trees will be more fully in fruit, we shall be enabled to identify many sorts; for the present, we annex the descriptions and engravings of three late varieties, each of which are but very little known to cultivators. 1. LATE DUKE. Pomological Magazine, pl. 45. Anglaise Tardive, Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 1842. The origin of this fine cherry is unknown; it was first received from M. Vilmorin, of Paris, by the London Horticultural Society, and though, from one of its names, Anglaise Tardive, it would seem to be of English origin, no trace of it has been discovered in English collections. The Pom. Mag. states that Switzer and Hill, old writers, mention a late May Duke, but it is doubtful whether it could be referred to this variety. Lindley, in his description of the Late Duke, observes that it has great affinity to the Arch Duke, and Thompson, in his Synopsis in the Transactions of the London Hort. Soc., (vol. vii. p. 276,) says that the "Arch Duke may not be found to be different when obtained correct, but that hitherto the May Duke has been received for it." There is no doubt, however, that the Arch Duke is a different fruit, as we shall soon show, and that the true variety had not come under Mr. Thompson's observation at that time. The Late Duke (fig. 33,) is a valuable cherry, ripening very late, of large size, an abundant bearer, and resembling the May Duke in quality, though rather more acid; our tree, though small, was covered with fruit, and, but for the birds, we should have gathered a fine crop; by netting over some of the branches, we succeeded in obtaining some fine. specimens, from which our drawing is made. Fruit, large, one and an eighth of an inch in diameter, roundish heart shape, with a slight suture on one side: Skin, rich deep Fig. 33. Late Duke Cherry. shining red when mature: Stem, long, about one and a half inches, slender, and rather deeply inserted in a shallow cavity: Flesh, pale amber color, tender, and slightly adhering to the stone: Juice, abundant and rich, subacid, similar to the May Duke: Stone, medium size, roundish. Ripe the last of July and beginning of August. The fruit is borne in pairs, or threes, on a short peduncle, about a quarter of an inch in length. The tree is of vigorous, upright, and rather compact growth, little more spreading than the May Duke, and with rather larger leaves. It will prove a very valuable cherry. 2. ARCH DUKE. Guide to the Orchard. Griotte de Portugal, Duhamel. Portugal Duke, of some collections. } Late Arch Duke, Hort. Soc. Cal., 3d Ed. 1842. There has been a variety of opinions among pomological writers in regard to this cherry, (fig. 34,) some asserting that it is synonymous with the Late Duke. Lindley is the only English author who seems to have been acquainted with it. Mr. Thompson, at the time he wrote the excellent paper in the Transactions of the Hort. Society, above alluded to, had not proved it, and, as late as 1842, it had not been identified in the garden of the Society. The May Duke has generally been sold for this variety; our tree was received from Mr. Rivers, and is quite unlike either the May Duke or Late Duke, though the habit of the tree is similar; the fruit ripens intermediate between the two, and is more heart-shaped, of larger size, rather darker color, and fully equal Fig. 34. Arch Duke Cherry. to either of them in quality. Fruit, large, one and an eighth of an inch in diameter, obtusely heart-shaped, slightly compressed, with a distinct suture on one side, and indented at the apex: Skin, dark shining red, when fully mature mottled with a deeper shade: Stem, long, about one and a half inches, slender, and deeply sunk in a roundish cavity: Flesh, light red, tender, and slightly adhering to the stone: Juice, abundant, subacid, rich and high flavored: Stone, medium size, oval, compressed. Ripe from the middle to the end of July, about a fortnight before the Late Duke. The fruit is borne, like the Late Duke, in pairs and threes, on a common peduncle, which is about a quarter of an inch to the fork and rather slender. Tree, vigorous, rather more spreading than the May Duke, and with thicker and larger foliage. 