B 424 
would place the dwelling or other buildings. I 
would then surround it with a Btrong, pale-fence 
six feet high. On the inside of this fence, 
which faoed the north, I would plant Blackber¬ 
ries and Raspborrios j on that which faced the 
south, oast or west, I would plant hardy grape 
vines. Next the fence on the inside there should 
be a space of five feet, then a drive of twelve 
feet, then a space of five feet, thus leaving an open 
space of twenty-two feet before planting any¬ 
thing which could shade the Grapes, Blackber¬ 
ries or Raspberries. Until the trees planted in¬ 
side of this twenty-two feet become large enough 
to make Bhade, the five feet each side of the 
drive could he filled up with Strawberries or 
other fruits, or the more ornamental vegetables. 
Then at tins distance of twenty-two feet from the 
fence I would plant apple and pear trees, choos¬ 
ing the sorts for their contrasting forms and 
oolors. 
To avoid the stiffness which a square gives, 
the drive should be the gently-curving segment 
of a circle, and the plantations should conform 
to it without falling into any regularity. The 
effort should be to make the space around the 
house an amphitheater, with turf in front and 
trees for the boundaries. 
The larger trees—Apples, Pears, Cherries, 
Chestnuts and Hickories should be planted ou 
the outside of this amphitheater. Then in front 
of these should come the lowor-growing Pears 
and more dwarf Cherries, like Early Richmond, 
with Plums, Poaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Mul¬ 
berries, Crab Apples and English Walnuts. 
Then should come Quinces, Raspberries, Cur¬ 
rants and Gooseberries, while Strawberries 
oould finish the embroidered belt, like a rug 
upon the turf carpet. 
Some will prefer a broad, open lawn in front 
of those trees, bat for many the effect would be 
improved by extending out occasionally a spur 
or peninsula of plantation, forming between 
them ooves or small lawns visible to each other, by 
small vistas through the spurs. The broad 
spaces of lawn would still remain, and the out¬ 
look from the house would be full upon it as 
upon a Roman arena, with the graded bights of 
trees on the outside for the galleries of specta¬ 
tors. No trees Bhould he near the house, and 
nothing he permitted upon the turf excepting 
bedding-plants or low growing BhrubB for color, 
and even this effect could be obtainod by fruit¬ 
boaring shrubs alone. Purple Hazel, Purple 
Berberry and other fruitrbeaiing plantH could be 
planted in masses and kept low with great effect. 
I have clearly in mind the charming results 
which might be obtained in a lawn planted ex¬ 
clusively with fruit trees and fruit shrubs. I 
here only sketch an outline; should any one 
wish to form snob a place, I will take pleasure in 
furnishing & more carefully elaborated plan. 
gxbmrultural, 
THE CONIFER2E OF CALIFORNIA. 
WM. 0. L. DREW. 
The native evergreens of California are not 
surpassed by those of any other part of the world, 
and for gracefuLness, majesty and rapidity of 
growth, they have few, if any, equals. It is for 
the purpose of drawing the attention of intend¬ 
ing planters to the peculiar merits of the most 
beautiful of our Conifer®, that I submit the 
following brief description of those I behove will 
give the beet satisfaction as ornamentals or 
for useful purposes. 
PINUS LAMBERTIANA. 
Lambert’s Pino, was discovered and named by 
Douglas. This magnificent troe is usually known 
as the Sugar Pine; when the trunk is burnt or 
wounded a sweet substance exudes, and from 
this circumstance arises its familiar appellation. 
It is excelled by no other in California for tim¬ 
ber-making clear and handsome lumber. 
The trunk of this Pine grows from 125 to 275 
feet high. It is characterized by an unusually 
straight growth, and is destitute of branches for 
from one-half to two-thirds of its bight. The 
foliage is similar to that of the Pinus strobus 
White Pine; it is rigid and of a bright-green 
color. The cones are from one foot to twenty 
inches long, and ten to twelve inches in circum¬ 
ference in the thickest part; they are pendulous 
from the ends of the branches ; like the foliage, 
they also in form resemble P. strobus. The 
seeds are large, sweet and palatable. They are 
gathered iu immense quantities, slightly roasted, 
and used as food by the native Indians; the 
shell is thin and easily broken. 
