Chapter D: A. MUNRO, Manager. TRIBUNE BUILDING, NEW YORK (2)

The following list comprises most of the newer Roses that have been on trial to any extent in and about Philadelphia during the present winter:

PURITAN (H. T.) is one of Mr. Henry Bennett's seedlings, and perhaps excites more interest than any other. It is a cross between Mabel Morrison and Devoniensis, creamy white in color and a perpetual bloomer. Its flowers have not opened satisfactorily this winter. The general opinion seems to be that it requires more heat than is needed for other forcing varieties. Further trial will be required to establish its merit.

METEOR (H. T., BENNETT.)--Some cultivators will not agree with me in classing this among hybrid Teas. In its manner of growth it resembles some Tea Roses, but its coloring and scanty production of buds in winter are indications that there is Hybrid Remontant blood in it. It retains its crimson color after being cut longer than any Rose we have, and rarely shows a tendency to become purple with age, as other varieties of this color are apt to do. For summer blooming under glass it will prove satisfactory. In winter its coloring is a rich velvety crimson, but as the sun gets stronger it assumes a more lively shade.

MRS. JOHN LAING (H. R., BENNETT,) is a seedling from Francois Michelon, which it somewhat resembles in habit of growth and color of flower. It is a free bloomer out-of-doors in summer and forces readily in winter. Blooms of it have been offered for sale in the stores here since the first week in December. It is a soft shade of pink in color, with a delicate lilac tint. It promises to become a general favorite, as in addition to the qualities referred to, it is a free autumnal bloomer outside. For forcing it will be tried extensively next winter.

PRINCESS BEATRICE (T., BENNETT,) was distributed for the first time in this country last autumn, but has so far been a disappointment in this city. But some lots arrived from Europe too late and misfortunes befell others, so that the trial can hardly be counted decisive, and we should not hastily condemn it. Some have admired it for its resemblance, in form of flower, to a Madame Cuisin, but its color is not just what we need. In shade it somewhat resembles Sunset, but is not so effective. It may, however, improve under cultivation, as some other Roses have done; so far as I know it has not been tried out-of-doors.

PAPA GONTIER (H. B., NABONNAUD.)--This, though not properly a new rose, is on trial for the first time in this city. It has become a great favorite with growers, retailers and purchasers. In habit it is robust and free blooming, and in coloring, though similar to Bon Silene, is much deeper or darker. There seems to be a doubt in some quarters as to whether it blooms as freely as Bon Silene; personally, I think there is not much difference between the two. Gontier is a good Rose for outdoor planting.

_Edwin Lonsdale._

Two Ferns and their Treatment.

ADIANTUM FARLEYENSE.--This beautiful Maidenhair is supposed to be a subfertile, plumose form of _A. tenerum_, which much resembles it, especially in a young state. For decorative purposes it is almost unrivaled, whether used in pots or for trimming baskets of flowers or bouquets. It prefers a warm, moist house and delights in abundant water. We find it does best when potted firmly in a compost of two parts loam to one of peat, and with a good sprinkling of sifted coal ashes. In this compost it grows very strong, the fronds attaining a deeper green and lasting longer than when grown in peat. When the pots are filled with roots give weak liquid manure occasionally. This fern is propagated by dividing the roots and potting in small pots, which should be placed in the warmest house, where they soon make fine plants. Where it is grown expressly for cut fronds the best plan is to plant it out on a bench in about six inches of soil, taking care to give it plenty of water and heat, and it will grow like a weed.

ACTINIOPTERIS RADIATA.--A charming little fern standing in a genus by itself. In form it resembles a miniature fan palm, growing about six inches in height. It is generally distributed throughout the East Indies. In cultivation it is generally looked upon as poor grower, but with us it grows as freely as any fern we have. We grow a lot to mix in with Orchids, as they do not crowd at all. We pot in a compost of equal parts loam and peat with a few ashes to keep it open, and grow in the warmest house, giving at all times abundance of water both at root and overhead. It grows very freely from spores, and will make good specimens in less than a year. It is an excellent Fern for small baskets.

_F. Goldring._

Timely Hints About Bulbs.

Spring flowering bulbs in-doors, such as the Dutch Hyacinths, Tulips and the many varieties of Narcissus, should now be coming rapidly into bloom. Some care is required to get well developed specimens. When first brought in from cold frames or wherever they have been stored to make roots, do not expose them either to direct sunlight or excessive heat.

A temperature of not more than fifty-five degrees at night is warm enough for the first ten days, and afterwards, if they show signs of vigorous growth and are required for any particular occasion, they may be kept ten degrees warmer. It is more important that they be not exposed to too much light than to too much heat.

Half the short stemmed Tulips, dumpy Hyacinths and blind Narcissus we see in the green-houses and windows of amateurs are the result of excessive light when first brought into warm quarters. Where it is not possible to shade bulbs without interfering with other plants a simple and effective plan is to make funnels of paper large enough to stand inside each pot and six inches high. These may be left on the pots night and day from the time the plants are brought in until the flower spike has grown above the foliage; indeed, some of the very finest Hyacinths cannot be had in perfection without some such treatment. Bulbous plants should never suffer for water when growing rapidly, yet on the other hand, they are easily ruined if allowed to become sodden.

When in flower a rather dry and cool temperature will preserve them the longest.

Of bulbs which flower in the summer and fall, Gloxinias and tuberous rooted Begonias are great favorites and easily managed. For early summer a few of each should be started at once--using sandy, friable soil. Six-inch pots, well drained, are large enough for the very largest bulbs, while for smaller even three-inch pots will answer. In a green-house there is no difficulty in finding just the place to start them. It must be snug, rather shady and not too warm. They can be well cared for, however, in a hot-bed or even a window, but some experience is necessary to make a success.

