The NATIONAL HORTICUL TURAL MAGAZINE

JANUARY -- - 1930 The American Horticultural Society Devoted to the popularizing of all phases of Horticulture: Ornamental Gardening, ' including Landscape Gardening and Amateur Flower Gardening; Professional Flower Gardening and Floriculture; Vegetable Gardening; Fruit Growing and all activities allied with Horticulture.

PRESENT ROLL OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS March 1, 1929 OFFICERS President, F. L. Atkins, Rutherford, N. J. First Vice-President, F. L. Mulford, 2400 Tunlaw Road, Washington, D. C. Second Vice-President, Mrs. Francis King, Alma, Mich. Secretary, D. Victor Lumsden, 1629 Columbia Road, Washington, D. C. Treasurer, Otto Bauer, 1216 H Street N. W., Washington, D. C.

DIRECTORS TERMS EXPIRING IN 1930 Miss Mary McD. Beirne, Ashland, Va. Mrs. Mortimer Fox, Peekskill, N. Y. Dr. Harrison Howe, Washington, D. C. Prof. A. P. Saunders, Clinton, N. Y. J. C. Wister, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.

TERMS EXPIRING IN 1931 Miss Isabel B. Busbee, Raleigh, N. C. Frank W. Campbell, Detroit, Mich. Mrs. L. H. Fowler, Washington, D. C. Fairman R. Furness, Media, Pa. r Marion Shull, Chevy Chase, Md.

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES GEORGIA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. G. H. Firor, Secretary, Athens, Ga. ALBEMARLE GARDEN CLUB. Mrs. All~n Perkins, President, Middlebrook Hills, University, Va. ALEXANDRIA, VA., GARDEN CLUB. Care of Miss Mary Lindsey, President, Braddock, Alexandria, Va. FAIRFAX GARDEN CLUB. Care of Mrs. L. P. Tayloe, Secretary, Vienna, Va. GALESBURG HORTICULTURAL AND IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. C. Z. Nelson, Secretary, 534 Hawkinson Avenue, Galesburg, Ill. GARDEN CLUB OF SOMERSET HILLS, N. J. Care of Mrs. Marshall Sandford, Far Hills, N. J. GEORGETOWN GARDEN CLUB. Mrs. J. B. Gordon, 2917 Q Street N. W., Washington, D. C. GLENCOE GARDEN CLUB. Care of Mrs. Charles W. Spooner, 435 Grove Street, Glencoe, Ill. ST. LOUIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 821 Central National Bank Building, St. Louis, Mo. TAKOMA HORTICULTURAL CLUB. W. L. Holt, Secretary, 7313 Blair Road, Takoma Park, D. C.

Entered as seoond-olass matter March 22. 1927. at the Post Office at Washington. D. C •• under the Aot of August 24. 1912. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE BOBBINK & ATKINS

ASK FOR VISIT CATALOGS NURSERY

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R OSES-SPRING PLANTING "V>ie grow several hundred thousand, two year old, low budded, field grown plants in several hu'ndred varieties, a ll ready for shipment at the proper season. Many are new and rare; among them a re PreEident H oover, M iss Rowena Thom, Rose Hill, Talisman, Mrs. C. A. Van Rossem, a nd the wo nderful H. P. Arrillaga, Mme. Gregoire Straechelin a nd Thelma in Climbers. Standards or Tree Roses are strongly represented in our cultivation ·fields. We grow Roses adapted to a ll parts of the co untry. ROSES BY BOBBINK 8, ATKINS The 1930 edition is replete with up-to-date varieties-it is more than a Catalogue, it is a reference and guide for American RObe Amateurs and Growers; it presents late introductions which offer new surprises, a nd includes many favoritef-. of olden days. Many are illustrated in color; correct descriptions are given with comments on their merits a nd demerits; culti­ vation instructions are simplified, and pen and ink sketches show planting steps and how to secure the most perfect flowers. All are classified a nd arranged to ma ke ordering easy. A copy will be mailed on request to those who intend to pla nt roses. HARDY HERBACEOUS AND ROCK GARDEN PLANTS Our Catalog, Ha rdy Herbaceous Pla nts, contains a complete li st of Old-Fashioned Flowers and Rock Garden Plants, many of which we have growing in pots for immediate planting. Beautifully illustrated in color and black. It contains an alphabetical table 'of Ha rdy Her­ baceous Plants, indicating Flowering period, approximate height and color. HARDY EVERGREEN AND DECIDUOUS AZALEAS We grow a very complete collection of the5e attractive garden decorative plants. They should be used freely i.n groups with or without other Broad-leaved E vergreens. They are most attractive for Rock Gardens and are listed and described in our E vergreen Catalog. EVERGREENS, TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES Hardy Evergreen Shrubs, Conifers a nd Evergreens, Hardy H ybrid Rhododendrons, Hardy Vines and Climbers, Deciduous Trees, Flowering Shrubs, Hedge Plants.

OU~ SPECIALTIES Lilacs, Azalea Mollis and Pontica, Chinese Magnolias, Cotoneast~rs, J a panese Maples and Weeping Flowering Cherries, Blue Spruce, Grafted Koster a nd Moerheimi varieties, Red Dogwood. We shall be glad to give you prices. POT-GROWN PLANTS AND VINES We are growing in pots Ampelopsis, Aristolochia, Bignonias, Euonymus, Honeysuckle, Ivies, Silver Lace Vine, Wisterias. Thebe and others are described in our special list. In your request for Catalog, it is important to state definitely what you intend to plant You will confer a favor upon us by mentioning this advertisement when writing. BOBBINK & ATKINS Nurserymen and Florists Rutherford, New Jersey Lilian A. Guernsey [See page 36] Kniphofia mirabilis albida The National Horticultural Magazine B. Y. MORRISON, Editor

SHERMAN R. D UFFY, BERNARD H. LAN E, J . MARION SHULL, HA~llLTON TRAUB, Contributing Editors

Vol. 9 Copyright, 1930, by THE AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY No.1

JANUARY, 1930.

A Poet-Farmer of Two Thousand Years Ago. By MILDRED DEAN 4 The Sempervivums-Les Joubarbes. By HENRI CORREVON 8 The Roosevelt Cabin. By FANNIE MAHOOJ) HEATH 15 Tendencies in the Development of American Horticultural Associations. By HAMILTON TRAUB ...... 18 Primulas. By E. H. M. Cox, Reported by SHERlIEN R. D UFFY 26 A Ahopper's Guide 28 A Book or Two 30 The Gardener's Pocketbook: Campanula piperi 31 Daphne mezereum 32 Rosa gentiliana 36 Kniphofia nvirabilis albida 36 Neglected Natives: H exystylis arifolia 36 Rhododendmn mucronulatum 40 Berberis pruinosa 40 Cotoneaster zabelli 44 Iris ungt.icularis 44 Narcissus, Nobility 44 Lilium henryi 46 Prunus yedoensis 46 Prize Winning Dahlias 48 Oemothera caesr,itosa 49 Seeds of Sabatia 49 Plant Wants 49

Midwinter for the North, and yet in t he South already spring is in the air. The foolish camellias that have tried to flower through the last months are now fairly safe if t hey unfold their stodgy waxen heads. The tazetta nar­ cissus hang out their heavy scented clusters as they will; violets rise through the leaves and the white zephyrant.hes push up their spears. Jasmines show a swelling in their buds and the most fragrant bush honeysuckles perfume the winds. Fruitlike and sweet the breath of the fragrant olive fills the shrub wark and here in our own country, if we search carefully, we also may find a violet or two, a hardy snowdrop, a spray of witch hazel. This is one of the chief de­ lights of gardening and of life, to have what we should not reasonably hope to have, and if one is both wise and philosophic how often this sweet unreasonable­ ness is safely accomplished.

Published quarterly by The American Horticultural Society, Washington, D. C. Editorial Office, 116 Chestnut Street, Takoma Park, D. C. Contributions from all members are cordiall y invited and should be sent to the above address. Advertising Manager, Mr. J. S. Elms, P. O. Box 27, Kensington, Md. A subscription to the magazine is included in the annual dues of all members; to non-members the price is seventy-five cents the copy, three dollars the year. A Poet-Farmer Two Thousand Years Ago

By MILDRED D EAN

I t is hard to imagine a connection fattening dung, nor to scatter grimy between garden books and political ashes over the exhausted lands." propaganda; but a situation arose "Often likewise it is well to burn nearly two thousand years ago whose barren fields and consume the light difficulties were largely solved by the stubble in crackling flames: whether gentle agency of a poet-farmer and that earth thence conceives secret his books on the soil, trees, herds and strength and sustenance, or all her bees. War-torn Italy was full of idle evil is melted away and her useless soldiers, restless in the peace that moisture sweats out in the fire, or that came after the civil wars, when Vergil the heat opens more of these ducts wrote his poems on rustic life, calling and blind pores that carry her juices men back to the sober joys of hus­ to the fresh herbage, or rather hardens bandry. The tranquility of life on and binds her gaping veins against the farm, its wholesome regularity, fine rains or the fierce sun's mastery the beauties and satisfactions of the or the frostbite of the searching labor and the harvests, form his theme, north." No,,' what arguments are although he constantly deals with left against burning, when so many practical details and gives directions points can be urged in behalf of it? in some respects quite minute. Modern Work your ground ceaselessly, he gardeners may be amused to hear him counsels, and harrow after plowing. discuss burning over the ground, or I t is only in perpetually stirring the read his description of amellus, or to soil that the farmer can hope to tame learn his views on other questions still his fields. Wet summers and clear debatable among our guild. winters are to be prayed for. In such "In early spring, when chilly mois­ seasons the earth pours forth her in­ ture trickles from the hoar hills and crease. But the way of tillage is the crumbling clod thaws in the west bound to be hard. Jupiter himself wind, even then would I have the planned it so, sharpening the wits of bull begin to groan over the deep­ man with care-" th!),t so practice driven plow and t he share glitter and pondering might forge out many with polish of the furrow."t Consider an art, might seek the corn blade the situation of each plot and plant in the furrow and strike hidden fire things suitable to grow there. " In from the veins of flint ." But other turn likewise shalt thou let the stubbles troubles come to weary the fanner lie fallow, and the idle field crust over beside his rough toil, for mildew de­ unstirred; or else there under changed vours the stalk and tall thistles lift skies sow golden spelt where before their lazy spears above the crop. "A thou hadst reaped the pea with wealth forest of clivers and burs advances, of rattling pods, or the tiny vetch and fruitless darnel and wild oats reign crop, or the brittle stalks and rustling over the shining tilth." underwood of the bitter lupin. For His list of tools for the farmer has the field is drained by flax harvest a familiar ring for those of us who can and wheat harvest, drained by the survey the bounds of our garden from slumber-steeped poppy of Lethe, but the middle; but 'what will the magnifi­ yet rotation lightens t he labor; only cent west say of this outfit? A plow­ scorn not to soak the dry soil with share and its heavy curved plow, a lQuotations are from the English prose 'Nagon, sledges and harrows, and the version of J. \\'. Mackail. weary weight of the mattock, hurdles Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 5 of arbutus wicker, and a winnowing nets for the stag and hunts the long­ fan! Then follow directions for making eared hare. the plow, bending and seasoning the Propitiate the gods by constant elm to make the share-beam, a piece offerings and learn to watch the of limewood for the yoke, beech for weather, not otherwise can a farmer the plow-tail, and oak battens well be successful. We commend these smoked. The threshing floor must be pages on weather signs to the official considered a part of the farmer's forecaster, for the poet says, "If in­ equipment, and it must be well rolled deed thou wilt regard the hastening to keep away plunderers, the mouse sun and the moon's ordered sequences, and mole, or toads, the weevil and the never will any hour of the morrow ant. deceive thee, nor wilt thou be taken In the autumn walnut trees will fore­ by the wiles of a cloudless night." He tell the winter for you by their foliage gives signs· from cloud and wind, and by their nuts; select your finest sunset and sunrise, moonrise and seeds then to keep for sowing next year moonset, rainbow colors and star­ and soak them in olive lees to make light. them even larger. Study the stars For raising trees and vines, the poet to know when to sow: "When the has many precepts. Poplar and wil­ Scales make daylight and sleep equal low, osier and broom grow without · in hours and just halve the globe cultivation, and others seed themselves between light and shadow, set your like chestnuts and oaks. Some travel bulls at work." The stars will de­ by suckers like the elm and cherry. termine for you the times proper to Some· must be layered, some raised by sow anyone of the crops, for each slips, and some by roots. Some may seed must go into the ground at the be grafted, a pear upon an apple, and time most favorable for it. There plums on the stony cornel. Labor are many odd tasks to be done when must be lavished on all trees and vines. the weather is bad, beating out the Set slips for hazel and ash and Chaon­ point of the blunted plow-share, hollow­ ian oaks; grow tall pines and fir for ing out a drinking trough from the ships' timbers. Graft walnuts on ar­ tree trunk, marking the stamp on the butus, apples on plane trees and pears flock, sharpening stakes and forked on mountain ash, chestnut on beech poles, weaving baskets, or grinding and swine crush acorns on the elm. the parched corn. You may put huds in the wet sapwood The moon decides what days are just where the knobs push out from lucky and what ones not so. Shun the bark, or you may cleave open the fifth, it was the birthday of the the trunk and split it with wedges and Furies. The seventeenth is lucky for let in a graft of the fruit tree. setting the vine and for catching and There are many kinds of grapes breaking oxen. Many tasks are better growing on different sorts of vines, done by night than in the daylight. each making its own special wine. Mow light stubbles and parched mead­ The vine loves open slopes as yew ows by night; and sharpen your trees love the freezing north. Dif­ torchwood by firelight, while the ferent climes produce different trees. housewife runs her noisy shuttle India has the ebony. Ethiopian trees through the web, or boils the sweet are silvered with a soft fleece . The must over the fire. Chinese comb a delicate down from Winter is the farmer's holiday, the leaves of another. (He here re­ when he feasts with his friends on the fers to the fibres which the Chinese stores from his summer's work. Then wove into silk, which was first im­ he strips acorns from the oak and ported to Rome during the Augustan berries from laurel, myrtle and olive; Age.) Media yields sour juices and then he sets snares for the crane and the citron useful as an antidote; its 6 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 leaf is. like the laurel, but perfumed The third Georgic i ~ on the subject and the honeyed blossoms cling close. of the cattle on the farm; and while But Italy is the garden spot. Vine it is extremely interesting to cattle and olive grace it; two crops do apples breeders and dairy specialists, it has yield and twice a year the cattle bear. not so many charms for mere gardeners. No fierce animals are here or serpents Suffice it to say that in it the poet gives to endanger life. Her cities crown a picture of the plague which devas­ the heights and her plains flow with tated the farms of Italy during the richness. Olives are on the barren first century B. C. and that from the slopes, the vine in sheltered valleys symptoms, the disease has been diag­ where the land is fat and moist. Cattle nosed as anthrax, the dreaded foot . are reared in t he lawns and plains of and mouth disease which has stricken foothills. our own land within recent years. It is important to know how to tell It is in t he Georgic on bees that we soil. Sink a pit deep and then refill can see most plainly t he shrewd ob­ it. If earth is lacking, then the soil servation of the ancients. The bees' is loose and fit for vines and flocks. home must be near clear springs, the But if it will not all go back whence poet tells us, with overhanging trees. it came, it is heavy. Test for acidity Shelter them well from winter's cold by wetting some in baskets and tasting and from the fierce heat of summer. the drops that run out. . Let the sun When they swarm in spring, sprinkle strike on the well-plowed trenches. odors, crushed balm and tufts of When you are transplanting, work honeywort, and make a tinkling sound the soil well and set the plants as and a clashing of cymbals. Often the they stood before, with the same sicJe kings will fight and then armies will south, the same side north. Set vines muster and the combat will rage in quite close on flat land, but on the midair. Scatter them with a handful hillside give them more room, like an of dust; and kill the lesser leader. But army deployed. The vine may have when they are about to swarm, if you a shallow furrow, but the tree must pull off the wings of the king, they be sunk deep. Do not plant vine­ will not set out on their way nor yards on a western slope. Do not move standard from camp. stir the earth when it is cold. Set vines The owner of the poorest land may when the birds come in spring or when yet have fine honey. Jove himself the early frosts begin. dowered the bees at birth, because Scatter manure and dig in porous they fed him when he was hidden in stone and rough shells to loosen the the cave on Crete. earth. When the seedlings are set, What a shock it would have been to bank up the earth with the hoe, work that masculine generation to know the soil with the plow and guide the that the bees' king was a queen! oxen between the rows. Set light " Furthermore not Egypt and mighty reeds that the vines may climb up Lydia, not the Parthian peoples or the to their elms and do not prune till Mede by Hydaspes so adore their they are well up on the trees. Make king. Their king safe, all are of one hurdles of reed to keep off the animals mind; he lost, they break allegiance, that would crop the tender shoots. plunder the cells they themselves have Every year must the soil be loosened built and break open the plaited with the mattock and the vine trimmed combs. He is guardian of their labors, for winter. Wheel away and burn him they regard and all gather around the prunings. The olive needs no in murmuring throng and encompass working. Orchard trees need no aid. him in their swarms and often lift The farmer is the really happy man. him on their shoulders and shield him Power, ambition, wealt h are bitter; in war with their bodies and seek but his life is peaceful. through wounds a glorious death." Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 7 The bee-keeper's task was no easier altars are decked with its woven then than now, and apparently he re­ wreaths; it tastes bitter in the mouth; sorted to the same devices. "If shepherds gather it in the cropped ever thou wilt unseal their imperial valley grass and beside the winding dwellings and the stored honey in stream of Mella. Boil the roots of this their treasuries, first sprinkle thyself in fragrant wine and set it in basket­ and wash thy mouth with a draught of fuls for food by the doorway." water and hold forth searching smoke We are compelled, however, to fear in thy hand." Nor was the taking that he did not have much faith in of the honey the only difficulty then the cures he describes, since his next • any more than now! "Fumigate with passage gives explicit directions how thyme and cut away the empty cells, to get other bees into your hives if the for often unnoticed the eft nibbles at plague has bereft you entirely. But the combs and beetles build their his method departs entirely both from nests and hide out of the light, and experience and common sense, a charge the ' drone, sitting idle at another's we can not often bring against him. board, or the fierce hornet joins The success of the poems was im­ battle, or moths, an ill-omened tribe, mediate. Their dignity and beauty or the spider spreads her loose web impressed the intellectuals, and their in the doorway." And later he de­ noble tranquility soothed and inspired scribes the worst of all. « To bees the common people. Before long, also life brings such mischances as crowds were chanting parts of them in ours, they droop under sore bodily ail­ the streets. The spirit of unrest ment ;-and this thou wilt know by no which had possessed the populace uncertain signs: straightway their color seemed exorcised, and there settled changes in sickness, they lose their on the world that deep peace which looks and grow thin and haggard, ushered in our era. This happy con­ and carry out of doors the bodies of summation can not be entirely at­ their dead and lead the gloomy funeral tributed to Vergil's poems, of course. train and either hang clutching by The reforms of Augustus brought in a their feet at the doorway, or shut government both just and strong. their house and idle within, hungry The world was sick of strife and and spiritless and benumbed by a longed to ply the arts of peace. But cramping chilL" the fact remains that the noble rhythm He hastens to tell us the cure for of the poet's verses awoke echoes in this sad plague, and it is here that he the hearts of his countrymen and gives us the description of the amellus. made them conscious of the beauty « Hereat I will counsel thee to burn of their language and of the glory of scented gum and drip honey in their national destiny. through pipes of reed, calling the tired What wonder then that they have creatures to their familiar food. It will always kept his name in love and be well to mingle withal juice of reverence and that they have invited pounded galls and dry rose leaves or all the nations of the earth to join wine boiled thick over a fire, or raisin with them in 1930 to celebrate the clusters from the Psithian vine and two thousandth anniversary of his Attic thyme and strong smelling birth? The American Classical League, centaury. Likewise there is a meadow a national organization of lovers of the flower named amellus by husband­ classics, is directing over thirty com­ men, a plant easily found by the mittees which are stimulating tributes seeker, for it lifts from a single stalk to the poet, and offers here in this a dense growth of shoots; golden the garden journal of our own day this flower, but the petals that cluster memorial of a gardener whose craft thickly around it are dark violet was poetry and whose poetry was shot with crimson; often the gods' power. The Sempervivums-Les Joubarbes