It is a stately and magnificent tree, and next 
to the Sequoia, it is the giant of the forest. It 
occurs in groves with P. ponderosa, in the 
higher and moister sections of California; in the 
Sierra Nevada it is very abundant in the higher 
altitudes. As it grows where snow lies on the 
ground for four or five months, it should be 
hardy in the East. [It is.—Er>s.] 
P. PONDEROSA. 
This variety was also discovered and named by 
Douglas, and was sent by him to England as 
early as 1825. The timber is solid and heavy ; 
indeed, so great is its weight and solidity, that 
it will scarcely float in the water. It grows 
THE BUBAL. HEW-YOBKEB. 
from 85 to 125 feet high, with a handsome 
straight trunk, for 30 to 50 feet of which are 
free from branches. It is remarkable for its 
strength and luxuriance. Its branches are very 
regular, become pendulous with age, but are 
horizontal while young. It is familiarly known 
as Yellow Pine. 
[Pinus mitis, the short-leaved, and P. Austra¬ 
lis, the long-leaved Yellow’ Pines. We do not know' 
how many other Yeti&U) Pines there are.—E ds. | 
Its foliage, which is flexible, is long, broad and 
sharp-pointed and very thickly set on the 
branches. While young it is straight, but be¬ 
comes twisted with age. Its cones are small, 
ovate and straight, and are borne ereot; seed 
small. 
This for an ornamental tree, is the haudsomost 
Tine known. The head is very close and full, 
and of the greatest symmetry conceivable. The 
foliage is a very rich dark-green. It is widely 
distributed over California, but grows to the 
greatest perfection in the Sierra Nevada. 
P. CONTORTA. 
Like the preceding, this was also discovered 
and named by Douglas. This is tbe most dwarf of 
all our Pines, attaining to a bight of only eight 
to twenty-five feet. It is popularly known rb 
the Twisted-Branch Pine from its peculiar 
habit. 
~ Foliage somewhat succulent, flexible, a dark, 
rich green in color; cones small, ovate in form 
while young, but becoming nearly round with 
maturity. Its twisted branches are borne at al¬ 
most right angles with the main trunk, and pro¬ 
duced in whorls. Its native hauuts are moist, 
swampy situations, and in such positions it is 
very striking. Useless except for fuel. 
P. MURICATA. 
The true name of this specios is not as yet 
satisfactorily settled; besides the above, it is al¬ 
so known as P. Edgariana and Obispo; its famil¬ 
iar name is Bishop’s Pino. 
It grows from thirty-five to sixty foot high, 
but is useless except for fuel. It has an ex¬ 
tensive range, but is always found in moist situ¬ 
ations, near tbe sea-shore or in very high alti¬ 
tudes. Tbe foliage is flexible, silvery on the 
under-Bide, a pretty green above. Its small, 
ovate cones are very persistent, clinging to tbe 
tree many years after the seed have perfected 
and been distributed. It is a ponderous and 
noble-looking tree, remarkable for its freedom of 
growth and hardiness. Likely to do well in the 
East. 
P. INS1GN1S. 
This troe, ono of our handsome and stately 
forest kings, was the discovery of that indefat¬ 
igable worker, Douglas, who also namod it. It 
grows from 50 to 125 feet. It is principally 
found in tho section of country around Mon¬ 
terey, from which tho familiar name of Mon- 
tery Pine iB derived. It abounds in that re¬ 
gion in immense forests of mauy acres. 
The foliage is of a very dark green hue, very 
thickly set on tbe branches, and twisted in every 
direction: indeed, for irregularity of length, 
diversity of habit, and tbe way iu which the 
foliage is twisted, it would ho hard to find a 
counterpart to it in any other Pine. Tim out¬ 
line of the tree, like the leaves, is very irregu¬ 
lar, consisting of only a few irregularly spread¬ 
ing branches. Cones, small aud persistent. 
