1884.] 
91 
the AMERICAN GARDEN. 
gutbeng oultusb in japan. 
Ginseng (Panax quhKjuefoUum) is a liorba- 
ceous plant growing wild in rooky or moun¬ 
tainous woods, especially in the Alleghanios 
and in the Upper Lake regions. The stem 
is round, smooth, a foot high, bearing at its 
.summit a whorl of throe compound loaves 
and a single umbel on a central pedimcle. 
The flowers are small, yellowish, the berries 
bright red. The root is large, four to nine 
inches long, spindle-shaped, often forked, 
whitish, thick and fleshy; and this is the 
valuable part of the plant. 
In China and Japan it is highly prized as a 
medicine, being the most expensive as well 
as most relied upon remedy for almost every 
ill human flesh is heir' to, although wth us 
its remedial virtues are not recognized. The 
exports from this country amount to about 
half a million pounds annually at a value of 
nearly a million dollars. 
We have received several inquiries as to 
the practicability of its successful and profit¬ 
able cultme here, but cannot learn that it is 
cultivated anywhere in this country, and 
should be much pleased to receive any infor¬ 
mation from those of our readers who may 
have some knowledge about this subject. 
The spontaneous growth of Ginseng is get¬ 
ting scarcer with every year, so that it may 
be well to attempt its cultivation, which, if it 
prove successful, wiU no doubt yield a good 
profit. 
A correspondent of the Agricultural De¬ 
partment who has recently traveled in Japan 
states that the plant is largely cultivated 
there, and the following description given 
by him may be of interest to those who may 
attempt its eultme here. 
The-Japanese select for the culture of the 
Ginseng, black, mucky, and low, wet soil as 
the only kind in which it will attain perfec¬ 
tion and become white; if grown in ferru- 
gineous soil it becomes reddish, and is less 
valuable. The ground after being well pre¬ 
pared and manured is laid o at in beds, always 
running east and west. To shelter the plants 
from the direct rays of the sun and from 
heavy rain storms each bed is protected by a 
roof made of straw and laid upon poles sup¬ 
ported by posts. In Southern Japan, in the 
provinces of Idzumo and Hoki, the planting 
takes place in November, and farther north 
in April. 
The seed is deposited, two to three inches 
apart each way. The plant is of very slov/ 
growth, and takes three to four years to 
attain its maturity. The flower buds start 
from the base of the leaves, but unless seeds 
are desired these are pinched ofi!. The seeds, 
after being gathered, are buried in the 
ground, one to two feet deep, to preserve 
their germinating powers. 
The harvest takes place in July and 
August of the fourth year. The roots are 
cylindrical in shape, about as thick as a 
finger, white and often prong-shaped toward 
the lower end. In the fresh state they weigh 
about twenty to twenty-five grains, but occa¬ 
sionally double that amount. After digging 
cut the roots they are freed from all dirt 
adhering to them and then carefully washed, 
after which they are scalded in boiling 
water or steam, so as to make them appear 
yellowish brown, when the cross-insertion is 
made. They are thou laid on shelves, and, 
according to size, exposed for from two to 
eight days to a heat averaging 100° to 120° 
C, after which they are perfectly dry and fit 
for market. They may also bo successfully 
dried in the suii. 
When ready for market the root is yellow 
or brown, semi-transparent, brittle, and 
of bitter-swoet taste, and must bo guarded 
against dampness. Of the stem and leaves 
is prepared a jelly, which in taste reminds 
one somewhat of licorice, with the addition 
of some bitterness. This is never exported. 
GEAPE-GEO'WING IN SIOILT. 
The Grape is rapidly taking the place of 
the Olivo and Sumac on the Island of Sicily. 
According to the report of the French 
Consul at Palermo, the annual production 
of wine amounts ah'eady to from one hundred 
and ten to one hundred and thirty millions 
of gallons, with every prospect of consider¬ 
able increase in the future. The brand best 
known here is Marsala, but many others of 
reputed quality are produced there, and 
known as Zucco, Corvo, Moscato, Albanelo 
Marearello, Aromena, etc. 
NEW-YOEK HOETIOULTEEAL SOCIETY. 
Eoses and Orchids formed the leading and. 
most attractive featiu’e of the April exhibi¬ 
tion, and it would bo superfluous to state that 
their beauty and excellence were highly 
commented upon. All the leading varieties 
of the Eoses of the season were represented: 
Niphetos, Mardehal Eobert, Perle des Jar- 
dins, Souvenir de 'Wm. Wood, La Prance, 
Bon Sileue, Souvenir d’un Ami, Douglass, 
Chas. Eovolli, Cornelia Cook, Catharine 
Mermet, Gloire de Dijon, etc. A huge 
bunch of Mabel Mon-ison attracted consid¬ 
erable attention; this is a sport of Baroness 
Eothschild, equal in all its merits, but is pure 
white, slightly tinged with pink. Mad. 