Lilies, in pots, whether _L. candidum_ or _L. longiflorum_ that are desired to be in flower by Easter, should now receive every attention--their condition should be that the flower buds can be easily felt in the leaf heads. A temperature of fifty-five to sixty-five at night should be maintained, giving abundance of air on bright sunny days to keep them stocky. Green fly is very troublesome at this stage, and nothing is more certain to destroy this pest than to dip the plants in tobacco water which, to be effective, should be the color of strong tea. Occasional waterings of weak liquid manure will be of considerable help if the pots are full of roots.

_J. Thorpe._

Entomology.

Arsenical Poisons in the Orchard.

As is well known, about fifty per cent. of the possible apple crop in the Western states is sacrificed each year to the codling moth, except in sections where orchardists combine to apply bands of straw around the trunks. But as is equally well known this is rather a troublesome remedy. At all events, in Illinois, Professor Forbes, in a bulletin lately issued from the office of the State Entomologist of Illinois, claims that the farmers of that state suffer an annual loss from the attacks of this single kind of insect of some two and three-quarters millions of dollars.

As the results of two years' experiments in spraying the trees with a solution of Paris green, only once or twice in early spring, before the young apples had drooped upon their stems, there was a saving of about seventy-five per cent. of the apples.

The Paris green mixture consisted of three-fourths of an ounce of the powder by weight, of a strength to contain 15.4 per cent. of metallic arsenic, simply stirred up in two and a half gallons of water. The tree was thoroughly sprayed with a hand force-pump, and with the deflector spray and solid jet-hose nozzle, manufactured in Lowell, Mass. The fluid was thrown in a fine mist-like spray, applied until the leaves began to drip.

The trees were sprayed in May and early in June while the apples were still very small. It seems to be of little use to employ this remedy later in the season, when later broods of the moth appear, since the poison takes effect only in case it reaches the surface of the apple between the lobes of the calyx, and it can only reach this place when the apple is very small and stands upright on its stem, It should be added that spraying "after the apples have begun to hang downward is unquestionably dangerous," since even heavy winds and violent rains are not sufficient to remove the poison from the fruit at this season.

At the New York Experimental station last year a certain number of trees were sprayed three times with Paris green with the result that sixty-nine per cent. of the apples were saved.

It also seems that last year about half the damage that might have been done by the Plum weevil or curculio was prevented by the use of Paris green, which should be sprayed on the trees both early in the season, while the fruit is small, as well as later.

The cost of this Paris green application, when made on a large scale, with suitable apparatus, only once or twice a year, must, says Mr. Forbes, fall below an average of ten cents a tree.

The use of solutions of Paris green or of London purple in water, applied by spraying machines such as were invented and described in the reports of the national Department of Agriculture by the U. S. Entomologist and his assistants, have effected a revolution in remedies against orchard and forest insects. We expect to see them, in careful hands, tried with equal success in shrubberies, lawns and flower gardens.

_A. S. Packard._

The Forest.

The White Pine in Europe.

The White Pine was among the very first American trees which came to Europe, being planted in the year 1705 by Lord Weymouth on his grounds in Chelsea. From that date, the tree has been cultivated in Europe under the name of Weymouth Pine; in some mountain districts of northern Bavaria, where it has become a real forest tree, it is called Strobe, after the Latin name _Pinus strobus_. After general cultivation as an ornamental tree in parks this Pine began to be used in the forests on account of its hardiness and rapid growth, and it is now not only scattered through most of the forests of Europe, but covers in Germany alone an area of some 300 acres in a dense, pure forest. Some of these are groves 120 years old, and they yield a large proportion of the seed demanded by the increasing cultivation of the tree in Europe.

The White Pine has proved so valuable as a forest tree that it has partly overcome the prejudices which every foreign tree has to fight against. The tree is perfectly hardy, is not injured by long and severe freezing in winter, nor by untimely frosts in spring or autumn, which sometimes do great harm to native trees in Europe. On account of the softness of the leaves and the bark, it is much damaged by the nibbling of deer, but it heals quickly and throws up a new leader.

The young plant can endure being partly shaded by other trees far better than any other Pine tree, and even seems to enjoy being closely surrounded, a quality that makes it valuable for filling up in young forests where the native trees, on account of their slow growth, could not be brought up at all.

The White Pine is not so easily broken by heavy snowfall as the Scotch Pine, on account of the greater elasticity of its wood. The great abundance of soft needles falling from it every year better fits it for improving a worn-out soil than any European Pine, therefore the tree has been tried with success as a nurse for the ground in forest plantations of Oak, when the latter begin to be thinned out by nature, and grass is growing underneath them.

And finally, all observations agree that the White Pine is a faster growing tree than any native Conifer in Europe, except, perhaps, the Larch. The exact facts about that point, taken from investigations on good soil in various parts of Germany, are as follows:

Years. Height. Annual Growth During
Last Decade.
The White Pine at 20 reaches 7.5 meters. 37 centimeters
" 30 " 12.5 " 50 "
" 40 " 18.5 " 60 "
" 50 " 22.5 " 40 "
" 60 " 26.5 " 40 "
" 70 " 28.5 " 20 "
" 80 " 30.0 " 15 "
" 90 " 32.0 " 20 "

For comparison I add here the average growth on good soil, of the Scotch Pine, one of the most valuable and widely distributed timber trees of Europe.

Years. Height. Annual Growth During
Last Decade.
The Scotch Pine at 20 reaches 7.3 meters. 36.5 centimeters
" 30 " 11.6 " 43.0 "
" 40 " 15.7 " 41.0 "
" 50 " 19.4 " 37.0 "
" 60 " 22.1 " 27.0 "
" 70 " 24.0 " 22.0 "
" 80 " 26.0 " 17.0 "
" 90 " 27.5 " 15.0 "
" 100 " 28.5 " 10.0 "
" 120 " 30.0 " 7.5 "

That is, the White Pine is ahead of its relative during its entire life and attains at 80 years a height which the Scotch Pine only reaches in 120 years. It appears then that the whole volume of wood formed within a certain period by an acre of White Pine forest is greater than that yielded by a forest of Scotch Pine within the same period.

