ence to Chinese taste,) I think much prettier than animals and " seven storied pagodas," their system is as follows:-The plants are trained each with a single stem; this is forced to send out numerous laterals near its base, and these are tied down in a neat and regular manner with strings of silk thread. By having the plants clothed with branches in this way, and by keeping the leaves in a green and healthy state, the specimens never have that bare and broom-headed appearance which they often present in England when they are taken into the greenhouse in winter.

About Shanghae and Ningpo the Chrysanthemum is still better managed than it is near Canton; but the success which attends it may also be attributed, partly at least, to the more favorable nature of the climate, the plant being indigenous to the central or more northern parts of the empire. The system of cultivation is nearly the same; the main points attended to being those which have been noticed, namely, choosing a rich soil, planting at once into large pots, training to a single stem, and inducing it to send out numerous laterals, and giving liberal supplies of manure water during the growing season. The Chinese are fond of having very large blooms, and, in order to obtain these, they generally pick off all the small flowerbuds.

In China, as in England, the Chrysanthemum flowers during the winter months. When in bloom it is in great request among the people, and is used in the decoration of court-yards, halls, and temples. It is everybody's plant, and blooms alike in the garden of the lowly Chinese cottager as in

that of the blue-buttoned mandarin.

Although we are indebted to China for the parents of those varieties of Chrysanthemums which now enliven our gardens during the dull months of winter, yet, strange to say, the progeny is more numerous in Europe than in China itself. Some of those beautiful kinds raised by Mr. Salter in France would be much admired even by the Chinese florist. It is a curious fact, however, that many of those kinds, such as formosum and lucidum, which were originally raised from seed in Europe, are also met with in the north of China.-(Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 484.)

Pleroma elegans.-A plant of this beautiful species being now in bloom in my conservatory, I cannot refrain from recommending it to my fellow horticulturists who may not possess it. It is well figured in "Paxton's Magazine of Botany," for March, 1848, but it is there stated to be a stove plant. This is a mistake, as it will thrive in a greenhouse, where frost is excluded, being a native of an elevated part of the Organ Mountains, Brazil. That it is capable of being cultivated as a specimen plant of extraordinary beauty, a visit to the gardens of Messrs. Veitch, the fortunate importers of it, will testify, for there may be seen a huge bush, which is literally a mass of flowers.-(Gard. Jour., 1849, p. 502.)

Use of Charcoal in the Cultivation of Plants, and as a Drainage for Pots. -Under the head of "On the Conditions Essential to the most perfect Cultivation," which appeared in a late number, I fully accord with "G," that "nothing will compensate for good drainage in pot cultivation;" but it appears to me, from the various practical results that I have been enabled to

arrive at, in the course of my experiments relative thereto, that an infinitely more efficacious "protecting material" than moss will be obtained by the substitution of charcoal for the purpose, independently of the other advantageous properties that it possesses. I admit that, as "G" avers, moss is "an excellent filtering agent," so long as it remains in a fit state to act as such; and, moreover, while its absorbing capabilities last it proves exceedingly beneficial in the way of supplying moisture to the roots of the plant on occasions where, but for its presence in the pot, all humidity might become evaporated, besides acting in some measure as a manure; but, where the plant was not removed for some length of time, I seldom found it to be an efficient material for drainage, because, in that case, when the moss had not yielded to entire decomposition, which frequently occurred, it became so compressed by the roots of the plants, and thereby so impervious to water, as almost wholly to prevent its escape through the pot. Another objection that I have experienced to the use of moss in pot cultivation is, that it affords a most inviting harbor for worms, slugs, woodlice, and other destructive vermin; and therefore, I consider, that let its other advantages be ever so great, these cannot counterbalance the injurious effects attending this evil. I have lost many valuable plants through it, and in consequence I now discontinue the application. Now, with respect to charcoal, whether it be wood, peat, or animal, I think that its value, either in agricultural or floricultural application, is not nearly so well known, nor so much appreciated, as it ought to be; that from wood I have long used with the greatest advantage, both in the drainage of pots and as an absorbent in the preparation of manure. For the former it is well suited, when placed over the hole in pieces large enough to prevent their falling through, and to the height of about a fourth of the pot, in the same manner as potsherds are employed. Owing to its highly antiseptic qualities, it will continue for several years in an undecayed state, and consequently afford an efficient drainage for a much longer period than moss, while it is calculated not only to act in like manner as a conveyor of moisture to the plant, but will also tend greatly, from its powers of imbibing and gradually giving out any ammonia with which it comes in contact, and other fertilising alkalies or gases that may exist in the soil, to produce a more healthy growth in the plant. "The peculiar property of charcoal," says Mr. Squarey, in his "Treatise on Agricultural Chemistry," "and the only one that makes it useful in connection with the subject of manures, is its powers of absorbing various gases in the pores of its structure, and subsequently yielding them to moisture. It is proved beyond all doubt, that pure, fresh-burnt charcoal possesses the power of absorbing 90 times its volume of ammonial gas, and 35 times its volume of carbonic acid gas." And he further states: "If any manure has been applied, containing ammonia in its free state, that is liable to pass off in a gaseous form, the charcoal will absorb it as it rises, and retain it until the first rain, when the gas will be dissolved by the water and carried into the soil, there to be applied for the assimilation of plants, and the removal of the gas by the rain from the charcoal, restores its original powers of absorbing gas; so that this substance, when applied to the

