pbopa&ating bhkubs. 
Tho natural method of propagating shrubs 
is by tho sood, said Mr. W. G. Strong, a(, a 
mooting of tlio MamtchiiscUs Bortiunfiural 
Societn. It ia tho choapost, but also tho 
slowost, and can only bo used whon wo havo 
seod-boaring plants, and can givo tho tinio. 
If wo aro in hasto with a now kiml, gvaft- 
ing upon strong, oongonial stooks gives a 
groat gain in tinio. Tlio rarest ovorgroons 
aro multiplied with groat speed and facility 
by this process. It is only necessary to st.art 
tho stocks in pots, and when tho sap is fairly 
moving, to sido-graft tho dormant scion, and 
then pack away in a shaded frame in tho 
greenhouse, kept moist with sphagnum; 
and in a few weeks a skillful workman will 
show a largo per cent, of woll-ostablishod 
plants. 
Deciduous shnibs aro seldom grafted, but 
oftener propagated from cuttings of soft 
wood. The cuttings are taken in July or 
August, when the wood is in a half mature 
state, and put into boxes haidngtwo or three 
inches of soil at the bottom, and an inch or 
two of fine sand at the top. In close, shaded 
frames, with a slight bottom heat, the cut¬ 
tings will root freely, and be strong enough 
to pack away during tho winter. In spring 
they should be planted out, and will make 
stocky plants by autumn. 
A cheaper mode, and efiectual for many 
shrubs, is to cut the hard wood into proper 
lengths in autumn; then bury it in dry soil, 
in open ground, in bundles, bottom ends up¬ 
ward, sheltering with boards to keep from 
rain and severe freezing and thawing. In 
the early spring, plant firmly in carefully 
prepared garden soil. A large per cent, of 
most varieties will make a vigorous growth. 
For those who cultivate plants in green¬ 
houses the easiest method is to take cuttings 
of the soft wood in February, March, or 
April. These root readily in an ordinary 
propagating bed, and are ready to turn out 
into the open ground in May to make strong 
plants by fall. Those who raise Roses for 
winter-cut flowers find this method the most 
satisfactory. The essayist has been trying 
an experiment in feeding cuttings with a 
solution of cow manure just as the callus is 
forming, and is convinced that it induces the 
throwing out of strong, healthy roots, of 
more substance than we can get in pure sand. 
AMER ICAN GARDEN. 
TO HOETIOOLTUEISTS. 
Many will receive this number of The 
Ahericah Gabden who are not subscribers. 
We ask your attention for a moment, in the 
interest of your own work and of tho grand 
cause of horticulture. As you will see be¬ 
low, this magazine has I'ecently changed 
hands, and is now an independent journal of 
horticulture, in fact the only one of its class 
in America. And by this we do not reflect 
in the least upon any other publication, for 
the grand old Gardener's Monthly is without 
peer in its field. Vick's Magazine, the 
i^adies Floral Cabinet, Green’s Fh-uit Grower, 
e^nd a few others are excellent journals, and 
have their own fields. A few of th e weeklies 
^ve considerable space and much good work 
to horticulture. We wish them all God speed, 
fod will do all in our power to promote their 
interests for the good of horticulture. But 
® ii> The Almebican Gabdeh" is the only 
Popular journal of general horticulture in 
■^erica. Its special field is not only among 
‘lil its pluasos nl iiorticulturo in 
mechanics nro’l'c- ‘‘‘"m'tours, farmers, 
flowoi's ain/r of 
' o's and fruits, .and of gardeninir 
Wo roWc'•? r «oPPOri ? 
yes w tb c '^>11 «ay 
woit V fi . a 
inents m »>ihscnptions and advortise- 
itsmSrimiitcSir""^ your neighbors 
PLANTS AS PUEIFIEES. 
