THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
271 
value of the scented Verbena. He draws a comparison 
between its cultivation with us merely as a scented 
garden plant, and its systematic collection and storage 
in Spain for winter use. With the Spaniards it is said 
to form one of the finest stomachics and cordials, and 
is taken, either made into a decoction and drank cold 
with water and sugar as a tonic, or with the morning 
and evening cup of tea; A sprig of about five or six 
leaves of the Lemon Verbena is first put into the cup, 
and the hot tea poured over it. By using this it is said 
“ you will never suffer from flatulence, never be made 
nervous or old maidish, never have cholera, summer 
complaint, or loss of appetite. Besides, the flavor is 
simply delicious ; no one who has once had his Pekoe 
with it, will ever again drink it without a sprig of 
Lemon Verbena.” 
* 
* * 
A new Currant, called “White Sweet” has been in¬ 
troduced this season by Geo. Seymour, Esq., South Nor¬ 
walk, Conn., the originator of the “ Henderson” Straw¬ 
berry. The fruit is as large as the Cherry Currant, and 
remarkable for its sweetness, making it desirable for 
table use. It is said to be very prolific. 
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# * 
Pruning Shrubs. There is so much injury done to 
ornamental shrubs by injudicious and untimely pruning, 
that we quote from Ellwanger & Barry’s catalogue the 
following excellent directions for proper pruning. Al¬ 
though a little late for some kinds of pruning, it were 
better done now than to leave until the coming spring. 
“ Pruning, as sometimes practiced, has the effect to 
render trees and shrubs unnatural and inelegant, by 
shearing into cones, pyramids and other unnatural 
shapes. Every tree and shrub has a habit of growing, 
peculiar to itself, and this peculiarity is one of its beau¬ 
ties. If we prune all alike into regular shapes we de¬ 
stroy their identity. The pruning knife, therefore, should 
be used and handled with judgment to lop off straggling 
branches. Shearing may be practiced on hedges, but 
never on trees and shrubs. While symmetry and regu¬ 
larity of form are to be admired in a shrub, this quality 
should never be gained at the expense of health and 
natural grace. Wiegelas, Deutzias, Forsythias, and 
Mock Orange, flower on the wood of the preceding 
years’ growth, and hence these shrubs should not be 
pruned in winter and spring, but in June, after they 
have finished flowering, when the old wood should be 
shortened or cut out, thus promoting the growth of 
young wood which is to bear flowers the following sea¬ 
son. But Spiraeas, Lilacs, Althaeas and Honey-suckles 
may be trimmed during the winter or early spring and 
the branches should be reduced only enough to keep 
them in good shape. The old growth should be occa¬ 
sionally thinned out, and suckers and root sprouts re¬ 
moved. The best time, however, for pruning all shrubs 
is when they have done flowering. The plumed Hy¬ 
drangea should be severely cut back and thinned early 
in the spring. In pruning Evergreens, use the knife 
occasionally to thicken the growth and preserve the 
shape. This may be done in April or May, just before 
the trees start to grow.” 
■» 
* * 
The Petunia. People that are disposed to throw aside 
Petunias when making a selection of plants for bedding 
or massing, because the craze is for some other class of 
plants, would do well to look at the collection of W. C. 
Wilson, Esq., of Astoria, N. Y., before concluding to 
throw aside this magnificent tribe of plants. We thought 
we had seen the Petunia in all its forms, and in its 
greatest perfection, but must admit that we have never 
before known its capabilities for usefulness. In this 
collection we saw both the double and single varieties, 
more than four inches in diameter, beautifully fringed, 
and with such contrasts of colors and positive mark¬ 
ings, as cannot be found in any other flower. 
* 
* * 
A spike of Gladiolus, var. Shakespeare , on the writer's 
desk, with eight perfect flowers open, and thirty-three 
buds, all full of promise, is pretty good evidence that 
the present season is altogether favorable for the develop¬ 
ment of this flower. 
* 
* * 
Iris Keempferi. The cool, wet weather of this season 
while these charming plants have been in bloom, has 
prolonged their season of usefulness, and greatly added 
to their loveliness. This is quite a new race of garden 
plants, and where a favorable situation can be found 
for them, they should certainly fill it. They delight in 
cool, moist and moderately heavy soil, and are of the 
easiest culture, requiring but little care ’’and attention. 
They are increased rapidly from seed, flowering the 
second year, and, as they are hybrids, there is no end 
to the varieties that can be produced, by so simple a 
process as sowing the seeds and awaiting the results. 
* 
* •» 
Edgar Sanders, Esq., the well-known florist of Chicago, 
a man of good practical sense, and a very pleasing 
writer, has become an associate Editor of the Prairie 
Farmer. This insures its readers some interestin 
papers on floriculture. 
* 
* * 
The'first page of the Rural New Yorker of June 21st 
is devoted to a truthful portrait of Thomas D. Carman, 
Esq., father of its editor and publisher. The space 
could not be better filled. We have known Mr. Carman 
long and well. He is a man of even temperament, with 
a well-balanced mind, strong nerve, with unbounded 
determination, and a man of strong personal attach¬ 
ments. It was these marked points of character, to¬ 
gether with ample means, that were needed to lift the 
Rural above the misfortunes that had overtaken it. The 
tribute the son pays to the father is simply just, and will 
be shared by all who know him. 
* 
* * 
J. T. Lovitt, Little Silver, N. J. Special catalogue of 
Strawberry plants, for present planting. Those con¬ 
templating Strawberries next year of their own grow¬ 
ing, should at once commence their work, as plants, 
pot-grown, set in August, will yield a fair crop of fruit 
the coming season. Mr. Lovitt’s catalogue contains all 
the information in regard to preparation of soil, plant¬ 
ing, etc., etc., necessary to insure success. 
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* * 
Wales Manufacturing Co., Syracuse, N. Y. Circular 
of the Barry Lawn Rake Attachment. This simple con¬ 
trivance, that can be attached to any common iron rake, 
prevents it from choking, thus rendering the cleaning 
of the lawn a simple matter instead of a vexatious one. 
