Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

V Tree Culture—Acclimatization ; Cliarles M. Ilovey w rites an interest- ! ing article to tlie Massachusetts Plough man which contains many valuable sug- ; gestions to tree planters. He remarked in a former article that all the attempts j to acclimate in the E ist the trees of the \ Pacific coast have ended with total ' failure, which brings us to the subject of acclimatization, one which has attrac ted a great deal of attention, and the ^formation of societies for that especial object, notably that of Paris. But so far as any facts have l>een ascertained, without a single practical result. We are all familiar with numerous trees and shrubs which have been culti vated abroad beyond the memory of any one which remain through the hundreds of years the same to-day that they were at the ea.l est period of which we have any knowledge. Take for instance the peach free. We know not just liow r many millions have been produced from seed in our own country ; but we do •know*it reaches into the hundreds, yet the ch to-day is no hardier than it was a hv n( j re( i years ago, and notwith standing the fact that the trees have fown from seed produced from to Florida and west to the : coast. There have been varieties, as double-flowering varieties, some [them direct from China, weeping vari- and kinds with purple or dark- kred foliage, but the hardiness, of ltree remains precisely the same; jrtain in our climate, and destroyed by any excep- No better test could be fe futility of the attempt to ltly tender tree quite hardy whether from a colder warmer region. Varieties are endless. We have white-fleshed peaches and yellow-fleshed peaches, and varieties of fevery shade of excellence, but no addi tional hardiness. Another instance is the Rhododen dron (R. arboreum) and pontic azalea (A. pontic), the former from the high elevation of the Himalaya mountains, was introduced to England years ago, and cultivated as a greenhouse plant. " It is still precisely the same, or not even resisting the winters of the Eng- 51 lish climate, only in the warmer places ton the southern coast. But when our pative, R. (Jatawbiense, was introduced hnd fertilization effected between the two, then came a 1 greater or less degree M hardiness; and cross fertilization be- fveral kinds have produced Iperb varieties, some of which re nearly or quite hardly in our severe late, but the large portion only half ly. The original R. arboreum, and the seedlings obtained from it pure, •'thout admixture of the American ■ecies, art) still only half hardy plants, .’he pontic azalea is the same; in our svere winters it loses its flower buds, |ust like the peach, but after mild win- flowers freely. It was only when our native nudiflora and calendulacca were introduced and fertilized with the pontic, that that superb race was ob tained known as glient azaleas. Looking among California trees we And the same effect, except in one soli tary , case. The well known Chinese jr vitae (Thuja senensis) is not hardy our climate, or one of its varieties ■known as Thuja aurea. It is true they live along for some years, but the idles are more or less killed and so injured that they are anything but orna mental. The Araucaria imbricata, that I very remarkable tree, lias resisted all Nattempts at acclimation in our climate, I notwithstanding the fact that the seed [asgatheied from trees where the snow deep; nothing short Section could keep them which Mr. ltobin- ly is indeed a hand- .luable tree, and it is it has not yet been mglily hardy only in one [ough the author characterizes interesting and valuable recently introduced ,nd “its intro- very beautiful specimens which ora rnent his -group of coniferous trees. Experiments with the Douglass fir in Massachusetts should be conducted with much caution, for I fear that the attempt to acclimate it would end like other Pacific Coast trees—an utter failure. Still I would not wish to be considered as discouraging such at tempts, but that no extensive planting should be made until we know some thing more of its hardiness in our severe limate. The great trees of California (Se quoia gigantea) have not yet been found to succeed in our climate, though seeds taken from the highest recorded elevations have been tried. It is, or should be, the object of the Arnold Arboretum to try these experi ments, and give the public the ad vantage of the patient endeavors of its professors, the skill of its garden ers and the best opportunities of general culture (not special care and protection), to ascertain the exact hardiness of this and other trees, of which a