Cusin, of a very peculiar -vdolet-rose, tinged 
with yellow, is improving with each exhibi¬ 
tion.' Mr. Otto Andrea showed a very fine 
hybrid-perpetual seedling, raised by him and 
named Queen of Queens. 
A collection of out flowers from Mr. Geo. 
Such was of unusual merit, and contained 
more choice species and varieties than we 
have ever seen in similar exhibits. Among 
them were: Anthwrium Seliertsenanwn, sev¬ 
eral species of Amaryllis, Ixoras, Statice 
Ealfordi, Passifloras, Azaleas, several rare 
Orchids, etc. 
Halloek & Thorpe exhibited a fine speci¬ 
men of StreptosoUn Jamesoni, a'description 
of which was given in oim January number. 
Another interesting and attractive exhibit 
was a collection of a dozen or more named 
varieties of Persian Lilacs from John Hen¬ 
derson. 
Tulips, Hyacinths, Lilies of the Valley, 
Pansies, Carnations, Geraniums, Cinerarias, 
Primroses, Violets, Calceolarias, and many 
other plants and flowers were shown by vari¬ 
ous exhibitors, both amateur and profes¬ 
sional. 
PEIVATE PLO'WEE EXHIBITIONS. 
The great competition in the flower trade 
during the past winter has stimulated the 
New York florists to unusual exertions, 
resulting in a series of special flower shows. 
In fact, the windows and stores of our lead¬ 
ing florists present continuous flower shows 
diuing the spring months. 
The largest and best of these was that of 
Mr. C. P. Klunder, 907 Broadway. All the 
plants and flowers were of remarkable excel¬ 
lence, and the arrangement was highly artis¬ 
tic and tasteful. A large circular group of 
Standard Eoses was a magnificent sight, but 
it would be. difftcult to single out the best 
where all are of superior merit. There were 
gi-oups of Lilies, Hyacinths, Cyclamens, 
Cineraiias, Persian Lilacs, and of scores of 
other plants, a remarkably fine specimen of 
Gardenia florida, two large well-shaped Lau- 
rus nohilis. Of Orchids, although in not very 
large numbers, there were some superb 
specimens of Dendrohium nohile, fimhriatum 
oculatum, lliyrsijlorum, odontoglossum grande, 
and macropliyllitm. 
As most of our fashionable florists have 
their specialties in certain flowers and styles 
of arranging bouquets and designs, special 
and private flower exhibitions will, no doubt, 
be among the permanent features of this 
city. 
MASSACHUSETTS HOETIOULTUEAl SOCIETY. 
Capt. John B. Moore, chairman of the 
comraittee appointed by the society, recom¬ 
mends the following as the best Hardy Eoses 
for outdoor culture: 
. CONTINUOUS BLOOMING ROSES. 
Alfred Colomb, Annie Wood, Boieldieu, 
Caroline de Sansal, Fisher Holmes, Francois 
Michelon, Gen. Jacqueminot, Marie Bau¬ 
mann, Mme. Victor Verdier, Mons. E. Y. 
Teas, Pierre Netting, Eev. J. B. M. Camm, 
Xavier Olibo, *Charles Dai-win, “Countess of 
Oxford, *Dr. Sewell, “Marguerite de St. 
Aonande, “President Thiers. The last five 
(marked with stars) are fine, constant 
bloomers, but Uable to mildew. 
HARDY ROSES FOR GENERAL, CULTIVATION. 
Alfred Colomb, Anna de Diesbach, Annie 
Wood, Baron de Bonstetten, Baroness Eoths¬ 
child, Charles Lefebvre, Duke of Edinburgh, 
Btienne Levet, Fisher Holmes, Francois 
Michelon, Gen. Jacqueminot, John Hopper, 
Jules Margottin, La EosEre, Marie Bau¬ 
mann, Marquise de Castellane, Maurice Ber- 
nardin, Mme. Gabriel Luizet, Mme. Hippolsde 
Jamain, Mme. Victor Verdier, Mons. Bon- 
cenne, Mons. E. Y. Teas, Paul Neyron, Eev. 
J. B. M. Camm, Thomas Mills, “Louis Van 
Houtte, “Mile. Marie Eady, “Pierre Netting. 
The last three (marked with stars) are diffi¬ 
cult and uncertain, but so remarkably fine 
that the committee could not refrain from 
mentioning them. 
COTTON CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. 
The special Premium List of the Horticul¬ 
tural Department of the World’s Exposition 
has just been issued. It is certainly the 
most oonjplete and extensive schedule of the 
kind we have ever seen, comprising every 
branch of Pomology, Arboriculture, Flori¬ 
culture, etc. ; and the premiums to be 
awarded are most liberal. The pamphlets 
may be obtained from the superintendent, 
Mr. Parker Earl, Cobden, Els. 
