Vines all in pots, principally Black Hamburgh, and bearing a very nice equal crop. In this house 1500 Strawberry plants are forced annually, the sorts being Keens' Seedling and Garibaldi, and to utilise space the back wall is used for the growth of Tomatos, which at the time of my visit were carrying an excellent crop. A Peach-house, span-roofed, 12 feet by 9 feet, was planted with Stirling Castle, and bearing a very fine crop of large-sized fruit. Another early vinery, 50 feet by 12 feet, planted with Black Ham. burgh and Duke of Buccleuch, the latter bearing a fine crop with large berries. A vinery, 30 feet by 16 feet, planted with Muscat of Alexandria and Bowood Muscat, both sorts carrying a grand crop. Peachhouse, span-roof, 24 feet by 20 feet, planted with Early Alfred, Royal George, Stirling Castle, and the Elruge Nectarine. Along the roof are trained Lapa. geria rosea and Maréchal Niel Roses, the former very full of bloom. On the end walls were plants of the old favourite Fig, Brown Turkey, bearing fine crops. A Camellia-house, span-roof, 20 feet by 20 feet, planted with such fine old sorts as Alba plena, Countess of Orkney, Imbricata, Lady Hume's Blush, &c., all fine specimens in vigorous health. A mixed vinery, 30 feet by 16 feet, the following bearing fine crops :-Mrs. Pince, Lady Downes', and a young plant of John Downie, making grand wood. A Peach-house, 50 feet by 12 feet, planted with Royal George, Barrington, Walburton Admirable, and Red Roman Nectarine, the whole bearing a grand crop indeed. On a low staging was a very fine lot of young Azaleas of the finest sorts, in the best of health. A conservatory and fernery combined forms a magnificent house, 72 feet by 24 feet, span-roofed, well furnished with large plants of all the leading varieties, conspicuous among which was a splendid specimen of Erica Cavendishii, which usually flowers well. The Ferns, judging by their luxuriant appear. ance, were evidently at home, whilst trained to pillars and rafters were Tacsonia Volxemii, Coboa scandens var., Rhodochiton volubile, Lapageria alba, &c., giving to this grand house a finish which cannot but be much admired. A greenhouse, 33 feet by 14 feet, is principally used for preparing plants for conservatory decoration. A stove, span-roofed, 33 feet by 24 feet, containing large plants of Anthurium crystallinum, Croton Weismanni, a grand plant that took Ist prize for the best Croton at the International Show at Edinburgh, in 1882. There are also several fine specimens of other Crotons, beautifully coloured, as well as of Pandanus, Dracenas, &c. I also noticed in this house some fine specimen Orchids consisting of Cattleya Mossiæ, Cypripedium longifolium, Dendrobium giganteum, D. nobile, &c., and climbers were well represented by Clerodendron splendens, Dipladenia boliviensis, D. Williamsii, Stephanotis, &c. A warm greenhouse, with a span-roof, 33 feet by 20 feet, contained large plants of Aralia Kerchoviana, A. Veitchii, and A. gracillima, Asparagus plumosus nanus, Bougainvillea glabra, Phormium tenax variegatum, &c., and the roof was covered with Passiflora edulis. A Melon-house, 36 feet by 9; a Heath-house, 36 feet by 9 feet, in which I found very fine healthy specimens of E. Bothwelliana, E. vestita alba, E. coccinea, E. Austiniana, &c. ; a house for the culture of sweet-scented Pelargoniums, contained a very interesting collection, the perfume from which upon entering the house was delightful. Melon-pits and a Mushroom-house completed the garden structures. These houses are heated by two twin saddleboilers 4 feet long, to which are attached 4000 feet of 4-inch piping, and have all been erected within the last few years by Mr. Lowe.

The kitchen garden, over 2 acres in extent, lies to the south-east of the houses, and is enclosed by substantial walls, partly brick and partly stone, and covered by well managed fruit trees of the ordinary sorts, which as a rule bear remarkably well here. In the front of the conservatory there is a very pretty flower garden, half an acre in extent, from the top of which a walk 10 feet broad and 300 yards long runs nearly straight west to a beautiful sheet of water, and on either side of this walk, 20 feet back, there are two rows of Sequoia gigantea, averaging from 16 to 20 feet in height, fifty in number, and 18 feet apart, in a most thriving condition. To the south and west of the Tower there are also many specimens of Conifers of various sizes. Bedding-out is carried on here to a large extent, and is well managed.

His lordship, being an ardent horticulturist, takes great interest in everything connected with gardening, and Mr. Scott, the head gardener, may be com plimented on the high state of cultivation in which the garden under his care stands at the present time. D.

ORCHIDS AT WESTBROOK.