list is given for Massachusetts. The numerous losses I have made in the attempt for nearly half a century to acclimate all the coniferous trees of which there was any hope of succeed ing, judging from their adaption to the English climate, induce me to utter a word of caution to all cultivators (who have not the wealth to experiment) to plant them sparingly, and not plant at all unless they have a subsoil as dry and localities as fortunate as, those of Mr. Hunnewell. The Capressna Lawson ina is an ele gant tree, and fortunately, owing to three or four' successive mild winters, our trees attained a size large enough to perfect seeds. These we planted and a handsome lot of plants obtained, one of which I selected as an erect and dis- sinct variety with glaucous or bluish foliage (C. Hovey), but after caring for it in the best manner four or six years, it failed to stand our severe winters. “For more than one hundred years public spirited citizens have been ex perimenting with exotic trees, in dif ferent parts of the country ; and if we know now what trees to plant and w r hat to omit, it is because such experiments have been made.’’ This is certainly true of the last fifty years, but we have gained but little knowledge, and from the exceptional causes of location, soil treatment, etc., we can add but very slowly to our fund of information trustworthy enough to plant extensively all that are so often commended as hardy. Chestnuts and Chesnut in Italy. Trees Signor Schira, Inspector General of Forests, in an interesting report says among other things that the famous chestnut tree on Mount H2tna, which still lives, measures 04 metres in cir cumference at its base. Its age is esti mated differently—some attribute to it 4000, some 2000 years, and recent stu dies give it at least 800 years. There are some other famous chestnut trees in Italy, notably one in Montamiata; in Tuscany. The deplorable custom of late years of destroying the forests has deprived Italy of many noble chestnuts, but it is to be hoped they will be pro tected by the new scheme of the Minis ter of Agriculture for re wood ing the denuded mountains. In the north of Italy the chestnut grows at an altitude of from 400 to 900 metres above the level of the sea; in sunny situations even at 1200. In the south the zone of growth is between 500 and 1200 metres above the level of the sea. Almost all the Italian provinces culti vate the chestnut, these trees occupying a total superflce in Italy of about 469,- 114 acres. The most are found in the provinces of Lucca, Sondrio and Genoa, In Lucca, for example, 182.52 per tlufh- sand acres of the territory are occupied by the chestnut. The total annual pro duce of chestnut (fruit) is about 5,768,- 430 quintals. Those of Cuneo are best both for quality and quantity. Tho ex portation is about 70,000 quintals, at a of about 2,000,000 francs. There ethods of preserving the the chestnuts to drying them Fashionable Fancies. In Paris shoes and stockings must match the dress. Velvet basques grow more and more in popular favor. The new muslins are soft-finished, without any starch or size. Sun’s veiling will continue a stand ard material for summer wear. Ashes of roses has made its appear- j ance among the aesthetic colors. Irregular points called coques’ combs edge the new Ottoman ribbons. Beaded fringes figure largely among importations of new trimmings. Linen collars are straight clerical- bands, fastened with a jew r eled button. Birds and fruits form a part of the design of many of the dressiest sateens. Robe dresses with embroidered flounces appear among spring importa tions. The transit of Venus design is one of the new r patterns seen on spring sa teens. New sateens appear iri the fashion able and aesthetic colors so popular at present. Fur capes and colors are fastened with long ribbon strings tied in*a full, flowing bow. Rhine pebbles, set in silver, form very handsome combs, ball-bars, dag gers and crescents for the hair, and are n uch worn for evening. A large rosette or bow of velvet rib bon, with a square or horse-shoe buckle of Strauss pebble, is worn on the left side of the dress just below the waist. Crushed strawb rry, cerise, scarlet and garnet shades are worn with black satin dresses. Wide flounces of antique lace, and laces of every description which have been out of style for years—Chantilly, Honiton, Guipure, Flemish point and the like—are this season revived, and are used to drape courtly dinner and reception dresses for the^stately dames and dowagers. Water repellant silk, which is neither spotted nor rendered flimsy by water, is the latest novelty in silks. It