The whole appearanoe of the tree is remarka¬ 
ble and so distinct from any othor species, that 
it cannot but be desirable. 
f. SABINIANA 
Is another discovery of Douglas, it being 
also designated by him. While young it is half¬ 
way pretty, but when matured it is positively 
ngly. It has several looal appellations, as Nut 
Pine, and Bull Pine, Digger Pino, and White 
Pine. The foliage isthiu,loug and straggling 
and of a light-green color. The cono is very 
large and heavy, ovate or conical in shape; 
the scales are terminated in upturned hooked 
spurs. The nut is large and much prized by 
children, who gather immense quantities of 
them. The shell is hard and thick, requiring a 
pretty heavy blow to break it. 
The tree is flexible and of very crooked 
growth. This Pine has always appeared to me 
to be diseased, it having large, ugly swellings 
on all the branches. I have never soon one 
but what was thus affected. The wood is use¬ 
less, exoept for fuel and miserable for this 
purpose, on account of its crooked growth 
[There aro many who speak of Pinus Sabiniana 
as one of great beauty. Mr. Hooper says that 
the beautiful, regular form presented by a per¬ 
fect specimen of this tree is all that he oould 
wish for in that respect: and when to this is 
added a compact mass of deep-green verdure, 
gracefully extending to the ground, he does not 
know of anything more desirable. Ens.J 
P. HEISTATA. 
A fine species and sure to meet with favor. 
It attains a bight of from 10 to 75 feet. Tho 
foliage is of a rich groon color, well set on the 
branches. Cones of small size, conical in shape; 
branches Bomewhat crooked, but of pleasing 
outline in general. Like P. Sabiniana, this 
has several local names, as Bent Pine, Soft Pine 
and Soar Pine. Seems to prefer a moiBt situa¬ 
tion. 
P. TUBERCULATA. 
A handsome Pine is this, attaining to a bight 
of 75 feet. It is a very slow grower. The trunk 
is usually of small diameter, neat habit and 
straight. Foliage of a bright green hue, set 
moderately thick on tho brandies; cones are 
borne in clusters, usually of three each, oblong 
in shape, four to five inches long. They are us¬ 
ually persistent, having been found on the tree 
at least ten years old. Profors a moist situa¬ 
tion. 
P. FLEXIUS 
A peculiar and handsome Tine, growing from 
30 to 75 feet high. Foliage rich green color, 
well set on the branches. Branches somewhat 
irregular and flexible. Cones of medium size, 
persistent, conical in form; outline neat but 
sometimes very irregular. Found in high al¬ 
titudes and moist situations. Growth rather 
slow, but will be found of peculiar merit on 
small places. Only useful at fuel. 
MBOCEDRUS DECURRENS. 
This is ono of tho handsomest of California's 
conifer®; discovered and named by Torrey; 
familiarly known as California Arbor-Vita', and 
Cal. White Cedar. It attains to a bight of from 
30 to 75 feet, and a diameter of 2 to 4 feet. Fo¬ 
liage a beautiful dark-green hue, well set on tho 
branches; forms a handsome and moderately 
dense head of beautiful form. 
CUPRESSUS MACROCARPA. 
This species was discovered and named by 
Hartweg, The tree is the most magnificent Cy¬ 
press in cultivation, attaining a hight of from 30 
to 00 feet. Foliage a brilliaut dark-green color, 
very finely cut, and densely set on the branches. 
Cones large, conical in form. Familiarly known 
aa Monterey Cypress. A tree of Buch remarka¬ 
ble growth and beauty cannot be but desirable 
in any collection. The tree is very hardy and 
will grow in any soil. [Not hardy bbre.—Ens.] 
tss torreya caufornica. i ■« 
Discovered and named by Torrey. Familiar 
name, California Nutmeg. The rich dark-green 
of the foliage makes this at once a bold and 
beautiful tree. Foliage resembles that of the 
Spruce, but rather light and thin. Tree attains 
to a hight of 50 to GO feet. Brandies of a slen¬ 
der, drooping habit. The Torreya belongs to a 
group of oouo-bearing trees peculiar for tbo ex¬ 
cellence of their wood ; but the cones are entirely 
distinct from those of any other of our native 
trees, resembling tbe nutmeg of commerce. It 
will be found very desirable in all collections; 
and, as it is found in high latitudes, I think it 
will prove hardy in the Eastern States. 