THE Orchid-house at Westbrook, Sheffield, devoted to blooming plants, is at the present time very attractive, on account of the display of bloom. It contains some fine varieties in excellent health, bearing many spikes of very fine flowers. The graceful spikes of the Phalaenopsis and the Odontoglots, loaded with blossoms, arching over the Cattleyas, Lycastes, and other erect kinds, give a beauty and grace to the whole that is afforded by few other kinds of plants; the rich and delicate markings and colours being particularly chaste and pleasing, and the effect is heightened by the bright orange colour of the flowers of Ada aurantiaca (a good specimen with numerous spikes), and the star-shaped blossoms of Lælia harpophylla. All are good specimens, but amongst the best may be mentioned Phalaenopsis amabilis aurea, with flowers 3 inches across, the petals strong, and about 1 inch broad, the base of the lip tinged with deep yellow, and striped with carmine; the inner portion of the lower petals are tinged with green, and lightly spotted. Another plant bears flowers with petals a little broader, and without the spots, and the yellow on the lip of a paler shade. P. Stuartiana has a good spike of flowers heavily spotted on the lower sepals; P. Sanderiana is also good, the flowers being of a deeper colour; P. Schilleriana is represented by three good varieties. Odontoglossum Roezli alba, pure white, with the excep. tion of the lip, which is suffused with yellow, is very effective. O. cordatum carries three spikes of good flowers, barred and striped with deep chocolate-brown. Cattleya Trianæ has flowers 7 inches across, the petals white, 2 inches broad; lip 1 inch across, tinged pink; the throat a deep yellow, and is a good speci. Cypripedium Laurenceanum is very good, its large dorsal sepal, finely striped on a white ground, renders it both distinct and attractive. Angræcum sesquipedale is represented by a small plant with four flowers arranged in the form of an arc, which are well relieved by the dark green foliage of the plant. This variety, although not a showy one, is always interesting, particularly to the botanist, on account of the curious spurs attached to each flower; on this plant the flowers are 5 inches across, and the spurs 12 inches long. Many other varieties are equally good, and are represented by Dendrobiums nobile, crassinode, Barberianum, and lituiflorum; Masdevallias ignea, Shuttleworthii, and triangularis; Odontoglossums Rossi, maculatum, superbum, Cervantesii, triumphans, tripudians, nebulosum (three varieties), Alexandræ (many varieties), Pescatorei, gloriosum, Uro-Skinneri (which has been in bloom six months), Lindleyanum, Halli, Andersoni, and cirrosum; Phalaenopsis Ludde. manniana and grandiflora; Cypripedium Boxalli, villosum, Roezli, and Haynaldianum. Lycastes and Vandas are also represented by Skinneri and tricolor respectively. In addition to the above-mentioned plants now in bloom there is a reserve of plants in various stages of development in sufficient quantity to produce bloom all the year round. The whole col. lection is in a clean, healthy, and vigorous condition. One plant, an Odontoglot, of the Andersoni type, has thrown up from one bulb three spikes bearing fifty-nine flower-buds, an evidence of the care and skill of Mr. Pidsley, the head gardener, who spares no pains to bring the plants under his charge to a high state of cultivation. New and valuable varieties are being added to the collection which is increasing in numbers, variety, and importance. 7. H. S.

men.

ORCHIDS AT THE WOODLANDS.

AT the Woodlands, Streatham Hill, the residence of R. H. Measures, Esq., a plant of the pure white form of Lycaste Skinneri alba has been in flower for upwards of three months, the individual blossoms lasting over eight weeks. In the centre of the new range of Orchid-houses lately erected in these gardens there is a bijou structure for plants in flower, admirable in every way, and there is abundant proof that the flowers last much longer here than when left in the houses in which they have been grown. Many lovely species and novelties were in flower at the time of my visit, elegantly arranged with Palms, Aralias, Ferns, &c., and all scrupulously clean, in fact I have never seen a garden in which absolute cleanliness in

upwards of fifty spikes, including a fine example of P. Stuartiana nobilis and P. Sanderiana. In this house I noticed fine plants of Cypripedium Druryi and C. vexillarium in bloom, as also a fine plant of the new C. Godefroy doing splendidly. The gardener, Mr. Howes, informed me that he watered these plants overhead every day copiously, and there is no doubt but that the treatment suits them, as I have never before seen C. Godefroya and C. niveum grow. ing so vigorously. Saccolabium Hendersoni is also growing freely and well in the same house, certainly better than I have ever seen it elsewhere. In the flowering house there is a plant of Cattleya Trianæ grandis with twenty-six of its lovely large blossoms in perfect condition, as also many other handsome varieties, but the palm must be given to the numerous beautiful hybrid Odontoglossums, some of them quite unique. There are also many magnificent varieties of Odontoglossum Rossi majus, including the very beautiful O. Rossi gemma, O. sceptrum, a grand plant with two spikes, several splendid examples of Cymbidium Lowianum, some of the spikes having as many as twenty-two well developed flowers. Dendrobium Jamesianum is also particularly fine, and the same may be said of D. Wardianum and D. Ainsworthii, and many other things too numerous to mention in a short notice like the present; there is abundant evidence, however, that the owner is a very enthusiastic lover of these beautiful plants. 7. G.

The Flower Garden

THE fernery should be carefully looked over, and all the old fronds and weeds removed, but great care must be taken not to injure the young growing fronds, these being very easily damaged, the effect of which would be visible all through the summer, After all the rubbish is cleared away surface the soil all round the Ferns and under all movable stones with finely sifted leaf-mould or peat, or in lieu of these any light soil that is available.

THE ROCKERY,

Where alpine plants are grown these should have similar attention given them, removing any dead plants, filling up the vacancies with young subjects, and care should be taken in planting to so arrange the plants that the weaker and delicate may not be overshadowed or crowded by the strong-growing

ones.

THE SPRING AND SUMMER FLOWer Gardening, as now practised in most gardens, cause much labour and a considerable amount of forethought to manage the two creditably, and more particularly if the spring should be a backward one, as then the opening of the spring flowers is much retarded, as I find is the case this season, the prevalent cold winds acting as a check on growth, which renders the preparation of the bed for the summer bedding-out plants a difficult matter. Where spring gardening is not carried out the beds and borders may now be prepared and made ready for bedding-out time by marking out the design and settling the arrangement of the colours and plant. ing such hardy plants as are intended to be used.