As far as reliable researches show, a forest of White Pine when seventy years old gives an annual increment of 3 cords of wood per acre. On the same area a forest of Scotch Pine increases every year by 2.4 cords on the best soil, 2 cords on medium soil, and 1.5 cords on poor soil.

But notwithstanding the splendid qualities which distinguish the White Pine as a forest tree its wood has never been looked upon with favor in Europe. Many of those who are cultivating the White Pine for business seem to expect that they will raise a heavy and durable wood. These are the qualities prized in their own timber trees, and they seem to think that the White Pine must be so highly prized at home for the same qualities, when in fact it is the lightness and softness of the wood which are considered in America. It would seem also that some European planters believe that a Pine tree exists which will yield more and at the same time heavier wood than any other tree on the same area. It is a general rule that the amount of woody substance annually formed on the same soil does not vary in any great degree with the different kinds of trees. For instance, if we have good soil we may raise 2,200 lbs. per acre of woody substance every year, from almost any kind of timber tree. If we plant a tree forming a wood of low specific gravity, we get a large volume of wood, and this is the case with the White Pine. If we plant on the same ground an Oak tree, we will get small volume of wood, but the weight of the woody substance will be the same, that is, 2,200 pounds of absolutely dried wood per acre.

It is remarkable that there is hardly any difference in the specific gravity of the wood of the White Pine grown in Europe and in its native country. I collected in Central Wisconsin wood-sections of a tall tree and compared the specific gravity with the wood of a full-grown tree of White Pine from a Bavarian forest. The average specific gravity of the Bavarian tree was 38.3. The average specific gravity of the American tree was 38.9. In both trees the specific gravity slightly increased from the base to the top. Professor Sargent gives 38 as the result of his numerous and careful investigations.

I was much surprised that the thickness of the sap-wood varied much in favor of the Bavarian tree.

The sap-wood measured in thickness:

Of the Bavarian tree. Of the American tree.
At the base 2.7 centimeters 9 centimeters.
In the middle .4 " 6 "
Within the crown .3 " 4 "

I am inclined to believe that on account of the generally drier climate of America a greater amount of water, and, therefore, of water-conducting sap-wood, is necessary to keep the balance between the evaporation and transportation of the water. The wood of the White Pine is certainly better fitted for many purposes than any tree with which nature has provided Europe, and yet one can hardly expect it to easily overcome fixed habits and prejudices. It will devolve upon the more intelligent proprietors of wood-land in Europe to begin with the plantation of the White Pine on a large scale. No Conifer in Europe can be cultivated with so little care and risk as the White Pine; the frost does not injure the young plant, and the numerous insects invading the European trees during their whole life-time inflict but little harm. Subterranean parasites are thinning out the plantations to some extent, but in no dangerous way.

_H. Mayr._

Tokio, Japan.

ABIES AMABILIS.--Professor John Macoun detected this species during the past summer upon many of the mountains of Vancouver's Island where with _Tsuga Pattoniana_ it is common above 3,000 feet over the sea level. The northern distribution of this species as well as some other British Columbia trees is still a matter of conjecture. It has not been noticed north of the Fraser River, but it is not improbable that _Abies amabilis_ will be found to extend far to the north along some of the mountain ranges of the north-west coast.

European Larch in Massachusetts.

In 1876 the Trustees of the Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture offered a premium for the best plantations of not less than five acres of European Larch. The conditions of the competition were that not less than 2,700 trees should be planted to the acre, and that only poor, worn-out land, or that unfit for agricultural purposes, be used in these plantations.

The prize was to be awarded at the end of ten years. The committee appointed to award the prize were C. S. Sargent and John Lowell. The ten years having expired, this Committee lately made the following report:

Mr. James Lawrence, of Groton, and Mr. J. D. W. French, of
North Andover, made plantations during the spring of 1877 in
competition for this prize. Mr. Lawrence, however, at the end
of one year withdrew from the contest, and Mr. French is the
only competitor. Your Committee have visited his plantation at
different times during the past ten years, and have now made
their final inspection. The plantation occupies a steep slope
facing the South and covered with a thin coating of gravelly
loam largely mixed towards the bottom of the hill with light
sand. This field in 1877 was a fair sample of much of the
hillside pasture land of the eastern part of the State. It had
been early cleared, no doubt, of trees, and the light surface
soil practically exhausted by cultivation. It was then used
as a pasture, producing nothing but the scantiest growth of
native Grasses and Sedges with a few stunted Pitch Pines.
Land of this character has no value for tillage, and has
practically little value for pasturage. Upon five acres of
this land Mr. French planted fifteen thousand European Larch.
The trees were one foot high, and were set in the sod four
feet apart each way, except along the boundary of the field,
where the plantation was made somewhat thicker. The cost
of the plantation, as furnished by Mr. French, has been as
follows:

15,000 Larch (imported), $108 50
Fencing, 20 81
Surveying, 6 00
Labor, 104 69
-------
Total, $240 00

This, with compound interest at five per cent. for ten years,
makes the entire cost to date of the plantation of five acres,
$390.90.

