264 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ November, 
and Gross Colman Grapes, it seems to liave crept into cultivation as if by 
stealth. 
— de Groot, of Bruges, holds one of the finest and most valuable 
Hardy Ornamental Trees yet met with in a beautiful Golden-leaved Quercus 
americanci , far exceeding Quercus Robur concordia in the beauty of the leaf. Its 
form may be described as that of the Scarlet Oak, which will convey some idea 
of the size and beauty of its foliage. 
- £S£e have previously alluded to Hydrangea Otahsa as a fine ornamental 
plant. It resembles H. Hortensia in its aspect and its style of inflorescence, 
but is altogether stronger and bolder in growth. The colour of the florets is 
pink, ancl they are produced in enormous globular heads of from 12 inches to 20 inches 
across. It should make a fine market plant, as well as an admirable subject for greenhouse 
and conservatory decoration. Out-doors it grows freely, and is about as hardy as H. Hortensia. 
- Hn one of the plant-houses at Ashridge the Ficus stipulata (repens of 
gardens) bore 12° of frost with impunity. The plant clothes the back wall of 
the house, and during some alterations or repairs was exposed through this 
severe frost without being any the worse for it. Few plants are more useful than this Ficus 
for clothing the walls of glass-houses, and the fact of its endurance of this exceptionally low 
temperature will greatly enhance its value for similar purposes. 
- £n a recent number of the Illustration Ilorticole , M. Andre mentions 
having seen at a horticultural exhibition at Orleans a specimen of a Purple Birch. 
It originated as a chance seedling, was grafted on to the common Birch, and was 
thus exhibited. It has a weeping habit, and deep violet-purple leaves. 
— ®he suggestion thrown out by Mr. Fish for an Election of Fruit Trees , 
writes a correspondent, “is a very good one, but I must take exception to your 
requiring so much variety. For instance, in the case of Cottagers’ gardens, one 
variety of Apricot (Moorpark) is quite sufficient, and one variety of Red Currant is also as 
much as is at any time required. Of course the number of plants of each may be multiplied 
at pleasure. In the case of the larger gardens of Amateurs, taking Apricots as an example, 
is there any necessity to cultivate more than three varieties ? One, indeed, is sufficient; 
nine is altogether out of the question. Nine varieties of Peaches may be admissable in a 
large garden, but what can be said of nine Nectarines ? It is far too many, seeing that one 
half of them come into use at the same time. Then, again, six Raspberries. Why, the 
Prince of Wales and the Red and Yellow Antwerp for summer use, and Rivers’ double-bearing 
for autumn, are all that can be required. To cultivate more is only to cultivate variety. 
The lists of Apples and Pears, also, I consider far too large for any ordinary sized garden. It 
is far better to cultivate several trees of one good sort than to go into so much variety.” 
- ^rofessor Oersted, of Copenhagen, died on September 3. He was 
best known to the botanists of this country by his work, unfortunately incomplete, 
on the Flora of Central America. 
- J9r. Welwitsch, the energetic botanical explorer of West Tropical 
Africa, died on October 20, aged 65. Since his return to Europe, he has chiefly 
resided in England, for the purpose of publishing his discoveries ; and for some 
time past has been in failing health. But a month or two since, the Botanical Magazine 
published a figure of the rare Treculia africana, the Okwa tree, which had been presented by 
him to Kew in 18G4. 
