 
foliage  and  numerous  short,  stout  brauclilets,  it 
is  no  mean  competitor  in  the  front  rank  of  hardy, 
valuable  conifers. 
In  intruiluciiig  tbo  Japan  Pines  to  notice— and 
yet  they  should  not  need  an  introduction,  owing 
to  the  years  that  have  ekqisod  siucU  VEirmi  di.s- 
seminatud  them- -I  desire  to  say  that  in  this 
counWy  tlicy  are  comparatively  nnluiown.  But 
these  species  arc  succeeding  admirably  in  the 
few  localities  whore  they  have  boon  tesUd,  and 
really  lead  us  to  believe  that  wo  may  depend 
upon  them.  ITowevor,  wo  have  been  taught 
such  11  bitter  lesson  by  tlioir  near  reliilives,  our 
own  Western  species,  that  wo  cannot  recommend 
them  without  itisei’ve. 
Belonging  to  the  “Hti'obus,”  or  White  Pine 
group,  arc  the  7’.  Koruimsts  and  P.  pcirciJU>ra  ; 
to  the  threo-leaved  section,  J\  Jhni-gi  ana  ;  and 
to  tbo  t\vo-lcave<l,  or  Austrian  pine  group,  P. 
Massoniana  and  /■’.  di’nnijloru.  They  all  with¬ 
stand  the  Hoveritios  of  our  winter  witliout  pro¬ 
tection,  at  least  such  has  been  my  experience. 
Tlie  forms  of  Thnjn  occidcnlall.f  arc  now  al¬ 
most  innumerable  and  the  ntir.'<erymen’H  cata¬ 
logues  arc  bocomiiig  overburdened  with  names, 
and  yet  wc  have  but  one  rare  species  to  olTor  to 
our  readers.  This,  the  T,  iflnndishii,  Wiis  intro¬ 
duced  unilcr  the  name  of  Thuiopaia,  but  its 
fruit,  which  appeared  a  short  time  siuoo,  gave  it 
a  true  position  at  once.  It  has  proven  quite 
h.ardy,  and  is  a  very  pretty  plant.  Its  rarity 
with  us  debars  us  from  siKsaking  as  to  its  appear¬ 
ance  as  a  tree,  but  tbe  grace  and  beauty  of  the 
young  plants  are  of  a  high  order  of  merit.  It 
was  discovered  by  Foutone,  near  Yeddo,  in 
Japan. 
The  Sdfidtipiti/a  vcrticilkUa,,  or,  as  it  is  fre¬ 
quently  termed,  tbe  Umbrella  Pino,  is  a  remark¬ 
ably  distinct  and  unique  Conifer.  The  loaves, 
which  arc  arranged  iu  whorls  at  the  ends  of  the 
shoots,  arc  long  and  handsome,  and,  to  crown 
all,  it  appear.^  to  bo  quite  hardy  and  is  readily 
grown  iu  any  good  soil.  It  is  of  very  slow 
growUi  and  requires  some  stimulus  in  tbe  way  of 
old.  rotted  manure. 
But  ono  siiccics  of  Yew  strikes  us  as  coming 
under  tbo  list  of  rare  Evi-rgreena.  aud  that  is  the 
Toxuh  ouapidata,  notwitlistaudiug  there  are 
many  rare  and  showy  varieties  of  the  Common 
English  I'ow  that  are  well  worthy  of  a  place  iu 
collections.  This  attractive  i)].aiit  has  behaved 
HO  well  for  several  years  that  too  much  cannot 
be  said  iu  its  favor.  When  every  other  Yew  died 
in  onr  arhoi  etums  a  few  w  inters  since,  tliis  alone 
stood  ibo  test  without  tho  loss  of  a  leaf.  It 
conies  from  Japan,  where  it  forms  a  large,  deop- 
green  bush,  round  and  dense  iu  structure,  with 
quite  distinct  loaves. 
Tho  Junipers  do  not  at  present  suggest  any¬ 
thing  to  reconimoud,  aud  yet  their  chiims  should 
not  be  neglected.  There  is  a  wide  field  here 
open  to  tho  experiments  of  the  curious  in  these 
matters,  and  I  doubt  not  but  tho  coming  genera¬ 
tion  of  planters  will  find  novelties  that  wo  have 
overlooked. 
Patient  and  systematic  planting  is  tho  only 
course  open  to  tho  enthusiastic  lover  of  these 
trees,  taking  nothing  but  practical  experience  as 
the  means  of  obtain^jig  knowledge  in  regard  to 
hardiness  and  adaptability  to  tho  vicissitudes  of 
our  variable  climate.  May  tho  laborers  increase 
and  reap  the  rich  reward  awaiting  them,  notwith¬ 
standing  the  many  failures  that  moot  them  at 
oyery  step ! 