comes in all shades, for day and evening, and will, no doubt, achieve a great success for watering-place toilets. The silk is soft twilled fabric, something like surah. Heads of Limoges enamel, mounted in silver setting, are the latest French fancy for brooches, wherewith the fash ionable young lady fastens her large, bright-hued gypsy ’kerchief of silk, which she arranges over her dainty shoulders, and knots in front low on the corsage. • Wide and full jabots of coquille ruches of lace, reaching from the throat to the hem of the dress and al3o down the side seams of the front breadths, from half way up the length of the seam to the bottom of the skirt, are seen upon newly-imported house robes ol'cashmere and vigogne. Society girls have little flat satchels of silk or satin, delicately scented, and decorated with a bit of their own hand painting, either floral or comical. These they suspend from the waist by a knot and ends of narrow ribbon. Into this case they slip the card on which is printed the order of dancing. Down the pack of the case are fastened small loops of ribbon, which serve to hold a tiny pencil. A stylish house dress is made of dark Russian gray cashmere. The skirt is laid all the way down in hollow plaits devoid of trimming. The bodice is pointed, front and back, the paniers are arranged in heavy plaits, rounding over the hips mid joining the lightly puffed drapery in the back. The front of the bodice, the edges of the paniers, and half the length of the long, close sleeves are trimmed with an elaborate pattern in braidwork For The Curious. The highest range of mountains is the Himalayas, the mean elevation being estimated at from 10,000 to 18,- 000 feet. loftiest mountain is Mount Guarisanker, of the Hima- an elevation of 29,- sa level. vorlti L the The largest city in the world is Lon don. Its population numbers- 3,020,871 souls. New York, with a population of about 1,250,000 comes fifth in the list of great cities. The largest theatre is the New Opera House in Paris. It covers nearly three acres of ground. Its cubit mass is 4,- 287,000 feet. It cost about 100,000,000 francs. The largest suspension bridge will be the one now building between New Y r ork and Brooklyn. The. length of the main span is 1,595 feet six inches; the entire length of the bridge is 5989 feet. The loftiest active volcano is Popo- cat epeti— “ smok in g mo un tai n ’ ’—t h i rty- five miles southwest of Puebla. Mexico. It is 17,784 feet above the sea level and has a crater three miles in circumfer ence and 1,000 feet deep. The largest island in the world, which is alro regarded us a continent, is Aur- tralia. It is 2500 miles in length from east to west, and measures 1950 miles from north to south. Its area is 2,984,- 287 square miles. The greatest thing in the world is the Falls of Niagara; the largest cavern, the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky ; the largest river, the Mississippi, 4000 milts in extent; the largest valley, that of the Mississippi, its area 5,000,000 square miles; the greatest city park, that of Philadelphia, containing 2700 acres; the greatest grain port, Chicago ; the biggest lake, Lake Superior; the longest railroad, the Pacific railroad, over 3,000 miles in extent. The most huge mass of solid iron is Pilot Knob, of Missouri, height, 250 feet, circumference, two miles; the best specimen of architec ture, Girard College, Philadelphia ; the largest library is the Bibliotliique Na tional, in Paris, founded by Louis NIY. ; it contains 1,400.000 volumes, 300,000 pamphlets, 175,000 manuscripts, 300,000 maps and charts, and 150,000 coins and medals. The largest span of wire in the world is used for a telegraph in India over the river Kistnah, between Bezorah and Sectanagrum. It Is more than 6000 feet long, and is stretched between two hills, each of which Is 1,200 fvet high. Oaths of all Nations. The Forms of Oaths In Foreign Leg islative. A seem biles. The following summary of the forms of oath hi use in foreign legislative assemblies Is extracted from the reports received at the British foreign office in New York : Bavaria—I swear * * * So help me God and 11 is holy gospel. Denmark—I promise and swear * * So help me God and His holy word. Greece—I swear in the name of the holy and consubstantial and invisible Trinity. Hesse Darmstaat—I swear * * * * So help me God. Saxe-Coburg and Baden—I swear. So help me God. Holland—I swear. So help me God. Portugal—I swear on the holy gos pels. Prussia—l swear by God, the al mighty and omniscient * * * So help me God. Saxony—1 swear by almighty God. Servia—I swear by one God and all that is according