Dr. James Evans, in a paper read before 
the South Carolina Medical Association, 
siys that tho net-work of fine fibrous roots 
ot trees and plants traversing the soil in 
every direction feed on the organic matter 
winch would otherwise undergo docomposi- 
tron and pollute the soil, air, and surface 
water. The vegetation also absorbs any 
excess of inoisturo and drains the soil. This 
is no doubt true, says A. S. Fuller; but it is 
often very difficult to so manage plant cult¬ 
ure that there should neither bo too many nor* 
too few about our dwellings. Tho exhala¬ 
tions of trees and smaller irlants may aid 
greatly in dispersing moisture, but it is also 
true that shade arrests evaporation and 
keeps tho soil moist for a much longer time 
than whon it is exposed to light and tho 
dii'ect rays of tho sun. Plants and trees aro 
no doubt great purifiers, but the jungles of 
india and the swamps of Africa are not 
lealthy localities, although vegetation in 
rcat variety abounds, and in the utmost 
ji'jfusion. 
ODE BOOK TABLE. 
Outing, we are happy to note, meets with the full share of 
success it justly deserves. Each number is an improvement 
upon the last. Its holiday number is ready to greet the 
new year with a feast of jollity and good cheer, and the 
many artistic illustrations interspersed through its pages 
make it especially attractive. The “ Amenities ” depart¬ 
ment is bright and witty; the Letter-File contains contribu¬ 
tions on various topics of interest to Outing people *, the 
Records are well kept up, and the Editor’s “Open Window,” 
though closed against the winter wind, is open to the sun¬ 
shine that fills all departments of this indispensable and 
charming magazine. The Wheelman Co., Publishers, Bos¬ 
ton, Mass. 
German Simplified, by A . KnoJIach, Tribune Build¬ 
ing, New York, (The American News Company, Agents.) 
This new publication, issued in consecutive numbers, em¬ 
bodies the results of many years of earnest study and suc¬ 
cessful teaching of the author. His system, which is based 
almost entirely upon object lessons, is so simple and easy 
that to any one desiring to learn the German language with 
as little hard work and study as possible, this publication 
will be a welcome friend. 
Sclioolgardens of our PabUc Schools, by/ir/iV/j 
Jablaticzy, Klosternenburg, Austria, (German.) A small 
pamphlet in which the author who has devoted his life’s 
work to this object points out the great advantages to be 
derived from the establishment of gardens in connection 
with public schools. The different chapters of the work 
treat of the general purpose and management of a school- 
garden; of what it should contain; how it should be ar¬ 
ranged; plan and description of a successful schoolgarden; 
and a select list of fruits. 
Transactions of tho Mississippi Valley HorU- 
cnltnral Society, for the year . 884 , being 
the fifth annual meeting, held at Kansas City, Mo. To¬ 
gether with a full list of the papers read, witli^accompaiiying 
a- colons • also list of members, lists of officers of horti- 
. : fdepltment of the worlds’ Industrial and Cotton 
Sn“ennial Exposition at l^ew Orleans. The limited space 
^ovvarour disposal hardly permits as complete a review 0 
^hticellent volume as it deserves, but if there is any other 
this excel naces that contains more solid, 
the discussions were many of the most ex 
pcrienced and renowned horticulturists in the country; and 
that in addition to this, the secretary’s work Is done in so 
able and exemplary a manner that any special subject may 
be referred to In a moment, Tlic book is presented to all 
members of the society, and may be obtained from the 
Secretary Prof. IV. //, Kagan t GreencasHCf I ml. 
Orchids, TJie Koyal ITamlly of IMants, with 
Illustrations from Nature, by Harriet Stewart Miner. 
Published by Lee & Shephard, Boston, 
riic publication of a work of this kind furnishes a stronger 
proof and ^learcr indication of increa!>ing reiincment and 
elevated taste among our wealthier classes than anything 
else could offer. The expense incurred by Its publication 
must liave been very great, and unless the publishers felt 
confident of corresponding sales, they would hardly have 
risked the investment. The book is a large octavo volume, 
gilt-edged, and finished in the highest style of art. 