- »  »  » 
Spe.\.king  of  Keir  Gardens,  tlio  Gardeners’ 
Chronicle  mentions  a  llorsechestuut  of  no  great 
bight,  but  remarkable  for  tbo  spread  of  its 
branches,  which  bend  down  to  the  soil,  take 
root  and  rise  again. 
WATERING  AND  MULCHING  AFTER 
TRANSPLANTING. 
We  received  from  a  nursery  this  spring  tbe 
following  Magnolias,  viz.,  ^"orbet'tiana,  triite- 
taUi,  aewninaJa.  UaWana,  Scnilangeand,  con- 
spieuxt.  They  liad  been  growing  inputs  througb 
tho  winter ;  all  wore  in  leaf,  several  in  bloom 
when  planted  out-of-doors.  Not  until  Ibo 
drought  became  severe  did  any  show  signs  of 
flagging.  Having  many  plants  that  needed  daily 
watering,  wo  concluded  to  water  and  mulch  only 
those  of  the  Magnolias  of  which  wc  had  no  otber 
sjMSciiuons.  The  top  earth  about  llaUctmn  was 
first  removed  so  as  almost  to  expose  tlio  roots— 
then  water  was  given  as  fast  as  it  soaked  int^ 
tho  ground  until  evident  that  it  was  salnrated  to 
a  depth  beneath  the  lowest  roots.  Tbe  earth 
was  then  replaced  and  a  light  covering  of  grass 
spread  aliout  the  stems,  forming  a  circle  three 
feet  in  diameter.  Tho  injurious  effect  of  the 
watering  was  apparent  the  next  day.  The  leaves, 
previously  drooping  a  little,  now  drooped  entirely, 
and  the  plant  died  straightway.  It  was  tbo  same 
with  Soiilnngeann.  Ctmspitnin,  treated  in  tbo 
same  way,  lost  its  loaves,  tbongb  it  has  since 
formed  new  ones  and  is  still  alive.  Xorfrertiema, 
after  tho  mulching,  partially  developed  a  new 
bud  or  BO,  which  soon  withered,  however,  and 
the  whole  plant,  like  IMkana  and  {ktulangeana, 
died.  Ti’ipctala  and  anminaln  were  not  wa¬ 
tered  or  mulched.  Cordata  is  likewise  doing 
well,  though  both  watered  and  mulched — but  it 
was  crisp  aud  erect  before  those  operations. 
It  is  imiiossiblo  tf)  say  to  what  oxUmt  the  pre¬ 
vious  condition  of  these  MagmiUas  may  have 
caused  tho  above  results.  Thosy  i;i  flower  would 
naturally  have  been  the  first  to  sulTor,  and  both 
Halleana  aud  NorbirliaiM  were  in  full  bloom. 
But  we  are  tbo  more  ready  to  believe  that  water¬ 
ing  and  mulching  wrought  harm,  since  analo¬ 
gous  results  have  occurred  to  us  before,  after 
transplanting  Magnolias.  Other  shrubs,  Paul's 
Crahrgua.  Priaioa  triloba  and  Hgdntngra  gner- 
cf/ofi'a,  wo  may  also  instance  as  having  shown  a 
marked  decline  after  mulching.  But  in  all  cases 
with  which  wc  have  had  to  do  citlicr  in  this  or  in 
previous  sGasous  when  watering  and  mulching 
have  proved  harmful,  it  must  he  borne  in  mind 
that  the  subjects  bad  already  begun  to  droop 
from  tho  clTccts  of  bent  and  dryness. 
Our  conclusion  is  not  against  mulching  aud 
watering.  Wc  have  faith  iu  their  oQicacy  to  as¬ 
sist  plants  which  have  been  set  out  in  the  spring 
through  di'oughts,  if  applied  before  they  show 
signs  of  having  suffered  and  if  the  watering  and 
mulching  be  renewed  as  often  thereafter  as  the 
continuation  of  tlie  drougld  seenis  to  render  ne¬ 
cessary. 
All  plants  have  the  power  of  adapting  them¬ 
selves  to  certain  degrees  of  unusual  dryness  or 
moistm‘0.  Thus,  iu  the  former,  the  stomata  of 
tho  leaves  are  closed,  so  as  to  retard  exhalation 
aud  enable  the  individual  to  retain  tliat  which  is 
supplied  by  the  roots.  In  tlic  latter  (moisture), 
tlio  stomata  ai'c  wide  open,  so  as  to  exhale  the 
extra  moisture  not  needed  in  the  pi'ocessos  of  the 
jilant’s  gi’owth.  It  would  seem  that  tho  benefits 
of  rain  after  protracted  dryness,  aiisc*  as  much 
from  moisteiiiug  the  air  as  by  furnisliiug  the 
roots  wltli  water.  If,  during  drought,  a  given 
jJant  bo  watf  red,  it  may  be  supposed  tUat  tho 
thirsty  roots  o))i)i'opmte  as  much  of  it  as  tlie 
loaves  and  branches  need.  Bat  the  air  surround¬ 
ing  the  loaves  and  branches  remains  as  dry  as 
ever.  Tho  stomata  remain  closed,  and  the 
parching  sun-rays  of  tho  onsning  day  scald  these 
leaves,  as  it  wore,  by  almost  boiling  the  moist¬ 
ure  confined  iu  thek  cells. 