PLANTING AND SOWING.

Echeverias, Sedums, Saxifrages, Pansies, Violas, and Hollyhocks may now be planted out. Wallflowers, Antirrhinums, Sweet Williams, Pansies, Sweet Peas, and Mignonette should now be sown. To have an abundant supply of Violets throughout the winter and spring, young plants should now be planted out on a well prepared and a slightly manured warm border, planting the strongest runners, by preference those with roots, as they will make the greatest progress. The best kind for winter blooming is Marie Louise. With us this variety has been in bloom ever since last October, and blossoms were to be had in great abundI grow twelve other kinds, new and old, but none of them equal the one mentioned. The subtropical plants may now be placed in a cool-house. Calceolarias and Verbenas, Ageratums and Petunias, and other similar plants may also be placed out under a cradle or some other protection, and be covered at night with mats. Wm. Smythe, The Gar dens, Basing Park, Alton.

ance.

FRUITS UNDER GLASS.

PEACHES: THINNING THE FRUIT, ETC. THE EARLY-HOUSE.

At this season a series of peacheries will occupy a considerable amount of time to keep everything con. nected with them in proper order. In the early division the fruit will be advanced sufficiently in growth to be reliable; the final thinning of the fruit should, therefore, take place—an operation best determined by the state and condition of the trees; however, a safe rule may be enforced in the case of trees planted out and trained on trellises, by leaving not more than one Peach for every square foot of trellis covered by the trees. Nectarines can be left somewhat nearer to each other than this. Assuming the growths are now evenly regulated and tied out, the laterals pinched in as they appear, the chief object is to keep the foliage as healthy and vigorous as possible, as under no other conditions can the fruit be expected to attain size, colour, and perfection in flavour.

INSECT ENEMIES.

The most dangerous enemy amongst these trees is the red-spider, which will quickly establish itself, if it is present at all, unless it is forcibly kept in check by the syringe as the fruit approaches maturity. If possible avoid using water that is highly impregnated with lime, or any other substance that will leave a deposit on the foliage or fruit, considerably marring its appearance when ripe. Rain-water is unquestion. ably the best of all for this purpose.

BORDERS.

Water the inside borders liberally with weak manurewater at about 60° prior to the final swelling of the fruit; maintain a regular temperature of about 60° at night and 70° in the day-time, with 10° or 15° more by sun-heat, and shut the house up with this aid at 80°.

SUCCESSION HOUSES.

In the next house the growth of the trees will be more natural, and, as a rule, the fruit will set more abundantly than in earlier started houses. Before the fruit gets large remove any superabundant supply of them, at the same time reserve enough to meet contingencies that may arise. As far as practicable those from the underside of the shoots and others not well placed should be taken off. Keep the tying.in and stopping of the shoots well in hand, and the foliage clean and healthy by means of a vigorous use of the syringe or by fumigation if it is necessary. The temperatures here should in each instance range 5° less than in the earlier department. In late divisions, if the fruit is expected to give a succssional supply to the foregoing crops, a little artificial aid should continue to be given; on the other hand, if the trees are to come in almost naturally, fire-heat will only be necessary as a protection when frost threatens. After the trees are disbudded the growth required to furnish the trees should be tied in close to the base. This method is a great advantage in symmetrical training. All gross shoots except the terminal ones should be stopped at about the sixth leaf. This will in some degree counteract an exuberant growth, and tend to cause a more even distribution of the sap over every part of the tree.

THE VINERY: LATE HOUSES.

In late houses where late keeping Grapes are chiefly grown, the Vines should now be moving; in fact, if this is not the case they should be encouraged to do so with the aid of a little fire-heat at night, and on dull sunless and cold days, under more favoured conditions, growth may be accelerated by means of early closing. With sun-heat I am quite convinced that in order to rest Grapes perfectly and to avoid having mildew amongst them, they should be fully ripe by the end of September. My experience with a halfspan house which runs due north and south, where naturally the Grapes are considerably later than in those houses having southern aspects, has proved be. yond all possible doubt the truth of this assertion. As soon as the shoots on these Vines attain a size for the best to be detected, all excepting one on each spur should be rubbed off entirely and the stopping of these when fit for the purpose should be done in the same way as previously advised. For the preceeding crop, in all cases where Vines are in robust

growth, the shoot should not be tied down only for the purpose of keeping them from touching the glass until such time as they become more inured and pliable for the purpose.

THE GRAPE ROOM.

If the shoots with the bunches of Grapes on them are in bottles it will be necessary to look over them once a week, and replenish the water which is exhausted, so that the stems may be kept well submerged. Keep the place cool, and avoid dust as much as possible. The Grapes of last season's growth have kept well here, and our supply is sufficient for the demands until the new ones are ripe, which will be the case early in May. G. T. Miles, Wycombe Abbey.

The Hardy Fruit Harden.

WALL TREES.

ALL pruning, nailing, staking, and planting of trees should be finished at once. The cold dry weather of late has been most favourable for retarding the flowering season, so that there is at present every prospect of a fruitful year; but the protection of the blossom which has appeared will require great care and attention for some time to come. Whatever means has been adopted for this purpose should only be continued as long as the cold weather lasts. All attempts at coddling should be dispensed with, for I am sure there is often much harm done by this mistaken notion of continuing to protect the trees whilst only making them more liable to injury. 7. Smith, Mentmore.

Plants and thein Culture.

