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New seedling Pansies.-Mr. Walker, of Roxbury, has just shown us some new and most beautiful varieties of pansies, which have come into flower this season. Two among the number, we thought remarkably fine. These have been named, and probably, as soon as increased, will be ready for sale. We are glad to see amateurs giving more attention to this interesting flower.-Conds.

English Hawthorn (Crata'gus Oxyacántha.)-A fine specimen of this charming tree is now in full bloom, in the garden of J. W. Boot, Esq., of this city. Few trees or shrubs exceed this in beauty, and we wish that it was more generally planted than it is at present. Its blossoms are extremely fragrant, perfuming the air to a considerable distance. Planted singly on lawns or groups, with other trees, it is one of the prettiest ornaments of landscape.-lb.

Nympha a cærulea. This splendid species, of the water-lily tribe, is now in bloom at Belmont Place. One or two plants, in the stove, have thrown up two strong flowers, which are superbly beautiful in the morning. We believe this is the first time it has ever flowered in this country. N. pigmea, a small white species, is also throwing up flower-buds. -Conds.

Wistaria Consequàna hardy.-A small plant of this splendid climber, we set out in the open border, against a south wall, last season, late in July. It made but a small growth, owing to the weakness of the plant, which was imported the same season. No protection was given to it during winter; and at all times, excepting when the ground was covered with snow, it was wholly exposed to the cold. It has, however, this spring, started in one or two places, six or eight inches above the soil, and will probably make vigorous shoots during the summer. We shall leave the same plant out another winter, to fully test the experiment. If it is hardy in our climate, it will be one of the richest acquisitions, that has been made to our garden for some time.-Conds.

Phytolacca decandra.-In Loudon's Magazine, (Vol. IX, p. 255,) among the articles copied from the provincial papers, is one stating that this plant is used "in America, like asparagus and spinach." The plant is well known as growing by the road sides, in many parts of the New England States, called generally poke, and Dr. Bigelow, in his Medical Botany, (Plate 3d), states that the root is a violent emetic. Has any of our readers ever known of its having been used as a substitute for asparagus or spinach ?-Conds.

Microscopic Beauty of some of the Gramineae and Júnceæ.-No truer assertion than of Holy Writ, that the splendor and magnificence of human art and industry, cannot equal the exquisite beauty of the grass of the field. No ostrich feather can compare in elegant lightness and elasticity with the plumose anthers of these humble but useful plants, nor the rich produce of the silk-loom vie with the scarious membranes of their floral envelops. How securely, though almost invisibly attenuated the support of the filament, does the heavy laden anther, seemingly float on the air, from the spikelet, while below, secure in its husky envelop, lies the curious fabricated and all important germ.

The perianth of Luzula campestris (now in flower on every sandy plain), forms no unapt resemblance, from beauty and manner of coloring, to the more specious and splendid Amaryllis vittàta, which, instead of a few flowers, we here have a considerable panicle. Had we the eyes of the insect tribe, if they are as microscopic in effect as in appearance, these minuter beauties of Creative Power would perhaps raise our admiration as much towards the "noisome weed," as the protected and favored tenant of the garden.-R. L. J.

Seedling Hibiscus.-At Belmont Place, a few days since, we noticed a beautiful species of the hibiscus in bloom. The petals are of a deli

cate straw color, and very dark just at the base; the flowers are about twice the size of the common single althea. It is a shrubby species, and requires the heat of the stove to produce its truly superb blossoms in perfection.-Conds.

Cashmere Goats.-Mr. J. Donaldson Kinnear, of Albany, N. Y., has lately received from his friends in France, a fine doe, which was sent, together with a buck, from Havre, in one of the regular packets to New York. The length of the passage was, however, so great, that the latter died. Mr. Kinnear is in hopes of soon replacing his loss. These rare animals were procured from the only flock in France, at a high price, and are the first ever imported into the country. There is no doubt but our climate is favorable to their increase, and we hope that the manufacture of the elegant Cashmere shawls will yet become as general as that of silk is expected to be.-Conds.

Gardenia radicans.-Can any of your readers inform me of the best method of growing this plant? The plants in my collection look yellow and sickly, and rarely, if ever, show blossoms.-Yours, An Amateur.

ART. IV. Massachusetts Horticultural Society.

Saturday, May 7th, 1836.—This meeting was held upon business relating to the Society.

Read. A letter from M. A. Poiteau, of Paris.

Presented. Pomonomie Belge, from Dr. J. B. Van Mons, of Lorraine, in Belgium. A pamphlet on the Theory of Dr. Van Mons, one on Vegetable Physiology, one on the culture "d'ananas," or the pine-apple, and the Bon Jardinier for 1836.

Distributed. Seeds received from China, and presented to the Society, by Bryant P. Tilden, Esq., of Boston.

The President of the Society made some very pertinent remarks upon the services which Dr. Van Mons and M. Poiteau, together with M. Soulange Bodin, had rendered to the science of horticulture, and more particularly of the theory of Van Mons, of "ameliorating fruits by seed." He stated that the Horticultural Society of Paris had recently offered a premium of a thousand franks with a view of obtaining, by a repetition of the experiments of Van Mons, or by any other process by seed, ameliorated varieties of pears and apples. He also suggested to the Society the importance of similar experiments by the horticulturists of this country with the hope that new and very superior kinds of fruit might be produced.

May 14th-Exhibited. Belmont apples, a very superior variety in beauty and flavor, from C. H. Homstead, Cayuga county, Ohio. Originated on the borders of Lake Erie.

