Various

“ Handsome as the different varieties of this flower appear naturally, the claim to beauty has been so much enhanced, by the perseverance and enthusiasm of the florist’s fostering care, for the last three hundred years, that at length, it has assumed a perfect symmetry of outline and marking, which renders it truly a gem. ”

“ Still we must move ahead we live in an age of progress, and if we cannot accomplish greater individual perfection, we can certainly attain to the same by more simple means. To grow the Auricula, plant in a tolerably rich soil, a suitable compost may be formed, by mixing two thirds fresh loam from a pasture, and one third cow dung, well rotted, and laid in a heap a few months before being used. Fresh dung injures the colours, and causes the plant to grow too rank and deficient in substance, when thin and papery flowers are the consequence. ”

“ To the Editor of the Florist, Sir: As you invite communications from practical gardeners, I offer a few remarks on the above; as I think it a much rarer plant than it ought to be—few plants excel it in simple beauty, and by proper management it may be had in bloom every month in the year. Being double, it can only be propagated by cuttings, which may be taken off at any time, and readily struck in sand under a bell glass. In about three weeks they are sufficiently rooted to pot into single pots. I find them to thrive best in a compost of rough leaf mould and sandy loam, in well drained pots. ”

“ As growth proceeds luxuriant shoots are stopped or their points pinched off, removing more or less of the shoot, according to the object to be attained. If the plant is very luxuriant, more leaves may be removed and if every shoot upon a tree is operated on in this manner it amounts to a severe check on its growth. In the case of young trees, or weakly ones, where a certain form is desired, the young growing point should be bruised without removing any of the elaborating foliage, securing density of habit without any perceptible check of growth. ”

“ It is here where the peculiarities in this class are met with, for there are few but what produce some fruit, and as real staminate flowers could not produce this fruit, it would readily be seen that staminate varieties produce two sorts of flowers; the one where the organs are unequally balanced which produce no fruit, the other where the flowers are perfect and are fruit bearing. The appearance of the flower that will produce fruit is markedly different from the other—by the shortness of the stamens, the conical shaped receptacle, the pistils stiff and thickly set thereon. ”

“ The plant which has but one stalk and one flower has more value in the eyes of the cultivator at Shanghae than a stronger one; it is sold more easily, produces a very large flower, and presents no difficulty neither for lifting nor for transportation. Thanks to this circumstance I could always procure strong plants more advantageously than small ones.
In the gardens of the mandarins can often be met Peonies of a considerable size. Near Shanghae there is one which annually produces 3 to 400 flowers. The proprietor takes as much care of it as could the most enthusiastic amateur of his tulips. ”

“ In planting, the head of the graft only remains above the soil; the part where the graft unites with the tubercle is always buried. Kaempfer says that the Chinese multiply the Moutan Peony by bud-grafting; this is an error, this process is never practiced by them, they do not even understand it. The author has been led into the error by the smallness of the bud which they use, this having but one eye at its end.
Each autumn sees thousands of plants grafted in this way. The little empty space which may be seen in the rows proves the goodness of the method; in fact a graft rarely fails to grow. ”

“ Few plants if grown too vigorously will flower well, if at all. A certain check in their growth is absolutely necessary, [221] and the summer’s sun or winter’s cold, under ordinary circumstances, effects this perfectly in this climate—the former by perfecting and condensing the elaborated sap, and the latter by arresting vegetation altogether. Too much moisture and shade cause those parts intended for flower-buds to be developed as leaves. ”

“ It is an exceedingly erroneous idea that drains are worse than useless in localities where long droughts are of frequent occurrence. The truth is that draining enhances humidity during hot weather, since it enables the soil to exercise its absorbing properties to the fullest extent, there being more air in the soil water is retained in its pores, constituting a reservoir holding a lasting supply when other sources fail. ”

“ Under these conditions an abundance of seed will be secured. It is not worth trouble to preserve old plants; young ones flowering with much more vigour; any particularly fine variety, however, may be turned out of the pot after it has done blooming, some of the old soil removed and replaced in fresh compost. The double varieties are much superior to the single ones. They are increased by dividing the plant into cuttings. To propagate them requires a cool dry situation, partially shaded, paying great attention in watering, they must be kept rather dry until they begin to show symptoms of growth ”