While the principal object of the work is not that of a 
scientific treatise, sufficient of the botanical classification 
and general characteristics of the family are given to make 
llie reader familiar with the general features and most 
striking peculiarities of these marvellously beautiful plants* 
In opening the book it becomes at once apparent that the 
author’s chief aim was not to frighten her readers with 
dry scientific introductions, but rather to entice them into a 
gorgeously blooming,‘fragrant orchid-house, where she felt 
ure to be able to interest them sufficiently to hold their at- 
stention without danger of wearying them. In a pleasing, 
fascinating style the author describes, from the amateur 
stand-point, all the most beautiful species generally found 
in cultivation; interweaving through her discourse the his¬ 
tory, modes of cultivation, mythol<^ical legends relating to 
the respective species, together with some of the choicest 
poetical productions of the English language. 
But the grand feature of this work are its magnificent life¬ 
like colored plates representing; 
Dendrohiutn Devonianuniy D. A insworthii, D. nobiie, 
Masdevallia Veitekii. Cattleya Trianey C. Cliocoensis^ C. 
Mossiee^ C. Lodigesii, Ltslia atttumnalis, L,. Dayeana^ 
Pluzianopsis Stnartiana^ P. Schilleriana^ Ancidium 
Barkerii^ Caiautiie Veiickii, Aerides guinguevuhieruin, 
Odontoglostum Rcezliialbum, O. iriumpJians O. Alexan¬ 
dra, Lyeaste aromailca, Vanda suavis, Cymbidlum Hook- 
erianum, Cypripedium niveum, C. Haynaldianum, and 
C. Spicerianuni. Every one of these plates is a work of ' 
art from which the species and varieiies represented may 
be identified at a glance. 
With an increasing taste for Orchids for parlor and table 
decorations, and the prospect of their soon becoming the 
fashionable flowers, this work should meet with large sales 
among our wealthier classes. Certainly nothing could be 
more indicative of intelligent reflnementand cultivated taste 
than the presence of such a volume upon the parlor or 
library table; and as a present it would, by many persons, 
be highly appreciated, and preferred to living flowers. 
Back Numbers of the American Garden.— 
Correspondents will please take note that the price of 
back numbers of this magazine is ro cents per copy, and 
we cannot afford to send them for less, for any purpose, on 
account of their cost and the time required in sending them. 
most every 
who took part in t 
ANSWERS TO COEEESPONDENTS. 
Trailing Fyrus Japonica.—An old correspondent 
writes; This last summer on a Pyrus Japonica, a shrub 
of very scrubby form and not at all given to meandering, 
about the middle of July several shoots commenced to grow 
from the top. They continued to grow vine fashion, three 
yards or more, and turned round and round until they 
resembled an English Ivy on a round trellis. I would like 
to know if such a growth is common, and if it is likely to 
stand the winter.” On bushes that have been pruned back 
in the usual way, such a growth is not very common, but 
the plant is amenable to being trained over arbors and 
trellises as readily almost as a vine. Late and immature 
growth of any plant is not likely to survive very severe 
winter weather, unless a light covering with evergreen 
branches is given, which will probably preserve it. 
Tree Pfleonies.—il/. F. C., Tuskets H, 5‘,—This class 
of Pasonies may be propagated by division of the roots, cut¬ 
tings of the young shoots in spring, by layers and suckers, 
but they are rather difficult and slow of propagation. The 
principal method of propagating them followed by nursery¬ 
men is by grafting on the roots of the herbaceous kinds. 
There arc a great many varieties, some of them of exceed¬ 
ing beauty in cultivation. For a small collection we should 
name as the most desirable varieties: alba plena 6.oxMit 
white, shaded with purple at the center; Arelkfisa, light 
rose, shaded with purple, large and fragrant; externa, very 
large; rose, clouded with purple; Reine Elisabeth, rosy 
crimson in center, shaded off to a light rose towards the 
margin, full and of very lai^e size; Kochlerii, dAih rose 
turning to purple; Banksii, very large, fragrant, rosy blush 
with purple center. 