Distributed. Scions of the Belmont apple, from C. H. Homstead, Esq., of Cayuga co., Ohio.

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REMARKS. Since our last, the continued cold and damp weather, accompanied with easterly winds, has had considerable influence upon the early productions for the market. Almost every variety of vegetable is far more backward than last season, and the want of warm weather bas rendered them less excellent than they are generally. Should the present weather continue any length of time, peas and other vegetables which we generally get early in June, will not this season be brought in till the latter part of the month. Potatoes remain about the same as in our last; there is a fair supply. About 600 bushels in bulk of Nova Scotias, generally termed white blue-noses, arrived the last week; they are very superior, and command a good price. Old turnips are done for the season. A few bunches of new ones, the first of this year, were brought in this week; they were of good size. French turnips are in some demand, but there are few to be had. Onions of last year's stock are exceedingly scarce, and what there is on hand readily command the prices in our quotations; new ones come in now tolerably plenty. Beets and carrots have advanced considerably; very few are to be found. Parsnips continue plenty. Cabbages are all out of the market. Lettuce and radishes are very abundant and good, the past weather having been very favorable for their production. Spinach, dock, &c., for greens, are plenty. Among the new things which are coming into general use, we

may mention water cresses, English sorrel and English mustard; these, with the exception of the former, have been brought in tolerably plentiful, and seem to be much liked by purchasers; water cresses, we think, will take the precedence. Asparagus comes to hand very slow, and the price keeps up, and will continue to until warm weather; it has been difficult to supply the demand. Rhubarb is abundant; immense quantities of this fine vegetable are now used, and it has become one of the staple productions of the market gardener. No squashes now remain on hand, except the West India; they are not considered as good as usual. Apples are extremely scarce, and very few, excepting russets, are to be found in the market; Baldwins are sold by the dozen, and what few there are, readily command the price in our quotations; apples of all sorts have not kept well this spring. Cucumbers are very plenty for the season, of good quality, and to be had at moderate prices. Pine-apples have not yet arrived in very large quantities. Cranberries are scarce, and but a few barrels constitute the stock on hand. Oranges and lemons are plenty.—Yours, M. T., May 25th, 1836.

ART. VI. Meteorological Notices.

FOR APRIL.

THROUGHOUT the month of April the weather was pleasant and rather fine for the season. There was two or three light snow storms in the previous part of the month, and some rain fell in the latter part. The prevailing winds, as usual in our climate in the spring months, were from N. E. to S.

THERMOMETER.-Mean temperature, 40° 0′-highest 70°; lowest 16°

above zero.

WINDS.-N. One day-N. E. two-E. six-S. E. six-S. six-S. W. three.-W. one-N. W. five days.

Force of the Wind.—Brisk, ten days-light, twenty days.

Character of the Weather.-FINE, twelve days-FAIR, nine daysCLOUDY, nine days.

Rainy, four days-Snowy, two days.

MONTHLY CALENDAR

OF

HORTICULTURE AND FLORICULTURE,

FOR JUNE.

FRUIT DEPARTMENT.

Grape Vines in the green-house or grapery will now have set their fruit, and will need continual attention. Syringe the vines every other day, if fine weather; omitting it during all dull and damp days. If the vines are growing rapidly, they must be often looked at, and all superflu

ous shoots cut away. All the lateral shoots, two eyes beyond the clusters of fruit, should be cut off, so as to throw all the sap into the fruit, and also to let the light and air freely to it. If dry weather ensues, the borders outside of the house should have a good watering once or twice a week; making use of liquid manure, occasionally, if at hand. Attention must at all times be given to the border; if it has not yet been well manured, from the accumulation of other work in the garden requiring immediate care, it may be done this month.

Vines in the open air will be in bloom this month, and will begin to make rapid growths. Keep the branches laid in at good distances, and not suffer them to run together in confusion. Large branches may now be cut away without the vines bleeding in the least.

Grape eyes put in in February and March will now have made vines two feet high; they should now, if not done before, be shifted into number four pots, or turned into the open border where wanted for standard plants.

Strawberry beds will now require attention. Keep the runners cut off if strong plants are wanted, and lay short hay underneath the vines to prevent the fruit from getting beat into the ground by heavy rains.

Gooseberry bushes will require looking over. If any mildew appears, syringe with sulphur water.

Plum trees in bearing will soon begin to drop their fruit in those gardens infested with the curculio; let every one be picked up and carried where they will be destroyed. For some excellent directions on the management of this tree, see pp. 161 and 207 of the current volume.

FLOWER DEPARTMENT.

Dahlias may still be planted with perfect success. Procure plants that are started in pots, and turn them immediately into a good deep rich soil in the border. We have known very small plants set out as late as July, to flower abundantly throughout the months of September and October. Cuttings of green-house plants may now be put in.

Perennial flower seeds may still be sown, and the plants will bloom finely the next season.

Ranunculuses, tulips and hyacinths should be taken up the latter part of the month.

Green-house plants generally should be removed into the open air, and placed in a situation sheltered from the wind and where the noon-day sun does not penetrate. Place them on boards, bricks, or coal ashes, so that the worms cannot enter the pots.

Ericas should be repotted before they are taken out of the green-house, or they are apt to be injured by the drying winds and hot sun.

Carnations will now be advancing their flower stems, which will require occasional tying up.

Salvia splendens, and the other species, may yet be propagated.

VEGETABLE DEPARTMENT.

Radishes may still be sown for a succession.

Lettuces should continue to be sown for second crops. Transplant into rich soil to obtain large heads.

Lima Beans should now be sown. The cold and damp weather of last month destroyed the first sowing.

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