ABIES DOUGIASIII 
Ono of tho handsomest Spruces known, attain¬ 
ing a hight of from 50 to 175 feet. The foliage 
is a rich green color, well set on the branches. 
The trunk of the troe is destitute of branches 
for over one-half of its hight. The tree is of 
very erect growth and ’very symmetrical. The 
wooa is of fair quality and makes fine lumber. 
This Spruce cannot but prove desirable. 
SEQUOIA SEMPERVIRENS, 
or, as it is commonly known, Redwood, is a 
grand and stately tree with no rival except Se¬ 
quoia gig&ntca. The timber of thiB tree is fast 
superseding all others in California for bouse 
building and other purposes. The grand and 
beautiful green foliage of the tree makes it one 
of the finest of our native evergreens for orna¬ 
ment. That it will prove valuable either as an 
ornament or for profit there can be no doubt. 
SEQUOIA GIQANTEA, 
also known as Sequoia Wellingtonia. the well- 
known “Big Tree” of California, requires only a 
passing word. Tbo beautiful cypress foliage ren¬ 
ders it a fine ornamental tree. Tbo cone is small 
—about two inchoB loug by ono and a quarter 
in diameter—oonical in shape, somewhat persist¬ 
ent. Tho bark iB vory thick, in some places 12 
to 1G inches through. The wood iB of fair qual¬ 
ity and makes good lumber. Iu the East, whore 
it will grow, it will bo a valuable tree. 
JUNIPERUS CAUFORNICA, 
or, Cal. Cedar, a magnificent evorgroon ; Cupros- 
8us Mac-Nabiana, or Golden Cypress; Abies 
Mertensiana, or Cal. Spruce ; Linus Coulteri, all 
fine Conifer®, must be passed for want of space 
and time. 
El Dorado Co., Cal. 
norfintlltiral, 
GARDEN TALKS AND WALKS. 
The Beeches, MasR., .Tune 20, 1878. 
A gentleman came to me tho other day for in¬ 
formation regarding planting some shade trees. 
He stated his case in substance as follows: “I am 
building a bouse on Belmont Rights, where tho 
situation is high and exposed oil OYory side, and 
I want to plant a number of largo Bhade trees 
around the house, so as to give ns Borne Bhade 
right-away. I can get any number of fine large 
trees such as 1 want in the wood near bj our 
place, but how to move them is tho question. I 
havo read a good deal about very large trees 
being successfully transplanted that were lifted 
with large balls of frozen earth &bout tho roots. 
Now, what do you think of the applicability of 
the plan to my purpose ?” 
I explained that forest-trees are mostly “natu¬ 
ral” Beedliugs,that,never having been transplant¬ 
ed or otherwise artificially cared for, haye formed 
JULY 6 
a vital tap roots, and their surface-feeders are so 
far-stretching and sparingly fibored that it is al¬ 
most impracticable to lift and transplant a ten 
to twonty-year-old tree from tho forest or wood 
with safety as regards its life. I Jigging a trench 
aronnd the trees before removal, in order to se¬ 
cure tho frozen ball, in the case of trees in the 
woods, would, too, be almost useless,because it is 
not tho ball of earth that is to save tbe tree’s 
life, but the number of fibrous roots that aro 
therewith secured unhurt: and as the roots of 
such “natural" trees, never having been checked, 
stretch out bo far, it is very improbable that 
enough of them could be secured to save tbo tree. 
And the tap-root, which in the case of one or two- 
year-old trees is severed or checked in transplant¬ 
ing with benefit to the plant, is, in the case of 
wildlings, allowed to develop unhurt, till after a 
few years it is of such vital importance to the tree 
that to dissever it would be to almost, if not 
quite kill the plant. Besides, I am no advocate 
at all of the frozen-ball system. It certainly has 
been used very satisfactorily, and its advocates 
have as much right to their good opinions re¬ 
garding it as I have to mine in favor of fibrous 
roots, and lots of them, witiu-ut frozen earth. 
