sperms, and exogens,

ber. Of the divisions then established, the flowerless, endogens, gymnothe last was inconveniently large. In exogenous flowers, as in all others, the petals are of necessity either absent, connate, or distinct. So they are arranged into three divisions, - apetalous, monopetalous, and polypetalous.

They are, —

We have, therefore, the vegetable kingdom arranged into six divisions, not so very disproportionate in their numbers. 6.- Polypetalous: exogens with free petals. 5. — Monopetalous: exogens with connate petals. 4. Apetalous exogens without corol. 3. Gymnosperms: stamens and seeds; no carpels. 2. Endogens: sepals, petals, and stamens in threes. Flowerless: no stamens nor carpels.

I.

But I must warn the reader, in conclusion, that there are many exceptions. Some plants are, for good reasons, arranged with others from which they differ. Some of the flowers of many violets have no petals. Pumpkins, though their petals are connate, belong to a polypetalous family; so, too, do the acacias, and not a few others without petals.

In another of the pea family, the lead-plant (amorpha), all the petals but one are suppressed. So there is no royal road to classification. It is something more than the ability to find words in a dictionary. Each attempt to classify a plant introduces to something in its nature; and every failure will teach you something. I. F. Holton.

SOUTH MALDEN, MASS.

THE EARLY GOODRICH POTATO.

THIS variety has been found to withstand the rot successfully during the past year, when many other sorts failed wholly or in part. It is a strong grower, and yields a large crop of good potatoes. Among many bushels grown on light, dry land, not a single tuber decayed. It ripens rather early, but remains good through the winter. It is a good market variety, as it cooks white and dry; and it is a very desirable variety to plant extensively for market-purposes. We regard this as one of the best of the new sorts that have been sent out during the past few years.

THE AZALEA.

THE hardy species of these beautiful flowers are favorite garden-plants;

and the tender kinds are well-known, popular, greenhouse-flowers.

The

plants combine good foliage, neat habit, and brilliant and fragrant flowers, which vary greatly in color and size, and are freely produced even on very small plants. Of both the hardy and tender kinds there are single and double varieties, though the double flowers lack the grace and beauty of the single.

All the species are of the easiest culture, are subject to few diseases, and are seldom attacked by insects.

The subject of our illustration is a variety of the greenhouse azalea (A. indica).

These plants require the same culture as camellias. The soil should be a mixture of three parts sandy peat, and one part light loam. During the summer, the plants should be placed in the shade (but not under the drip of trees), out of doors, and receive moderate watering. They are, at this season, at rest. Before the autumn frosts, they should be removed to the greenhouse, and receive plenty of air in fine weather, and moderate watering. As the flower-buds begin to swell, the heat should be increased, and more water given. As the flowers fade, growth begins; which should be encouraged by never allowing the plants to suffer for water, or be exposed to cold draughts. As the growth matures, give more air, and expose the plants to full sunshine, that they may set flower-buds; and, when all danger of frost is over, remove them out-doors for the summer. Azaleas should be potted in the autumn, or before they begin to grow: if, however, care is used, they may be repotted at any season, except when in active growth.

The various species and varieties vary much in their season of blooming; and, by a little attention, some plants may be had in bloom almost every month in the year, as they force well, and can easily be retarded. The plants can be trained into almost any shape; and brilliant globes, pyramids, or heads of bloom, be obtained, which will be a mass of blossoms, the foliage being completely hidden by the flowers. Propagation is easily effected by taking cuttings about two or three inches long of the young shoots : insert them in sandy peat with about an inch of silver sand on the surface of the pot, cover with a bell-glass, and keep them in a temperature of about sixty degrees in the shade. When they are rooted, gradually harden them off by removing the glass, and accustoming them to a lower temperature; pot them off, and treat as old plants.

Azaleas may also be grafted by side-grafting, the stock being the more common kinds.

Seedlings are easily raised; and very fine new varieties are yearly sent out by nursery-men, until now they are numbered by hundreds.

The following are good old varieties, - Decora, indica alba, lataritia, Beauty of Europe, crispiflora, exquisita, Gledestanesi, optima elegans, Fielder's White, Iveryana, narcissaflora, Vesta, Murrayana, magnificens, Duke of Devonshire, Stanleyana, Toilette de Flora.

Azalea amœna is a beautiful little species, with flowers of a reddish-purple, in what gardeners call "hose-in-hose " style: it is evergreen, and hardy as far north as Massachusetts. In the greenhouse, it flowers from January to April; in the garden, in May.

The hardy azaleas, also known as American or Ghent azaleas, are seedlings of A. pontica, calendulacea, nudiflora, and viscosa. They vary greatly in size, color, and fragance of the flowers, and somewhat in hardiness. Most of the varieties, of which there are scores, are hardy as far north as Massachusetts; and some will bear a Canadian winter uninjured.

They require the same soils and treatment prescribed for rhododendrons in the January number.

They are propagated by layers, which require two years to become well rooted. They may also be rooted from cuttings, as the tender species, but not so readily. By a selection of varieties, plants may be had in bloom from the last of May till July; the varieties of A. viscosa blooming late,. those of nudiflora early. The great secret of success in the culture of these plants is to protect the roots from the drying action of the summer sun. It is a good plan to mulch the bed with moss or spent tan.

Like most of the family to which they belong (Ericacea), they are impatient of drought or wet. If planted in low ground, standing water should be removed by draining; if in a dry situation, the soil should be deep.

The following are very fine varieties, — Adelaide, aurantiaca cuprea, calendulacea coccinea, do. crocea, do. eximea, do. flammea, Coburghii, flameola incarnata, exquisita, optima, pontica imperialis, do. sulphurea, do. do. grandiflora, do. do. do. nova, prænitens, gloria triumphans, incarnata superba, Marie Verschaffelt, viscosa floribunda. E. S. R., Jun.

JANUARY, 1868.

THIS excellent variety was raised by A. W. Paine, Esq., of Bangor, Me. It is said to be a chance seedling, possessing several excellent qualities, on account of which it has been regarded with favor. The fruit is from medium to large size, oval in shape; skin a beautiful golden-yellow marbled and spotted with red, with a thin white bloom; stem three-fourths of an

inch to an inch long, rather stout, and nearly straight, set in a slight, one-sided depression, with a small lip; suture slight; the flesh is yellow, and though somewhat coarse, rich, sweet, and fine flavored, nearly equal to the well-known Jefferson, though unfortunately, like the M'Laughlin, which originated in the same neighborhood, the flesh adheres to the stone. Ripens last of August, or first of September, and keeps well; it having been on exhibition this year the 20th of September.