By HENRI CORREVON Translated and published by permi.ssion

TRANSLATOR'S FOREWORD so that in time our readers may even be surfeited by hens and chickens! To Mrs. Louise Beebe Wilder must -B. Y.M. be given the credit for setting in mo­ • tion the work of translating this small INTRODUCTION volume, for in a recent number of House and Garden she expressed the The sempervivums (more correctly wish that it might be done. The edi­ semperviva) form a very interesting tor, with a greedy eye for our own genus of plants to which one becomes pages, set about the task and asked attached as soon as he is acquainted of M. COrl'evon two things, first, the with them. It is enough to have only needed and graciously given permis­ a little of the spirit of the collector sion to translate and publish, and, to be fired with a desire of gathering second, the privilege of purch~sing an together all the species and the numer­ entire collection of plants from his ous types and varieties which have de­ collection. From the Plant Quaran­ veloped during the three quarters of tine and Control Administration came a century of their cultivation in the necessary permit to import and gardens. in due time arrived the precious pack­ About the types tect01'um, montanum, age containing specimens with almost amchnoideum and hiTtum, that are the two hundred names, some of them ad­ most strongly characterized, centers a mittedly of doubtful value but pre­ whole collection of species and related serving a special strain of some sig­ forms that acclimatization preserves nificance, as for example in the case and accentuates. As these plants are of SempeTvivum aTenaTium Koch and of very easy cultivation, lasting a long S. COTnutum Hort. which M. Correvon time and deserving well their name considers synonymous but which are of "ever-living," they are simply kept, distinct from the gardener's point of which encourages beginners. One of view and usage. my friends who studied medicine has In the translationM. Correvon's text possessed from his youth several sem­ and arrangement have been followed pervivums (amchnoidettm, tectoTum and with only occasional liberties in the others) that he cared for in pots. He ­ reading of the earlier chapters; liberties left for Paris in 1860, where he had that have been censored by Mr. M. J. to finish his studies, and carried his Souviron, to whom our thanks are plants with him. There he kept them due. in his window in the great uproar of It is hoped that after the work has the city, where they spoke to him of been completely published, some notes, the countryside and the mountains. both critical and cultural, may follow Very recently this doctor, who has from our American experience. a long and fine career behind him, The illustrations in the first install­ showed me the pots of sempervivum ments are from American material and said, "These are the very ones I carefully verified by the Correvon carried with me to Paris; they are plants, which are still too young and still here and will remain faithful to too newly arrived to sit for their the end." pictures. ThesE', however, are to serve It is for their hardiness as well as for later use as rapidly as is possible their frugality that these plants are Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 9 particularly valuable. The fact that what the Bolshevists have done to they take up so little space, live as this superb establishment which be­ much on air as water, endears them longed to a Swiss citizen whom they to us, and also the fact that they nearly have divested, robbed and driven out. all furnish small objects of ornament They have merely annexed the whole that live and develop before our eyes. thing to their university and at the Without doubt they need particularly present time this treasury of plants is both fresh air and sunlight. Without destroyed! Thus lives communism sunlight they become spindling, their and the pillage of the property of leaves elongating and losing their others! color. The plants themselves do not We must not forget the house of die but lose their character. I remem­ Vilmorin, that, in its huge establish­ ber that in 1880 I exhibited at the ment at Verrieres near Paris, has had Electoral Palace in Geneva a collection a collection of sempervivums for fifty of sempervivums which was installed years, of which they have given the in a very dark corner of the building first horticultural study in their fine where the plants lacked both air and work, "Les Fleurs de Plein Terre." light. About the second or third day The botanic gardens of Germany and following I was much surprised to see Austria-Hungary possess once excel­ their leaves becoming pale and drawn lent collections and I have seen at with the tips hanging down and the Darmstadt, Geneva, Brunswick, Leip­ centers of the rosettes showing a zig and Innsbriick fine collections of blanched color. They rapidly lost joubarbes. I know that at Berlin and their distinctive characteristics so that Vienna, where I have never been, they in about eight days they were unrecog­ have important collections as well as nizable. I returned them to a normal at Graz and Laybach. At Prague, situation and saw them rapidly re­ from 1880 to 1890, the head gardener of stored to their respective character­ the city, M. Fr. Thomayer, cultivated istics without apparent harm from a collection comprising two hundred their experience. sixty-eight different types, many of There have existed for some seventy which, of course, were synonyms. The years numerous collectors of semper­ Paris Museum of Natural History, vivums. The establishment of Van where I had the honor of having been Houtte at Ghent has collected them a pupil in 1875, has cultivated the since 1840 and distributed them to plants for a century with the result that amateurs. English, French, Dutch i.n the great city" of the mad king," and German horticulturists followed Henri IV, there were numerous ama­ the movement and spread the love of teurs who cultivated often on simple these plants among the collectors. balconies or terraces beautiful collec­ Botanic gardens established collections tions of these plants. In 1890 I ad­ and our own garden at Geneva had its mired, at No. 41 Rue de la Tour d'Au­ collection at the time of Reuter; it was vergne, in a very small garden and on complete and well studied. The bot­ a rockery of old mill stones carried anists, Jordan at Lyon, Lamotte at from the neighborhood, a collection Clermont-Ferrand, Verlot at Grenoble; both rich and prosperous, cared for Boissier at Valleyres-sur-Orbe, culti­ can amore by one of my compatriots, a vated them for their st.udies. The nephew of the celebrated General de la fine horticultural-botanical establish­ Harpe, to whom a friend had loaned ment of the famous firm, Regel and this corner. Here I found a curious Kesselring, at Petro grad , possessed a form collected in Valais that I brought nearly complete collection which served here and cultivate under the name of a great number of amateurs. Their Sempervivum La H arpei. Through all catalogs contained more than one hun­ the Paris suburbs there have been cul­ dred species and varieties. One knows tivated for fifty years similar collec- . 10 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