“ To keep up a succession of flowers for four or five months, seed should be put in at intervals of five or six weeks, from June to September, soil of a sandy nature should be prepared, and the seeds very slightly covered. The front shelf in the greenhouse will be a suitable place for them while growing, they should be encouraged by transplanting into a shallow box as soon as the first true leaf makes its appearance. If thinly planted (not closer than three inches) they can remain until sufficiently strong to be placed at once into flowering pots. ”

“ Winter flowering plants are not too plentiful, at least such as will bloom in the cool temperature of a greenhouse; we have many fine winter flowering exotics, but they either require a hothouse temperature to bloom freely, or are more difficult to manage during summer; we are indebted to the Celestials for many of our most valuable winter flowers, Azaleas, Camellias and among others that beautiful little gem the Chinese primrose. ”

“ Our present subject has not entirely escaped from this general contagion, for if we refer to some old and long established growers of the Auricula, we find that one thinks that the rotted down roots of the Willow, is the only matrix in which it will approach perfection; others again suppose, that nothing is so suitable as rushes decomposed into mould, and a portion of the same material cut short in a fresh state, and strewed over the drainage; while some will not believe in any fertilizer, but blood, mixed up with maiden earth, and laid together for a season. ”

“ It might be considered unnecessary to mention this very apparent fact, were it not usual to observe manure applied to the stem instead of the roots.
Grapes under glass will now be approaching maturity. Dryness both in soil and atmosphere favors this process, still they must not be allowed to suffer for want of moisture should the weather prove dry. The young growth may be stopped more rigidly as the ripening process proceeds. This will concentrate the sap and strengthen the buds for a future crop, if pinched back too severely these buds may start into growth, which must be guarded against. ”

“ When the flower trusses commence to push, water may be more freely given, but not overhead, unless in case of a genial showers, which seldom occurs at this time, and after the pips begin to expand, do not let even the rain in upon them, as much of the fine powdery substance, which constitutes a great portion of their beauty, would be thereby washed off, but apply water more freely between the rows, admit air sufficient, but avoid beating winds. ”

“ A writer in one of the periodicals of the day, supposes it possible that the receptacle of the strawberry might enlarge, or even come to perfection without staminate influence having at all been required. That the experiment of planting a pistillate strawberry in a situation where staminate influence could not reach it and that plant produce no berry, is the fact ”

“ Noisette Roses are those clustering sorts that bloom from early in the season till destroyed by frost; their flowers are generally small, though there are now some of them nearly as large as any others, but the size takes from their profusion. The growth of the family is of all grades, from 1 foot to 20 feet in a season; unfortunately for us, however, the finer kinds are rather tender, being nearly or entirely killed in our severe winters. ”

“ Pistilo-staminate or hermaphrodite varieties are found to produce better when forced early than pistillate sorts.
Root pruning of fruit trees is sometimes commendable, and the present is the proper season for its more immediate beneficial effects. It is mostly performed on young vigorous trees that show no disposition to fruit. By cutting away some of the strongest roots at this time the supply of sap will be lessened and the wood ripening process accelerated. No fruit need be expected from badly ripened wood. ”

“ The floral organs of many plants are remarkably subject to modification, under the long-continued influences of soil, climate, and culture, or management. Some flowers are rendered double, as it is termed, by the expansion of stamens into petals; others become imperfect, and even neutral, by the abortion or blighting of the stamens, or pistils, or both. ”

“ The organs of plants may be greatly disguised by the influences above mentioned; but still the essential distinguishing traits are preserved,—and there seems to be no insuperable obstacle to prevent a plant, with modified or abortive organs, from reverting, under a change of circumstances, to its original condition, and resuming its pristine form and character. ”

“ These gardens are situated near the village of Fa-who, about 5 or 6 miles west from Shanghae, in the midst of a vast country of cotton plantations. On the way I met a large number of coolies each carry two baskets of Moutan-paeonies in full flower; they went [204] to sell them in market. Arrived at the gardens I found there a number of these plants in flower and of a remarkable beauty. The purple and lilac species especially attracted the sight: among others a very pretty kind apparently distinct, with finely cut leaves and flowers of a velvety purple, like the Tuscany rose of our gardens. ”

