THE  .ByBAL  WEW-YOBKEB 
Jloricullnral, 
BKOMELIADS. 
All  who  have  b-avelod  tlirough  the  Diaraal 
Swauip  of  Virginia  or  other  more  southeni  Htatcs 
could  not  fail  to  have  observed  the  Black  Moss 
that  drapes  the  trees  hi  the  most  somber  of 
dresses. 
Wo  recall  a  stage-coach  ride  iu  S<iuthom 
Georgia  tho  route  of  which  led  through  a  dreary 
swamp  several  miles  In  length  that,  but  for  tho 
preoarlons  and  tortuous  rond  wliich  had  been 
cut  through  for  the  stage,  would  have  been 
wholly  impeuetrablo.  It  was  in  winter,  'i’ho 
water  of  tJie  swamp  concealed  tho  roiid  for  cou- 
sidorable  distances  and  in  many  parts  was  «leop 
enough  to  cover  tho  hubs  of  Uio  stage,  while  (he 
honioH  stumbled  and  floundered  along  as  if  a 
passage  tlirough  without  accident  were  next  to 
an  iiniiossihllity.  Tho  trees  were  densely  thick 
and  the  (  Cypress  Knees  stuck  up  their  shapeloss 
heads  like  so  many  MCird,  gloomy  forms  of  life 
that  were  created  hut  for  this  “  gloomy  Hlmdc" 
and  wore  there  “  weeping  their  sad  hosonis 
empty."  The  leafless  trees  were  draped  in 
masses  of  this  Black  Moss— tho  Tiilondsio  iisne- 
o'kUs  of  botany — and  its  gray,  cold,  creejiing, 
matte  1,  lifeless  aiijicarauco  comidetcd  a  dismal 
tout  that,  teavel  tliis  uide  world  over, 
would  he  seldom  observed  iu  higher  perfection, 
if  we  may  suppose  dogreos  in  that  which  is  itself 
superlative. 
Few  that  have  seen  this  sad  TiUandsia  thus, 
or,  in  fact,  at  all,  could  surmise  that  it  has  sev¬ 
eral  sisters  possessed  of  sullicicnt  beauty  to  ho 
recognized  among  tho  oholcost  of  couKcrvatory 
plants.  linmi  luiwE  is  tho  order  to  wliich  it 
belongs  —  the  Pineapple  family  as  it  may  be 
called.  Au-anasna  is  tho  Pineapple,  the  slripeil- 
loaved  variety  of  which,  vl.  mrUyotnKf  is 
prized  for  its  coriaceous,  flnely-tooUied  leaves, 
au  inch  wide,  green  in  tlio  middle,  margined 
distinctly  with  white.  It  associates  well  Witli 
such  plants  aa  Uraavnas,  and  rei|iijring  only 
small  pots  for  its  roots,  is  suitable  for  brackets 
or  for  tbe  decorfition  of  rooms  or  tbe  table.  It 
may  also  be  plunged  during  the  summer  in  any 
part  of  the  garden  wliere  desned,  without  mucli 
regard  to  sun,  shiido,  or  soil. 
J]iUh(rfiia>i  and  Aachnivan  also  may  bo  conii- 
dontly  rocommended  to  our  friends,  both  as  re¬ 
gards  tlicir  peculiar  foliage  and  the  groat  bo.auty  1 
of  their  infloroacenco.  Tho  inflexible  leaves  re¬ 
curve  iu  an  urtiticial,  varo-liko  manner  to  a  de¬ 
gree  that  renders  imitalious  of  them  in  wax  only 
evident  upon  a  closo  examination.  Of  the  Bill- 
herglas,  B,  Murdiutia  is  one  of  the  best.  Its 
flowers  arc  lc.s«  crowded  upon  tho  spiko,  which 
droops  iu  a  pleasing  way  from  the  center  and  is 
over  a  foot  in  longtb.  B.  fhysovka  forms  a 
dense  head  of  flowers  but  little  ruiscil  above  the 
hrilliant  crimson  hriiets. 