tions and many horticulturists have ises have been r~alized. These gentle­ made them their specialty (Chate, men said and still repeat that one can Simon, etc.). not make a study of the genus from In the Linnean Botanic Garden in herbarium specimens but that it is the Alps at Valais I have attempted necessary to study them in life. (There to group a collection of sempervivums is in this a striking contradiction of that I have established on very sunny certain other botanists of eye glasses rocks exposed to the southeast. They and robes who claim that botanical have done marvellously there, but have gardens are useless to science and that hybridized so much in several years plants cultivated there never have any that one could not find them again. value for the study of species.) In the Garden of the Rambertia, which Now, while waiting for these gentle­ we established in 1896 at an altitude men, our savants, to give us that mono­ of 2,000 m. on the rocks at Naye, I graph so impatiently awaited, the col­ had installed a similar collection which lectors have wrestled with their lack prospered as well in as remarkable a of knowledge to determine their label­ fashion until one autumn day, when ling. It is for that reason that I have a thunderstorm had destroyed our thought to give them, the numerous fence, it was overrun by a flock of friends of plants in two hemispheres, sheep and devoured by those abomin­ the benefit of the observations I have able" razors of the globe." made at my home. It is not to be But one has to go to England to find imagined I have the temerity to march the best collections of jouba1·bes . Hav­ into the reserved territory of a mono­ ing possessed since 1875 a collection, of graph. Rather, on the injunctions of which the botanist Boissier had given several friends, particularly that Bel­ me the first elements, I easily entered gian friend to whom these pages are into relations with amateurs beyond dedicated and who inherits the tastes the Channel and others, and so was of his countryman, Van Houtte, I able, especially by means of exchanges, decided to publish this preliminary to complete and make my collection work, a sort of Prodromus which will authentic. I well say "authentic" point out the territory and give the because there existed everywhere such results of my studies and observations a host of fantastic names that it was over fifty years. necessary to examine all the labels and There is indeed much to throw light determine the types. The collections upon and the labor of clarifying is of the Royal Gardens at Kew and sometimes painful to one who has a Edinburgh, the University Gardens at huge collection and has assembled a Cambridge and Oxford, and of serious great quantity of different types. But amateurs like Fraser at Edinburgh had he must have the courage to reduce been well established but they de­ the number of these types and to clined and lost their importance from abandon certain names that have been the lack of a monograph of the genus used twice by authors, because there permitting the identification of the are many species where the varieties plants. differ slightly from each other and This lack of positive information dis­ bear sometimes as many as three or couraged numerous amateurs and bot­ four different names. There are, on anists. During the fifty years that the other hand, names to be corrected, I have cultivated sempervivums I have as for example that of califoTnicum, had contacts with many botanists which certainly arose from the inatten­ wishing to make a monograph. I have tion of an employee who had to write also given to many among them com­ calcaTeum and so perpetrated an enor­ plete collections of all the types that mous heresy. (See the article I have I have in cultivation here. All has published in the Gardener's Chronicle, . been in vain and not one of their prom- "Erroneous Names," on the subject Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE '11 of the absurd names that are in use has been done has been done with all in horticultural circles due sometimes the care that the ques1Jion merits. to the simple negligence of a gardener I must give special credit here to my in copying a label.) This fallacy that friend who has been willing to aid me places a sempervivum in America, in this difficult task I refer to Dr. where this genus is not found, has Dekeyser of Brussels, who has reviewed gone about the world and lately I all the text and cared for the printing found Sempervivum calcareum in place of this volume, for without him it had in the Botanic Garden of Sion bearing never seen the light of day. He has in beautiful writing the name californi­ given me his valuable collaboration cum. The director, a dignified priest, with a skill, a perseverance, an exacti­ but one who knew nought of such mat­ tude, a knowledge and understanding ters, explained to me that he had of the case that enables me to state bought that plant from one of our here that this volume, more than all best Swiss-Romand horticulturists. others issued from Floraire, has a Brought up myself by the famous scientific nature. Froebel at Zurich, where I was an (;henp.-Bom·g near Geneva, apprentice from 1870-1873, I recall November 8, 1922. that in that establishment, always nearly impeccable, where nomencla­ CHAPTER ONE ture was rigorously controlled, they THE SEMPERVIVUMS AND THEIR CUL­ cultivated Sempervivum calcareum under this ridiculous name. It had TURE come from Van Houtte where the The "Joubarbe" (from the Latin original error occurred. Such errors J ovis barba, the beard of Jupiter) is a are very common in horticulture and genus of the Crassulaceae. The Latins that is why he who writes these lines, called it Aizoon after the Greek. The whenever he is a member of an exhibi­ dictionaries tell us that these plants tion jury, always insists upon a special " live on the surface of the earth" and mention for an exhibit that is correctly have leaves large and flattened form­ labelled. ing a sort of open artichoke. The old It is not possible to collect if one dictionary of DelameTe, published in does not maintain scrupulous order 1767, "with the patronage of the and if one does fall into anarchy. A King," gave to this mysterious plant plant without a name is of little value four columns in folio. The type that to a collector, but if it carries an errone­ he gives is the following: "Common ous name it will be a burden until the large Jove's Beard or wild Artichoke, day that it is identified. I know well in Latin Sedum majus vulgare, called that my late friend, Alphonse Karr, if also Umbilici, Veneris species altera and he were living, would hold me up to Cotyledon altera. This plant is always ridicule and bait me with his stinging low ; its leaves are fleshy, flattened, red­ gibes. But he was a philosopher-gar­ dish toward their extremities and ter­ dener and I, I am a gardener-botanist, minating in a long point, hard and red. of such a sort that we can not under­ The rosette leaves are fleshy and their stand each other except on the subject points are turned down toward the of gardening. base; those which are borne on the And that is why, botanist-gardeners, stalk are less succulent and overlap gardener-botanists and collectors, I at their tips; the stems do not carry come to give you this little work which them at all. It is common on old walls seems very slight and yet has cost me and on the roofs of cottages, etc." long hours of study and observation. Then our author is able to give long Judge it with indulgence, for I am far recipes for the various remedies that from believing my work infallible; but the plant produces. The juice of the what I am able to tell you is that what leaves heals fresh wounds and stops 12 . THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

hemorrhages; gathered leaves are ap­ If I open the bundle of papers whe~'e plied to the eyes in case of inflammation I keep all that I have been able to save and to burns. They are able to cool in­ of the legends of my own country, I find flamed parts of the body. Our author that the joubarbe has been cultivated adds that mixed with woman's milk here from primitive times and that or with the juice crushed from a cray­ the Romans who have civilized Switzer­ fish the sap is able to allay both dreams land and Latinized us already planted and insomnia. I will spare you the the joubarbe on their roofs to pro­ rest. I must add, however, that the tect their dwellings from lightning.' celebrated botanist, Tournefort, con­ See what Cariot says in his study 'of sidered the sempervivum an excellent the flowers, p. 211: "Joubarbe of the remedy for" foundered horses, if they roofs. Sempervivum tectoTUm (Arti­ are made to drink a pint of the juice chaut des murs).-This beautiful cras­ of the plant itself" (sic). I should sulaceous plant that is also called like to know how many rosettes one Barbajou (Beard of Jupiter), often must destroy to obtain one pint of carpets the walls with its green rosettes juice! . and even grows on the mossy tiles of My dictionary does not speak of the old roofs. Very little soil will serve legends that are current about the it: it finds its nourishment in its fleshy joubarbe of the roofs, but the Reverend leaves; from its center bursts forth a Friend, in his two volumes, "Flowers flower stalk with numerous purplish and Flower Lore," tells us at length. flowers. The juice of the leaves is (London, 1884.) astringent; it is used for hemorroids, The Celtic, Germanic and Scandi­ burns, bruises, intermittent fevers and navian races, as well as the Latins, con­ foundered horses. Some call it H erbe sidered the sempervivums as driving aux cors because one may place it on off demons and protecting houses: it the corns after having removed the is the plant of Jupiter, god of thunder­ skin. It can take the place of pur­ bolts. They plant it on their thatch, slane in salad. The juice is cosmetic." on their roofs and on the pent houses In the Bulletin de la Societe d'Hor­ of their stores to avert the lightning. toculture de Grenoble, Nicollet states The Jupiter of the northern folk being that a physician had declared in the Thor, it is to him that these people Academy of Medicine that in 200 cases consecrate the plant. The Germans of inflammatory angina he had used and the Scandinavians consider it also the juice of the joubarbe in a dose of a charm against the evil deeds of the sixty grams in a liter of beer and that devil and often dedicate it to him, "always" it had given full relief. This believing its presence enough to drive solution incites vomiting at the same off evil spirits. They call it "Thor's time with violent colic. Two liters of Helper," affirming that the plant once beer treated with joubarbe is enough saved the god in crossing a river where to make inflammatory angina vanish! the sorcerers thought to overwhelm The joubarbe of the roofs is the Sem­ him when he advanced against the Ice pm'vivum tectorum of Linne, that Boreau Giants. In all Europe, save perhaps has made Sempervivum mu.rale which in Slavic countries, the joubarbe has he distinguishes from the type by the been, and in the countryside still fact that the stamens are monstrously is, considered as a protection from transformed into carpels (fruits or lightning. In Brittany, Normandy pods bearing the seeds) borne on short . and in several other provinces of stalks and distinct from the petals, France,as well as here (in Switzerland), it is still planted on many roofs. In 'Little remains to us of aU that was the Belgium the joubarbe is believed to early Rhetian-Roman a.nd Iadine and Swiss­ Roman, the invasion of the Teutonic barbar­ have been deposited by the thunder ians having annihilated the Latin civilization on the roofs of favored houses. in all that is now German-S'wiss. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 13 while in the type these are attached that is followed on a large scale in to the corolla. Sometimes the ros­ England, is their cultivation in well­ ettes of leaves are more strongly de­ drained pots. M. Pauli has formed veloped than in the type. I culti­ a valuable collection of this sort that vated here a specimen of great beauty he cultivates at the very gate of the that I collected on a limestone wall city of Brussels. If one takes care to at Cornaux (Neuchatel) . place the pots in full sunlight, to drain The joubarbe has in its appearance them well and to surround the resettes something unique and mysterious that with small pebbles that maintain the attracts and holds the attention. coolness of the earth, one arrives at When one sees it on a roof or on top excellent reults. of a wall, one experiences a feeling of The species of the Group Diopogon admiration for this frugal herb that (having flowers with six divisions and subsists on nothing, drinks in the light yellow corollas) are equally easy to of the sun, lives in the hot and dry cultivate. They require a deeper and air and develops its rosettes in such more calcareous soil. Dr. Guidot has an arid place. Its flowers hardly at­ shown me at his home a flat roof of a tract attention; they are simple and veranda that had been covered with not brilliant, but like the Gui of the gravel and sand to temper the heat. old Celts, they have a history that After several years the roof was com­ reaches far into the mists of time long pletely covered by Sempervivum are­ passed by. Is this not sufficient to narium, most of which had fallen from render them dear to those who love an upper window. The ground so nature and by their increase the things hidden, and hidden to such a point of olden times as well? that it was not possible to see the For establishing the sempervivums sand through the bed of rosettes, meas­ and for their cultivation, the kind of ured 8 by 4 meters; it should be noted soil matters very little; a light soil, no here that nothing had been foreseen; excess of moisture, full sun. All the it was pure accident that transformed tectorum group and the species with this roof into a pasture of verdure. large leaves are cultivated with great The only sempervivums that present ease. They may be planted in borders, not difficulties but certain requirements among rocks, in the joints and on the in their culture are the species with top of walls, on roofs, it does not woolly down and those of the high matter where. But if an excess of mountains, those belonging to the moisture is injurious to them, it should groups, montanum, barbulatum and not be forgotten that all succulent arachnoideum. For these species it is plants have their roots deep down in necessary to have, if possible, a wall the soil in order to suck up the water or rockery, and if they are cultivated needed to swell up their tissues. Their in pots, a light calcareous soil and full cultivation in pure sand is practiced sunlight. at Floraire in certain cases to preserve The propagation of sempervivums the type and the botanical character­ by division of the clumps is so easy istics that an excess of nourishment that seeds are not to be recommended would modify in proportions and di­ except for distant countries to which mensions. We have also our type the journey would be too long. I can collection conserved in sand, ·as that testify, moreover, that a collection con­ gives us an .opportunity to continue taining 140 species and varieties that our observations, for when we grow I dispatched November 15, 1920, to them in the open air, the sempervivums Dr. Yersin, Director of the Pasteur develop their leaves in too exuberant Institute at Nha-Trang (Annam) and a fashion. The best system, adopted that arrived January 8, 1921, travelled by Boissier at Valleyres and by Jordan well. Several species (a score) suf­ at Lyon, one that we follow too and fered from the long journey and 15 14 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 died from crossing the equator. Dr. in cultivating the plants that one col­ Yerson, conqueror of the plague, di­ lects seeds from plants at considerable rects the Annam Branch of the Pasteur distance from one another and pro­ Institute and has established at Bon­ tected with muslin as well. Ha, a granitic range 1,500- 1,600 meters The sempervivums are generally in altitude, a trial garden where he is lime-loving plants, especially the group successful in establishing and acclima­ tecto1"Um . Yet there are some that tizing a great number of alpine plants seem to be averse to lime and abso­ that we have sent from here. This lutely silicicole. The types montanum Swiss-Roman, having become French, and arachnoideum have passed as such loves to gather about him and cherish but one finds them also, though it is with affection these jewels of the Alps, exceptional, on lime and on soil with which once he had admired on his the lime not neutralized. Without trips into the Alps at the time he was doubt in the Maritime Alps mon­ a college student at Morges. His col­ tanum passes into the form burnati on lection'of sempervivums, among other limestone but one also finds there the things, gives him great pleasure. true type. In our nurseries either at In the use of seeds I insist on the Floraire or at the rock garden at Naye fact that it is important to use only where everything is limestone, as well seeds collected from stalks protected as at Linnaea where the soil is pure from the visits of insects, if one wishes granite, the plants behave in similar the pure species. Moreover, to have fashions, It is true that in 30 or 40 the seeding is abundant and the seeds years one might not be able to see germinate quickly and with ease like very important changes and that it those of all the Crassulaceae. We might take whole centuries to modify send seed of sempervivum to Japan, a species. In all cases I have never New Zealand and elsewhere and know observed a failure in cultivation due that they germinate. It is important to the chemical nature of the soil.

Russell Reid The Roosevelt Cabin Russell Reid Original Site of the Roose ~'e lt Cabin, Chimney Butte Ranch, nea1' Medora, N. D . Roosevelt Cabin

AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO BEAUTIFY IT

By FANNIE M. HEATH As most of you know, this cabin was ing object when the care of it was the abiding place of our well loved taken over by Minneshoshe Chapter, "Teddy" (Theodore Roosevelt) dur­ Daughters of the American Revolu­ ing much of the time that he spent in tion. These ladies have made a North Dakota. It was first taken faithful attempt to refurnish the cabin from its original setting, "The Chim­ just as when occupied by its illustrious ney Butte Ranch," and sent with the owner. To Mrs. Fred Conklin and other North Dakota exhibits to the Miss Aldyth Ward belong the honor of St. Louis Exposition. It was again originating the idea to use only plants exhibited at the Lewis and Clark native to the State of North Dakota ' Exposition at Portland, Oregon, and to beautify the grounds immediately later at several other places. surrounding the cabin. It fell to my It was then rebuilt in front of the happy lot to direct these plantings. Capitol Building at Bismarck. This This idea of using only native plants proved so inharmonious setting that found so little favor with those in it was again moved to its present site charge of the grounds tha.t a space about at one side of the grounds and back of a rod wide all around the cabin was alI the State Memorial Building (the the original plan called for. No, they home of the State Historical Society), did not want wild ·flo wers. They and was a forlorn and neglected look- wanted tulips, peonies, iris and glad i- 16 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

Pearl Frazer North Dakota Caetu.s M amilla7'ias in Flower; Opuntias to Follow

olus and other kindred showy things, yellow to bright orange, the wild so the first great step forward was to grape (Vitus vulpina) with attractive overcome this prejudice. To their fruit, the Virginia creeper (Ampe­ credit be it said that once we had lopsis quinquefolia) , Smilax he?'bacea demonstrated even in a very small and moonseed vin~, all with their way that the gr01mds could be made bluish black fruit. This moonseed attractive by the use of native plants vine (NIenispe?'mtm~ canadense) de­ they became as enthusiastic for these serves to be better known t hat it is, plants as one could wish and have has handsome, large glossy dark green given whole-hearted cooperation to leaves, much like English Ivy in shape canying out this idea. Then the and texture, is entirely hardy any­ legislature appropriated funds to give where and holds its foliage late in the the cabin a new fence and the grounds fall. These vines make a desirable were enlarged to ninety by one hun­ background for the forty-five of our dred and forty feet, so that now it is fifty-two varieties of native shrubs enclosed by a neat fence with a beauti­ that are planted largely as grouped ful memorial gate at the entrance. This border plantings about the grounds. fence is now adorned with good speci­ This does not include the eleven mens of all of our woody vines, two varieties of willows that we have. varieties of clematis with their furry Nine of our twenty-two varieties of seed heads, virginiana with many trees are also to be found there and white blossoms and ligusticifolia with over one hundred and fifty kinds of creamy ones. The bittersweet with flowers. And while we have had its clusters of creamy blossoms followed many delays and numerous discourage­ by the bright orange encased scarlet ments to contend with, I think we berries) Lonicera dioica val'. glaucescens have just cause to feel very proud of with blossoms and berries from lemon the results obtained, for to-day I Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 11