AVaterlng  and  mulching  are  helpful  only  to 
vigorous  plants.  To  those  which  arc  weakened 
by  removal,  both  sliould  bo  given  before  the 
ground  is  dry,  or  tho  sun  hot — indeed  before  the 
buds  are  well  opened.  If  then  tbe  season  prove 
wet,  the  mulch  may  he  removed.  But  in  the 
sickly  plant,  they  suddenly  force  an  action  be¬ 
yond"  its  powers.  It  is  like  taking  a  sick  person 
from  his  bed,  obliging  liiiu  to  exercise  and  take 
food  adapted  to  fuiicUons  of  a  system  full  of 
vigor.  Shade  is  the  first  requisite  of  a  plant  suf¬ 
fering  materially  from  drought.  It  should  he 
our  first  care  to  rdwd  evaporation ;  to  rest  the 
system ;  to  lesson  those  conditions  which  exact 
couthmona  and  lively  action  nutil  new  roots  are 
formed — until  one  by  one  new  loaves  are  devel¬ 
oped  and  an  equilibrium  is  restored  between  the 
co-operative  actions  of  root  and  leaf. 
Now  if  wo  plant  out  Magnolias  in  full  leaf  (the 
same  principle  holds  good,  though  loss  appar¬ 
ent,  if  tho  leaves  are  not  developed)  they  will  do 
well  enough,  perhaps,  so  long  as  tho  ground  is 
moistened  by  rain^.  But  as  soon  as  it  becomes 
dry,  we  have  a  leaf-surface  proportioned  to  a 
free  action  of  the  roots,  and  as  these  are  im¬ 
perfectly  established  in  the  now  soil,  tho  loaves, 
deprived  of  a  snfliciency  of  sap,  can  no  longer 
sustain  themselves  and  they  di-oop.  To  give  an 
abundance  of  water  and  mulching  at  this  stage, 
at  once  aggravates  tbo  evil  by  demanding  of  tbe 
leaves  a  vigorous  action  of  which  they  are  inca¬ 
pable. 
What  we  have  said  of  tho  Magnolia  may  just 
as  well  he  said  of  nil  other  trees  and  shrubs 
which  are  sensitivo  to  removal,  and  more  partic¬ 
ularly  of  those  which  bear  largo  leaves. 
We  have  attomptod  to  show  (1)  that  watering 
and  mulching  to  bo  serviceable,  should  be  gi\eu 
before  the  leaves  droop.  That  (  2)  it  must  ho 
continued  .is  long  as  the <lrought  lasts.  That  (3) 
to  water  and  mulch  after  tho  leaves  drof>p  geu- 
erally  proves  fatal.  Tliat  (4)  shade  is  a  first  ne¬ 
cessity  to  a  drooping  plant. 
- - -  ♦  »»- - - 
MUSHROOM  CULTURE. 
Eveky  gardener  has  liis  own  ideas  and  pi  actico 
in  cultivating  mushrooms,  hut  a  correspondent 
of  the  American  Grocer  tolls  his  experience, 
which  is  interesting  as  it  is  somewhat  different 
from  the  methods  laid  down  in  tbo  books. 
Early  in  October  1  procm'ed  a  suitply  of  fresh 
borse-droppings  clear  of  straw.  Iu  order  to 
keep  tbo  manure  from  getting  wet,  1  place  it 
under  a  shed  tluily  as  gathered,  and  turn  fre- 
<iueutly.  During  preparation,  tho  temperature 
should  not  be  allowed  to  ri.so  over  125  degrees, 
and  may  be  kciff  iu  chock  by  turning  andtrarai)- 
i  ng.  When  UiO  tomperature  begins  h  i  fall ,  I  mix 
tbo  mauuro  ■with  good  fresh  loam,  iu  the  pro- 
liortion  of  one  part  loam  to  six  parts  of 
manure.  Tins  compost  I  placo  iu  my  beds, 
which  arc  about  twelve  inches  deep,  and  pack  it 
hard  with  a  mallet  to  within  two  inches  of  tbe 
top.  A  tliermomctcr  inserted  in  tbe  material 
soon  marks  tho  temperature  as  bigli  as  120  de¬ 
grees,  and  witliin  Pm  days  it  will  toll  to  80  de¬ 
grees,  when  tbo  spawn  should  ho  Inserted.  I  am 
careful  to  got  tho  best  fi'CsU  spawn,  which  I 
trowcl-in,  iu  pieces  aViout  tho  size  of  a  xiigeon’s 
egg,  eighteen  inches  apart  all  over ;  press  them 
down,  and  even  tbo  snrfaco  of  the  beds.  A  week 
afterwards  I  cover  the  bod  with  ono  and  u  half 
inches  of  tnrfy  loam,  taking  care,  however,  to 
leave  a  narrow  space  along  tbo  eeiitev  uncovered 
with  loam,  for  a  few  ilays,  to  inlmit  of  cvaiiora- 
tion  from  the  compost.  Tho  work  is  now  fin¬ 
ished  by  throwing  over  tbo  beds  a  little  bay. 