These  plaut.s  requiro  a  loose,  fibrous  soil, 
plenty  of  drainage,  and  sand  sufficient  to  retain 
it  alway.s  porous.  Owiug  to  tho  almost  horny 
texture  of  tlie  leaves,  tliey  arc  hut  little  liable  to 
the  attacks  of  other  inyeels  than  scale  and  mealy 
hug,  both  of  wliich,  with  ordinary  care,  arc  Iccpt 
aloof. 
As  soon  as  Billbergias  bloom,  they  throw  up 
suckers  from  tho  base-  Theso  should  be  cut  olT 
at  thoir  jiiiiction  with  the  mother  plant  afto 
they  have  alldiiied  some  size  and  firmly  placed 
in  small  pots  of  lijcht  soil,  where,  if  not  too 
freely  watorod,  they  will  soou  form  roots,  and, 
if  thou  given  pleutyof  light  and  lieatand  shifted 
to  larger  pobs  as  their  growth  renders  it  neces¬ 
sary,  they'  will  hlijom  tho  second  .seaison  after¬ 
ward. 
In  general  terms  tho  same  uiay  he  said  of  the 
Acoluiieas.  They  are  easily  cultivated  ;  they 
produce  varied  and  beautiful  flowers }  tho  plants 
never  become  too  large  for  small  collectioiiH  and 
the  several  species  bloom  at  ilifforeiit  jiuriods, 
thus  seeuting  a  succession  of  flowers.  .1.  fuk 
^ens  hears  bright-red  flowers  wliich  are  attniet- 
ivo  for  a  long  time  after  they  ha\'o  ccjisctl  bloom¬ 
ing,  owing  to  an  aiiiioarauco  they  assume  wliich 
resembles  buds  yet  to dpon.  A.AIaruu  Begmas 
boars  8))iny  leaves,  airanged  in  the  samo  maimer 
as  tho  others,  a  foot  or  more  long,  cuning 
toward  the  ends.  Of  this  Mr.  B.  S.  Wiijj.vms 
of  London  remarks : 
“The  flower  spike  is  erect,  the  lower  portion 
being  dotted  witJi  large,  oblong,  boat-shai>cd 
bracts  of  a  rich  magenta,  shaded  witli  ro.yo. 
Theso  remain  for  two  montbs  in  full  perfection. 
Tlie  uiipor  portion  of  the  scape  is  Ihlokly  stud¬ 
ded  with  flowers  which  arc  tipped  wdlli  dark 
blue,  chunging  with  age  to  ruse.” 
But  ovoii  tho  Tiliaiidsias  themselves  must  not 
be  judged  by  tho  gloomy  species  with  which  wc 
began  this  article,  T.  Limimi  major  quite  re¬ 
sembles  a  Twea,  with  its  distichous  shr,po,  that 
ill  form  reminds  one  of  the  Triloma  ucaria, 
though  its  flowers  are  iai'go,  brightly  hliie,  with 
white  eyes.  T.  exonimxiit  is  .a  climber  of  a  frec- 
bloomitig  habit,  with  drooping,  rose  -  colored 
flowers.  T.  sangninolrnta  is  a  nntivo  of  New 
Grenada,  with  foliage  of  a  lively  green,  spotted 
all  over  witli  red.  T.  inumica  is  an  air  plant, 
as  are  T.  n-vimUks  and  others  of  this  order.  It 
has  stiap.shai.icd,  curving  leaves  a  foot  long,  of 
a  yellowisli  color,  irregularly  marked  with  veins 
of  a  dark  green,  and  is  thus  doshablo  for  It.s 
singular  foliage.  T,  Zahnii  is  a  novelty  Intro¬ 
duced  from  Costa  liica  through  Mr.  Zahn,  one 
of  the  collectors  of  Jamkb  Veitch  A  Rokr  of 
London,  after  w  lioin  they  named  it.  “  In  hab¬ 
it,"  Mr.  VEiTcn  has  described  it,  “  as  similar  to 
other  Tiliaiidsias,  hut  its  beauty  lies  in  tho  won¬ 
derful  coloring  of  the  foliage  and  flower.  When 
iu  a  young  state  tho  leaves  are  of  a  deeji  amber 
color,  with  distinct  veins  of  red.  Aa  the  plant 
advances  in  ago  tho  leaves  turn  into  a  rich  scar¬ 
let,  which  IncreascH  until  tho  time  of  flowering. 