Pearl Frazer [See also page 49J Genothera caespitosa, Galium boreale and A rtemesia Jrigida in the Rock Garden doubt if there is a place within our cent sight. One gentleman said, "I State that is visited by as great a have traveled far and seen many number of visitors from all walks of beautiful gardens but this is so dif­ life as "Roosevelt Cabin." The regis­ ferent. and as a setting for that cabin ter for the past four months shows I have never before seen anything as almost eight thousand names and less beautiful and as appropriate." than one-third of those who visit To t.he north and east we are plant­ the cabin register. ing just as many of the plants found To t.he south and west of the cabin in the remainder of the State as we we have planted such plants as grew have been able to get in the short about it in its original setting. Our while since taking over the care of the five varieties of cacti, fritallarias, the grounds. And it is our aim and dwarf astragalus, violets, pentstemons, hope to make the grounds so pleasing and many more of the desirables, in­ that every city and town in our State cluding the Cow-boy primrose (Oeno­ that boasts of a park will dedicate them caespitosa) with its great snowy some portion if not an entire park to blossoms breathing forth sweet fra­ North Dakota plants only and we feel grance on the evening air. One morn­ very confident that all the really pro­ ing in June there were over thirty gressive ones at least will do so. flowers on six plants, a truly magnifi- Tendencies in the Development of Ameri­ can Horticultural Associa.tions, r800-- r850

By HAMILTON TRAUB In the preceding chapter the effect pose of encouraging and improving the of the growing importance of the science and practice of Horticulture, horticultural industries upon the rise and promoting the amelioration of the of a distinctively indigenous horti­ various species of trees, fruits, plants, cultural literature was brought out, and vegetables, and the introduction but it should be realized that parallel of new species and varieties. "1 The with this development, and in response aim is stated in general terms for the to the same economic causes, another most part, showing that those who advance was taking place. As the drafted it apparently did not feel free growing of fruits, vegetables and to particularize to any great extent. flowers assumed greater and greater If we look deeper than the expressed magnitude with the advance of the purpose of the organizers, we shall find Nineteenth Century, those engaged that the primary human motive that in these vocations consciously en­ led to the immediate founding of such deavored to solve problems of common associations was undoubtedly (1) the concern not individually any longer desire for closer contact with others but collectively. During the time similarly engaged. The actual ma­ that an adequate economic basis was chinery necessary was then borrowed being created, the driving force of from a contemporary model,2 in an human motives served as the incen­ attempt to interchange experiences, tive in attempts to adopt means to correct errors, and act in concert in meet the emergency arising from lack of such efforts as the "amelioration of cooperation. * * * trees, fruits, plants and vege­ Although the pioneers who were in­ tables, and the introduction of new strumental in organizing horticultural species and varieties"; and the es­ associations in North America were, tablishing of experimental gardens, in many cases, undoubtedly highly professorships in horticulture and educated, and presumably had a more botany. Closely connected with and or less clearly defined purpose in springing from the above mentioned view, it is probably true, however, that motive, the will would be bom (2) to as a general rule, those who sponsored diffuse horticultural knowledge by these organizations had no well de­ means of horticultural exhibitions, fined aid other than a keen desire to the publication of the transactions of further the advancement of their vo­ the organizations, public lectures, and cation or avocation. The Massa­ the creation of libraries and herbaria. chusetts Horticultural Society, for in­ Still further efforts to encourage ac­ stance, was organized "for the pur- tivity in the field would (3) manifest 'History of the Massachusetts Horticultural to actual needs. The pioneers in any field , Society, p. 475. probably from mental inertia or incapacity, 2Civilization is cumulative, and one gen­ or both, reason that since an institution has eration builds upon that which a previous accomplished this and that at a particular one has accomplished. It is a human trait time and place, the same results may be to look for precedents, and in the evolution achieved elsewhere. The resulting natural of human inst.itutions there are few, if any, impulse is then to use the already established mutations. Any innovations that are insti­ method, with few if any cha,nges, for accom­ tuted are usually in the nature of adaptations plishing the end. Jan., 1930 THE NA TlONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 19 itself by the offering of prizes for prominent men as Knight and Banks. honorable competition, and the award The Lond?n Society was followed by of medals for meritorious achieve­ the orgamzatIOn of the Caledonian ments in horticulture. Horticultural Society at Edinburo'h in 18~9. The. Horti.cultural Soci~ty AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS, of Pans came mto eXIstence as late as 1785-1818 1826. Prior to 1800, and during the entire Th~ London Society was by far the period under consideration, agricul­ most Important of the European horti­ ture. waa the chief concern of the cultural societies, and its fame soon American ]:eople, and societies for the spread far and near. This was in advancement of general farming had great part due to the fortunate cir­ ansen at a comparatively early period. cumstance that Thomas Andrew The Philadelphia Society for Pro­ Knig~t and. later .P.rof. ! ohn Lindley moting Agriculture, founded in 1785, were m offiCla.1 pOSItIOns III the Society was apparently the first agricultural for long pe!IOds of years, affording association organized in North an opportumty for much constructive America. The Agricultural Society work. The Transactions of the So­ of Charleston (S. C.) , came into ex­ ciety were prepared in elaborate edi­ istence in the same year. This so­ tions. In this form, the $cientific papers read before the Society became ciety was followed by the Nova s Scotia Agricultural Society, in 1789, generall y . available. By 1825, the and the Massachusetts Society for membershIp rolls of the Society were promoting Agriculture, in 1792. 3 With graced by the names of the following the passing of the years associatiom: prominent Americans: Dr. Hosack of this nature were extensively or­ Governor Clinton, Thomas HoO'g Wil~ ganized in all sections of the country, li a~n. Wils0J?-, Mr. Floy, Judg~ 'Buel, and horticultu:ce, it is true, was con­ WIlham Pnnce, David Thomas Wil­ siderably stimulated by the attention liam Coxe, Mr. Dick, John Lowell, and devoted to fruit growing.' Even after Samuel G. Perkins. 6 Such a close distinctively horticultural associations contact between the influential horti­ had sprung up. These agricultural culturists on both sides of the Atlantic societies, in almost all cases, con­ led to an ac~ive exchange of ideas and tinued to devote considerable effort to plant matenal. It was only natural, the advancement of horticulture. The therefore, that the London Society most notable example, before 1850 should be the prototype of similar was the· New York Agricultural So~ organizations in North America. In ciety, which exerted a potent influ­ adapting the form to American con­ ence upon the trend of American ditions, even the cumbersome ad­ horticulture until the very end of the ministrative machinery was borrowed. period under consideration. Later the adapted institution was sub­ jecte.d to th@ necessary pruning. 7 The THE LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY holdmg of :-veekly meetings, suitable to the EnglIsh conditions, also proved In Europe the situation was similar. out of place, excep~ in a few cases, in a No .horticultural associations appeared c?untry charactenzed by magnificent untIl 1804, when the Horticultural dIstances, where annual meetings, if Society of London was founded by such any at all, are more practicable. 3History of the Massachusetts Horticul­ 6History of the Massachusetts Horticul­ tural Society. p. 32. tural Society, p. 46. 'See the files of the American Farmer (Al­ 7Ibid., pp. 64-65. The cumbersome" coun­ bany) and other early American aO'ricu ltural cil " was replaced by an "Executive Com­ periodicals. " mittee" in the case of the Massachusetts Hor­ . 6See Chapter I, above: see also Transac­ tICultural Society. tIOns of the London Horticulturnl Society. 20 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

LOCAL HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATIONS, after the London Society, but it was 1818-1850 found expedient to . repudiate some EARLY AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL parts of the administrative machinery borrowed soon after the societies ASSOCIATIONS, 1818-1830 began to function. The feature of the The American Horticulturists had weekly meeting was however retained. the inspiring example of the London With the founding of the Domp-stic Society before them, and when the Society, another departure is noticed, time came for the founding of similar -the complete reliance upon an annual societies in North America, the pre­ meeting. The field of operations of mier Society served as convenient this association covered no less than model. The New York Horticultural ten counties in western New York, Society, founded in 1818, began under and it was stipulated that the meetings very favorable auspices, for it had were to be held in rotation at Geneva, among its founders and members Lyons and Canandaigua.ll such prominent men as Dr. Hosack, In 1829 the Albany Horticultural Grant Thorburn, Dr. Samuel L. Mit­ Society was organized with Judge chell, William Prince, J. J. Thomas, Buel as its first president, and later in Thomas Hogg, Andre Parmentier, Mr. the same year, the Massachusetts Floy, and William Wilson.s The ad­ Horticultural Society was launched in ministrative machinery of the society Boston, February 24th, by sixteen was modeled upon that of the London public-spirited men, including such Society. It was planned that the eminent persons as General H. A. S. organization should sponsor an ex­ Dearborn, Samuel Downer, John M. perimental garden, a public lecture I ves, William Kendrick, John Lowell, hall, an horticultural library, an her­ Robert Manning, Jonathan Winship. barium, and a professorship of botany At an adjourned meeting: March 17th, and horticulture. 9 At the outset General Dearborn was elected the first everything seemed favorable and the secretary of the society. The organi­ affairs of the society were canied on zation thus fully launched began its with much energy.10 long cal eel' of usefulness. 13 In the meantime, a second organiza­ By 1829 there were in existence at tion for the advancement of hOlii­ least five promising associations de­ culture, the Pennsylvania Horticul­ voted to the advancement of horti­ tural Society, had been founded on culture. The number of such organi­ November 20, 1827, at Philadelphia. zations increased gradually during the It held its first annual exhibition in the following five or six years, societies fall of 1830.11 The people of Phila­ being founded in Baltimore, Quebec, delphia and vicinity had early taken a Charleston, S. C. , Washington and very active interest in horticulture, other localities. t< But these societies and the Society was a success from the came into existence during a critical start. period in the development of the The year following the founding of horticultural industries. The number the Pennsylvania Horticultural So­ of persons interested in horticulture ciety witnessed the organization of was undoubtedly increasing, but it was the Domestic Horticultural Society, uncertain in most localities whether a at Geneva, N. Y. (1828). The first sustained interest could be maintained, two associations had been modeled for the fruit, vegetable, and flower

8History of the Massachusetts Horticul­ llHistory of the Massachusetts Horticul­ tural Society, pp. 44-45. tural Society, p. 45. 9Ibid. "History of the Massachusetts Horticul­ 10American Farmer, Vol. III, 1822, p. 224, tural Society, p . 45. Notice of annual banquet. 13Ibid., pp. 55-68. "Magazine of Horticulture, 18,13, p. 450. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 21 industries were passing from infancy ing nearly a hundred and sixty, ban­ into a vigorous but undependable youth. queted at the Exchange Coffee House, A keen observer in the West realized on Congress Square. The dining hall the full extent of the problem for he had been elaborately decorated with remarks, "the difficulties under which orange trees in fruit, dahlias, roses, societies in this countlY, at present "a fine specimen of the India rubber labor, arise more from a deficiency of tree," cut flowers, a'nd "numerous interest in the public, and the compara­ baskets of grapes, peaches, nectarines, tively few gardeners and amateurs pears, apples and melons."IB among us, than from any defects in At the exhibition of t he Maryland the management. 15 The pioneer or­ Horticultural Society, June 21, 1836, ganizations as a rule had a hard "Upwards of two hundred dollars were struggle for existence, and many came given away in premiums." The re­ to an early end. It was compara­ port of the exhibition of the Horticul­ tively easy for groups of public tural Society of Charleston (S. C.), on minded persons to father such associa­ July 12, 1836, is highly encouraging: tions, but only time could decide "There was a splendid exhibition of whether or not the offspring would flowers and ornamental plants, natives survive. C. W. Elliott, a pioneer in and exotics, together with such fruits this field, remarks, "the greatest and vegetables as the season afforded. difficulty with all things of this kind Making all allowances for the de­ has been to continue the interest."ls structive effects of the last winter, the protracted spring and excessive EARLY SUCCESSES AND FAILURES rains, yet the exhibition was highly creditable to the Society, to the ladies Since it is not our purpose to com­ and gentlemen who were contribu­ pose a history of the horticultural tors, and to the Committee of arrange­ associations, but rat.her to develop the ments who conducted the proceed­ general concept of the tendencies in ing. " 19 the evolution of such associations in The affairs of the New York Horti­ general, no detailed review of all the cultural Society had been carried on societies organized during the period with much energy for a period of years, will be attempted. In detailing the but by 1837, interest in the organiza­ early successes and failures in the or­ tion began to lag. Some of the most ganization and maintenance of horti­ active members withdrew their sup­ cultural associations, as far as possible, port and in the resulting apathy the typical cases have been chosen. society's future appeared doubtful. The first anniversary of the Massa­ All of the hard things which were chusetts Horticultural Society was fit­ charged against the New Yorker of that tingly celebrated on September 19, period certainly are not true, for there 1830. The eloquent General Dear­ are undoubtedly extenuating circum­ born addressed the members in the pic­ stances which a further research will ture gallery of the Athenaeum, giving discover. But it is illuminating to " an interesting * * * view of the read what a member intimately con­ origin and progress of horticulture, nected with the organization has to its various branches, and its effects in say regarding the cause of the decline multiplying and improving the fruits of the New York Horticultural So~ of the earth."17 Later the membel:s of ciety: "I am sorry to inform you," he the society and their friends number- writes in the Magazine of Horticul-