The Trees for several years grew slowly and not very
satisfactorily. Several lost their leaders, and in various
parts of the plantation small blocks failed entirely. The
trees, however, have greatly improved during the last four
years, and the entire surface of the ground is now, with one
or two insignificant exceptions, sufficiently covered. There
appear to be from 10,000 to 12,000 larch trees now growing
on the five acres. The largest tree measured is 25 feet high,
with a trunk 26 inches in circumference at the ground,
There are several specimens of this size at least, and it is
believed that all the trees, including many which have not yet
commenced to grow rapidly or which have been overcrowded and
stunted by their more vigorous neighbors, will average 12 feet
in height, with trunks 10 to 12 inches in circumference at
the ground. Many individuals have increased over four feet in
height during the present year. It is interesting to note as
an indication of what Massachusetts soil of poor quality is
capable of producing, that various native trees have appeared
spontaneously in the plantation since animals were excluded
from this field. Among these are White Pines 6 to 8 feet high,
Pitch Pines 14 feet high, a White Oak 15 feet high and a Gray
Birch 17 feet high. The Trustees offered this prize in the
belief that it would cause a plantation to be made capable of
demonstrating that unproductive lands in this State could be
cheaply covered with trees, and the result of Mr. French's
experiment seems to be conclusive in this respect. It has
shown that the European Larch can be grown rapidly and cheaply
in this climate upon very poor soil, but it seems to us to
have failed to show that this tree has advantages for general
economic planting in this State which are not possessed in
an equal degree by some of our native trees. Land which will
produce a crop of Larch will produce in the same time at least
a crop of white pine. There can be no comparison in the value
of these two trees in Massachusetts. The White Pine is more
easily transplanted than the Larch, it grows with equal and
perhaps greater rapidity, and it produces material for which
there is an assured and increasing demand. The White Pine,
moreover, has so far escaped serious attacks of insects and
dangerous fungoid diseases which now threaten to exterminate
in different parts of Europe extensive plantations of Larch.

Your Committee find that Mr. French has complied with all
the requirements of the competition: they recommend that the
premium of one thousand dollars be paid to him.

Answers to Correspondents.

When the woods are cut clean in Southern New Hampshire White Pine comes in very, very thickly. Is it best to thin out the growth or allow the trees to crowd and shade the feebler ones slowly to death?

J. D. L.

It is better to thin such over-crowded seedlings early, if serviceable timber is wanted in the shortest time. The statement that close growth is needed to produce long, clean timber, needs some limitation. No plant can develop satisfactorily without sufficient light, air and feeding room. When trees are too thickly crowded the vigor of every one is impaired, and the process of establishing supremacy of individuals is prolonged, to the detriment even of those which are ultimately victorious. The length is drawn out disproportionately to the diameter, and all the trees remain weak.

Experience has proved that plantations where space is given for proper growth in their earlier years, yield more and better wood than do Nature's dense sowings. Two records are added in confirmation of this statement, and many others could be given:

1. A pine plantation of twelve acres was made, one half by sowing, the other half by planting at proper distances. In twenty-four years the first section had yielded, including the material obtained in thinnings, 1,998 cubic feet, and the latter, 3,495 cubic feet of wood. The thinnings had been made, when appearing necessary, at ten, fifteen and eighteen years in the planted section, yielding altogether ten and three-quarter cords of round firewood and seven cords of brush; and at eight, ten and twenty years in the sowed section, with a yield of only three and one-fifth cords of round firewood at the last thinning and seven and four-fifths cords of brush wood.

2. A spruce growth seeded after thirty-three years was still so dense as to be impenetrable, with scarcely any increase, and the trees were covered with lichens. It was then thinned out when thirty-five, and again when forty-two years old. The appearance greatly improved, and the accretion in seven years after thinning showed 160 per cent. increase, or more than 26 per cent. every year.

The density of growth which will give the best results in all directions depends upon the kind of timber and soil conditions.

--_B. E. Fernow._

Washington, D. C.

Book Reviews.

Gray's Elements of Botany.

Fifty-one years ago, Asa Gray, then only twenty-six years of age, published a treatise on botany adapted to the use of schools and colleges. It was entitled "The Elements of Botany." Its method of arrangement was so admirably adapted to its purpose, and the treatment of all the subjects so mature and thorough, that the work served as a model for a large work which soon followed,--the well-known Botanical Text-book, and the same general plan has been followed in all the editions of the latter treatise. About twenty-five years after the appearance of the Elements, Dr. Gray prepared a more elementary work for the use of schools, since the Text-book had become rather too advanced and exhaustive for convenient use. This work was the "Lessons in Botany," a book which has been a great aid throughout the country, in introducing students to a knowledge of the principles of the science. Without referring to other educational works prepared by Dr. Gray, such as "How Plants Grow," etc., it suffices now to say that for two or three years, he had been convinced that there was need of a hand-book, different in essential particulars from any of its predecessors. When we remember that all of these had been very successful from an educational point of view, as well as from the more exacting one of the publishers, we can understand how strong must have been the motive which impelled the venerable but still active botanist to give a portion of his fast-flying time to the preparation of another elementary work. In answer to remonstrances from those who believed that the remnant of his days should be wholly given to the completion of the "Synoptical Flora," he was wont to say pleasantly, "Oh, I give only my _evenings_ to the 'Elements.'" And, so, after a day's work, in which he had utilized every available moment of sunlight, he would turn with the fresh alertness which has ever characterized every motion and every thought, to the preparation of what he called fondly, his "legacy" to young botanists. That precious legacy we have now before us.

In form it is much like the Lessons, but more compact and yet much more comprehensive. Its conciseness of expression is a study in itself. To give it the highest praise, it may be said to be French in its clearness and terseness. Not a word is wasted: hence, the author has been able to touch lightly and still with firmness every important line in this sketch of the principles of botany. This work, in the words of its author, "is intended to ground beginners in Structural Botany and the principles of vegetable life, mainly as concerns Flowering or Phanerogamous plants, with which botanical instruction should always begin; also to be a companion and interpreter to the Manuals and Floras by which the student threads his flowery way to a clear knowledge of the surrounding vegetable creation. Such a book, like a grammar, must needs abound in technical words, which thus arrayed may seem formidable; nevertheless, if rightly apprehended, this treatise should teach that the study of botany is not the learning of names and terms, but the acquisition of knowledge and ideas. No effort should be made to commit technical terms to memory. Any term used in describing a plant or explaining its structure can be looked up when it is wanted, and that should suffice. On the other hand, plans of structure, types, adaptations, and modifications, once understood, are not readily forgotten; and they give meaning and interest to the technical terms used in explaining them."