Tho  flower  spike,  thrown  some  eiglit  to  ten 
inches  above  the  foliage,  is  surrounded  with 
scarlet  bracts ;  the  flowers,  which  are  produced 
in  clusters,  arc  of  a  rich  golden-yellow  color.” 
Other  genera  of  this  onler,  such  as  f/uzman^ 
nin,  ritcaimia^  PourrcHa,  Qiumtiia,  are  of¬ 
fered  by  florists,  same  of  them  in  variety  and 
many  worthy  of  a  favor,  which,  except  hero  and 
Ihcre,  they  do  not  receive,  for  the  only  reason, 
pure  and  simple,  that  they  are  not  known. 
— — - 
CALIFORNIA  FLOKICULTUEE. 
I  HAVK  just  boon  reading  your  invitation  to 
lluiiAL  lloriculturistH  to  wTito  and  give  their  ox- 
porionce  tho  past  season.  Now,  I  am  quite  an 
indilTerent  hand  at  both  com]x)sitiou  and  jieu- 
mansliip,  hut  will  tiy  to  give  you  my  experience 
for  tho  jiaat  season  as  best  I  can. 
Two  years  ago  I  tliouglit  I  would  try  my  liand 
a  little  at  flowers,  so  I  sent  to  Vick  and  obtained 
a  few  annn.als,  such  as  Zinnias,  Buintbus  and 
Asters.  Last  season  I  Innl  tho  finest  Asters  in 
tho  valley,  some  of  tlm  plants  having  lUO  fine, 
large,  well-developed  flowers,  and  my  Zinnias 
and  Diantbiifl  wore  also  very  lino.  But  this 
season  was  far  ahead  of  last.  My  flower-bed  is 
small,  say  8x30  feet.  In  this  were  one  row  of 
Zinnias  and  one  row  of  Asters  of  live  colors, 
throe  rows  of  Tiianthns,  and  a  few  Phlox  and 
choice  Sweet  Williams  and  Pinks. 
From  tho  20th  of  .lime  up  to  the  Istof  Novem¬ 
ber  my  little  flower  gar  den  has  been  a  iKirfect 
blaze  of  beauty,  with  every  shade  of  color  from 
the  deepest  crimson  to  the  most  delicate  pink, 
and  has  been  the  admiration  of  tho  whole  neigh¬ 
borhood.  I  have  also  about  30  variotios  of  lino 
itosus,  some  of  which  have  been  iu  bloom  all  the 
summer,  so  1  have  not  been  out  of  flowers  since 
May.  But  now  comes  tho  most  interesting  part 
of  all.  Lust  fall  a  lady  friemi  gave  uio  some 
slips  of  Fuchsias;  1  divided  Uiem  into  2i  cut¬ 
tings  and  set.  tliem  in  a  box  of  rich  sediment 
and  soil,  and  in  the  spring  potted  Uiom  off  in 
small  tin  oans,  such  as  oyster  and  fruit  cans, 
and  out  of  tlie  2-1  cuttings  T  only  lost  two-  lliey 
began  to  hloom  in  Juno  an<l  have  lieen  iu  bloom 
ever  tince.  1  sold  one  for  one  for  ^'3,  and 
one  for  ^'2  .all  to  one  lady,  but  tho  one  I  sold 
for  c5  was  the  most  beautiful  plant  I  oversaw. 
It  commenced  to  bloom  in  May  and  is  ui  bloom 
now.  It  boars  a  largo  flower,  with  very  bright, 
glossy  sepals,  with  a  very  double,  loi’ge,  purple 
corolla— at  fust  a  bright  purple,  turning  to  a 
boautiful  bronze  as  it  grows  older,  and  is  from 
ILX  to  2  inches  in  diameter.  The  buds  before 
opening  were  finm  to  1  j inch  iu  di.ameter, 
of  a  bright  scai'iet  color,  and  almost  round  in 
shape.  For  six  weeks  it  bore  from  75  to  110 
buds  and  flowers  at  a  time,  and  h:ul  I  been  iu 
San  I'Viincisco,  or  some  city  where  Ihero  were 
pcojilo  of  taste,  with  the  means  to  gniUfy  their 
taste,  I  could  have  easily  sold  it  for  iflO. 