16Humrickhouse in the Magazine of Horti­ 18Ibid., p. 220. culture, 1846, p. 210. 19Magazine of Horticulture, 1836, p. 357, 16Magazine of Horticulture, 1843, p. 450. quoted from Southern Agricl)lturist. 17History of the Massachusetts Horticul­ tural Society, p. 219. 22 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 ture,zo "that we shall not have any An attempt was made to make good Horticultural Exhibition t his season. the deficiency created by the extinction It is a disgrace to our city. Whilst of t he New York Horticultural So­ the Societies in Baltimore, W ashing­ ciety, by the organization of the ton, Philadelphia, and Boston, are dis­ Great Horticultural Society of the ,. playing to their fellow-citizens the Valley of the Hudson, in 1838. This beautiful as well as the useful nroducts organization, with A. J. Downing as of their gardens, the N ew Yorkers are secretary, held a successful exhibition ~o eaten up with avarice and im­ September 28-29, 1858: "The splen­ morality, that they can not afford to dor of the Dahlias * * * was re­ patronize a horticultural exhibition, markable * * * upwards of one hun­ even when tickets are put at twelve and dred varieties of apples were on the a half cents each. This is not on ac­ tables, from the orchards of the Presi­ count of hard times, for we have now dent, Judge Buel, of Albany."'2 The six theatres open every evening (and association was short-lived. for it ap­ a few weeks ago we had two more, and parently held only two exhibitions; a circus, in full play,) and they are all one in New York and one in Albany.23 crowded. For these five years we Still another attempt was made to have not had an exhibition that has establish an effective horticultural so­ been any pecuniary advantage to the ciety in the vicinity of New York in Society, but rather a loss; last year we 1840 when the Brooklyn Horticultural had a heavy loss, it being quite a fail­ Society was founded. According to ure; people were so engaged in the the reports in the Magazine of Horti­ engrossing of fictitious wealth, that CUlt.U1 e : "The BJOoklyn Horticultural they had not time to admire the Society have not held any exhibitions beauties of nature, except in so far as of. importance "; " There is some fear building lots, composed of soliclrock, or that the Society may be broken up"; covered with water, were concerned. "velY little interest was manifested by At our annual election (which requires the members in the exhibition and but thirteen persons to make a quorum, * * * the display was not so fine as to vote) we could muster ten, so that was anticipated"; " from information our Society is virtually defunct. We derived from a gentleman connected make a last effort tomorrow night." with the Society (it appears) that it C. M. Hovey remarks, in the Maga­ will be hardly possible to sustain it zine of Horticulture," in touching under any circumstances. '24 The cause upon the sad state of affairs in New of the early extinction of the Brooklyn York, "A Society with Dr. Terrey at Society was undoubtedly the lack of its head, the fine rooms of the Lyceum amateur interest.'· of Natural History to exhibit in, and Although it is true that horticultural located in a city with fine gardens and societies during the thirties and forties, amateur gardeners, is deserving of a and even later, had a hard struggle better fate. We hope that the ' last for existence, many becoming extinct effort' has succeeded, and that the New soon after their organization, a measure York Horticultural Society, the first of success was achieved by a fair pro­ established in the Country. will yet portion over. a period of years. In exert that powerful influence which 1837, the Charleston (S. C.) Horticul­ its first founders anticipated." Un­ tural Society held a successful exhibi­ fortunately the "last effort" failed and tion in spite of the adverse conditions. the society, which had been gradually The organization was apparently ex­ dwindling away, became extinct. erting an important influence in the 2°Ibid., 1837, pp. 389; 449. 23 Ibid., 1840, p. 4. 21Magazine of Horticulture, 1837, p. 389. 24Ibid., pp. 446, 430. 22Magazine of Horticultl1l'e, 1838, p. 462; 26Ibid ., 1841, p. 336. also pp. 353-354. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 23 community for the "improvements in fruits and flowers * * * were diminish­ farming and gardening since the es­ ing in beauty after the first day. At tablishment of this Society, have been least eighteen thousand persons testi­ unquestionably great." The corres­ fied their gratification by visiting pondent, however, admits that this the exhibition, many of them more may be due to "an improving taste than once, and giving a minute atten­ for horticulture and botany, coinci­ tion to all that was most worthy of dent, in point of time, with this es­ notice."3o The awards of premiums tablishment. "26 were so numerous that the prizes in the The autumnal exhibition of the Dahlia section alone cover almost a Columbian Horticultural Society of page in the Magazine of Horticulture. 31 Washington, in 1837, proved a dis­ In 1841, the Library of the Pennsyl­ tinct success. The flower, fruit and vania Society contained 370 bound vegetable exhibits were extensive, and volumes. In the same year, C. M. the visitors were numerous and dis­ Hovey remarks, after a trip of personal tinguished. The President of the inspection) the Society's "number of United States, heads of departments, members has greatly increased within members of Congress, foreign minis­ the last two years, and its exhibitions ters, officers of the army and navy, * * * have been of the most interest­ etc., attended, and swelled the collec­ ing description. Its annual displays tions to a considerable amount."27 have surpassed anything of the kind Interest in the society, however, de­ in the country, and have been one creased as time went on, and no annual great means of spreading a taste for exhibition was held in the autumn of plants. Liberal premiums have been 1841. 28 offered, and every inducement held In Philadelphia, a sustained interest out to encourage the amateur culti­ in horticulture had been a marked vator and the nurseryman and florist. 32 characteristic. Naturally, the Penn­ The exhibitions of the Society during sylvania Horticultural Society played the following years continued to be a very important part in the horti­ successful. 33 On the whole, the ac­ cultural development of the community tivities of the organization were an in which it existed. Its exhibitions important influence in the develop­ were generously patronized even dur­ ment of horticulture in the region ing the days of financial depression in until the end of the period, and for an 1837-39, when support in New York indefinite period later. was lacking. In 1838 a correspondent While the Pennsylvania Society was writes that the Pennsylvania Society the most influential organization for is "in a more flourishing condition the promotion of horticulture in the than any other in the Country and Middle Atlantic States, the most im­ the interest which the members mani­ portant association in the same field fest at the meetings will result in the in New England was the Massachu­ most beneficial effects."29 By 1840 setts Horticultural Society. The ex­ the enthusiasm was Rtill on the fncrease hibitions of the latter Society were for "no former exhibition can, in all among the most notable of the period. points, compare with the last * * * The Society early took the lead in the The attraction to the public was such, importation of plant material from that it was continued a day beyond Europe, and undertook its qistribu­ the limit originally fixed, notwith­ tion among its membership. The standing [the fact that] * * * the prize schedule of the Society also is

2SMagazine of Horticulture, 1837, p. 461, 30Ibid., 1840, p. 34. quoted from the Southern Agriculturist. 31Ibid., 1840, p. 37. 27Ibid., 1838, p. 33, 5; Ibid., 1837, p. 7. 32Ibid., 1841, p. 416. ?8Ibid., 1842, p. 12l. 33Ibicl., 1841, p. 468; and luter issues. 2~Mugazme of Horticulture, 1838, p . 465. 24 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 worthy of notice. Alth~ugh the after deducting fomteen hundred dol­ amounts awarded for premmms dur­ lars for the expenses of the cemetery, ing the early years of the Society one-fourth part of the gross proceeds were small, the total amounted to should be paid to the Horticultural $1,200 for the year 1845, and this was Society, and the remaining three­ gradually increased until the Civil fourths should be retained by the War when there was a temporary de­ Mount Auburn Corporation for its cline. 34 In 1831 the Massachusetts use." 36 Horticultural Society purchased The membership in the Massachu­ Mount Auburn Cemetery. The " fee setts Society was never large in of the land" was vested in the organiza­ numbers but the character of those tion, but the cemetery was to be ad­ connected with it was such that this ministered by a Garden and Ceme­ made up in great measure for the lack tery Committee upon which the pur­ in quantity. The fo llowing table shows chasers of lots in the Cemetery were the membership for various years dur­ represented. This arrangement did ing the period: not prove satisfactory. In 1834 " it Year Number of M embers 37 was perceived that the interests of 1829 ______249 the proprietors of the lots in the 1836 ______350 cemetery and those of the other mem­ 1838 ______246 bers of the Horticultmal Society were 1846 ______438 too unlike to be successfully united in one corporation. The most im­ A study of the table shows that the portant point on which a difference number of members fluctuated be­ of opinion and interest existed was the tween 249 and 438 during the years division of the proceeds of sales of before 1846, surely not an iinposing lots between the two branches of the showing when it is remembered that establishment,-the experimental gar­ this was one of the most successful of den and the cemetery * * * On the the societies devoted to horticulture question of legal and moral right it during the period. It was therefore was found that the Horticultural So­ in great part due to the "fortunate ciety held the fee of the land, and that connection with Mount Auburn, and to it was due whatever credit be­ the integrity and skill with which its longed to the inception of the under­ revenues [were] administered by its taking. On the other hand, it ap­ finance committees and treasurers that the number of lot holders was that the Society was enabled to erect rapidly increasing; that from the con­ a hall in 1845 at a cost of 37,682.78, dition of purchase, that upon paying which was derived from the sale of for his lot, every subscriber should stocks in which the surplus funds of be a member for life of the Horticul­ the Society had been invested; from tural Society, they would soon have a the Society's proportion of the pro­ controlling vote in its affairs."35 The ceeds of sales of lots in Mount Auburn, matter was amicably settled by the and from a loan, secured by mortgage, sale of Mount Auburn to a new cor­ of $15,000, at five per cent per annum." poration composed of the holders of By 1849 the amount of indebtedness lots. The conditions of sale provided had been reduced to $10,000. 38 Besides "that the proceeds of all sales should the money invested in the hall, the be divided annually between the ordinary expenses of the society were Horticultural Society and the new also defrayed from its income. After corporation, in such manner, that, 1850 t.he financial strength of the 80- 34History of the Massa,chusetts Hort.icul­ 36Ibid., p. 11I. tural Society, p. 13I. 37Ibid., p. 12I. 36History of the Massachusetts Horticul­ 38IIistory of the Massachusetts Horticul­ tural Society, p. 109 , tural Society, pp. 136-138. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 25 ciety increased rapidly with the result example before them that was pre­ that still greater tasks were under­ sented to the Northern tiers of States, taken. but few horticultural societies were No small part of the success achieved organized in the South. Apparently by the Massachusetts Horticultural there is a direct relation between the Society is attributable to able leader­ growth of the horticultural industries ship, and the fortunate connection with and the founding of such associations . . Mount Auburn Cemetery. Whereas It is significant that the main ac­ the horticultural societies in other tivities of most of the early societies parts of the country depended almost centered upon pomology, the branch wholly upon the sustained voluntary of horticulture of greatest commercial interest and support of individuals importance. It appears, therefore, for their continued existence, the that the deciding factor in the in­ Massachusetts Society was in a unique crease of horticultural societies was position, and had an independent not merely the example of, but the source of income. It is this latter need for, such institutions which were circumstance which gave it the rela­ founded when the industries upon tively higher degree of stability as which they were based had developed compared with most other organiza­ sufficiently to give xise to an inter­ tions of a similar character. mittent or a sustained interest in horticulture. THE INCREASE OF HORTICULTURAL After the late 30's hardly a year passed without additions to the num­ ASSOCIATIONS, 1829-1845 ber of horticultural societies in this The enviable successes achieved by country. In 1838 Hovey published certain of the early horticultural as­ in the Magazine of Horticulture several sociations undoubtedly was a factor references to horticultural societies in stimulating the further increase of lately organized: The New Haven such organizations. But this factor (Conn.) Horticultural Society staged a should not be overemphasized as il­ successful exhibition in that year ac­ lustrated in the work of the zealous cording to reports, and the Middlesex historians who composed the inter­ (Mass.) Horticultural Society con­ esting and valuable but hardly critical ducted an exhibition that was well History of the Massachusetts Horti­ attended. In 1840 appears a notice cultural Society. In the review of the of the Worcester Horticultural So­ influence of the Society upon the ciety, which was organized in that country as a whole, the following state­ year. 10 In Cleveland" an attempt will ments are inserted, "This Society be made * * * the ensuing Spring." * * * has had a direct tendency by its In 1841 the American Institute of example to cause their establishment, New York City staged its first horti­ and lead to the success they have at­ cultural exhibition, and the Louisville tained. And its example has been and ' Jefferson County (Ky.) Horti­ felt beyond New England, not only cultural Society was organized. In in causing new societies to spring 1843 notices of the Horticultural So­ up through the land, but in putting ciety of Cincinnati, and the Mississippi new life into older societies by the State Horticultural Society (Vicks­ generous spirit of emulation awak­ burg) first appeared. In 1844 the ened. " 39 These statements, however, Queens County Horticultural Society are open to question. The point (L. 1.) was organized, the title being arises as to which comes first as a de­ later changed to Long Island Horti­ ciding factor, the example or the need. cultural Society. During this year it The Southern States had the same appears that another attempt was 39Hlstory of the Massachusetts HOTticul­ 4°Societies are being talked of in other tural Society, p. 454. places. 26 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 made to organize an effective Society our usual plan of giving the reports in in N ew York. In 1845 reports of detail of the various Horticultural The Agricultural, Horticultural and Societies," writes Hovey in 1846, Floricultural Club of Northampton "they have now become so numerou~ (Mass.), the Buffalo Horticultural that it would require more room than Society, the Columbus Horticultural we have at our disposal to give them Society,41 and the Rochester Horti­ entire." An incomplete list of the cultural Society were published in the additional horticultural associations · Magazine of Horticulture. organized by 1848 includes: The Ches­ ter County (Pa.) Horticultural So­ 1846-1850 ciety, the Albany and Rensselaer Horti­ cultural Society, the Montreal Hor­ Up to 1846, C. M . Hovey had made ticultural Society, the Burlington (Vt.) a determined effort to publish in the Horticultural Society, the New Bed­ Magazine of Horticulture compara­ ford Horticultural Society, the Maine tively complete reports of the activities Pomological Society, the Genesee Val­ of all the horticultural societies that ley Horticultural Society (at Roches­ were interested enough to submit the tel') , the Steubenville (Ohio) Horti­ facts, but the very rapid increase of cultural Society, the Pittsburgh HOl'ti­ such associations necessitated a change cultural Society, the Springfield of policy-"We depart somewhat from (Mass.) Horticultural Society, the Rockingham Horticultural Society, the UOhia Cultivator, Vol. I, p. 149. Colum­ Rhode Island Horticultural Society. bus Horticultural Society organized April 10, After 1848, the number of such associ­ 1845. ations increased steadily.