The specific directions given for collecting plants, for preparing herbarium specimens, and for investigating the structure of plants make this treatise of great use to those who are obliged to study without a teacher. The very extensive glossary makes the work of value not only to this class of students, but to those, as well, whose pursuits are directed in our schools. The work fills, in short, the very place which Dr. Gray designed it should.

_G. L. Goodale._

_The Kansas Forest Trees Identified by Leaves and Fruit_, by W. A. Kellerman, Ph.D., and Mrs. W. A. Kellerman (Manhattan, Kansas). This octavo pamphlet of only a dozen pages contains a convenient artificial key for the rapid determination of seventy-five species of trees. By the use of obvious characters the authors have made the work of identification comparatively easy in nearly every instance, and even in the few doubtful cases, the student will not be allowed to go far astray. The little hand-book ought to be found of use even beyond the limits of the State for which it was designed.

_G. L. Goodale._

Public Works.

THE FALLS OF MINNEHAHA.--A tract of fifty acres, beautifully located on the Mississippi, opposite the mouth of the Minnehaha, has been acquired by the City of St. Paul, and land will most probably be secured for a drive of several miles along the river. The bank here is more than 100 feet high, often precipitous, clothed with a rich growth of primeval forest, shrubbery and vines. It is hoped that Minneapolis may secure the land immediately opposite, including the Falls of Minnehaha and the valley of the stream to the great river. In this event a great park could be made between the two cities, easily reached from the best part of both, with the Mississippi flowing through it and the Falls as one of its features. This, in connection with the park so beautifully situated on Lake Como, three miles from St. Paul, and the neat parks of Minneapolis and its superbly kept system of lake shore drives, would soon be an object worthy of the civic pride of these enterprising and friendly rivals.

A PARK FOR WILMINGTON, DEL.--After many delays and defeats the people of this city have secured a tract of more than 100 acres, mostly of fine rocky woodland, with the classic Brandywine flowing through it, and all within the city limits, together with two smaller tracts, one a high wooded slope, the other lying on tide water, and both convenient to those parts of the city inhabited by workingmen and their families. A topographical survey of these park lands is now in progress as preparation for a general plan of improvement. Of the "Brandywine Glen" Mr. Frederick Law Olmsted once wrote: "It is a passage of natural scenery which, to a larger city, would be of rare value--so rare and desirable that in a number of cities several million dollars have been willingly spent to obtain results of which the best that can said is, that they somewhat distantly approach, in character and expression, such scenery as the people of Wilmington have provided for them without expense."

Flower Market.

Retail Prices in the Flower Market.

NEW YORK, _February 23d._

There is a glut of flowers, particularly of tea roses of an indifferent quality. Bon Silene buds cost from 75 cts. to $1 a dozen, Perle des Jardins, Niphetos, Souvenir d'un Ami, and Papa Gontiers bring $1.50 a dozen. C. Mermets are very fine and from 30 to 35 cts. each. Not more than one in three La France roses is perfect; they bring from 25 cts. to 50 cts. each. Mde. Cuisin and Duke of Connaught are 25 cts. each, Bennets 20 cts. each and Brides 25 cts. each. American Beauties are $1 to $1.50 each, according to the location where they are sold. Puritans cost 75 cts. each, and Jacqueminots 50 cts. Magna Chartas are the most popular of the hybrid roses at present. They, Anna de Diesbach and Mad. Gabriel Luizet bring from $1 to $1.50 each.

Mignonette is very plentiful, well grown and of the spiral variety; it brings 75 cts. a dozen spikes retail, very large spikes bring as high as 15 cts. each. Hyacinths, Lilies-of-the-Valley and Tulips bring $1 a dozen. Lilacs cost 25 cts. for a spray of one or two tassels. Violets are abundant, mostly of the Marie Louise variety, and bring $2 a hundred. Fancy long stem red Carnations cost 75 cts. a dozen; short stem Carnations are 50 cts. a dozen; the dyed Carnations, named "Emerald," are in brisk demand and sell for 15 cts. each. Daffodils are $1 a dozen; those dyed bring 20 cts. each. Finely grown Forget-me-not brought in small quantity to retail dealers sells for 10 cts. a spray. Calla Lilies bring $2 and $3 a dozen, and Longiflorum Lilies $4 a dozen.

PHILADELPHIA, _February 23d._

Heavy demands for flowers dropped off short on Ash Wednesday, and decreased each day until Saturday, when the regular orders for loose flowers caused the trade to pick up again. The demand for Orchids is steadily growing; a fair quantity is used at balls and parties, but nothing in comparison to Roses, Violets and Lily-of-the-Valley. Violets have been in greater demand, so far, than for several years. Large quantities of Tulips have been used recently for table decorations, especially the pink varieties, the favorite color for dinners and lunches. The American Beauty Rose, when cut with long stems, and really first class in every other respect, has been in great demand, at the best prices. Md. Gabrielle Luizet is scarce, the local growers not having commenced to cut in quantity; it is frequently asked for. Carnation plateaus in solid colors have been used freely. Lilacs are considered choice and have been in good demand. Retail prices rule as follows: Orchids, from 25 cts. to $1 each; La France, Mermet, Bride and Bennet Roses, $3 per dozen; Jacques, $4 to $5; American Beauty, $4 to $9; Puritan, $4; Anna de Diesbach, $5 to $7.50; Papa Gontier, Sunset, Perle des Jardins and Mad. Cuisin, $1.50; Bon Silene, $1.00; Niphetos, $1 to $1.50. Lily-of-the-Valley, and Roman Hyacinths, bring $1 per dozen; Mignonette, 50 cts., and Freesia the same per dozen; Heliotrope, Pansies, Carnations, and Forget-me-nots, 35 cts. per dozen. Violets bring from $1 to $1.50 per hundred; Lilium Harrisii, $3.00 per dozen; Callas $2 per dozen, and Lilacs $2 per bunch of about eight sprays. Daffodils sell briskly at from $1 to $1.50 per dozen.