And  now  as  to  what  1  have  learned  this  season. 
I  miiy  say  I  have  leai  iied  all  that  I  know  this 
season  and  last,  for  1  tiul  not  know  .i  Phlox  from 
a  Zinnia  hotoro  last  season.  As  to  what  is  my 
choice,  1  tJunk  that,  so  far  as  inj  experience  bus 
gone.  Fuchsias,  Pinks,  Hoses  and  J’lilox  arc 
about  as  good  ns  any,  take  them  altogether,  as 
they  aro  easy  and  quick  to  luiso  and  very  gay 
and  showy. 
Lastly,  wliat  liavo  I  gained  by  my  experieuco  ? 
Well,  1  have  gained  a  love  for  flowers,  or  rather, 
1  have  Imd  niy  love  for  them  awakened,  and  I 
have  had  the  gre-atest  amount  of  satisfaction 
in  lending  my  plants  and  flowers  at  such  times 
ns  1  have  iiad  to  spare  from  my  daily  labors,  and 
if  1  owned  tlie  phuxi  on  which  I  live,  or  any  other 
place  where  I  might  jmt  such  improvements  on 
as  1  desired,  without  being  linhlo  to  be  turned 
out  at  any  time,  1  would,  in  a  few  years,  have 
grounds  worth  Jooking  at.  A.  Cuhjebtson. 
Watsonvllln,  Santa  t’niz,  Cal. 
|\Ve  have  no  reason  to  discredit  our  corre¬ 
spondent  8  statement  as  to  the  prices  which  ho 
obtained  for  his  Fuchsias— but  as  tbe  newest 
and  flnest  varieties  are  offered  by  Ban  Francisco 
florists  at  50  cents  each,  .wo  think  that,  iu  the 
direction  of  that  city,  ho  would  have  gone  fur¬ 
ther  and  fared  worse. — En.] 
- - 
NOTES. 
Sakcodes  SA.MOin.NE.A  (CALiFonxiA  Snow- 
Plant). — This  singular  and  wondeifuUy  high- 
oolorod  and  tender  habitant  of  tbe  RierraB  has 
attrocte'd  much  attention  from  botanists  and 
profcHKional  gardeners,  as  w’oU  as  commanded 
the  admiration  of  all  who  have  Boon  it  in  its 
purplish-scarlet  splendor,  growing  like  an  icicle 
of  blood  from  tho  cold  soil,  under  tho  shadow  of 
dark  evergreens  whicli  cluster  upon  tho  brows 
of  towering  mountains. 
After  all  that  has  been  said  about  tbe  impos¬ 
sibility  of  propagating  thiH  plant,  and  all  tho 
B]>ecuIatJonR  and  assertioriK  as  to  its  being  a 
parasite  from  tho  roots  of  tho  Pine,  etc.,  this 
plant  is  actually  growing  upon  tlm  seed  in  the 
conservatory  of  Dr.  A.  W.  Haxk,  at  Banta  Clara. 
I^ast  year  ho  received  several  Snow  plants,  which 
wore  taken  up  near  Bonner  T.ako,  and,  with  the 
earth  still  adhering  to  tliem,  transplanted  into  a 
common  candlo-hox.  Br.  Saxe  placed  them 
(still  in  the  box)  in  a  sheltered  room  under  the 
tank  of  tlio  wintlmiU,  where  it  was  cool  and 
moist.  AftiT  the  plants  dried  up,  he  jmllod 
Uiem  out  of  the  earth  ami  crumbled  the  seeds 
aud  crowns  of  tho  jilants  in  his  hands,  dropping 
them  into  tlie  holes  where  they  had  gromi.  Ho 
loft  the  box  where  it  had  been  plat:ed  in  tlie 
tank  room  and  took  no  fm  tlier  care  of  it.  And 
now  there  are  two  lino  plants,  as  highly  colored 
and  as  fine  as  any  that  can  be  found  in  their  na¬ 
tive  haunts.  The  soil  in  tho  box  is  the  same  that 
was  taken  up  with  tho  plants,  and  is  of  a  shaly, 
basaltic,  non-silecions  nature. 