Primulas By E. H. M. Cox Reported with permission by Sherman R. Duffy

It is very comforting to learn that dallied with primroses quite exten­ the rarer primulas sometimes die for sively. experts just as they do for the common The lecture became to some extent people. It is heartening to know that an exchange of experiences with prim­ experts sometimes find that seed won't roses in the Chicago districts and their germinate just as it disappoints many behavior in English gardens. We are of the inexpert. It is with a feeling dependent here largely upon Mrs. of personal vindication that one learns Percy Armstron~of Glencoe, Illinois, that experts sometimes swear at cer­ for primrose information. She has tain refractory primroses even as you endeavored to grow some 70 species and 1. and has succeeded with 50. That she For these reasons Mr. E. H. M. Cox, hasn't tried more is because she distinguished Scotch editor, author and couldn't obtain the seed. Mr. Cox plant explorer, speaking on the subject kindly offered to assist in obtaining of primulas, proved to be the most seed for trial here. consoling lecturer to whom this writer "Primroses," NIl'. Cox said, "are a ­ ever had the pleasure and privilege of new phase of English gardening and a listening. Mr. Cox delivered his prim­ very important one. There are a fair ula lecture in Chicago on October 30 number of kinds you can grow here. before an audience many of whom had "\Vhile you can not import plants, Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 27

primrose seeds are very small and if not too thick, and a friend of mine they can be obtained. Before going who admires your maples has them any farther, I shall tell you where you in a maple wood and they are doing can get seeds. The principal dealers finely. Here, I imagine, six hours of are my fIiend, G. H. Dalrymple, Bart­ shade and two hours of sunshine would ley Nurseries, Southampton, England; be best. One hour in the morning and Holabird & Hunter,-here you have one in the late afternoon would be an some tongue twisters but no worse ideal arrangement. than your Poughkeepsie,-Moniave, "Our difficulty is wet winters, which Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and Thomp­ I understand you do not have." Some son & Morgan, Ipswich, England. of the audience explained that we were "There are three distinct groups into somet,imes similarly afflicted. " The which primroses divide themselves,­ danger is rotting of the crowns. We' greenhouse primroses, with which we find that we should remove the leaves are not now concerned; the European the moment they begin to die off. alpines, which have such individual re­ This greatly reduces the danger of quirements that were I to try to tell crowns rotting. We have in England them I would be talking until next the chase continuous cloche, made of week, and the Asiatic and American forked wire into which a pane of glass primroses, for we grow more American is slipped and which is placed over the primroses than you do, particularly primrose. They should be easily your suffrutescens and Rusbyi. We made." have, I think, seven American prim­ NOTE.-A wax paper cloche has roses. These two are very fine. It been placed on the market this year may be carrying coals to Newcastle by American dealers, which is under to tell you that you can get them from experiment for such cases. Carl. Purdy. Mr. Cox then displayed a number " The important factors in their of slides of various ' primulas, com­ culture are sharp drainage and con­ menting upon them while the audience tinuous moisture during their growing asked questions at times or told of season, particularly from April to June. the behavior of the particular plant Much the same conditions are neces­ shown. The first slide shown was sary for seeds. I use one-third good Primtda winteri, which is unknown in garden soil, one-third peat moss and, this district. Mrs. Armstrong said if the soil is heavy, one-third sand. she had been unable to obtain any Continuous moisture is necessary for germination. good germination with good drainage." "This belongs to the Petiolaris sec­ (The Garden Club of Illinois, under tion," Mr. Cox said. "There ' are whose auspices the lecture was deliv­ a number of Asiatic primroses in this ered, provided a typical English day, section but this is the only one we heavy fog enveloping the city and have been able to grow. The Petio­ suburbs, so dense that many had to laris section has an odd seedpod. The abandon the trip to the lecture. Mr. seed is formed on a flat disk that has Cox protested in advance that he was a transparent top or cover that looks Scotch.) like celluloid. This breaks while the "The plants even in England, which seed is quite green and it is scattered has a different climate from yours as upon the soil. There is some process closely as to-day's fog resembles an that goes on in the soil that we do not English day, are best in three-quarter know about that assists in germina­ shade,-that is, not more than three tion. That is the reason we have had or four hours of sunshine a day. We so little success in trying to grow this plant them underneath shrubs, in group from seed. The seed must be copses, among trees in thin woods, planted when the pod breaks. This particularly birch woods, in oak woods species is a beautiful light lavender. 28 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 The American primrose Rusbyi, na­ crowns at least a year and when they tive to the far western mountains, have become crowded the stalks are which grows well in England but not not so good." Mr. Cox then showed so well in this part of the country, was a slide of an old clump which should next shown. "Rusbyi is of the Nivalis have been divided and a bed of newly section," Mr. Cox said. " This is divided japonicas in bloom, their characterized by very smooth leaves. sturdier stems illustrating the point The plant has handsome lavender emphatically. flowers. Another of this section is , , You see the character of the fine sinoplantagines. It wants consider­ stalks on the divided plants," he able peat in the soil, as does Rusbyi. commented. M elanops is much the same with a " The next section we come to, is dark eye. Sikkimensis. We have jlexilipes from " We now come to the Candelabra South Thibet. Another is microdonta. section,-Beesiana, Japonica, pulveru­ (This grows well in Chicago.) lenta and others. Pulverulenla is the "But the most important and largest most popular primrose in England. of all prin1rose introductions is Florin­ Originally it was a purple magenta dae, discovered by Mr. Kingdon Ward but a salmon colored type appeared and named for his wife. It has huge at my friend Dalrymple's and he has foliage and makes stems sometimes bred a strain that comes 90 pel cent four feet high and is most imposing true in beautiful pinks, salmons and in mass. The drooping flowers are rose." soft yellow. It is nearly biennial and This is sold as the Bartley strain I am throwing it out of the garden in and has fully justified the praise given quantity as it has practically taken it by Mr. Cox in Chicago gardens, an possession of it. It is very easily easy grower and a beautiful mass. grown." At tllis juncture Mr. Cox brought Mrs. Armstrong commented that it much consolation to some of us who seemed more nearly perenillal here as have sworn at helodoxa, for we learned her plants \Yere three year old and that it was helodoxa and not our cul­ seemed strong and healthy. ture t.hat was at fault. " It doesn't make any such height " H elocloxa," the lecturer continued, here," she remarked. "is a fine yellow Candelabra, the tallest " I think it would if given plenty of of the class sometimes having seven­ shade," lVIr. Cox said. Mrs. Arm­ teen tiers of flowers. Unfortunately strong's Flon'ndae plants get morning it is not very hardy. It will stand a sun. few degrees of frost. We had 28 "Sikkimensis" itself, continued Mr. degrees last year and large numbers Cox, "is a ,ery beautiful primrose and of them were destroyed. I was more fairly easy. Secundiflora of this section fortunate and think I can safely say is a beautiful thing, violet with dark I have now the largest stock in the purple calyces. Itneedsto be kept fairly country." dry. When it was introduced instruc­ "What do you do when it freezes tions were given in detail as to the like that? " one of the audience asked. difficulties of its cultivation and under "We say good-bye to them," Mr. Cox these directions it did not thrive, but answered. We now know what was we have found that it grows under the matter with helodoxa with 20 below ordinary primrose cultivation with zelO weather. moisture ami drainage, but it must be "Burmanica is a very fine primrose kept. fairly dry outside its growing of this section. season." "Candelabra primroses need to be Saxatalis was next shown. Mrs. divided frequently, about every third Carl Miner, Chicago's rock garden pi­ or fourth year. They make two oneer asked a question that has puz- Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 29 zled many of us who have primrosed photographed in its native land was around. "But does it differ from cor­ estimated to be at least fifty years old. tusoides? " It is yellow-flowered and easily grown "They are very nearly the same," if the crown is kept dry. Mr. Cox replied. " Denticulata has a typical globe­ "Lichiangensis is another of this shaped head which has the blooms type. standing erect. I have been asked how " Littoniana in England is known as it differs from capitata. The blooms in the poker primrose because of the the head of capitata droop, leaving shape of the spike. The flowers are the center flat. The variety M ooreana lavender and the calyces red. We is very fine. " The variety crispata is regard it as hiennial in England." a favorite here with royal purple heads Mrs. Armstrong finds it longer lived set off by contrasting white meal. in her garden and has three-year-old "Vinciflom is a primrose with which strong clumps. the botanists have played tricks, some­ "Rosea is one of the very beautiful times calling it an Omphalogramma, primroses, low growing but a lovely but now they seem to have agreed it pink. It will stand more moisture is a primrose. It has a single flower than many of them. I don't know to a stem, a beautiful blue, outstand­ whether you can grow J uliae here or ing in its lower part like a violet, a not. It is a fine low-growing primlOse sort of prognathous jaw. I have tried wit.h purple blooms." Juliae grows it again and again and the dealers from successfully here. whom I have so often sought seed have "Forrestii has a peculiar growth in made remarks about my cultural abil­ its native land, China, with long woody ity. This primrose has caused me stems." A slide was shown of a plant to do more sweming than any other. depending apparently two or three feet It is a beautiful thing and well worth from a crevice in perpendicular lock, all the effort." a ragged stem terminating in a cluster This writer has not sworn at this of leaves and flowers. "This primrose primrose-yet. He hasn't tried it.

A Shopper's Guide

The January issue always provides who like a burst of bloom in October a last chance for recording the several and an adventure in strange bulbous things that have been forgotten or plants for spring when the foxtail overlooked in the last year, for the lilies push up their spectacular flower New Year's lists are not upon us at. columns. the time of publishing and we have the In a Georgia list one finds Dasylirion last moment of rest before the new sermtifolium, that relative of the agaves orgy comes on. that has a less robust grace. How far Christmas roses, a veritable term for one may risk it in regions of frost, much conjuring up pictures of delight and less regions of freezing, we do not know. then aggravation when one comes to Perhaps some one with a present pas­ search for plants-but they may be sion for succulents and their allies can had, or at least are listed, by two tell. nurseries in New York State. And in From a Massachusetts list, as well one of these same lists one will find as from their Ohio home, comes word an astonishing list of colchicums and of the new Betscher hemerocallis, many eremurus which should intrigue those of them gorgeous varieties for mid- 30 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 summer flowering and a veritable boon denotes. As one of the one-time items for the gardener who wants flower~ng of Autumn bulb lists, it is good to see perennials for midsummer. this name again. Iris gracilipes of tiny and fragile Almost beyond belief is the mention charm seems to be making head way of Daphne genkwa of more delicate and again in American lists but still com­ airy charm than the Mezereum shown mands large prices for its small stature. in this issue. Jumping to the other end of the Primula fiorindae is noted from Ver­ scale, we might mention bamboos, mont and from several special lists plants of exotic and unusual charm, elsewhere. but in many cases with invasive Two alliums from the same nursery, and commandeering habits. These are one rejoicing in the bare name of Ruby often difficult to find and when found Gem and the other unnamed, catch the are expensive and slow to establish in editor's eye for he has a taste for full beauty. For regions where their onioI\s. Beside these he has planted, fine foliage is not too much damaged eventually for the Gardener's Pocket­ by winter sunlight they are worth the book, three species from Colorado, trouble of searching for in Texas, one from Idaho and a collected-as Florida, California, Louisiana, Georgia, yet unnamed-form dug up in Wyom­ and even Pennsylvania. ing, as well as more garden tamed sorts From a little nursery in Alabama from Michigan and elsewhere. comes word of Purple Roman Hya­ For the fortunate or unfortunate per­ cinths-a dubious term but perhaps sons who live within the Japanese the lovely loose spiked sort that can beetle zone there are plants of Gm"donia sometimes be had from Virginia gar­ alatame,ha (illustrated on page 2 of dens, where they flower with Narcissus January, 1929). spurius and albicans. And for the reader who would pur­ In several California lists one finds sue the hens-and-chickens adventures Chlidanthus fragrans, a tender (to win tel' of the staff there is a list of American cold) Amaryllis-like plant with golden dealers which will be sent for the flowers of sweet scent as the name needed asking and stamp and envelope.

A Book or Two Rock Gardens, by A. Edwards. Ward, contains many trees and shrubs which Lock & Co., Ltd., London, 1929. would quickly overpower any modest 320 pages, illustrated. garden. The reader must plan his choices, therefore, according to the Mr. Edwards, the Assistant Curator dimensions of his plot and develop at Kew, in charge of the rock gardens, the proper sense of scale which is has prepared a rather comprehensive so important in all rock garden book on the subject with chapters in­ work cluded on bog and water gardening. It is written with great simplicity for Blumenbuch. Die Blume im Haus in t.he use of the beginner who is genu­ Vergangheit und Gegenwart, by inely interested in commencing the Hanna Kronberger-Frentzen. Her" construction of a rock garden and the man Reckendorf, Berlin, 1928. 31 cultivation of plants of this kind. pages, 64 illustrations. Rock gardens of size are in mind as the gener al encyclopedic list of plants A very interesting small volume in Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 31 which at least the sixty-four full-page smacks too much of compilations and illustrations should be of use to garden as a compilation is curiously arranged clubs that insist upon flower arrange­ and not well planned. The actual ments. Here, following reproductions text is pleasant enough, but the schem­ of ancient flower pieces in mosaics, oil ing is more conspicuous and is not jus­ paintings, and etchings, one finds four tifiable. There is no point in making . copies of Japanese flower arrangements a great display- of the scientific termin­ taken from some book of instructions ology of the orders and then arranging and then turns to the remaining mod­ them in alphabetic sequence, an ar­ ern examples of which only six show rangement that makes strange bed­ distinct Japanese influence. Among fellows. The lay gardener should the rest one finds several mixed bou­ know these names and orders but he quets, one of fi eld flowers, all of which should learn that they have a relation­ are most interesting to study in their ship in blood and form; but he will not present monochrome reproduction, es­ find it here where the Lily Family has tablishing as they do their success the Legumes for neighbors on one hand based upon composition in texture, and the Flax Family scantily repre­ line and mass without the distractions sented on the other! The blurb on of color. the cover suggests that this is a pick­ up book, but even that is unfortunate Perennials of Flowerland, by Alice for the brief notes are very incomplete. T. A. Quackenbush. The Macmil­ often inaccurate, and show an out­ lan Company, New York, 1929. rageous number of typographical mis­ 258 pages, no illustrations. $1.50. takes of which spagnum, octapus and This is not an important book as it minosas will serve as examples.