“ By following these directions, and having a good stock of plants, the lover of flowers may be rewarded through the months of March and April, without the aid of a greenhouse, with one of the loveliest sights, and most enchanting scents in Flora’s kingdom. So far we have spoken of the little favorite as a nursling and treasured up pet, but like many other of God’s blessings, it is not so very mindful of man’s fostering care. ”

“ In the Aloe tribe when the flower stem is thrown up, it is at the expense of the outer leaves, the elaborated juices of which it appropriates, the roots at this time not being in action, because it is towards the close of a long period of dryness. If when the flower-stem is beginning to rise, the roots are watered, all further development of the stem is arrested, the leaves only being developed. ”

“ They have the appearance of our cottage gardens, and are cared for in the same way, that is, by all the members of the family: the women take as much part in it as the men: they are very avaricious and love money extremely. When they have been consulted, I always had to pay dearer for the acquisitions of plants which I made. The soil of these gardens is rich and well-manured; this latter circumstance renders it less compact than the soil where they cultivate cotton. ”

“ Where there is not the luxury of a greenhouse, the same object may be accomplished by a common garden frame, (in fact a much better display to my taste) and with much less trouble and expense considering the great number of plants that may grown. ”

“ Mr. Meehan has produced his plants (of Hovey’s Seedling) , with staminate flowers. The Strawberry cultivators pronounce them (in the teeth of Mr. M’s assertion that they are runners from pistillate plants,) to be not Hovey’s, but another variety. Some others talk of the absurdity of plants being fruitful without fertilization, which, whether absurd or not, Mr. M. does not claim for his plants; we have seen nothing yet on that side in the way of argument, it is all assertion;—The Cinn. Hort. Society, formally pronounced it impossible, and with them there is no appeal from their “ipse dixit.” ”

“ When any thing of this kind becomes recognized as a general favorite, speculative ideas, and vague theories have each a portion of precedence, and as some of these peculiarities happen to succeed, they are lauded, made public, and the tyro catches up the most ridiculous notions. ”

“ The chief thing to guard against, is their damping off; small, well drained pots are the securities. When they are not growing they will live and do better with very little water. They are easily raised from seed, sown on the surface of the soil in pans, and placed in a warm shaded place, with the only attention of never being allowed to get dry. ”

“ After blooming is fairly over, choose a piece of ground sheltered from the midday sun, if moist but yet drained, so much the better, plant out in rows a foot apart, and six inches in the row, place a little deeper than before, which will cause them to push out side roots. If dry give a good watering when planted and an occasional repetition, in case of drought through the summer ”

“ Desprez or Jaune Desprez, flowers buff color shaded with pink, in profuse clusters, very fragrant, plant vigorous.
Fellenberg, color pink, red, or crimson as the season may be; a constant bloomer—does very well for a piazza or pillar, quite hardy.
Lafayette, this old fine pink rose must not be neglected; there [213] are few or none to equal it in color and profusion; a moderate grower, flowers prettily cupped and quite profuse.
Odorata, pure white, very sweet, an abundant bloomer and perfectly hardy; stood the winter of ’51, without any protection; of moderate growth. ”

“ There are over 100 of these Hybrid Perpetual varieties cultivated, one half of them are nearly facsimiles of each other. They all require more stimulation in their culture than any other roses; if a strong luxuriant growth is not produced a very meagre show will follow; dark rich green foliage and strong shoots will produce a corresponding bloom—but yellow foliage and weak growth produces similar sickly blooms, deficient in color, size, and fragrance. ”

“ Out-door grapes will require attention in thinning out lateral shoots and stopping others especially those on bearing shoots. Thinning out the berries is seldom practised on these, nor, indeed is it always necessary. Occasionally, however, the berries are so thickly placed that room is not afforded them to swell out and ripen properly. By thinning out a few of the most central and smallest berries, the fruit will ripen earlier and be much improved both in size and flavor. ”