PITS AND FRAMES.

IN the majority of cases the houses will now be filled to their utmost capacity; we must therefore look to the cold pits and movable frames for the necessary room required for succession stock of general furnishing plants. In our case we find the most inconvenience to occur just about this time of the year when the latest vinery is closed, thus driving us to seek other quarters for its recent occupants that succeed best under cold treatment. Gladioli and Lilies in pots have been turned out into the open in a sheltered spot, thus leaving room for more tender plants to take their place. The Chrysanthemums will soon have to follow, and by the removal to the conservatory of the latest of the bulbs we shall have room to devote to spring-sown Ten-week Stocks, scarlet and other Pelagoniums, Harrison's Musk, and various useful early summer flowering plants, which will in their turn do good service in the conservatory. Autumn-sown Stock of the intermediate type have been shifted into their blooming pots, and stood on a bed of coal-ashes out-of-doors. The spring-sown Ten-weeks will soon be fit for pricking off, placing three plants into a 4-inch pot (in which they will be allowed to flower), being kept under glass till well established. A selection should be made from amongst the bedding Pelargoniums and shrubby Calceolarias, securing some of the best of each for pot work, and shifting them on, at the same time keeping any flower-spikes pinched off till likely to be required. This will occur after the latest of the Indian Azaleas and herbaceous Calceolarias are past their best. They will then stand in good stead for intermixing with the latest Spiræas (Hoteia japonica) and Fuchsia. For later use still in the conservatory, some few pots of Lobelia speciosa will be found extremely useful as an edging, particularly so when intermixed with Harrison's Musk. Both the double and the single varieties of Petunias should also be grown on without a check, not allowing them to become pot-bound till the desired size of pot is occupied. Young stock of Fuchsias will thrive well; better even, from this time onward in commodious pits than in houses that are lofty.

TUBEROUS BEGONIAS,

The now deservedly popular class of tuberous Begonias can also be started into growth in a close pit or frame. We do not mean by this one that is arti ficially heated, but one that can be conveniently

damped down and closed up early in the afternoon, so that the sun's rays warm the interior during the latter part of the day. At night a mat or two may be thrown on the glass to prevent any morning frost from unduly lowering the temperature. When fairly started into growth, gradually inure them to a hardier course of culture; they cannot bear a coddling kind of treatment throughout their growth: and where such is followed the results will soon be apparent in their flacid leaves and elongated shoots that will eventually bear but a poor crop of flowers. A well grown tuberous Begonia should require but little support with sticks; the latest that have been raised by our well known trade growers have been remarkable both in the habit as well as in the floriferous character and finely formed flowers among this section of Begonias. Seedlings raised this spring will bear a little more heat, but this must not be continued too long. The earlier batches will have been pricked off before this, but the seed-pan will yield another lot or two of useful plants for succession. This pricking-off process should be repeated the second time to prevent them becoming too crowded; afterwards they can be safely transferred to small pots with every success. These will make most useful plants for the conservatory in the late summer and autumn.

The Litchen Garden.

SEED SOWING, ETC.

ANOTHER good sowing of Broccoli should be made in the middle of the month, again including one or two autumn varieties, such as Veitch's Autumn Protecting. The latest sowing of Broccoli may be made in the beginning of May. The following varieties are best for this :-Lauder's Goshen, Ledsham's Latest of All, and Model. This last sowing is of great importance, as the produce therefrom comes in when other vegetables are usually very scarce, and before the earliest of out-of-doors Cauliflowers are ready for use the following year. About the middle of the month a sowing of Scarlet Runner Beans may be made, and a larger sowing at the end. The soil to grow this crop should receive a liberal addition of manure. It is a good plan, and it economises the manure to grow them in prepared trenches. Place some of the manure at the bottom of the trench, and when filled in, the top part of the trench should be a little lower than the surrounding ground, which will allow for easy watering during very dry weather. Make the main sowing of Brussels Sprouts; also sow successions of Cabbage, Cauliflower, and Lettuce. The latter and other salading must be sown often and in small quantities throughout the summer. Make the main sowing of Leeks and Vegetable Marrow, the latter for planting out next month. If no protection can be given to the Marrows at planting-out time, the middle of the month will be early enough to sow the main crop. When planting out, add but little manure, unless the soil should be very poor; even then it would be preferable to make holes, and add some good soil, than to use much manure.

PEAS.

Make main sowings according to the supply re quired during July and August. After the above sowing, to keep up a continuous supply of fresh Peas. it will be necessary to sow several rows at regular in, tervals according to circumstances, for instance, on good holding soil Peas continue bearing for a much longer period than they do on poorer ground, hence the necessity for sowing more frequently on soil of the latter description. Cardoons may now be sown.

SEAKALE.

The cuttings will be ready for planting out now. Allow the shoots to grow out from the callus from to inch before removing them from the cutting. bed. When planting remove all the shoots but the two strongest, After the shoots are well aboveground in May remove one of these, thus the plants will form but one good bold crown by autumn. Planting with the intention of lifting to force should be done by placing the cuttings in rows I foot apart, and 14 to 16 inches between the rows. Permanent plantations to be blanched on the ground where grown must be planted according to the means employed to attain this. If pots are used, four or five cuttings may be planted in a suitable form, or boards I foot wide may be made into a kind of box cover, which answers quite as well as pots if kept thoroughly dark. If the latter are used, the cuttings may be planted in a double row 6 inches apart; between these double rows a space of 1 yard should be allowed for conveniently placing on the blanching materials. Planting should be done with the dibbler, placing the cuttings from to I inch below the sur face, and care will be required not to break off the young shoots. G. H. Richards, Somerley Gardens, Ringwood, Hants.

APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.

THE

{

Sale of Natural History Specimens, at Stevens' Rooms.

Sale of Imported and Established Orchids, at Protheroe & Morris' Rooms. Royal Horticultural Society: Meeting of Fruit and Floral Committees, at 11 A. M.; Scientific Committee, at 1 P.M. National Rose Society: Meeting of Execu tive Committee, at 3 P. M. Sale of Carnations, Lilies, &c., at Protheroe & Morris' Rooms.

Sale of Flowering Orchids, at Stevens'
Rooms.

Sale of Imported Orchids, at Stevens'
Rooms.
Sale of Imported Orchids, at Protheroe
& Morris' Rooms.

Sale of Hardy Plants and Bulbs, at Stevens'
Rooms.

HE Tenth Census of the UNITED STATES comprised an enquiry into many matters besides a mere enumeration of the population. For one thing, it included an investigation of the nature and extent of the FORESTS of that vast country; and the results of that enquiry are now before us, in the shape of a thick quarto volume of over 600 pages, and an atlas of sixteen coloured folio maps. This elaborate publication has been compiled and edited by Professor CHARLES SARGENT, the Professor of Arboriculture in Harvard College-a sufficient guarantee for the carefulness with which the work is done.

Vast as are the resources of the United States in the matter of timber, yet reckless felling and the want of anything like conservancy have at length produced their inevitable results. A warning note has been sounded by those best qualified to judge; it has been echoed by others, not without effect; and we cannot doubt that the present publi cation will most materially serve to preserve to our American cousins their heritage of Nature's great gift.

Imperial Britain is as much concerned in this matter as the United States. Much that applies to the North-east Atlantic and to the Northwest Pacific States applies equally well to the great Dominion of Canada, stretching as it does from ocean to ocean, and comprising areas of forest once considered inexhaustible. It is needless to say how vastly the interests of the home country are concerned in the adequate and continuous supply of timber from the American continent. So vast are the forestsso much vaster were they once-that it is no matter for surprise that at first the idea of a failure of supplies was disregarded if not ridiculed. Even so good a botanist as DARLINGTON treated lightly the warnings of BARTRAM made eighty years previously, and based on personal travel and experience in States far less denuded of timber than they are now-States, indeed, which were in his time largely covered with virgin forest, but which are now stripped of their timber. These matters are better understood now, and the most convincing proof of it is offered by this portly volume, containing what is doubtless the fullest and most elaborate report on the forests and forest trees of any country.

An attempt is made to estimate the value of the forest crop for the Census year-1879-80. Such attempts must necessarily be loose approximations only, but estimating the amount required for construction, fuel, railroads, telegraphs, charcoal, dyeing purposes, and the myriad demands of modern civilisation, the value cannot be estimated at less than 700,000,000 dollars! In the present volume we have a series of tables showing the statistics of the timber trade in all the States and Territories of the Union, accompanied by numerous coloured maps so tinted as to show at a glance the nature and extent of the supply. From inquiries made in every town of the Union it is estimated that in the Census year 140,537,439 cords of wood of the value of 306,950,000 dols. were used for domestic purposes alone by 32,375,074 persons.

66

In spite of this vast amount, which will, of course, increase largely each year, in spite of reckless management, or no management at all -in spite of the utter destruction of forests in certain of the States of the Union, which were once considered inexhaustible, and of the certain exhaustion of others within no long period, yet on the whole the report is hopeful. In many places the inroads have not yet materially or dangerously affected the prospects of the future. This is particularly the case in the Pacific States of Washington and Oregon, the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, and the Californian sierras, though the famous Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, has serious diminished in amount, and is likely to do so still more, as it furnishes the best substitute for white Pine (Pinus Strobus). The forest wealth of the country is still undoubtedly enormous. Great as it is, however, it is not inexhaustible, and the forests of the United States, in spite of their extent, variety, and richness, in spite of the fact that the climatic conditions of a large portion of the country are peculiarly favourable to the develop: ment of forest growth, cannot always continue productive if the simplest laws of Nature governing the growth are totally disregarded. The judicious cutting of a forest in a climate like that of the Atlantic or Pacific coast regions entails no serious or permanent loss. A crop ready for the harvest is gathered for the benefit of the community; trees which have reached their prime are cut instead of being allowed to perish naturally, and others take their place. The permanence of the forest in regions better suited for the growth of trees than for general agriculture may thus be insured. Two causes, however, are constantly at work destroying the permanence of the forests of the country, and threatening their total extermination as sources of national prosperity fire and browsing animals inflict greater permanent injury upon the forests of the country than the axe, recklessly and wastefully as it is generally used against them."

The elaborate details concerning the nature and extent of the timber supply in every county of every State and territory in the Union have, of course, a specially local interest. We mention them to show the exhaustive nature of the report, and the wide basis which has thus been obtained for statisticians and economists to base their deductions upon.

