common in Massachusetts also, and a moss of interesting character: Aneura sessilis, (Sullivant,) Marchantia disjuncta, (Sulliv.) of the order Hepatices; also, Notothylas valvata and N. orbicularis, (Sulliv.) the two latter singular hepatic plants of much interest. See Proceedings of Academy, p. 35, &c. Professor Gray (of Harvard University) communicated the characters of some new genera and species of Composite from Texas, viz., Vernonia Lindheimeri (Gr. and Engelman, Pl. Lindh. med.): Ageratum Wrightii, (Torrey and Gray, fl. ined.): Brickellia cylindracea (Gr. and Engel., Pl. Lindh. ined.): Lindheimera texana, (Gray,): Keerlia bellidifolia (Gr. and Engel., l. c.,): Tetragonothica texana, (Gr. and Engel., l. c.,): Barratia calva (Gray.) See Proceedings Amer. Acad., pp. 46, 48.—R. Pleasant Experiment with Andrómeda calyculàta.—It is well known, that the flower buds of many of our native shrubs, as well as of trees, are formed towards the end of the summer, and are in perfect readiness to expand early in the following spring. Especially is this the case with the Amentaceæ, a natural order, embracing plants furnished with aments or catkins: such as the alder, poplar, willow, and the like. These hardy and daring efforts of Flora seem to link, with an almost continuous chain, the autumn with the spring. The curious, crisped, threadlike blossoms of the witch hazel, in bunches of yellow flowers, appearing when nature is stripping the foliage from the deciduous trees, and when the cold winds of November are reminding us of the snows and storms of winter, scarcely wither on their parent branches, before we find these amentaceous plants pushing off their envelopes, and making ready for the auspicious gales of April and May. Any one who may go into our swamps in midwinter will notice the white and silken flower buds of the swamp willow, with its black and loosened scalelike covering failing to protect what it seemed intended to cover; and by every brook side, the already pendent aments of the black alder will attract attention not less than the similar aments of the hazel nut by every wall, or on the borders of ill cultivated fields. It seems to require but a moderate continuance of vernal heat to set free the constraint laid on these flower buds; to loosen and elongate the spikes, and to shed in profusion, all around, the golden farina with which they are charged. The beauty of the willow, when in blossom, is well known to every lover of wild nature; and its agreeable sweetness is recognized by the bees and many winged insects, which, with a rare sagacity and instinct, know the times appointed for their renewed labors. Having frequently expanded these aments in winter, by cutting branches of the shrubs, and placing them in water in a warm room, I was induced to try what effect the same treatment would produce on the already formed flower buds of the andromeda. This plant or low shrub grows in every sphagnous swamp, and in overflowed meadows, and gives peculiar beauty to every spring by its unique and regularly set rows of white bells on its slender and leafy branches. Its leaves are sempervirent, and thus remain all winter, turning rather brown on approach of cold. Each flower springs out from the axil of one of the smaller leaves, which invest the terminal racemes, and is of an ovate, cylindrical form, and of delicate whiteness. Some twigs gathered this winter on December twenty-ninth, 1846, expanded their blossoms on January twelfth, 1847, and other fresh twigs, put into water on January twenty-third, are now in full beauty of expansion, (February 8th). Thus those who are fond of winter bouquets need be in no lack of at least one sort of beautiful flowers, not inferior, in any degree, to many of the Cape heaths, which are so deservedly prized for their elegance and rarity. I have tried a similar experiment on the buds of Rhododendron máximum, but without success. Perhaps Rhodòra canadensis may be made to expand in the same manner: a trial would do no harm. Some fresh tufts or plants of Lycopòdium dendroideum, a few twigs of Prinos glaber, a bit of Kálmia latifòlia, and, if possible, a piece of Lycopòdium clavatum, and its more beautiful cospecies Lyc. lucidulum, with straight handsome pieces of Andrómeda calyculata, (the little plant under our present notice,) and, if you like, a few of the silken aments of Salix eriocéphala, let us add also the scarlet berries of Prinos verticillatus, will make up for you, reader, no mean mantel-ornament to remind you, as a bouquet to be kept in water for a few weeks, of those pleasanter days which are coming, when, from the lingering beauties of Flora in midwinter, you need no longer cull with so much effort or care.