Bo  says  tho  California  Horticulturist.  Mr. 
,Tas.  Vick  says  that  ho  has  one  which  was  trans- 
plantesl  to  a  jiall  of  eartli  and  brought  across  the 
country.  It  ouduied  its  six  days'  travel  without 
Injury,  being  litierally  supplied  with  ice-water 
on  tlm  route.  It  is  now  forming  seeds.  Ho 
docs  not  expect,  should  they  rijuin,  that  this 
singular  plant  will  flourish  so  far  away  from  its 
mountain  home.  We  think  lie  may  derive  hope 
from  Br.  Baxk’k  sncceHs. 
I.oiiELTA  Syi'hilttica.  Yoiiv  acoount  of  Lo- 
htdia  Is  good.  I  have  been  over  Uio  samo  ground 
and  observed  also  the  behavior  of  insects  on 
many  kinds  of  flowers.  Tho  scarcity  of  Insects 
on  a  B])ecioH  iu  any  certain  locality  is  not  a  guide 
for  all  places.  I  havn  sceu  honey  bees  and  sev¬ 
eral  otlicr  kinds  very  frequent  visitors  to  the 
Lobelia  you  speak  of  in  half-a-dozen  difforent. 
counties  in  several  Btatos. — W.  J.  JiKAi,,  Ag'l 
(JoUegr-i  Mwh. 
^rljonciiltunil, 
VARIEGATED  DECIDUOUS  SHRUBS. 
Tub  direction  given  to  our  interest  in  plants 
depends  on  several  considerations.  As  students 
of  botany,  we  may  be  inclined  to  dwell  on  the 
rare  aud  curious  features  which  pertain  espe- 
ciully  to  lliat  science,  and  lend  a  thrilling  charm 
to  even  liunihle,  Ignoble  weeds.  To  the  severely 
jiractioiil  character,  tho  simple  idea  of  shelter 
from  wind  and  huu  will  alone  present  itself ;  and 
to  tho  man  of  taste,  little  else  than  tho  cai>aci- 
ties  for  artistic  effects  to  ho  ediK^ed  thereby. 
Unquestionably,  tho  happiest  combination  is 
tliat  of  being  able  to  enjoy  at  once  as  botanist, 
juactical  man  and  artist. 
At  iirescut,  however,  we  propose  to  consider 
only  the  artistic  jioint  of  view-.  There  has  been, 
and  is,  quite  a  niiiuia  for  varicgulcd-lcHved 
lilauts,  and,  in  England,  it  has  already  reached 
a  really  eat  husiastic  stage.  But,  over  aud  above 
the  mere  ad  mini  lion  inspired  by  a  beautiful  iu- 
dividmil  plont,  there  is  a  line  opportunity  for 
effect  to  he  derived  from  flic  judicious  conihina- 
lion  of  massc.s  of  niany-colorcd  leaves. 
Tho  i>riiiciplus  that  govern  tho  formation  of 
groups  and  hedges  are  very  miicii  the  same,  and 
consist  chielly  in  designing  harmonious  contrasts 
of  color  and  flowing  outlines  that,  with  much 
graceful  irregularity,  adhere  more  or  less  to  tho 
plan  of  largo  sizes  to  tho  rear  or  center,  and 
small  to  the  front.  The  planting  of  deciduous 
ahruhs  is  simple,  aud  neaily  all,  including  tho 
varicgatod-loaved,  oudnro  well  tho  hardships  of 
lioth  summer  aud  winter.  Given  the  artistic 
eye,  however,  a  true  sense  of  color  and  propor¬ 
tion,  a  sound,  general  knowledge  of  tiie  plant’s 
habits,  color  an<l  form,  when  mature,  become 
also  neccKHary.  One  result  of  tins  knowledge 
will  be  the  establishment  of  a  correct  syatein  of 
pruning  to  be  applied  almost  universally.  This 
consists  in  simply  cutting  out  entirely  tho  old 
wood  every  tlirce  years  aud  trimming  the  now 
moderately  for  symmetry  and  busliiness,  as  per- 
foction  of  leaf  and  a  natural  beauty  of  phuit 
outline  are  all  that  is  required  of  such  shrubs. 