Another and most important section of the work is devoted to the determination of the value of the woods for special purposes. This department was entrusted to the supervision of Mr. SHARPLES, who has recorded the results of experiments made with a view to determine the fuel value of the woods of the United States, and their value for constructional purposes. The specific gravity, and the amount of ash from dry wood, supplemented by a chemical analysis of the wood furnish data for the first part of these inquiries, while for constructional purposes properly prepared specimens of definite size were tested as to their resistence to pressure, their elasticity, &c. A large amount of useful information is thus comprised within statistical tables, useful for reference, but not suitable for citation; some general results may, however, be here given as to the specific to the specific gravity :

"It will be noticed that all species in which the wood is heavier than water belong to the semi-tropical region of Florida, or to the arid Mexican and interior Pacific regions. There seems to be a certain, but by no means constant relation, as shown in this table, between aridity of climate and the weight of the wood produced by closely allied species or by individuals of the same species. The wood of the form of Quercus rubra peculiar to Western Texas is nearly 39 per cent. heavier than the average of all the specimens of the typical species grown in the Northern States. Among the white Oaks the wood of species belonging to regions of little rainfall, Quercus grisea, Q. oblongifolia, Q. Durandii. and Q. Douglasii, is heavier than that of allied species peculiar to regions

The average

more favourable for the growth of trees. of two specimens of Quercus prinoides grown in Western Texas is 19 per cent. heavier than the average of all the other specimens of this species grown in other parts of the country. In Fraxinus the wood of F. Greggii of the Rio Grande Valley, is heavier than that of any other species; it only just surpasses in weight, however, the wood of the Western Texas form of F. americana, which is 20 per cent. heavier than the average of all specimens of the typical species grown north of Texas. On the other hand, the wood of Texas forms of Fraxinus viridis is constantly lighter than that of northern specimens, and the wood of Celtis grown in Arizona is lighter than that of the average of all the other specimens of this species. In Juglans, the heaviest wood is that of J. rupestris, a species belonging to a region of little rainfall, and specimen of J. nigra from Western Texas is 33 per cent. heavier than the average of all specimens grown in the Mississippi basin. In the case of Platanus, the heaviest wood is that of the Atlantic species, but wood of the species peculiar to the comparatively moist climate of south-western Arizona is, however, considerably lighter than that of the drier climate of southern California,"

The relative fuel value of each was obtained by deducting the percentage of ash from the specific gravity. This is based on the hypothesis that the real value of the combustible material in all woods is the same. But this hypothesis will hardly commend itself unsupported to those who know how greatly the nature of woods of each species differs at different times and according to different circumstances, and indeed, we find from Mr. SHARPLES' experiments that resinous woods give out more than twelve per cent. more heat than do equal weights of non-resinous woods; the heat produced by burning a kilogram of dry non-resinous wood being about 4000 units, while the heat produced by burning a kilogram of dry resinous wood is about 4500 units—a unit being taken to be the quantity of heat required to raise one kilogram of water one degree Centigrade.

So far as the relative strength of woods is concerned we may extract the following summary bearing on the relation of the minute microscopic anatomy of the wood to its breaking strength.

"An examination of the results obtained from the various tests made upon the woods of North America indicate at least the important fact that within the limits of any species the weight and strength of any specimen of wood depend upon the actual proportion of the space occupied, in the layers of annual growth, with open ducts, to the space occupied with compact, woody tissue, and to the size of these ducts; or in the case of the wood of Coniferæ, the proportion of space occupied with cells formed early in the season to that occupied with the smaller cells of the summer growth. The proportion between these two kinds of growth varies not only in every individual tree, but in different parts of the same tree. The causes which thus affect the growth of wood are not very apparent. It is not soil, nor age, nor general climatic conditions, it appears, which produces the different proportion between the solid and the light portions of the annual growth in any species, because in the same individual this proportion is found to vary from year to year. It varies very irregularly; nor does the rapidity of growth, as has been supposed, greatly affect the strength of wood, because the proportion of open to compact growth is little affected by rapid or slow increase of the tree's diameter.

"How far annual climatic variations affect the nature of the annual layers of growth has not been demonstrated, although it is not impossible that in years in which conditions favourable to rapid growth are extended late into the season, the proportion of the annual layer occupied by open, weak growth to the growth of the whole year would be greater than that formed in a year during which the season favourable to rapid growth was less extended.

"It follows that while such experiments as those conducted by Mr. SHARPLES are necessary to establish maximum and relative values for any species, these being established, actual values of any given specimen of wood may be determined by microscopic examination of its structure; that is, two specimens of the wood of any species to which the Census tests have been applied being given, their relative value can be determined by an examination of their structure as well as, or better than by any elaborate experiments."

Then follows some tables showing the amount of tannin in the bark of various trees, the per

centage proportion varying from 4 per cent. in Prosopis juliflora to 31 per cent. in the Mangrove, Rhizophora Mangle. Curiously as it seems, the proportionate amount of tannin in the bark of the several species of Oak is small, and almost invariably largely exceeded by that in the bark of the Conifers. Tables are also given showing the specific gravity, ash, and weight per cubic foot of each of the 412 species of timber-yielding trees, and in many cases in several specimens of each tree. Similar tables are given of the fuel value and chemical composition of a select number, as well as of their strength, as tested in various ways. The mass

who proposed it, and then very full bibliographical reference to the works of subsequent authors in which the particular tree is mentioned. The synonyms and varieties are treated in a similar manner. No descriptions are given, the references to the literature obviating the necessity of these, but a popular description of the tree, indications of the districts in and conditions under which it grows, of the nature of its wood, and the purposes for which it is or might be employed. Here again, then, we have a vast mass of authentic information which will be of the utmost service not only to those interested in timber supplies, but

the forests of North America in relation to the locality, climatic condition, distribution, &c. The forests are arranged in districts, thus :

(1). The Atlantic region, including the northern forest, the northern Pine belt, the south maritime Pine belt, the deciduous forests of the Mississippi basin and the Atlantic plain, the semi-tropical forest of Florida, and the Mexican forest of Southern Texas.