-An Admirer of all Seasons, February 8, 1847. The Winter in Georgia.-The winter with us has been, thus far, mild. No very killing frosts till January 8th, when we had the thermometer down to 10°. On January 1, I noticed these in flower in the open garden ;— Irish whin in full beauty; a few monthly roses and little chrysanthemums, the upper flowers and stems killed by previous frosts at 24°; two or three varieties of narcissus polyanthus; Viola odorata and tricolor; purple and pink verbena; sweet alyssum, dandelion, white and single hyacinths, Chinese pinks. Yours, M. A. W., Athens, Ga., Jan. 12, 1837. Horticulture in Ohio.-There has, within the last few years, been awakened, within this region of country, the most intense interest on the subject of Horticulture, and Ohio is yet destined to be a great fruit country. She has such a variety of soils, that there are situations congenial to almost every variety of fruit. The blight of the Pear tree is one of the most fatal diseases that afflict her fruit. I wish you all possible success in improving the taste of the public.Yours, very respectfully, C. Springer, Meadow Farm, Ohio, Feb. 1847. [We shall be glad to hear from our correspondent as often as leisure will permit.-Ed.] Maine Pomological Society.-We are glad to learn that our Pomological friends in Maine have recently organized a society under the above name, with the object in view of bringing into notice the new seedling fruits which abound in the orchards of that State. The first meeting was held on Wednesday, January 6th, and quite a number of apples were exhibited by individuals from different parts of the State. At the second meeting, a code of by-laws was adopted, and our friend, Dr. Holmes of the Farmer, chosen Corresponding Secretary. At this meeting, a variety of apples were exhibited. We hope, through our correspondents, to keep our readers informed of the doings of the association.-Ed. Genesee Valley Horticultural Society.-We are happy to witness the increase of Horticultural associations in various parts of the country. In Rochester, one has been organized, which, we doubt not, will have a most beneficial effect in aiding in the dissemination of a better taste for Horticulture. Having been notified of our election as an honorary member, we have ordered our magazine to be forwarded for the Library; and we trust we may, in other ways, serve the interests of the society.-Ed. Steubenville Horticultural Society, Ohio.-The Buckeye State is treading closely on the heels of New York and the Eastern States. Societies have been organized in Cincinnati, Cleaveland, and Columbus, and now we have to add to the list that of Steubenville. Our name having been enrolled among the honorary members, we trust that the offer of our Magazine will not be an unacceptable addition to the Library.-Ed. Helianthus divaricatus and giganteus are both old and familiar acquaintances of mine. The Hog artichoke is far enough from either. The whole herbage approaches nearer to tuberòsus than to any of the commonly described species-but is not: the phrase should have been inversely, or ob "fusiform": I have never known it to fail of being decidedly tuberous, never" mere strings."-Yours, M. A. W., Athens, Ga., Jan. 1847. New Grape in Ohio.-We have a new grape in Ohio, of merit.-I say new, because only brought particularly into notice within a few years. It is growing on a Bog Island, which is in the Ohio River, below Wheeling, and on this Island can be found this kind of grape only, and nowhere else in the state or in the west, that we know of, is the same variety. Hon. Thomas Ewing told me this day, that he ate the grapes from these vines 20 years ago, and thought them the best grapes he ever had tasted. They bear a comparison with the Catawba, but they are a red grape. The supposition is, that they grew from seeds left on the Island by the French, probably in 1800, or thereabouts, either from European grapes or raisins eaten there by them, (if the seed of a raisin will grow,) as the vines are tolerably thick set, or rather in what we may term a clump. We are getting a number of zealous Pomologists in our state. Ohio bids fair to stand No. 1, in all respects, with her sister states.