to law most sacred and in this world dearest. * * * So help me (?od In this and that other world. Spain—After swearing the deputy on the gospel, the president says : “Then may God repay you ; but [if you fail, may He claim it from you.” Sweden and Norway—I (president or vice-president only) swear before God and His holy golpelj * * * I will be faithful to this oath as sure as God shall save my body and soul. Switzerland—In the presence of Almighty God I swear * * * So help me God. United StateB—I do solemnly swear * * * So help me God. In Bavaria, non-Christians omit the reference to the gospel. In Holland and the United States, alfirmation is optional. In Prussia and in Switzer land, alfirmation is permitted to those who object on religious grounds to the oath. In Austria, a promise is in eveuM^^^tmtiiuted for an oath. In Wonders of the Yellowstone. .James Carroll, a well known citizen of Helena, Montana, recently made a remarkable discovery in the Yellowstone Park. He says : “ While waiting for many companions, I dismounted and sat down on a rock with my Winchester lying across my knees. Around me was a scence of grandeur. I w-as in a deep gorge which led down into the valley. On each side the gray cliffs towered to a magnificent height. Behind me was the steep path down which l had come through a thick growth of stunted pines, while in front of and below me was the gorge (a quarter of a mile wide, perh aps), its bottom covered from the foot of one cliff to the other with a heavy growth of timber. After resting awhile I stood up and listened, expect ing to hear my friends approaching. But not a sound met my hear. The stillness was so deep that a feeling of uneasiness came over me, and l attempt ed to call out to my companions. But although I opened my mouth and went through all the details of a good, lusty yell, not a sound oould l make. I tried again, and with the same result. I couldn’t understand it. My horse, which had been standing quietly by me, noticed a movement of the bushes near by, and probably thinking her equine friends were near,attempted a ‘ whinny.’ It was a sad failure, for she could not make a sound. She was evidently as much astonished as I, and became un easy. “I was on the point of mounting and starting back up the mountain, when a fierce-looking wild animal of the panther tribe stepped out of the bushes within about thirty feet of where I was stand ing. It saw me instantly and stooped to spring at me. I hastily brought my gun to my shoulder and—fired, shall I sayil No. I pulled the trigger, but there was no report, although the smoke puffed out the end of the gun and the wild beast fell as if struck. It immediately jumped up and hobbled into the brush, but leaving a trail of blood behind it. I was now confirmed in my former suspicion that I was in land of enchantment, and although at all superstitious under ordinay cumslances, I would not have. bu prised now to see the devilj out from behind a rock_ got on my horse and^ path. “ In about a In companions, wli^ together trying but although ing at the to], really as du^ I felt that i likely as nol not help lau* grimaces, ancf^ec^^WB^BTom their efforts at making themselves heard. They were pretty badly frightened, too. I passed by them, and beckoned them to follow me back the way we ha^ eome. No attempt was now made at conversa tion. After going a quarter of a mile in silence I lost my way. One of my comrades, who seemed to think he 1 the way back to the trail, came up close" to me, and bending over so that his mouth was close to my ear, with ’a superhuman effort yelled, ‘Let me lead 1’ His shout nearly bursted my tympanum. We had got out •£ the charmed air.”—Helena Herald. The \||©r8t Actor. Some years ago an actor applied to Lester Wallack for an engagement for himself and wife, stating that his lady was capable of playing all the first lines of business, but, as for himself, he was “ the worst actor in the world." They w( re engaged to support Wallack, and the lady answered to the character which her husband had given her. The gen tleman having the part of a walking gentleman set him for his first appear ance, he asked Lester indignantly how he could put him in such a paltry part. “See,” said the smiling Wallack, “here is your letter, stating that you were the worst actor in the world.” “True,” replied the observing actor, “when I wrote that letter I had not yet seen you act.” He was cast a little higher—from the tip of tho irate Les ter’s boot.—Cincinnati Inquires For a mare with scratches: Give her one of the following balls evi day for three days, then two a week: loes. two ounces; nitrate At