3. LEMERCIER. Magazine of Horticulture, Vol. XII. The Lemercier (fig. 35,) is a new French variety of very recent introduction; and a brief account of which will be found in our last volume, (p. 343.) It nearly resembles the Late Duke, ripening about the same time, and of about the same quality. The original tree is said to have been found in Brabant, by M. Lemercier, after whom it was named, and was introduced to Paris by M. Noisette, in 1835. Our tree was received from France in 1842, and bore, for the first time, last season; the present year, the trees were quite full of fruit, although only four years old, and standing in the nursery The fruit was ripe the latest of any cherry, and, but for the high wind and rain of the fifth of August, would have remained in perfection till the present time. row. Fig. 35. Lemercier Cherry. Fruit, large, one inch in diameter, roundish, and rather obtuse, with a shallow suture on one side, ending in a distinct prominent point: Skin, light shining red, of a somewhat transparent appearance, and marbled with a deeper shade: Stem, rather long, about one and a half inches, moderately slender, and deeply inserted in a large, broad, deep hollow: Flesh, pale amber, tender, and partially adhering to the stone: Juice, very abundant, subacid, rich and good: Stone, rather small, roundish. Ripe the beginning of August. The tree is of vigorous growth, with the foliage of the Duke cherries, but with branches of a very spreading habit. The fruit is also generally borne in pairs, and not on forked stems, which will at once distinguish it from the Late Duke. ART. IV. On the Propagation of Stove and Greenhouse Exotics: in a Series of Letters. By JAMES KENNEDY, Gardener to S. T. JONES, Staten Island, New York. LETTER VI. Propagation by Root Divisions. THIS is a mode often resorted to in increasing those kinds of exotics that will not produce seed, or propagate readily by any other means. But it could not be carried out extensively, unless the propagator possesses the acquisition of a conservatory to supply his wants. And even then, the greatest care should be taken, not to approach too near, or to injure the parent plants. However, let as large pieces as possible be procured, and potted off separately, using that compost in which the parent plant is found to flourish best. It is useless to remark that the pots ought to be proportioned to the size of the roots. In potting, let their points be a little above the surface, (say an inch); after potting, let them have a sprinkling of water to settle the soil round them, when they must be plunged up to the rims in a previously prepared hot-bed; but not too hot, nor containing much rank steam. A little air should be given in the middle of the day, and regularly shaded by means of mats when the sun is powerful. As soon as they have taken fresh root, and the tops begin to produce leaves, let them be removed, and hardened off gradually to their respective departments. There are many species of that most interesting and ornamental genus Acacia, which can only be increased by this means, as Acàcia decipiens, Sophora falcata, &c. &c. LETTER VII. Propagation by Leaves. This is a mode of propagation which has become quite as common, and fully as successful, as propagation by cuttings; and, indeed, I consider it the easiest and most successful mode of increasing such exotics as gesneras, gloxinias, Hoya car nosa, &c. &c. The state most favorable for rooting leaves, is when they have completed about three parts of their growth. Let the leaves of the desired kinds be taken off close to the stem, and inserted into pots, such as were recommended for cuttings, prepared in the same manner. The whole of the leaf-stalk and about half an inch of the leaf should be covered, and laid in a slanting direction, when they should have a sprinkling of water, the bell-glasses put on, and removed to the propagatinghouse, or a previously prepared hot-bed, where, if kept uniformly moist, warm, and the bell-glasses regularly wiped inside every morning, they will soon strike root; but care must be taken to shade them in bright sun-shine, in order to prevent excessive perspiration until they emit roots; after which they may be fully exposed to the light. Should any happen to damp off, let them be immediately removed, otherwise, they might endanger the whole. As soon as the leaves begin to push young shoots, the glasses may be taken off and the pots removed to a dry shed, there to remain for a few days previous to their being potted off. Staten Island, N. Y., August, 1847. ART. V. Floricultural and Botanical Notices of New and Beautiful Plants figured in Foreign Periodicals; with Descriptions of those recently introduced to, or originated in, American Gardens. Schubertia graveolens.-This new and handsome climber, already noticed, (Vol. XII. p. 480,) with flowers greatly resembling the beautiful Stephanòtus, is now coming into bloom in our collection. The flowers appear in clusters, are pure |