BOSTON, _February 23d._

The season of Lent is always looked forward to by the florists with anxiety, for the rest from receptions, assemblies and balls cuts off one of the chief outlets for the choicest flowers: a few warm days are sufficient to overstock the market, and prices take a fall. Buyers are learning, however, that at no period of the year can cut flowers be had in such perfection and variety as during February and March, and although not much required for party occasions they are bought for other purposes in increasing quantities every year, so that the advent of Lent does not now produce utter stagnation in the flower trade. In Roses there is at present a large assortment offered. From the modest Bon Silene, and its new competitor, Papa Gontier, up to the magnificent American Beauty and Hybrid Perpetuals, may be found every gradation of color, size and fragrance. Retail prices vary from 75 cts. per dozen for Bon Silenes and $1.50 to $2 for Perles, Niphetos, etc., up to $3 and $4 for the best Mermets, Niels and La France; Hybrids and Jacques of best quality bring from $6 to $9 per dozen. In bulbous flowers a large variety is shown. Lily-of-the-Valley sells for $1.50 per dozen sprays; Narcissus of various kinds, Hyacinths and Tulips for $1 per dozen; Violets, 50 cts. per bunch; Pansies, Mignonette, Heliotrope, Forget-me-not and Calendulas, 50 cts. per doz. Long stemmed Carnations are to be had in great variety at 75 cts. per dozen; Callas 25 cts. each, and Smilax 50 cts. a string. At this season Smilax is at its best, being its time of flowering, and the flowers are deliciously fragrant.

Publishers' Note.

A photogravure of Mr. A. St. Gaudens's bronze medallion of the late Professor Asa Gray will be published as a supplement to the second number of GARDEN AND FOREST.

For lawn and cemetery planting. These can now be furnished in great variety, from our extensive collection, at reduced prices.

We have now on hand a large supply of the following rare BEECHES, all of which have been recently transplanted, and are in consequence abundantly furnished with fine roots:--

PURPLE-LEAVED BEECH.

From 6 to 10 feet high; elegant specimens. All were grafted from the beautiful "Rivers' variety," so justly celebrated for the intense blood-red color of its foliage.

WEEPING BEECH.

From 6 to 10 feet high, suitable for immediate effect, and well supplied with decidedly pendulous branches.

CRESTED and FERN-LEAVED BEECHES.

We offer a superb stock of these, averaging in height from 5 or 6 to 10 feet, all well rooted and nicely furnished.

In EVERGREENS

We have now in stock a large supply of AMERICAN, SIBERIAN and GOLDEN ARBOR VITAES, BALSAM FIRS, HEMLOCKS and NORWAY SPRUCE; good, young, healthy plants, especially desirable for screens and hedges.

In SHRUBBERY

Our assortment is very complete, embracing many rare and elegant species. Our immense stock of some kinds enables us to accept orders at very low rates.

HOOPES, BRO. & THOMAS, Maple Avenue Nurseries,

WEST CHESTER, PA.]

The Nurseries,

FOREST HILL, LONDON

ENGLAND.

LEADING SPECIALTIES.]

TUBEROUS BEGONIAS.

AWARDED FOUR GOLD MEDALS.

Gold Medal Collection, quite unrivaled. _Tubers in a dry state_ can be safely transmitted from England until April.

PRICES WHEN SELECTION IS LEFT TO US:
_Per Doz._
A Collection, Named, our best collection 42s.
B " " very choice selection 36s.
C " " choice selection 30s.
D " " very good selection 24s.
E " " good selection 18s.
F " " ordinary selection 12s.
G " Unnamed best selections to color 21s.
H " " very choice selection 18s.
J " " best whites, distinct 15s.
K " " choice selection 12s.
L " " very good, selected to
color for bedding 9s.
M " " good best do. per 100, 40s., 6s.

DOUBLE VARIETIES.

PRICES (OUR SELECTION):

P Collection, Named, our best collection, each
7s. 6d. and 13s. 6d.
_Per Doz._
R " " very choice ditto 63s.
S " " choice ditto 48s.
T " " very good ditto 42s.
W " Unnamed our very choice, selected,
distinct 30s.
X " " choice, selected in 6 colors 24s.
Z " " mixed ditto 18s.

BEGONIA SEED.

Gold Medal strain from Prize Plants. New Crop. Sealed packets. Choice mixed, from single varieties. 1s. and 2s. 6d. per packet; 5s. and 10s. extra large packets; double varieties, 1s., 2s. 6d. and 5s. per packet; large packets, 10s. Collections--12 named varieties, single, separate, 5s. 6d.; 6 named varieties, separate, 3s.

CALADIUM ROOTS.

The Finest Collection in the world. Best named varieties, per doz., 30s., 36s., 42s., 48s. and 60s.

GLOXINIA ROOTS.

In dormant state till March. Our unequalled collection. Self colors, and spotted. Best sorts to name, 12s., 18s., 24s., 30s., 36s. and 42s. per doz. Unnamed, very choice, 6s., 9s. and 12s. per doz.

GLOXINIA SEED.

Saved from our Prize Plants; erect flowering, drooping, mixed and spotted, separate, per packet, 1s., 2s. 6d. and 5s.

OTHER FLOWER SEEDS.

The choicest strains of Primula, Cineraria, Calceolaria, Cyclamen, Hollyhock, Dahlia, Pansies, Asters, Stocks, and every other sort.