K  concise  detcriptiou  of  certain  iirominent 
varieties,  constant  and  rcliahlo  in  their  coloring, 
may  ho  properly  given  iicro  as  a  guide  to  the 
accomplishnient  of  desired  effects.  In  this  re¬ 
lation,  all  shrubs  divide  themselves  into  two 
classes  of  more  or  less  vigorous  grow  th  luvord- 
ing  to  the  natm-e  of  the  variety. 
The  I'uiqile  Berberry  (Ikrbens  ntropurpurea') 
is  thorny  and  strong-growing,  of  purple-bronze 
hue,  with  pretty  orange  flowers,  and,  altogether, 
a  sturdy,  characteristic  plant.  It  forma  in  the 
group  a  very  good  foil  to  tho  next  named  kind. 
Elaiagnua  hortentia  is  coarse -growing,  with 
whitis-hgray,  silvery  leaf  and  wood,  quite  stiik- 
ing  and  worthy  of  employment. 
The  Bea  liuckUioru  (Hipjiopkai  >-Ao7/itioi<fes)  is 
of  vigorous,  large  habit,  witJi  small,  silvery  gray 
leaves,  of  much  tho  samo  general  tone  as  tho 
last.  It  is  particularly  adapted  for  planting  liy 
Gie  seaside,  resisting  bravely  the  most  trying 
weather  and  a  strong  sea  air. 
Jfippophrr  anliHfoUa  has  a  longer,  grayer  leaf, 
with  a  generaUy  duller  shade,  but  otlierwise 
much  resembles  rlunmuyvka.  Weigela  ama- 
hilia  vari(ga(a  is  a  fine,  strong  sbruli,  with 
marked  yellow  variegation. 
Balix  vaprm  tricolor,  is  a  pleasantly  variega¬ 
ted  Willow  of  vigorous,  clean  habit — very  useful 
for  massing. 
Bpirv'.a  npulSfnlia  aitrm  is  a  slirnb  worthy  of 
liigh  praise  for  producing  contrasts.  It  is  largo 
and  grand,  with  golden-tinted  variegation  suf¬ 
fused  throughout  tho  ontiro  le.af. 
Gold  and  Silvor-leavod  Elder  (Sanihuvita  nigrn- 
nurva  and  argnika)  arc  large  and  ra)iid  growing, 
the  leaves  blotched  broadly  with  yellow  and  sil¬ 
ver,  and  peculiarly  valuable  for  mucli  tho  same 
effect  as  the  last. 
The  Purj tie  Hazel  (Vorglua  nndlnnn  atropur- 
jmn  a')  is  perhaps  tho  darkest  colored  shrub  we 
have.  It  makes  a  hush  of  richest  purple,  and  is 
invaluable  for  strong  contrasts.  Tho  weaker, 
morodwarflsh-growing  varieties  may  lie  exempli- 
lied  by  tho  follow'ing :  PJrgam  longipea  is  a 
Japanoso  shrub,  very  riiro  and  curious,  and  of 
dwarf,  bushy  habit.  Tho  loaf,  gray,  Hhiuing  and 
silvery  to  a  remarkable,  degree,  makes  a  good 
foil  to  the  I’uriilo  Hazel. 
Weigrla  roam  varkgnla  is  marked  strongly 
with  yellow,  aud,  though  bushy,  grows  with 
much  vigor.  It  is  very  effective  in  groiqis. 