-Yours, respectfully, A. Fahnestock, Lancaster, Ohio, Feb. 1847. Muskeet grass.-Enclosed I send you a few seeds of the Muskeet grass; they look rather chaff-like, but they will come up. Sow them round the edge of a pot in your green-house, and prick them out in the spring.Yours, M. A. Ward, Athens, Ga., Jan. 1847. Deean's Superb Grape.-I have seen a report that the Deean's superb grape, exhibited by me before the Pennsylvanian Horticultural Society, was a black variety. It is a white large round fruit, very handsome tapering bunch, well shouldered and first rate flavor. Scharges Henling is a black variety, round berries, medium size, long tapering bunches, very sweet spicy flavor. These two grapes are quite distinct from any others I have cultivated.-Yours, R. Buist, Phila. January 21, 1847. ART. II. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Saturday, January 23, 1847.-[At this meeting, a portion of the doings of which we gave in our last number, the Report of the Committee for establishing Premiums for 1847 was adopted, and ordered to be placed in the hands of the Committee of Publication. We now have the opportunity to present the list of Premiums to be awarded the present year.] LIST OF PREMIUMS FOR 1847. SPECIAL PRIZE LIST OF FRUITS, To be awarded in the year 1847, viz: Twenty Prizes of Five Dollars each. 2 prizes for the best varieties of Plums. 20 prizes, at $5 each $100. The specimens presented for the above prizes, shall consist of not less than three specimens of each variety of Apples, Pears and Peaches; not less than one dozen Plums, and two dozen Cherries; all of which shall be at the disposal of the Committee on Fruits. PREMIUMS FOR FRUITS. For the best and most interesting exhibition of Fruits, during the season, the Lowell Gold Medal, valued at TO BE AWARDED AT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION IN SEPTEMBER. $40 00 APPLES. For the best exhibition, the Society's plate, valued at $25 00 For the 2d best, the Appleton Silver Gilt Medal, 10 00 5 00 PEARS. For the best exhibition, the Lyman Plate, valued at 25 00 For the 2d best, the Lowell Silver Gilt Medal, 10 00 For 3d best, a premium of 5 00 GRAPES. For the best exhibited, three varieties, two bunches each, ASSORTED FRUIT.-For the best basket of Fruit, of various kinds, 10 00 For the next best, a premium of For the next best, a premium of 7.00 5 00 For the best dish of Apples, not less than 12 specimens of one variety, a premium of $5.00 For the 2d best, a premium of 3.00 For the best dish of Pears, not less than 12 specimens of one variety, a premium of 500 For the next best, a premium of 3.00 Assorted fruits in baskets shall not be entitled to any other than the premium for such. The above premiums to be awarded on the first day of the Exhibition. PREMIUMS DURING THE SEASON. APPLES. For the best summer Apples, on or before the 1st Sept. $6.00 For the next best, a premium of 4 00 For the best fall Apples, on or before the 1st Dec., 6 00 For the next best, a premium of. 4.00 For the best winter Apples, on or before the 1st March, 6.00 4.00 PEARS. For the best collection of new Pears, not exhibited before this year, the Society's Silver Gilt Medal, 15 00 For the next best 10 00 For the best summer Pears, on or before the 1st September, For the best fall Pears, on or before the 1st December, For the best winter Pears, on or before the 1st March, 1848, CHERRIES. For the best specimen, not less than two quarts, PEACHES. For the best specimens grown under glass, For the 2d best, a premium of For the best specimens grown in open culture, For the 2d best, a premium of 6 00 4.00 10 00 6 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4.00 600 4.00 600 300 QUINCES. For the best specimens of the best kind of Quinces, PLUMS. For the best Plums of the best flavor, not less than two quarts, 6 00 NECTARINES. For the best specimen of Nectarines, For the 2d best, a premium of For the 2d best, a premium of For the next best, 3 00 GOOSEBERRIES.-For the best flavored and finest specimens, two boxes, 5 00 For the 2d best, a premium of 3.00 CURRANTS. For the best flavored and finest specimens, two boxes, 5 00 For the 2d best, a premium of 3 00 RASPBERRIES. For the best specimens of Raspberries, not less than two boxes, 5 00 For the 2d best, a premium of 3 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 |