soil, acts as a constant reservoir for these valuable gaseous substances, a property which neither time nor any circumstances can alter. Even when, in the course of cultivation, the charcoal originally applied on the surface of the land, is ploughed under the surface, even there it does not lose its power of absorbing the gases, but carries on its operations with undiminished energy." Professor Johnston, in his valuable work on the "Elements of Agricultural Chemistry," strongly recommends the mixing of charcoal, particularly animal charcoal, with liquid manure and other rich applications to the soil, but apprehends that the cost and scarcity of this substance may preclude its being brought into general use. On all occasions, however, where it has been tried, I believe that, without any exception, the results have been found so satisfactory, both as regards quantity and quality, in the produce of the crop, that they have fully compensated for the additional outlay. I understand that several manufactories have been established throughout the kingdom, for supplying this manure in a prepared and profitable state; but so many frauds have been detected in the composition, that purchasers ought scrupulously to be on their guard, and, if possible, have the commodity analyzed previous to their applying it to the land. This remark is also applicable to every other manure; and as an analysis, sufficient for the purpose, can now be obtained for a mere trifle, from parties appointed expressly by the leading agricultural societies throughout the country, there can be no excuse for its omission. A very excellent carbonised manure (from my having seen an advertisement of it repeatedly in your journal,) has recently been tried by me in various experiments, on a small scale, in an agricultural as well as floricultural way, and in most instances, with good success. What are the exact proportions of its component parts, I cannot say; but, from a rough analysis that I have had taken, it appears to be very rich in phosphates, as well as to contain a considerable share of the sulphates of ammonia, soda, magnesia, and potash, in conjunction with other highly fertilising ingredients. I am told that, in what is prepared for flowers, the focal matter employed is sheep's dung; be it, however, what it may, I found an astonishing effect produced from an application of it to my roses, which not only grew and blossomed more luxuriantly, but were wholly exempt from aphis or other insects.-(Gard. Chron., 1849, p. 485.)

ART. II. Domestic Notices.

New York State Fair, at Syracuse.-The State Fair was held at Syracuse, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 11th, 12th, and 13th of September. An immense assemblage of people, from all parts of the state and country, filled the city, it having been estimated that at least 100,000 persons were present during the three days. The show was highly creditable to the society.

The horticultural department was very well got up. A large tent was set apart for the fruits, flowers, and vegetables, and this was well filled. Notwithstanding the limited crop of fruit in all parts of the state, there was a good show of pears, and a great variety of plums. The Buffalo cultivators came in for the largest share of the prizes. The finest pears were from Mr. Moore, of Cayuga Bridge, who had some really splendid fruit. Mr. Langworthy, of Rochester, had a fine basket of Swan's Orange, and some fine peaches. Mr. Denniston, of Albany, sent a great variety of plums, including many seedlings. Ellwanger & Barry had the Reine. Claude de Bavay, &c.

The flowers, owing to the dry summer, were not so numerous as in former years; but the display was very good. Ellwanger & Barry sent a fine collection of Coniferæ, in pots.-Ed.