All kinds of Plants, Roses, Fruit Trees, etc., that can be imported from England, safely transmitted in Wardian cases.

--> Remittances or London References must always accompany orders. Flower Seeds by post. Orders should reach us soon as possible.

--> CATALOGUES GRATIS AND POST FREE. <--

SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE FOR MARCH CONTAINS

BLUeCHER UNHORSED AT LIGNY. Drawn by R. F. Zogbaum. Engraved by Peckwell.

THE CAMPAIGN OF WATERLOO. By JOHN C. ROPES. With illustrations by R. F. Zogbaum, and drawings made by W. T. Smedley, especially commissioned by this Magazine to visit the field. A strikingly original history of this greatest of military events. A concluding article, beautifully illustrated, will appear in April.

BEGGARS. The third of the series of charming essays by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. The New York _Tribune_ says in referring to this series:

"The matter is of itself enough to interest every person in the least interested in literature, and the manner of it is such as to make us ask again of him for the hundredth time, as it was asked of Macaulay, 'Where did he get that style?'"

A SHELF OF OLD BOOKS.--LEIGH HUNT. By MRS. JAMES T. FIELDS. Illustrated with drawings, portraits and fac-similes. A charming account of some of the literary treasures owned by the late James T. Fields.

THE ELECTRIC MOTOR AND ITS APPLICATIONS. By FRANKLIN LEONARD POPE. With 14 illustrations. Mr. Pope describes the great advances recently made by which electricity takes the place of steam, or supplements it in so many directions.

THE NIXIE. A Fantastic Story. By MRS. ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.

MENDELSSOHN'S LETTERS TO MOSCHELES. From the MSS. in the possession of Felix Moscheles. By WILLIAM F. APTHORP. II. (_Conclusion_.) With portraits, reproductions of drawings, musical scores, etc.

"The letters are full of interest, especially in their frank observations on musical affairs of Mendelssohn's day."--_Boston Saturday Evening Gazette._

THE DAY OF THE CYCLONE. A stirring Western story, founded on the Grinnell (Ia.) tornado. By OCTAVE THANET.

FIRST HARVESTS.--Chapters VII-X. By F. J. STIMSON. (To be continued.)

NATURAL SELECTION--A Novelette in Three Parts. By H. C. BUNNER. (_Conclusion_.) With Illustrations.

POEMS. By THOMAS NELSON PAGE, C. P. CRANCH, BESSIE CHANDLER, and CHARLES EDWIN MARKHAM.

"In its one year of life SCRIBNER'S MAGAZINE has taken not only an exalted and permanent place in periodical literature but one that the world could in no sense spare."--_Boston Traveller._

_A year's subscription, consisting of twelve monthly numbers, gives more than 1,500 pages of the best, most interesting, and valuable literature. More than 700 illustrations from designs by famous artists, reproduced by the best methods._

Price, 25 cents. $3.00 a year.

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS,

743-745 Broadway, New York.

A Brilliant New Novel by the author of "The Story of Margaret Kent."

QUEEN MONEY.

1 vol., 12mo, $1.50.

"This is _the strongest story that this author has yet told_. It is essentially a novel of character-painting, more even than 'Margaret Kent' or 'Sons and Daughters'. It is superior to either of these. The merits of 'Queen Money' are very great.... Interesting and valuable and remarkably true to life. It is a book to be quoted, to be thought about, to be talked about."

LOOKING BACKWARD.

2000-1887. BY EDWARD BELLAMY, author of "Miss Ludington's Sister." $1.50.

"'The Duchess Emilia' and 'She' are not more strange than this story."

UNDER THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

By M. M. BALLOU, author of "Due North," "Edge-Tools of Speech," etc. $1.50.

A journey, in 1887, to Australia, Tasmania, Samoa, New Zealand and other South-Sea Islands.

_For sale by all booksellers, or will be sent, post free, on receipt of price by_

TICKNOR & CO., Boston.

The Sun
FOR
1888.

The year 1888 promises to be a year of splendid political development, one and all redounding to the glory and triumph of a

UNITED DEMOCRACY.

In the Front Line will be found

THE SUN,

Fresh from its magnificent victory over the combined foes of Democracy in its own State, true to its convictions, truthful before all else, and fearless in the cause of truth and right.

THE SUN has six, eight, twelve, and sixteen pages, as occasion requires, and is ahead of all competition in everything that makes a newspaper.

Daily, $6 00
Daily and Sunday, 7 50
Sunday, 16 and 20 pages, 1 50
Weekly, 1 00

Address THE SUN, New York.

THE UNITED STATES MUTUAL ACCIDENT ASSOCIATION

is offering the very best accident insurance at cost. $5,000 for death by accident, $25 weekly indemnity, and liberal indemnity for loss of eye or limb. Costs $13 to $15 per year.

Membership Fee, $5.

320 & 322 Broadway, New York.

Charles B. Peet, President.

James R. Pitcher, Secretary and Gen'l Manager.

FOR SPRING PLANTING.

Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Japanese Maples,

And all other hardy Ornamental Trees, Street Trees, Evergreens, Shrubs, Roses and Vines of selected quality, in quantity, at lowest rates; also, all the best Fruits. Priced Catalogue on application.

FRED. W. KELSEY,

208 Broadway, NEW YORK.

SOME WORKS ON NATURAL SCIENCE

PUBLISHED BY HENRY HOLT & CO., NEW YORK.

PACKARD'S (A. S.) WORKS.

GUIDE TO THE STUDY OF INSECTS $5 00
OUTLINES OF COMPARATIVE EMBRIOLOGY 2 50
ZOOLOGY--ADVANCED COURSE 3 00
ZOOLOGY--BRIEFER COURSE 1 40
FIRST LESSONS IN ZOOLOGY 1 00

BESSEY'S (C. E.) WORKS.

