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PASSIFLORA (§ Granadilla) CINCINNATA, Mast., sp. n. - Flowers and leaves of this passion-flower were exhibited at a recent meeting of the Floral Committee by Mr. Philip Frost, the intelligent gardener at Dropmore. The beauty of the deep green glossy leaves, and the rich color of the singularly long and twisted

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rays of the fringe-like corona, excited much attention, and deservedly secured the award of a first-class certificate, which was made to it on that occasion. Specimens have been kindly placed in our hands by Mr. Frost, who tells us, moreover, that he raised the plant from seeds sent from South America. On examination of the specimens furnished by Mr. Frost, and on comparison with

those in the herbarium of the Royal Gardens, Kew, we find that the species is hitherto undescribed; though dried specimens collected by Gardner in Brazil, not materially differing from the living plant, are in the herbarium.

The plant is a climber, with cylindrical, smooth branches; the leaves are stalked, and digitate, or palmisect, with five smooth coriaceous lobes of a deep green color on the upper surface, but paler below; each lobe is oblong-obtuse, with a very fine mucro at the apex, entire or irregularly lobed at the margin, and tapering at the base into a short, channelled stalk. The size of the leaves varies considerably, according to the part of the stem or branch to which they are attached. The main leaf-stalk or petiole is cylindrical, shorter than the blade, and provided about the middle with two sessile deep green glands. The stipules are linear or awl-shaped, about half an inch long, and quickly fall off. The flower-stalks are solitary in the axils of the leaves, cylindrical, shorter than the leaf-stalks, and bear a single flower.

The involucel consists of three broadly oyate concave bracts, of a green color, very softly pubescent on both surfaces, about an inch and a half in length, and provided with a pair of glands at the base, — sometimes on one margin only, at other times on both. The expanded flower measures about four inches in diameter.

The calyx tube (or what is so called) is about a quarter of an inch long, cylindrical, contracted at the upper portion, concave at the base, where the stalk is inserted; the limb of the calyx is divided into five oblong-obtuse lobes, each nearly two inches long, greenish on the outer surface, and provided near the apex with a small projecting horn-like process, whitish on the inner surface, and sprinkled with violet-colored spots, like the petals; which latter are oblongobtuse, shorter than the calyx lobes.

The corona consists of several rows of thread-like processes, the outermost longer than the sepals, twisted and curling like ringlets (hence the name), with alternate bars of purple and white at the base, but of a uniform violet hue elsewhere; the remaining rays are much shorter, thread-like, a little thickened at the extremity, and of a violet or purple color; the innermost series are bent inwards, and spring from the edge of a membranous cup. The gynophore, or stalk supporting the ovary, is short, encircled at the base by a membranous ring, and bears above five stamens, whose filaments are confluent below into a shallow cup, and a smooth, yellow, egg-shaped ovary, rather more than an inch in length. The latter in its turn is surmounted by three rather long club-shaped styles, spotted with purple, and terminating in large, two-lobed, yellowish stigmas.

Such is the arid description of this striking novelty. The brush of the artist can alone do justice to its singularity and beauty. The plant does well under Mr. Frost's care in a cool greenhouse, so that it may be safely recommended as a valuable addition to the list of greenhouse-climbers. — M. T. M., in Gardener's Chronicle.

ABOUT FRUIT.—I am not quite sure whether fruit is always brought to us as it should be. Pears and apples, no doubt, bear careful carriage, and, how

ever suddenly they may ripen at last, are often a long time reaching the perfection of maturity, even after they have been gathered. But there is an essence which belongs to most fruit, and which begins to vanish the moment it is plucked. Even the short transfer from the garden-wall to the dish at dessert cannot be made without the loss of some of that subtle flavor which is conveyed by the living stalk from the sun-fed tree.

Fruit should be eaten alive, like oysters. There is an edge to the taste of a fresh-opened oyster, which comes, I suppose, from the surprise he feels at being suddenly scooped out of his shell. In a few minutes, this gives place to a feeling of alarm; and then, in an hour or two, to one of despair. When he is laid out with his brethren in a dish, the whole brood is hopeless and sad. They may still taste of life, but it is of life disappointed. But the fresh-opened oyster has no time to grow feverish or melancholy.

While a plum, for example, hangs upon its stalk, it is in some kind of magnetic correspondence with all the powers of Nature. Cut it off, and in time it dies, corrupt, unwholesome; and every moment in its progress from life to death is marked by a decadence of that essence which makes fruit delicious. Therefore, supposing that you pluck it ripe, the sooner a plum is eaten, the better for you. This, of course, applies most to tender, thin-skinned fruit.

A firm apple dies slowly. A nut holds out long against the debasing influence of separation from its source of life. But plums, figs, peaches, apricots, and strawberries begin to suffer directly they are gathered. This is the case even with pines, which are acceptable of bruises; but they contain such an apparent surplusage of flavor, that the first stages of their decay are not perceived except by a cunning palate.

I think the morning is the best time for fruit: I am not quite sure, though. The afternoon is good. But I don't recommend fruit with the dew on it. Let the fruit get its own breakfast before you eat it yourself. It breakfasts on early sunshine and dew. It takes these good things in, and smiles upon itself and the world, just as you do half an hour after a pleasant breakfast. Eat it while it is in this humor, — by no means in the raw and early morning: thus you have the young freshness and virgin flavor of the fruit. It has another character later in the day, when it is filled with sunshine: then I think it is sweeter. Chambers's Journal.

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CATALPA. - My way is to lay the seed-pods away in some dry place. Open the pods, and drill the seed early in May in a well-pulverized bed. Cultivate as any other seedling-trees; keep clear of weeds. At any time in one, two, or three years, they are ready for spring transplanting.