The Gardener's Pocketbook

CAMPANULA PIPEltI discovered lining crevices and rocky stretches towards the summit of Mt. AMERICA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIVE Steele. BLUEBELL SUl'ely one is fillEjd with sincere ap­ It is hard to believe that so strange preciation of the creative powers of the a quirk of geological transformation Infinite when, as did our party one could actually transplant some two recent September morning emerging thousand miles or more what is sup­ from without the smoke-befogged trail posed to be the only campanul a of its of the low divide, we ascended the kind in America, from the elevations high slopes of Mt. Christie and there of Mt. McKinley in Alaska, where it above us beheld patches of Campanula is found in a closely allied form-Cam­ piperi, so blue, so vivid, and so clearly panula aurita-and then find no trace outlined against the copper coloring of of it again until one comes upon it high the iron-impregnated talus slopes that up in t he Olympic Mountains, t he at first glance one almost thought it farthermost western mountain range must be the reflection through a rift in the State of Washington, where some of clear blue sky. years ago this beautiful and distinctive I can realize something of the inde­ Campanula piperi (see page 33) was scribable joy Farrer and others must 32 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 have experienced when, on t heir quest viding it has been filled with plenty for the dainty China-blue Campamda of chip-rock and a mixture of sand, rainieri, they suddenly came upon it peat and humus. I have it in my filling every crack and cranny of the garden harmonizing beautifully with precipitous and rocky Bergamask, for the clear pink of the native western Campanula piperi is no less beautiful. Silene hookeri, the soft mauve of the and indeed quite similar in all its quaint little Linum salsoloides nana, habits. Instead of being a 1'otundi­ the pale yellow of Draba brunneajolia, jolia type as erroneously described and and nearby is a dear little potentilla put out by some dealers and growers shrublet, Dasiphora jruticosa, and I of rock plant material, it is as alto­ CfLn scar cely wait until the balmy days gether different as can be, and is of another season bring forth the bloom entirely like a beautiful and glorified that will once again thrill me with the Campanula garganica, with the quaint­ joy of that wonderful morning when est little glossy, holly-like leaves im­ I beheld Campanula piperi for the aginable, to be accurately described first time. I am sure this little cam­ botanically, as saliently dentate and panula will be heralded as a rare treas­ spatulate, but in every-day sort of ure among cloice alpines when it be­ language, just the daintieRt wee holly comes better known. leaves, prickles 'n' every thin' . EDITH H. BANGHART. Strange to say piperi is fo und on i\ledina, Yrashington. only a few of the peaks in the Olympic Mountains. It is quite abundant on Mt. Angeles, Mt. Steele and Mt. Daphne mezereum L. (See page 34.) Christie, but on Storm King, Con­ stance, Carrie and other peaks there In his "Alpines and Bog-Plants," is little or none of it at all, and indeed Farrer writes: " In almost every Cot7 Campanula piperi is not the only alpine tage garden in March you will see the that has found its way down, sup­ bare, leafless twigs of t he Mezereon posedly through the ice floes (as the clothed along their length with its one-time glacial ice cap must surely big magenta flowers, armed with a have covered the entire country in fragrance, keen, sugared, bitter, curi­ this region, and one can distinctly ously ominous of the malevolent detect, especially on Mt. Angelus and poison lurking in the whole plant and Mt. Olympus, t he " boulder line" to concentrated in the glossy scarlet the depth of 3,500 feet or more). berries that succeed its bloom." It is interesting to note species of Here, in a sentence, is a sketch of Senecio, Polemoniwn, EpiZobium, Syn­ this rather low and somewhat awk­ thyris, Violas, etc., which are peculiar ward shrub which tempts the gardener to this location alone, and such other in earliest March. Like other daphnes, things as Siel1ersias, Smelowskias, Ro­ it has large and fleshy roots somewhat manz01:fJia and many other distinct impatient of disturbance and like types of Alaska tundra fl ora, smacking other daphnes is said to be a lime­ of a decidedly Russian and Siberian lover. In the writer's garden it flour­ atmosphere, acclimating themselves ishes well enough in a deep and acicl beautifully at 3,000 feet. One findl' azalea compost. What it might do if promiscuous developments of lowland, an alkaline soil were possible is to be sub-alpine and high alpine types all guessed. At any rate one should growing and blooming happily together admire it for its earliness for it flowers in wonderful comhinations. with the first frost-nipped, naked. Campanula piperi, when once es­ jasmine and pale, fragrant honey­ tablished at sea level, has a splendid suckle. A sprig or two with some disposition and takes readily to any buclcling stalks of the Corean rhodo­ sunny crevice in the rock garden, pro- dendron and a forced spray of Thun- Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 33

H erbert C. M oss [Sce page 81) Carnpanula piperi Jan., 1930 34 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE

[See paoe 321 Lilian A . Guernsey Daphne mezereum Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 35

Lilian A. Guernsey [See page 86 Rosa gentiliana 36 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 berg's spirea will make a fine bit for NEGLECTED NATIVES: 3. ARUM H EART- the March window-sill. LEAF Washington, D. C. Hexastylisarifolia (Michx.) Small . (See page 37.) Rosa gentiliana Lev. (See page 35.) The litter under Rhododendrons, Among the several species of climb­ Kalmias, and other shrubs of similar ing roses which China has sent us for soil preferences is usually so acid that our gardens, this is perhaps more use­ it discourages the growth of most ful in the South than in the North, for ground-covering plants, leaving the in severe winters its strongest shoots surface brown and bare. In some are sometimes seriously cut back. situations the effect of the shrubbery In a general way one might com­ can be improved by putting in toler­ pare it to the hardier Rosa multiflora, ant creepers "'hich spread into ex­ that prolific parent of so many tensive colonies, such as Bugle (Ajuga), ramblers, but it is a more elegant Ivy (Hedera) and Periwinkle (Vinca). plant with a smaller growth, more Under other conditions, however, and shining leaves and a grace of bloom especially in restricted plantations, that is more refined. The leaves ground-covers which form individual have a deep green color, somewhat patches may be more desirable. Sev­ lighter beneath and often tinted with eral of our native species are de­ lavender in the youngest tages. The cidedly ornamental when used in this flowers are white, sometimes faintly way, but have not received the at­ rose-tinted in"the bud and are followed tention they deserve. One of these is by clusters of round, orange hips that being made the subject of tIllS note. last well into the winter. The genus A.sarum, as founded by Do not plant it, however, where Linnaeus, includes two distantly re­ room is lacking, for in health it will lated sets of species, one having de­ outstrip any rambler, and form a ciduous leaves and long-stalked flowers vicious, thorny tangle, proof against with their styles united, and the other, all invasion. everOTeen leaves and short-stalked Washington, D. C. flowers with separate styles. Recog­ nizing the distinctness of this second Kniphofia mirabilis albida Hort. (ee group, Rafinesque applied to it the page 2. ) genus name H exastylis, and as any To those persons who do not admire layman can readily distinguish the the common redhot poker, one mio'ht two, it seems desirable to keep them recommend this sort which is listed separate in horticultural classification in an English seed list and may be as wel l. The common name Wild­ treated as a tender annual, starting ginger, used in Standardized Plant the seeds in late February or early N ames for all of these plants, may then March. If the little seedlings are be restricted to the deciduous genus, given rich fai'e and a soil with ample Asa1'um; to the evergreen one, H ex­ drainage, they will be ready for bedding astylis, it seems appropriate to apply along with ageratum and petunias. the name by which its members are Unlike their more robust relatives, universally known in the south, namely these make slender, grassy plants, Heartleaf. scarcely a foot high and overtopped The most attractive member of this by spikes of flowers little larger than group, the Arum Heartleaf, is a native those in the illustration. The mature of open woods in many parts of the flowers are white and the buds every southeastern United States, ranging conceivable shade of coral pink and north only to the southern edge of pinkish orange. Virginia, though reaching suffi ciently Washington, D. C. high altitudes in t he Alleghanies to Jan:, 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 37

Ed(Jar T. Wherry [See pa(Je 36] H exastylis aTifolia indicate a considerable degree of the preceding year are prostrate on the hardiness. It blooms in early spring, ground, but fresh ones rapidly take the flowers being curious little jug­ their places as they wither, so that shaped bronzy green objects; ~ying as the plant iB always ornamental. Each theydo, crowded close against the crown stem bears but a single leaf at a time, of the plant, they suggest a litter of but as numerous stems radiate 'from tiny new-born animals, and the species one crown, a mature p'ant takes on a is locally known as the "little pig striking rosette habit. This is shown plant." At this season the leaves of in the illustration, which represents 38 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

Lilian A . Guernsey [See page 40) RhocloclendTon mucronulatwn Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 39

Lilian A . Guernsey [See paoe 40] Berberis pruinosa 40 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 one about ten years old in the writer's The forsythias are in early glory garden, two feet in diameter and six and the red huds of the Japan quince inches in height. The leaves are are breaking, but woe betide the attractively mottled with white, some­ gardener who gives it such company. what suggesting those of the Persian Choose rather black-green evergreens Cyclamen, and forming a pleasing or such plants as Thunberg'S spirea, contrast with the brown litter beneath, with its diaphanous yellow-green leaves especially durjng the winter. and white flowers, and set it in a site Propagation can be accomplished where the light will shine through by division of the fleshy crown with a its petals which are translucent and knife, or by collecting and planting not opaque as in some sorts. Select seeds. As to soil, the chief require­ also a place where spring frosts will ment appears to be a moderate de­ ~ot settle or you will lose your blossom­ gree of sterility. The plant pictured mg. originally grew in a clayey soil under The plants grow quickly when young shrubs in a Georgia pine forest, and and send up tall, leggy shoots topped has been transplanted into a similar with clustered flower buds as in the situation, the needles being allowed illustration and only later assume the to accumulate around it. The soil twiggy and well-clothed appearance reaction is here, of course, decidedly characteristic of their later habit. acid, but high acidity does not seem The leaves persist late into the essential, for another clump was col­ autumn and even into early winter, lected in neutral clay on a Tennessee often showing first bronze-purple and limestone barren, and is thriving in then yellow and scarlet colors before soil of that character. One or two falling. dealers in native plants in the orth A white-flowered form has been Carolina mountains supply this species reported by botanists and it is to be as well as its relatives, Virginia Heart­ hoped that s0mewhere among the leaf (H exastylis virginica) and Moun­ annual crops of seedlings such a form tain Heartleaf (H. shuttleworthi). The will appear again to add another two latt.er differ from the one here pic­ color to the earliest spring garden. tured in having more rounded leaves Washington, D. C. and bell-shaped flowers. All of the species vary considerably from one B erberis pruinosa Franch. (See page individual to another in the outline 39.) and degree of mottling of leaves, and anyone who has in his garden a bare Among the broad-leaved eyergreens spot under shrubs will find it worth are some which extend their northern while to tryout a few of these inter­ limits of hardiness by becoming more esting Heartleaves. or less deciduous without great injury E. '1'. WHERRY. to their life and health. The lovely Washington, D . C. swamp magnolia of the East and South (1\11 agnolia glauca) is a case in point, Rhododend1'on mucronulatum Turcz. show~ng almost completely evergreen (See page 38.) character in southern Georgia and al­ most completely deciduous character The Corean rhododendron must no further north than Maryland. suffer for that prejudice that damns The barberry of this note is more or all flowers that wear a magenta or near­ less of this nature for its rather thin magenta hue. Various extenuating evergreen leaves are easily ruined by graces are present to counteract this a severe freeze and then drop off very fault, however, not the least of which is neatly instead of half curling and the fact that its blooming comes upon browning on the stems as do other the very heels of winter. equally tender plants. One should bear Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 41

Lilian A. Guernsey [See paoe 441 Cotoneaster zabelli 42 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

..

E. L. Crandall [See page 441 Iris ~mg~ticula?"is Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 43

Lilian A. Guernsey [See page 44J Narcissus, Nobility 44 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 this in mind if he is really after an leaves and in autumn by the numerous evergreen species and lives where frosts clusters of rather dull red berries. of twenty degrees or more are common. Washington, D. C. As to the extreme limit of hardiness to cold we have no data on hand but Iris unguicularis Poir. (See page 42.) it is unlikely that the plant would suc­ Here is an iris for the South, for ceed far beyond Long Island in the those States where flowers may venture East. out during the winter months. It be­ The species makes a robust plant longs in that considerable company of up to seven or eight feet with almost plants which are rather hardy to cold as much spread, with strong rather as far as their root systems are con­ erect shoots that branch most in the cerned but suffer if grown too far crown. They are well armed with north by the winter damage to their stiff and vicious spines and carry an leaves which persist or which appear abundant covering of green leaves too soon. made conspicuous by the white coating In some ways it suggests some of of bloom on the under surfaces. The the species native to our Pacific Coast flow ers are plentiful in the spring and and in others our tiny Iris verna of . like most barherrv flowers are much the Appalachians. Grown happily, it sought after by the bees that make a forms great tussocks of touseled and pleasant humming in the branches in sometimes shabby leaves, through late March and early A pri!. As the which rise the exquisite blooms of blooms are a rather pale greenish yel­ transparent iris lavender or sparkling low, they do not make a great show, white, touched a bit in the falls with but they are followed by a plentiful gold and frosted with gold dust deep supply of black berries entirely covered down into the tube. with a dense coat of white bloom, like If the day be warm, the standards the most powdered of any grapes. fall back as in the picture, and from These berries on their reddish stems the flower comes a delicious, almost make a charming effect and a branch violet-like ·scent. cut in November will make as de­ As the flowers are stemless and rise lightful a decoration as could be through the foliage by the length of wanted. their perianth tubes, they are not much Washington, D. C. use for cutting, just as crocus can not be gathered with safety; but if one cuts Cotoneaster zabelli Schn. (See page off the base of the leaf-sheathes . as 41.) well, the opening bud will unfold in the house. Among the cotoneasters this species Washington, D. C. dedicated to Zabel is not especially a newcomer and beside some with Narcissus, Nobility. (See page 43.) greater charm of growth or redder red This handsome Dutch sort, whose berries may seem a sort of second garden parent has not been discovered, fiddle, but with the gardener who sees may be taken as a fine example of what the delicate graduations of form and the breeders are producing now in the line, who delights in the tender pro­ Barri section. The illustration shows gressions of hues, it will have a without further comment the perfec­ place. tion of the flower form, the regularity Its over-arching shoots form a great of the almost white perianth, and the mound some four feet high and half perfection of the flat, deep orange cup. again as wide, not dense like a spirea In it are the excellences of the show but with an airiness that shows the flower and also the robust vigor and structure of the plant, bent down by health necessary for garden use. its branches, covered with fine small Washington, D. C. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 45