When  it  is  necessary  t<i  moisten  tbo  bed,  I  use 
water  at  the  tompcratiire  of  ‘J5  degrees,  in  order 
not  to  tddll  it.  1  also  sprinkle  tbo  lloor  to  main¬ 
tain  a  humid  almosiibero.  In  from  six  to  eight 
weeks  Uie  musbrooina  begin  to  show  themselves, 
^vben  I  remove  the  bay.  Iti  picking  Ibo  creq)  I 
do  uot  use  a  knife,  but  twist  tho  mushroom 
round,  freeing  it  frotn  the  roots ;  I  do  not  ap¬ 
prove  of  cutting,  as  the  stom  that  is  left  in 
decaving  frequently  dostraj’s  tho  small  mush¬ 
rooms  near  it.  When  the  beds  get  exbaustvd 
and  the  supply  fails,  1  give  a  lilicral  aiiplicatiou 
of  water  heated  to  120  ilegrecs,  iu  which  I  put  a 
little  salt.  Tliis  so  stimulates  tho  bed  that  a 
second  crop  of  mushrooms,  often  as  good  as  the 
fii'st,  is  the  result. 
Tho  mushroom  is  largely  used  abroad  in  tho 
manufacture  of  catsup,  etc.;  here  it  is  less  known. 
Mdien  found  growing  wdld.  great  care  is  requisite 
to  distinguish  it  from  other  fungi,  which  it 
closely  resembles,  and  which  arc  poisonous. 
WOOD  ASHES  FOR  THE  SQUASH, 
E.uily  in  tlio  spring,  the  twigs  of  apple  trees 
too  small  for  kindling  wood,  together  with  rub¬ 
bish  of  all  sorts  that  ha/l  been  collected  during 
the  wiuter,  were  iJaood  in  a  heap  in  the  vegetable 
garden  and  burnt.  Tbo  ashes  were  used  as 
manure  for  various  things,  while  upon  tlie  spot 
where  the  twigs  and  rubbish  had  boon  burnt  a 
UUlof  the  Butman  Kqnash  was  planted.  Another 
hill  of  this  Bcjuasli  was  plantcnl  ten  feet  from  tbo 
first  and  manured  with  a  small  quantity  of  tbo 
adies  alone.  A  tliird  bill  was  planted  ton  feet 
from  tbe  second  with  horse-manure  only.  July 
20,  tho  growth  of  tho  first  bill  (ash-heap)  was 
three  times  as  great  as  that  of  tho  last  (horse- 
inauuro).  The  growtli  of  the  second  hill  was 
twice  that  of  tho  last.  We  had  hoped  to  report 
later  as  to  tho  fruit.  Squash  grubs  have 
squashed  these  hopes. 
- - - 
STANDARD  CURRANTS  AND  GOOSEBER¬ 
RIES. 
Lovers  of  the  Curraut  and  Gooseberry  have 
reason  to  feel  jolly  over  tbo  success  whicb  seems 
to  attend  grafting  them  upon  the  Missouri  Cur¬ 
rant  {Ribes  aureum),  wliich  is  not  liable  to  tbo 
attacks  of  tbo  borer.  Besides,  they  are  exempt 
from  mildew.  And  thus  by  a  single,  happy  hit 
the  two  great  drawbacks  to  currant  and  goose¬ 
berry  cultivation  have  been  overcome.  The 
beauty  of  these  little  trees  when  loaded  with 
thoir  pretty  berries,  as  displayed  at  the  Centen- 
!  nial,  is  of  itself  enough  to  insure  their  general 
cultivation.  It  would  be  well  for  those  who  in¬ 
tend  oxpcrimeuting  with  grafting  currants  to 
boar  in  mind  that  there  is  a  great  difference  m 
the  varieties  of  the  Missouri  Currant,  somo 
making  better  stocks  than  others. 