NORTH AMERICAN POMOLOGICAL CONVENTION.-Second Session at Syracuse, N. Y.-The second meeting of this convention was held at Syracuse on Friday, the 14th of September, and was attended by more than eighty delegates from various parts of the Union and the Canadas.

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Dougall, of Canada West, who nominated Col. Benjamin Hodge, of Buffalo, as chairman. On motion of Dr. Herman Wendell, Mr. M. B. Bateham, of Ohio, was appointed secretary, pro tem. The call for the convention was then read by the secretary, and a committee of five appointed to nominate permanent officers.

The committee consisted of the following gentlemen :-N. Goodsell, F. R. Elliott, C. Downing, A. Bryant, and J. W. P. Allen.

A motion was then made, that all gentlemen present who took an interest in the cultivation of fruit be invited to sit as members of the convention. The committee on nomination reported the following gentlemen as permanent officers :

President.-Dr. J. A. Kinnicut, of Illinois.

Vice Presidents.-James Dougall, of Canada West; Dr. H. Wendell, Albany, N. Y.; C. M. Hovey, Boston, Mass.; M. B. Bateham, Columbus, Ohio; H. P. Byram, Louisville, Ky.; Prof. J. J. Mapes, New Jersey.

Secretaries.-F. R. Elliot, Cleaveland, O.; B. Hodge, Buffalo, N. Y. The president, on taking the chair, thanked the convention for the honor of placing him in the chair, and believed it a compliment to the West, rather than himself.

The secretary then proceeded to call a list of the delegates to the convention.

The committee on organization then presented a report, containing rules and regulations for the organization of the convention. The report was accepted, and committees appointed by the president in accordance with the same.

P. Barry, Rochester, S. B. Parsons, Flushing, and C. Downing, Newburgh, were the committee to select and bring up fruits for discussion.

N. Goodsell, C. M. Hovey, and James Dougall, were a committee to examine the lists of fruits, presented by the members, and correct the

synonymes.

Reports from the various state committees were then called for by the president, and those handed in were placed in the hands of the secretary for publication.

The convention then proceeded to discuss the merits of the fruits brought forward by the committee, and occupied the time till two o'clock, when it adjourned till three.

At three o'clock the president occupied the chair.

Dr. Herman Wendell, of Albany, offered a preamble and resolution in reference to the consolidation of the two conventions, so that but one meeting might be had in a year, which was adopted. The President appointed a committee for the purpose of conferring with the other society. The following is the preamble and resolution:

Whereas, The National Pomological Convention held at Buffalo, in September of 1848, under the auspices of the N. Y. State Agricultural Society, composed of delegates from 15 States and the two Canadas, was the first general convention of such character ever convened in the United States, and whereas that convention unanimously resolved that hereafter an annual convention of like character should be held, under the title of the North American Pomological Convention, that the first meeting with that title, should be held in the autumn of 1849, at the place where the great Fair of the New York State Agricultural Society was to be held, and on the day succeeding the close of said Fair, therefore we consider this convention entitled by courtesy to perpetuate itself, but being aware that a convention of an analogous character was held in the city of New York, in the autumn of 1848, and that said convention organized itself into a permanent association, under the title of the American Congress of Fruit Growers, which is to assemble in said city of New York, on the second day of October next, and believing that the advancement of Pomological Science, as well as the inclination and interests of pomologists throughout this continent, will be best promoted by a merging of the two apparent conflicting associations into one general organization for future operations, therefore, be it

Resolved, by this convention, that a committee of five be designated by its president, whose duty it shall be to attend the coming session of the American Congress of Fruit Growers, and confer with the said congress, or a committee whom they may select, in relation to the meeting of the two associations, and, as far as this convention is interested, the settling of questions of priority of organization, places of next meeting, and title of association, shall be left to the committees whom the two organizations may appoint, and that we will exert ourselves to induce a general attendance of those interested, wherever the joint committee determine the next convention shall be held; but we cannot omit giving it as our opinion, that the cause of Pomological Science will be most promoted, and the feelings of the great mass of pomologists best satisfied, if the next meeting should be held at Cincinnati, or some other western city.

The president then named Dr. Herman Wendell, Prof. James J. Mapes,