But in your case, I should adopt cortainty, by go¬ 
ing or sending to some reliable nurseryman for 
Buch trees as you want. 1 hey keep big trees in 
stock for just such purposes, and as these trees 
have been transplanted in their infancy, aud 
again, maybe once, twice, or thrice Bince, they 
will have secured such a large mass of fibrous 
roots, aud that so close to the stem that they can 
not only be lifted easily, but packed for ship¬ 
ment to any distance with facility, and they are 
almost certain to grow away briskly. And even 
if the nursery trees be considerably smaller than 
tho trees you refer to in tho woods, in a few years 
you havo living and thrifty trees, and not 
stumps as dead as a fence-post. I am a strong 
advocate of fall planting, hut in the case of Buch 
a bleak exposure aa yours, I would prefer plant¬ 
ing in early spring. Dig big holes, deep and 
wide, and flU up again with the best of tbe old 
soil and some good fresh soil, peat or old muck. 
Spread out tbe rootB and introduce fine soil 
among the rootlets; never dump a tree up and 
down in a bole to settle the earth about the 
roots, l'ack the soil firmly about tho roots. If 
necessary, Btaltooaoh tree securely. For a year 
or two after planting, a heavy mulching of old 
manure, pino “ needles,” or any other like open 
material will lie of great benefit. 
I walked through the garden of John O. Gray, 
Esq., at Mount Auburn, the othor day. Mr. 
Welch, the gardener, has quite a reputation for 
growing peaches under glass, and he has a very 
uioe crop, indeed, coming on. Those in pots are 
ripe and ripening, and are stood outside since a 
few weeks to give the fruit its proper flavor. Mr. 
W. complains severely about the borers. They 
usually enter the tree a little below the surface 
of the Hoil, and then their first presence is often 
unnoticed; but iu order to stop this practice he 
has little zinc collars some four to six inches in 
diameter, and three or four inches deep round tho 
baso of each tree, so that they aro imbedded a 
little more than half their depth iu the soil, 
and then between the zinc and tbe tree is firmly 
packed with clay. Mr. W. claims that this pre¬ 
vents tho borer entering beneath the earth sur¬ 
face, but instead, it enters above the clay, where 
its presence is immediately observable, aud it¬ 
self killed by the punch of a wire. Rknoclaf. 
-♦♦♦- 
STRAWBERRIES. 
H. HENDBIOKS. 
Now that we are in the midst of the season 
for this luscious and wholesome table fruit, is 
it not well for cultivators to compare notes as 
to varieties, soil, aud tho general management 
of bearing plants ? Many, yes most of us, have 
grown Strawberries for years, either iu private 
gardens, or iu larger areaH for market. Some, 
if not indeed the majority, have been content to 
grow only one or two common varieties, as tbe 
Wilson for example; being Hath fled with an 
abundant supply of fruit, with no special re¬ 
gard for fine flavor. Others with more sensi¬ 
tive palates and greater facilities for their grati¬ 
fication, have planted sorts of more recent in¬ 
troduction, and found places In their gardens 
for many of the new, fine-flavored varieties 
as they came from our enterprising hybridizers 
aud propagators. A few of this latter class 
have growu an uxtousive variety under varying 
circumstances, carefully noting the habits, pe¬ 
culiarities and merits belonging to eaoh ; and 
the results obtained, and opinions formed by 
those persons must, of necessity therefore, 
comprise the most reliable data we have on the 
subject. a 
To the non-producing consumer we must, 
however, accord a share of judgment in the 
general estimate, so far as relates to flavor. 
For some of these fully appreciate fine fruit 
and aro willing to pay for it with nice discrimin¬ 
ation ; others claim to he connoisseurs in fruits 
and flavors, and will not doseorate their delicate 
palates with common varieties. Now, among so 
largo a circle of readers as that possessed by the 
Rural New-Yorker ; it is Burely fair to assume 
that all these various classes are fully represent¬ 
ed. As one belonging somewhere in this list, l 