Lilian A. Guernsey [See page 461 Lilium henryi 46 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 Lilium henryi Baker. (See page 45.) years ago in the Imperial Botanic Garden in Koishikawa Park, Tokyo. Henry's lily is often spoken of as the Planted in 1912 as part of the yellow speciosum because its flowers cherry collection presented by the resemble that species in their general Mayor of Tokyo to the City of formation and carriage, but the plant Washington, the Tidal Basin trees are itself has a markedly different car­ now 20 to 30 feet high, vigorous and riage and a tendency to rise in the in excellent condition. In habit the world and then stand on its head, that Yoshino is wide-spreading with a is quite different from the strong up­ broad crown eventually 50 to 60 feet ward sweep of the stalks of the showy through, and the maximum height is lilies. around 45 feet. The bark is smooth To the present gardener, it seems and pale gray, becoming dark and a a much over-praised sort, for aside little rough on old trunks, and the from its vigor, ease of growth, and leaves, especially when young, are general freedom of flowering, it has hairy on the under side of the veins less to commend it t.han some of its and on the petioles. Early in the more difficult sisters. To be sure it spring, late March or early April in fills the season between the robust Washington, the leafless trees suddenly and universal tiger lily and the later clothe themselves with myriads of speciosums) but it must be staked to very light pink, slightly fragrant hold its flower heads where they belong flowers, an inch or more across, borne and it should be planted in light shade in clusters of t,,·o to five. For nearly in order that the clear apricot orange a "'eek, if weather conditions be of its petals be not burned to a blistered favorable, the trees are objects of white. Given these aids and deep great beauty. Located as they are planting in such soil as one gives for close to the "'ater's edge, countless stem-rooting species, it will reward reflections acid to the beauty of the you after its fashion. scene. Washington, D. C. '" here conditions of weather and in­ sect pollinat'on are propitious, the PTUnus yedoensis Mats. Yoshino. (See Yoshino sets an abundant crop of small, page 47 .) round, shining-black fruits, thus af­ fording an easy means of propagation. Early in the spring, about the time If other ingle, early-flowering cherries when forsythias are at their best, the are near by, influence of foreign pollen shores of the Tidal Basin in Washing­ may result in seedlings sho"'ing mixed ton become a veritable fairyland with parentage, but otherwise this variety huge billowy masses of pale pink. comes true to type from seed, due This delightful effect is produced by allowance being made for slight varia­ more than eight hundred trees of the tions in color and size of flowers. In Japanese cherry known as Yoshino, the absence of seed, budding or graft­ and the popular success of this spec­ ing is satisfactory, using as stock tacle is reflected in the ever-increasing Japanese cherry seedlings or mazzaI'd. throngs of visitors who come each year For some reason not yet determined, to this section of Potomac Park. In the Tidal Basin cherries have never its original home the Yoshino is so re­ set many fruits. This may be due to vered by the Japanese that they have lack of insects to insure pollination, planted more than fifty thousand unfavorable weather conditions in that trees in and near Tokyo, and with particular location, or some physio­ their characteristic love of flowers they logical disturbance. have made its blooming the occasion Already a few of the eastern nur­ for annual spring festivals. The oldest series and also one or two on the known trees were planted over fifty Pacific Coast are offering the Y 0 - Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 47

Copyright, E. L. Crandall [See page 46] Yoshino Cherries in Potomac Park, Washington, D. C. 48 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930 shino and there appears to be no PRIZE WINNING DAHLIAS reaso~ why it should not become in­ One form of the sport of growing creasingly popular where conditions dahlias is 'competition in shows. To are favorable. Cultural requirements exhibit successfully, if one has a small are substantially the same as for garden, the list of varieties must be fruiting cherries, and in general the severely cut, so that enough plants of Yoshino should thrive wherever each variety can be grown to have suffi­ peaches are successfully gr~wn. . cient good ft.owers at the show date to While the normal habIt of thIS fill the demands of the classification. variety as stated above, is wide­ Other things being equal, a vase or spreadi~g, there is likewise ~ de­ basket of all one variety will stand a cideclly pendulous form, the Shidare­ better chance than a mixture. yoshino (Prunus yedoensis p.erpendens It is difficult to get enough perfect Wilson) which appears to dIffer from ft.owers of the right stage of develop­ the type only in habit. While. one ~r ment and near the same size, without two nurseries already offer It, thIS a larger number to choose from, but this pendulous form has been introduced careful selection is important where into cultivation only recently, and It competition is close. can not be promised definitely that it One of the most important factors will equal the type in abundance of is to grow varieties that are good win­ ft.ovvers. ners. Good varieties can be grown Although the Yoshino appears to poorly, but varieties with poor stems, come true from seed, as mentioned center or form can not compete suc­ earlier some authorities believe it to cessfully with the better modern kinds. be a l~yblid , with P?"U~us subhirtella We can grow large varieties small, but Miz. and P. seTTulata Lindl. as the no amount of skill can bring the old parents. It is true that no unques­ small ft.owered type up to present-day tionably wild plants have ever b~en size. found and one English amateur claIms Now that this year's shows are over, that ~eedlings raised by him show we may make up a list of the varieties unmistakable evidence of their hybrid that have been consistent prize takers. origin. . The following short list is arranged The effectiveness of the Y oshmo as in approximate order of excellence and a landscape factor depends to a large frequency of gaining awards: extent on its setting. Even when planted near water it is very desirable Jane Cowl, gold and bronze decOl'a­ to provide a background of evergreens, tive. and such a background is also strongly Ambassador, pink and gold large recommended when groups are planted cactus. in parks, or when the trees are used Edna Ferber, coral and gold hybrid to line a hroad avenue. If planted cactus. closer than thirty to forty feet there Jersey's Beauty, spinal pink deco­ is a tendency to assume a stiffly up­ rative. right habit, and even to produce fewer Jersey's Beacon, Chinese scarlet, ft.owers. Where groups of trees are cream reverse decorative. old enough to have developed crowns Fort Momnouth, wine to maroon which slightly overlap it is a rare pleas­ hybrid cactus. ure to walk beneath them on a bright Mrs. 1. de Ver Warner, light purple sunshiny morning with the light filter­ decorative. ing down through the canopy of pink Wachung Sunrise, gold and pink dec­ ft.owers. PAUL RUSSELL. orative. Washington, D. C. Elite Glory, dark red decorative. Kemp's Violet Wonder, VIOlet deco­ rative. Jan., 1930 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE 49 Two new very promising large ones will last a second day. As most per­ just coming in are: sons see them in the wild in the after­ noon, many think the plants have Kathleen Norris, pink decorative. only lavender colored blossoms. The The World, maroon decorative. plants bloom from early June until No very reliable white stands out mid-August and a single good clump yet above others. Perhaps the new will give many flowers. They are Chemar's Eureka will be the much easily grown in cultivatipn. looked for. It is described as a white FANNIE MAHOOD HEATH. Jersey's Beauty. An orange sport of Grand Forks, N. D. Jersey's Beauty has appeared and there is also an orange seedling of SEEDS OF SABATIA Jersey's Beauty with promise. In answer to inquiries received as Of small flowered classes, Jean Kerr, to a source of supply of seed . of white, of which an " improved" form Sabatia angularis, which was men­ is offered, and Kind's Gold Medal, rich tioned on page 168 in our October scarlet edges shading into yellow, are number, it may be stated that seed conspicuous in the show and hybrid of t his and of many other native show classes. Little Jewel, pink small plants can be obtained from the Wild decorative, is supreme among the Flower Preservation Society, 3740 miniatures. Belle of Springfield is Oliver St., Washington, D. C. The hard to beat as the smallest pompon. price of most species is 10 cents per Newport Wonder, by beauty of form packet. and color wins in the singles if the little inner curls are plucked. PLANT WANTS J. B. S. NORTON. Riverdale, Md. Readers are cordially invited to send in .to the editor lists of their plant Oenothera caespitosa N utt. (See page wants which will be printed together 17.) with their addresses so that other readers may communicate directly. To the casual observer, this plant, Do not hesitate to make use of this when not in blossom, could very easily column. pass for a thrifty dandelion, but oh! MRS. CHARLES H. STOUT. what a difference when adorned with Charlecote, Short Hills, N. J. the great satiny blossoms, four to five inches across that look snowy Cytisus beanii white as they unfurl at dusk. The ardoinii opening of the blossoms brings one kewensis of the ecstacies to be had from own­ humifusa ing these plants and at my home Galanthus byzantinus brings an exciting time as soon as Pentstemon heterophyllus some one calls out, "The primroses Berberis vernae (with pink berries) are open." Then all scurry to watch M ertensia paniculata the sepals snap back and the released alpin a petals unfold in a wonderfully short Begonia evansiana time. Up to noon the following day Belemcanda chinensis they remain white, then a pinkish Erigeron pinnatisectus tinge is noticed that deepens as the Potentilla fruticosa mandschurica day advances, so that by mid after­ Geranium fan"eri noon they have changed to a bright Rhododendron praecox lavender. If the day is warm the moupinense petals close toward evening, but if mongolicum cool and somewhat cloudy the flowers Hedera with fringed leaves. 50 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

THE W. B. SHAW Stumpp & Walter Co.

AQUATIC High. Qu aJ it:· GARDENS Seeds- Bulbs- Plants KENILWORTH Insecticides- Fertilizers WASHINGTON, .D. c. Garden Sundries Waterlilies Calalug I ssues

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75 Varieties September 1 sf F A LL B U LB Hardy lilies may be planted fr om early Spring thru August- t ender lilies If you are a garden enthusiast and are no t in May and June. on our mai ling Ji st, write for a copy. FLOWERS the first summer Other AQUATIC Also

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Broad-Leaved Evergreens RARE and A fine stock to select from IMPORTED Alpines We specialize in Azaleas, CaTTlellia Japonicas, Nandinas, Pyracanthas J list only the most rare and choice vari eti es and Roses of alpines-Saxifrages, Androsaces, gentians, drabas, Dianthus, Meconopsis, wee dainty al­ Write for our illustrated catalogue pine roses, prostra te brooms, etc. Also nati ve western iris, phlox, lewisias, Penstemons, etc. Fruitland Nurseries Li st your names for Spring Catalogue now ready. Successors to P. J. BER.CKMANS co. ROCKMARGE ALPINE AUGUSTA, GA. GARDENS P. O. Drawer 910 M Rs. EDITH H. B ANGH A RT , F. R. H. S. "THE SOUTH'S OLDEST NURSERY" MEDINA, WASHINGTON

PAEONIA ARBOREA BANKSI (Tree Peony) Large, double, flesh-pink flowers; strong shrubs on their own roots, ea. $4; doz. $40. Very large specimen plants, 8 years old, having bloomed profusely during 1929, at $15 each. Herbaceous catalog on request OBERLIN PEONY GARDENS L. B. 15 Sinking Spring, Pa.

YOU MUST Set Out Send for our catalog at once and Rockery Plants Earl y get your order in. This will enable us to ship your plants just They are early bloomers. as soon as the weather permits. That means they start early. !fyou don't plant Rockery plants Making planting early necessary. early, you will be apt to have losses. "Early planting for best results. " Although Rockery and Alpine Plants are a specialty with us, no one has any finer Hardy Plants of all kinds. Every one guaran­ teed to bloom first year. All are i"' Wa.'1side ~a..rden.s two-year-old field grown. Extra size clumps. No waiting for W MENTOR, OHIO results. Send for catalog now. lteg.U.S.rat.Off . E. H. Schultz, P,n. ].]. Grullemans, Sec'y-TreaI. 52 THE NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL MAGAZINE Jan., 1930

Looking Ahead Among t he points that might be series of Rhododendrons started in Oc­ called to the reader's special attention tober with nudifiorum, alt hough other at the beginning of the year 1930 is species had been shown in July, 1928. the continuation of the various series This series is to become a regular of plant notes and pictures that were feature in 1930, and all of the series commenced in October, 1928, with preceding are to be continued. the illustrations of !Tis hexagona and In July, 1929, Dr. Wherry contribu­ Iris filijolia. Since that time the iris ted the first of his series, '( Neglected has been shown in various examples Natives," and will continue this unique including tectorum, spuria, jorrestii, bul­ contribution addressed particularly to leyana, wilsoni, chrysographes and re­ the gardening public. Mrs. Fannie ticulata. N arcissus have been repre­ Mahood Heath has promised notes on sented by Croesus, The Fawn, Irish native materials from the northern Pearl, Tapin, White Conqueror and Great Plains such as illustrate her Medusa, a series illustrated, as far as present article. can be determined, for the first time Although these are points that are in this country. The lily series in­ apparent in themselves, they are cludes umbellatum, sargentiae, specio­ emphasized here because many read­ sum and centijolium, the last probably ers may not realize that by this serial the first illustration in the country. presentation we are able to bring them The cotoneasters, increasing in im­ illustrative material that will make portance in many parts of the country, their files of the magazine of encyclo­ are represented by horizontalis, divari­ pedic value. cata, dielsiana and hebephylla. A new

Your patronage For Members Only ~ of our advertisers ~ means prosperity Have you secured one new member for the organization this year? The fact that you I~::~oe~:::.a::.: .... ,i are a member indicates, we The Glen Road .Iris Gardens hope, not merely curiosity, but Issue a catalogue containing each year a genuine interest and support NEW INTRODUCTIONS And a critical selection of of the organization. Your STANDARD VARIETIES continued membership is the Grace Sturtevant Violet F. Edlmann WELLESLEY FARMS, MASS. first proof of your loyalty. A new member brought in ==cm==cm~m===cxx through your effort is the seal For Advertising Rates Apply to of your good works. J. STEALEY ELMS Box 21, Kensington, Md. The American Horticultural Society

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BULLETINS: No.1. The Effect of Aluminum Sulphate on Rhododendron Seedlings, by Frederick V. Coville . . . . • . . . . • ...... • . . • . . . • • • $2.00 No.2. Roses for America, by F. L. Mulford ...... 1.00 No.3. Insect Pests of Our Gardens and Their Control, by C. A. Weigel. 1.00 No.4. Soil Reaction in Relation to Horticulture, by Edgar T. Wherry . 1.00

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