Buist's  Variegated-leaved  Althea  (Ilihisrua  S;/- 
riarnta  variegaf.  Jl.  pi.)  is  of  erect,  compact  hab¬ 
it,  and  very  distinctly  marked  with  green  and 
white.  When  grown  from  cnltiugs,  weakly  re¬ 
sults  aro  obtained,  grafted  plants  being  more 
satisfactory.  The  dull-red  imperfect  flowers  are 
rather  a  detriment  to  tho  beauty  tliau  other- 
wiso. 
JJibiscua  Bgriacua  varkgata,  another  vario- 
gatcd  leaved  Althea,  differs  much  from  the  last 
ill  that  the  color  is  more  yellow,  and  tho  flower 
of  a  line  pink  and  single. 
A  grafted  jilaiit  is  superior  for  same  reasons 
as  stated  in  Uio  case  of  Buist’s  variety. 
J)m(zia  gracilia  varkgatn  is  a  dwarf,  neat  and 
pretty,  with  yellow  variegation  and  niueli  grace. 
Another  form  of  the  variegated  Beutzia  lias 
been  sent  out  recently  from  Japan  to  8  B.  I’au- 
HONS  A  Bonk,  of  Flushing,  by  Mr.  Tnos.  Hono. 
The  leaves  liave  a  curious,  gray,  asliy  tint,  oth¬ 
erwise  it  is  a  neat  shruh,  much  le-scmhliug 
Beutzia  gracilis. 
Hydrangea  Imrknsi.’i  aurea  and  argmtea  be¬ 
long  to  a  portion  of  the  family  that  generally 
dies  to  tho  surface  of  the  ground  in  the  winter, 
coming  up  freshly  in  tho  spring  Tbe  variega¬ 
tion  is  broadly  marked,  and  i>roduceH  quite  a 
striking  effect  in  groups. 
Kerrla  Japomca  variegata  is  a  delicate  little 
shrub,  w'ith  lino  grceil  br.'uiches  and  silvery 
leaves. 
.  iPiplnm  tnezorrutn  purpnreimi  has  a  richly- 
tinted  leaf,  green  at  fust  and  nuitm-iug  later  into 
a  lino  jiiirplo. 
Baphne  citctirnm  varkgnta  has  the  usual  pretty 
quahlios  of  Ihe  well-known  Gneonim,  with  added 
beauty  in  its  yellow  variegation.  Tim  flowers  of 
vuriegated-leaved  plants  wo  have  not  dwelt  on 
from  llieir  general  inferiority  in  themselves,  or 
in  comiiarisou  with  hues  about  tlmni,  but  tlio 
blossoms  of  tliis  little  plant  ere  so  Hweetescented 
aud  he.autiful  Ih.at  we  cannot  refrain  from  offer¬ 
ing  it  a  passing  tiThiilo.  Tho  pruning  of  tlie 
Baplino  cueorum  and  its  forms  may  ho  profita¬ 
bly  varied  by  cutting  out  the  old  wood  every 
year,  instead  of  every  third  year,  as  its  tendency 
is  to  redden  aud  lose  its  lower  loaves  on  tho  old 
wooil,  espocially  wlien  exposed  to  hot  sun  near 
buildings  or  elsewhere.  This  process  renews 
and  strengthens  the  fresh  growth.  It  will  be 
seen  by  our  description  of  the  more  striking  va¬ 
riegated  shrubs,  that  a  proper  regard  to  their 
colors  and  sizes,  when  mature,  may  afford  scope 
for  the  accomplishment  of  an  endless  variety  of 
Xilcasiug  and  graceful  effects,  all  based  on  the 
soundest  principles  of  art. 
Samuel  Pabsons. 
- -♦♦♦ - 
TREE  PLANTING  IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW 
YORK. 
The  law  of  New  York  State,  making  provision 
for  planting  shade-trees  along  the  highway,  i  i  as 
follows :  Any  person  liable  to  highway  tax  that 
shiill  tiaiisplaiit  by  tho  side  of  tho  pubUc  highway 
any  forest  shado-troes  or  fruit-trees  of  suitable 
size,  shall  he  allowed  by  the  overseers  of  high¬ 
ways,  ill  abatement  of  his  highway  tax,  one 