Eleven years ago, I put in a few seeds in a garden-bed: two and three years afterwards, I set them out about my premises; and for the past three years they have been blooming. This year, whilst in bloom, they attracted much attention, and were greatly admired. The long pods are now hanging over the trees, some as long as eighteen inches; trees eight or ten inches in diameter, and about fifteen feet high. — J. D. L., in Prairie Farmer.

LUDLOW, ILL.

VOL. V.

15

ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

LUCIUS C. FRANCIS ON the plum.

[Reported for "Tilton's Journal of Horticulture and Floral Companion" by O. L. Barler.]

THE Illinois State Horticultural Society has just closed one of the most interesting and instructive meetings ever held by that association.

On the second day, L. C. Francis of Springfield read an interesting paper on the plum. He described three species of plums indigenous to this country: first, the Chickasaw; second, Wild Red or Yellow Plum; third, the Beach, or Sand Plum.

The plum is propagated by seed, budding, or grafting.

The trees are fit to plant the first or second year from the bud or graft. A moderately rich soil is probably the best; though there are some varieties (the Diapre Rouge for one) that will literally bear themselves to death on a rich soil. He thought fifteen feet apart was a proper distance to plant a plum-orchard: though some varieties, like the Diapre Rouge, would be better accommodated with eighteen or twenty feet; and others, again, like the Duane's Purple, really need but ten or twelve feet.

The varieties which he had grown were the following:

First, the Diapre Rouge. He had fruited it for ten years; finds that it possesses more good qualities than any variety with which he is acquainted, though not as rich a plum as some. It is a prodigious bearer of very large, handsome fruit of good quality. It requires thinning. Is hardy, and grows thriftily upon our rich prairie soil. He procured it of Dr. Kennicott, with high recommendations of its qualities; and has never regretted it.

Duane's Purple is a more showy plum, and brings a higher price in the market. It bears well; but the fruit is apt to rot. It has this advantage,―the tree needs no propping.

The Imperial Gage is a sweeter plum than either of the others; tree not so hardy, and needs poorer soil than that on which he has grown it.

Smith's Orleans has not done well.

German Prune has proved tender, but fruit number one for flavor.

Among other varieties, he was particularly pleased with the Nectarine Yellow Egg.

He prunes but little, and that while young, starting the head three feet from the ground; cultivates the same as for apples. In rich soil, practises sowing oats to check the growth, and bring them into good condition for wintering.

There are but two or three diseases to which the plum is liable; one of which is the black-wart, not often met with in the West. The remedy: Cut off the affected limbs, and burn them.

The fruit-rot is occasionally troublesome. Thinning the fruit so that they may not touch each other is a partial remedy.

Winter-Killing.

early in the season.

ficial.

The remedy is to check the growth, and ripen up the wood
Screens of evergreens or deciduous trees would be bene-

Insects. A borer, the same as attacks the peach, is injuring the plum-trees.

It is not named in the books. It has also another enemy in the trunk-borer; the same, he thought, that attacks the apple, elm, and maple. The canker-worm is nearly as much at home on the plum as on the apple. The caterpillar is frequently found on the plum. The leaf-roller also is perfectly at home here. Last, but not least, the curculio and plum-gorger.

The remedies which have been proposed are whale-oil soap, gas-tar, coal-oil, cotton-batting, common salt, hogs running in the orchard; but, after all, he thought the only reliable plan of fighting the "little Turk" is the jarring plan. Knock the rascals down on a sheet, and pinch their heads off. Dr. Hull's curculio-catcher is an admirable contrivance for doing this splendidly and effectually.

He concluded by saying, that whoever would be successful in plum-raising must exercise the persevering, unconditional-surrender spirit of our Presidentelect, and fight it out on this line (the jarring and sheet process), if it takes all

summer.

After the reading of the essay, quite a lively discussion took place in regard to plums. N. J. Colman, Dr. Warder, and Dr. Edwards, thought the Chickasaw Plum was not a native of the State of Illinois. To an inquiry made by Dr. Warder concerning the sloe, Dr. Walsh remarked, that “there is no sloe-plum in this country. The sloe is a European variety."

Some inquiries were made concerning the "Miner Plum," to ascertain if it was curculio-proof. Dr. Walsh remarked that it was nearly so. He had picked over a large basketful in search of the insect, and failed to find any thing save a single plum that had received a puncture; the insect dying in very early youth. It is a cultivated variety of the wild plum.

Mr. Pettingill said that he had received what he supposed to be the Chickasaw Plum twenty-five years ago. He advised against planting it, because of its propensity to sucker. Other gentlemen took part in the discussion, which was quite interesting.

BEES. - Convinced by the articles at pages 90, 248, &c., of Vol. IV., that the culture of the bee is an important element in the raising of fruit, I have procured several beehives. My confidence in the anticipated result has been greatly shaken by the unqualified statement of an intelligent bee-raiser, that, where you have bees, you cannot succeed with raspberries; and that, whatever may be the effect in the case of apples, pears, cherries, &c., the intermeddling of the bee with the pollen of the raspberry is decidedly injurious, and prevents that fruit from reaching perfection. May I beg that any of your readers having experience in this matter will please communicate their observations?

PHILADELPHIA.

[We hope they will do so. The idea is a new one to us. — Ed.]

G. G.

AT Castle Kennedy, Mr. Fowler has this year, owing to the intense sun-heat, placed tissue-paper over his grapes to intervene between the sun's rays and the bunches, so as to prevent sun-stroke. The paper does not affect the coloring, and seems to possess the power of frightening away mice.

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