BOTANY--ADVANCED COURSE $2 75
ESSENTIALS OF BOTANY 1 35

SEDGWICK (W. T.) AND WILSON'S (E. B.)

GENERAL BIOLOGY--PART I $2 00

ARTHUR (J. C.) BARNES (C. R.) AND COULTER'S (J. M.)

PLANT DISSECTION $1 50

Gray's Botanical Text Books.

At once the most complete and the best Botanical series published,

COMPRISING:

Gray's How Plants Grow,
Gray's How Plants Behave,
Gray's Lessons in Botany,
Gray's Field, Forest and Garden Botany,
Gray's School and Field Botany,
Apgar's Plant Analysis,
Gray's Manual of Botany,
Gray's Lessons and Manual,
Gray's Structural Botany,
Goodale's Physiological Botany,
Gray's Structural and Systematic Botany,
Coulter's Manual of the Rocky Mountains,
The same, Tourist's Edition,
Gray and Coulter's Manual of Western Botany,
Gray's Synoptical Flora--The Gamopetalae,
Chapman's Flora of Southern U.S.

Send for our new descriptive pamphlet of Gray's Botanies, containing PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH of the Author.

Books for Introduction or examination furnished on very favorable terms.

IVISON, BLAKEMAN & CO.,

753-755 Broadway, New York,

AND

149 Wabash Ave., Chicago.

A Few Flowers Worthy of General Culture.

In presenting to our large and growing company of patrons this, the fifth edition of our book, our dominant feeling is one of extreme pleasure at the generous welcome given our preceding efforts. And we offer this edition in the belief and hope that it may suggest ideas that may be of use, and that may be practically carried out in the making of gardens that must be a source of delight.

The wide-spread desire for better and more artistic gardening is evidenced by the articles recently published on the subject by the foremost and ablest magazines. An excellent article on "Old Garden Plants," in Harper's Monthly for December, 1887, encourages us greatly in our efforts to popularize the Hardy Flowers so loved by our grandmothers, together with many fine plants of more recent introduction.

As we were the first in this country to gather a fine collection of Hardy Plants from all quarters of the earth, and to offer them when there was but small demand for such, we are pleased indeed that so much attention is now being given to them, feeling that our efforts in behalf of the almost FORGOTTEN HARDY PLANTS, will tend to the creation of gardens more permanent and beautiful, and at much smaller outlay than any that can be made with tender plants.

The fifth edition of our book is now ready. It is the largest and best work on hardy plants published in this country, and contains many finely illustrated articles, among which are, "A Talk about Roses;" "Hardy Plants and Modes of Arranging Them;" "The Making of the Hardy Border;" "Some Beauties in their Native Wilds;" "Rhododendrons, Kalmias and Hardy Azaleas;" "Hardy Aquatic Plants;" "Tropical Garden Effects with Hardy Plants;" "A Garden Party;" etc., etc.

The book is finely printed on the best of paper, is of real merit and rare beauty, and will be sent post-paid, bound in durable flexible covers for 50 cents, or in leather for 75 cents, but the price paid will be allowed on the first order for plants, making the book really free to our customers.

Our descriptive catalogue, containing a complete descriptive list of the best and largest collection of Hardy Plants in America, sent on receipt of 10 cents in stamps.

Our special list of valuable, low-priced, well-grown plants mailed upon application.

B. A. ELLIOTT CO., No. 56 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh, Pa.

New Seeds, Bulbs, Plants, Fruits,--Rare Tropical Fruits.

GRAND PALMS FROM SEED.

We are now able to offer for the first time, both seed and plants of that King of Ornamental plants, the new FILIFERA PALM. Stately and beautiful beyond description, it is the finest addition that can be made to any collection of plants, and can be grown in any window or garden as easy as a geranium. It is of a compact growth with elegant large leaves, from which hang long thread-like filaments, giving the plant a most odd and beautiful appearance. In fact there is nothing like it in cultivation and good specimens sell for enormous prices. Plants are easily raised as the seed are large, germinate quick and grow rapidly. Per packet 25cts. 5 for $1.00. Year old plants 40cts. each, 3 for $1.00, 7 for $2.00 by mail post paid. Will also mail 3 STORM KING FUCHSIAS for 50cts., 12 EXCELSIOR PEARL TUBEROSES for 85cts., 12 CHOICE MIXED GLADIOLAS for 30cts. Our GIANT EXCELSIOR PANSIES, best in the world, 20cts. per packet. NEW PRIMROSE VERBENA, yellow, a sterling novelty. 25cts. per packet. True PYGMAS ASTER, 50cts. per packet.

Our Seed Catalogue for 1888

Is the most elegant ever issued. Illustrated with 10 colored plates, stipple-litho. covers and hundreds of fine engravings. In it is offered a great variety of FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS, BULBS AND PLANTS OF ALL SORTS, NEW FRUITS AND RARE TROPICAL FRUITS suitable for pot culture, such as dwarf Oranges, Pine Apples, Bananas, Figs, Guavas, Sugar Apple, &c. THIS ELEGANT AND EXPENSIVE CATALOGUE will be sent for only 10cts., which is only a part of its cost to us. Or if you order a packet of Palm seed or anything here offered and ask for Catalogue, it will be sent FREE. SPECIAL OFFER. For 50 cts. we will send Palm, Pansy, and Primrose Verbena Seed and Catalogue. Write at once as this offer may not appear again. To every order we will add an elegant Seed or Bulb novelty free. Address,

JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, FLORAL PARK, Queens Co., N. Y.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS A SPECIALTY.

Our catalogue for Spring of 1888, contains a select list of New and Old Chrysanthemums, including:

"MRS. ALPHEUS HARDY,"

the beautiful variety figured in this paper.

Also a collection of Fine Flowering Cannas.

EDWIN FEWKES & SON,

NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MASS.