(2). The Pacific forests are subdivided into a northern forest, a coast forest, an interior forest, and a Mexican forest.

This is a most interesting and readable account, but as it formed the subject of a report by Dr.

of information thus tabulated is indeed enormous, and the Government of the United States merits the gratitude of the civilised world for accumulating and rendering available so vast an amount of information, useful, not to one nation, but to all humanity.

The part of this volume which comes first in order, though it has suited our convenience to allude to it last, comprises a full catalogue of the 412 species admitted under the general head of forest trees. These are arranged under their natural orders, beginning with Magnolias in the order of that name, and ending with the fibreproducing Yuccas of Texas and Arizona. The information given under each species comprises first the adopted name, with that of the author

to planters in this country, who will find this the most carefully compiled and authentic catalogue of American trees ever published, and one which should do much to abate the nuisance of conflicting synonymy and to fill up gaps in our knowledge. A full index of specific and varietal names is given, as well as of synonyms and local names-the latter particularly valuable, for who would dream, for instance, that by the "Slippery Elm" was meant Fremontia californica ?-which has not much more relation to an Elm than a cow to a Cucumber; or who, without this guide, would know which white Pine out of the some half-a-dozen trees so-called was meant?

ASA GRAY and Sir JOSEPH HOOKER, and also of a lecture by the latter botanist (Gardeners' Chronicle, August 3, 1878, p. 140), we need not lengthen this article by inserting the present report. We may be excused for repeating our statement as to the great value of the enormous body of information here got together, and our admiration of the manner in which it has been done.

"THE DEW FROM THE ROSES IN THE GARDENS OF THE POETS."-This is the literal translation of the title of a little book recently published by the authoress of "Notes from a Buckinghamshire Garden"-" Ros Rosarum ex horto Poetarum," dew of the ever living Rose gathered from the poets' gardens of many lands, by "E. V. B." To lavish commonplace eulogies on a book like this would be to play the part of DOGBERRY. It consists, indeed, of buds and blossoms plucked by loving hands "from a garland of eternal Roses." Graceful imaginings, fanciful conceits, inspired imagery-this is what "E. V. B." gives us in plenteous measure. She will have her reward in the knowledge that she places a source of exquisite delight within the reach of her fellows. In these days, when even Roses are vulgarised by flower shows, starched and stiffened by gum and wire, when their value is appraised in terms of filthy lucre, it is renovating and pleasant to be brought back to the Rose gardens of the poets, where nothing sordid may enter. In fact, we have in this volume a selection of the choicest allusions, analogies, and epithets that have been bestowed on Roses from all ages and in many languages. Such is the profusion of books on the Rose that when first we heard of this we almost lamented that another should have been added to the list, but that was before we were privileged to dip into its pages. Many who, like ourselves, were becoming weary with hearing what SAPPHO said about Roses, the cries of the red Rose, the tears of the white, and the rest of the hackneyed catalogue, will find in this little volume exquisite allusions and delicate imagery which will be as delightful as they are fresh and unworn. book is well printed, and got up in that quaint antique style which in some cases savours of affecta. tion, but which in this case seems appropriate. ELLIOT STOCK is the publisher.

The

NITRATES.-Messrs. BERTHOLOT & ANDRE have recently published in the Comptes Rendus the

results of a series of analyses, from which it appears that the nitrates are found in abundance in the stems of most plants, less copiously in the roots and leaves, and that the quantity formed when the plant begins to produce flowers is less than the quantity of nitrates used up. It is clear, then, that the nitrates are decomposed in the green matter of the leaves, and the nitrogen used up in the formation of albuminoid

matter.

THE FLORA OF OXFORDSHIRE.-Over half a century ago WALKER'S Flora of Oxfordshire was published, but the changes in nomenclature, the subdivision of species, &c., demand a new work on the subject. Long ago Mr. ALFRED FRENCH began one, but he died in 1879, and the MSS. fell into the possession of Mr. CLARIDGE DRUCE, F.L.S., who has undertaken its completion. Botanical authors from 1500A.D. downwards and the herbaria of Oxford, British Museum, &c., will be fully quoted. About 400 species and varieties additional to those of WALKER and SIBTHORP will be enumerated, and something like 20,000 records have been made in visiting the parishes of the county. The flora of the Berkshire border will be given. The comparative plant occurrences in the counties of Berks, Bucks, Warwick, Northampton, and Glouces tershire will be shown.

NEW HYACINTHS AT MESSRS. VEITCH & SONS', CHELSEA.-The house at this nursery that is set apart for spring flowering bulbous plants is, as may be expected, very brilliant just now. Amongst Hyacinths and Tulips some desirable acquisitions have been made of late years, and which will, on account of their striking colours, impart more variety into these favourite flowers. It is noticeable, however, that the newer varieties are decidedly inferior to the older ones as regards size of bells and spike, but no doubt they will improve in time. Amongst the finest Hyacinths are-Distinction, very dark crimson; Marchioness of Lorne, nankeen-white; La Franchise, very large bells, of a most delicate blush; Masterpiece, nearly black; Harlequin, light puce, very attrac tive and others. Two new Tulips, viz., American Lac and Empress of Austria, are very attractive and distinct the former cerise, the latter orange-scarlet in colour, both of good shape and substance.

THE PHYLLOXERA. — According to some statistics published by M. TISSERAND relating to the spread of the Vine louse in France and the means taken to combat it, it appears that in spite of the methods adopted the insect still extends its range of operations. In 1883 upwards of 17,000 hectares of vineyards were treated by submersion-a plan which was adopted in 1884 in upwards of 23,000 hectares. Of vineyards in which insecticides were used there were in 1883, 26,000, and in 1884, 39,000 hectares. American Vines were used as stocks whereon to graft French Vines in 28,000 hectares in 1883, and in 52,000 hectares in 1884. In each case we cite the figures in round numbers, but they show that while there has been a large increase in each of the methods of treatment the use of American Vine stocks has increased by nearly one half. In spite of the ravages of the insect it is estimated that 35,000,000 hectolitres of wine were produced last year in France. The falling off was greatest in the Burgundy district of Côte d'Or.

PROPAGATING CASE FOR AMATEUrs.Messrs. DEANE & Co., London Bridge, have provided an article under the above designation which should be of value to persons not having a suitable place for striking cuttings, raising seeds, starting bulbs, &c. It requires little attention to keep up a regular supply of heat, as the boiler or kettle by which it is heated only requires to be heated once every twenty-four hours.

NARCISSI.-From Mr. BURBIDGE we have received flowers of Narcissus princeps, a bold and handsome flower, 3 inches and more in length, with oblong lanceolate flower segments, pale sulphur. coloured, twisted like the moustaches of an exquisite, and with a broad trumpet-shaped crown, clear gamboge-yellow, wavy, and slightly notched at the edge.

Narcissus maximus, true, a very showy variety, with flowers 3 inches and more in length, with ovateoblong segments of a rich gamboge-yellow, the

trumpet of equal length, broadly tubular, with a reflexed top, the edge of which is boldly lobed, and of a deep golden-yellow. The Dutch form of the same variety is very similar, but smaller.

Narcissus Sir Watkin.—A grand flower with star. shaped perianth, broad ovate canary-yellow segments. slightly longer than the deep golden-yellow trumpet, the edge of which is wavy and slightly notched, but scarcely turned back. See Gardeners' Chronicle, April 26, 1884, fig. 109, p. 553.

Narcissus spurius.-Flowers 2 inches long, seg. ments oblong ovate, canary-yellow, rather shorter than the rich golden trumpet, whose border is slightly notched and lobed, but little turned back. The double form is very handsome. Its peculiarities will be mentioned later on.

NATIONAL CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.The scheme for affiliating suburban and provincial Chrysanthemum societies, or such societies as make Chrysanthemums a special feature at their autumn shows, is bearing good fruit, as already sixteen applications have been received and accepted from the following societies, viz., Bristol Chrysanthemum, Yeovil Chrysanthemum, Ancient Society of York Florists, Chelmsford and Essex Horticultural, Canterbury Gardeners' Mutual Improvement, Dorset Chry. santhemum, Lincoln Chrysanthemum, Sheffield and West Riding Chrysanthemum, Brighton and Hove Chrysanthemum, Weald of Kent Gardeners' and Cottagers' Mutual Improvement; Highgate, Finchley, and Hornsey Chrysanthemum; Scarborough Floral and Horticultural; Ascot, Sunninghill and District Horticultural; Bath Floral Fête, Lincoln Chrysanthemum, and Ealing, Acton, and Hanwell Horticultural. One excellent idea in connection with the affiliation scheme is found to be working well—namely, that of a representative of each affiliated society having a seat on the General Committee of the National Chrysanthemum Society for the season; it serves to bring it into more intimate touch with country societies, and suggestions often of a useful and practical character are made and discussed. At a meeting of the General Committee held on Monday evening last twelve new members were elected, bringing the total up to 271. It may be said that the National Chrysanthemum Society is one of the most successful horticultural ventures of recent days.

THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF BELGIUM.— The twenty-third volume (1884) has just reached us, and is noteworthy for an interesting paper on the division of the nucleus in Tradescantia, by Dr. BerniMOULIN, of Liège, in which, however, the author does not state the magnifying power that he made use of. Methyl-green was used as the staining material. Mycologists will welcome the excellent classified list of the fungi found in the neighbourhood of Brussels, and drawn up by two ladies, Mesdames BOMMER and ROUSSEAU. A series of analytical tables serve for the ready determination of the genera. The literary references are ample, and show that the authoresses have availed themselves of the most highly reputed authori. ties, while their personal observations, carried on for many years, give ample warranty of the excellence of this list. We regret that the compilers have adopted the diffuse method of characterising the orders and sub-orders. It would greatly tend to facility of reference if cryptogamic botanists would adopt the concise technical description as practised by LINNEUS and carried out by most botanists who deal with flowering plants. The diagnoses of Chytridineæ, for example, occupies fourteen lines, but which, if treated in the same manner as the descriptions of the genera, need not fill more than one half of the space. In the case of such genera as Puccinia, the Uredineous and Aecidial forms are given where known, with the plants on which they respectively occur. We commend this valuable list to the notice of our readers.

MANGIFERA INDICA.-In spite of its close connection with a large number of poisonous trees or shrubs belonging to the same natural order the fruit of the Mango is not only harmless, but esteemed highly delicious. Besides growing naturally, and cultivated in various parts of India, it has also found its way into many warm or tropical countries. In hothouses it succeeds under a considerable range of temperature, and is worthy of a place in large stoves for the beauty of its long, lanceolate, deep green, shining leaves. A large specimen grown in a pot may be seen flowering in the Palm-house at Kew. The