with most of the rare tropical plants, nearly all growing in beds, not in pots or tubs; ponds for tropical water-plants, at one end of a fountain, which plays to the top of the structure, the water falling on a small collection of rocks, and beautiful climbers all round the interior, their branches, tendrils, and flowers hanging in elegant profusion. The whole is, in fact, arranged with that peculiar taste for which the French are so eminent, and by which every thing is made, by means and calculations generally unknown, to meet the eye exactly at the proper place and time. I regret much to add, that the whole undertaking is bankrupt, and, like many other marks of civilization and enjoyment, will, probably, sink under the effects of the ill-directed and rude attempts to attain that rational liberty which can hardly ever be obtained by convulsive efforts, but must result alone from steady perseverance and the exercise of the most mature judgment

One of my greatest regrets was, to have quitted England without having examined the Agricultural School, at Cirencester, which I understand is quite worthy of imitation. Boston, Oct., 1849.

Such is the rapidity of communication now, not only throughout our country, but with the Eastern Continent, that our nearest friends may cross the Atlantic, see the worlds of London and Paris, and return before we know they have been absent. Such has been the case with our friend and correspondent, J. E. T. We are pleased to welcome him back, and still more pleased to record the results of his walks in the gardens around London and Paris, and only regret that he was so hurried for time as not to allow him a better opportunity to see more of the gardens and gardening of London, where he was so well acquainted, and where, for so many years, he resided, assured, as we are, that he could have afforded all our readers so much that would have been instructive as well as entertaining, in all that relates to horticulture and its kindred branches. We indulge in the hope that there are yet some things which he may have overlooked in the present communication, which will serve as a text for another article.

We would remind our correspondent, that, during his ab

sence, three of the fuchsias he names have flowered finely in our collection, viz., Acantha, Napoleon, and Beauty Supreme -the first of which we had two years ago. Phlox Drummóndii var. Leopòldii has already been recommended by us for its great beauty, (Vol. XIV, p. 311.)—Ed.

ART. II. Descriptions and Engravings of Select Varieties of Plums. By the EDITOR.

OUR last article, under this head, appeared in our last volume, (XIV, p. 149,) when we described four varieties. Last year we did not have an opportunity to secure many drawings, owing to the limited crop; but the present season, in this vicinity, the plum was the only fruit which escaped the general destruction of last winter, and our own trees, as well as others in the neighborhood, were weighed down with the profusion of fruit. This has enabled us to inspect many varieties, and to complete the descriptions and drawings of a large number, which we shall, hereafter, lay before our readers.

9. COE'S GOLDEN DROP. Hort. Soc. Catalogue, 3d Ed., 1842.

Coe's Golden Drop (fig. 42) is one of the most delicious of all plums; resembling the Washington in size, equalling the Green Gage in the lusciousness of its juice, and coming in after both of these varieties have gone, it may be fairly ranked as one of the best kinds yet produced, and indispensable to even the very smallest collection.

Mr. Downing states, that this variety "succeeds well in

the Middle States," which would imply that it does not succeed in New England. This, however, is not the case; so far as we have any knowledge, it ripens freely, and produces abundantly, unless in the

extreme Northern parts of Maine and New Hampshire, where it may not acquire that richness, owing to its late maturity, which constitutes its high character.

Coe's Golden Drop was raised from seeds, nearly forty years ago, by a gardener of the name of Coe, at Bury St. Edmunds, near London, but from the stone of what variety is not known. Its excellence, however, made it a favorite variety, and it soon became generally introduced into all choice collections of this

Fig. 42. Coe's Golden Drop Plum.

fruit, under the several synonymes which we have quoted above, except the last, which is of recent addition to the list; the French have disseminated it considerably under the name of Waterloo; trees, received under that name, have fruited in our collection this year, and proved to be the Golden Drop.

The tree is of a vigorous and rather compact growth, having smooth, short-jointed, purplish shoots, with prominent eyes, somewhat like the Green Gage, and with small, glossy, deep-green leaves. It is a most abundant bearer, and the fruit, which ripens the last of September, if carefully gathered, will keep in a sound state for more than a month, shrivelling slightly, but retaining its juiciness and fine flavor.

Fruit, large, about two inches long and one and three quarter inches in diameter, oval, largest in the middle, tapering to the apex, which is depressed, and narrowing to the stem, where it is abruptly hollowed out; suture distinct, running half round, one side little longer than the other: Skin, golden yellow, fair, smooth, somewhat mottled with green

under the skin, dotted with a few bright crimson specks on the sunny side, and covered with a thin whitish bloom: Stem, medium length, about half an inch long, rather slender, and obliquely inserted in a small cavity, on the somewhat elongated base: Flesh, pale yellow, thick, very melting, and firmly adhering to the stone: Juice, abundant, sugary, sprightly, and delicious: Stone, large, very long, rather narrow, compressed, and sharp pointed. Ripe the last of September.

10. KIRKE'S. Pomological Magazine, Vol. III, pl. 111.

Among the large blue plums, this variety (fig. 43) stands unrivalled. It is about the size of the Columbia, and surpasses that very good plum in its flavor, being nearly or quite as rich and luscious as the Green Gage. The Pomological Magazine, in describing it, says, that a "plum as hardy and prolific as the Orleans, -as handsome as the Damask, -and as good as the Green Gage, cannot be too extensively cultivated."

The origin of the Kirke's is unknown; it was first brought into notice by Mr. Kirke, whose name it bears, and was accidentally met with by that gentleman, in a fruiterer's window, in London. Upon tasting the fruit, he found, to his surprise, that it excelled in flavor any purple plum he was acquainted with; and, upon inquiry, it appeared that the fruit was received from a gardener in the country, who had procured the variety from a gardener in his neighborhood, and that the original tree was introduced from some foreign country. The Pomological Magazine states, that it had not been found in the writings of pomo

Fig. 43. Kirke's Plum.

logical authors, as late as 1832; and since then, now nearly twenty years, no variety has been received in this country like it.

The Kirke's plum is as yet but little disseminated here; we have never met with it in a bearing state, in but few collections, and but few cultivators are acquainted with it. In the vicinity of Salem, where trees were early introduced by the late Mr. Manning, it is considerably grown, and justly esteemed one of the finest and most prolific varieties cultivated.

The tree is a vigorous grower, with wood resembling the Red Magnum Bonum, and leaves similar to the Green Gage; the annual shoots are moderately stout and smooth.

Fruit, large, about two inches long and two inches in diameter, roundish oval, broadest near the base, and narrowing little towards the apex; suture very shallow, extending to the point: Skin, rich deep-violet purple, netted with a golden russet in the sun, and covered with a thin azure bloom, which does not easily rub off: Stem, medium length, about three quarters of an inch long, rather stout, and inserted in a moderately deep and rather open cavity: Flesh, greenish yellow, rather firm, separating from the stone: Juice, abundant, rich, sugary, and delicious: Stone, large, broadly oval, and much compressed. Ripe in September.

11. HULING'S SUPERB.

Pomological Manual, Vol. II, p. 55.

Keyser's Plum. Pomological Manual.

No American plum of any merit is so little known to cultivators generally as the Huling's Superb, (fig. 44.) It originated in Pennsylvania, about twenty years ago, and was first described in Prince's Pomological Manual, in 1832, and trees were extensively disseminated from the nurseries of the author of that work. A gentleman, by the name of Keyser, raised it from seed; but, as it was first brought into particular notice by Dr. W. E. Huling, of that state, it received his name.

As celebrated as this plum has been,-and we recollect of seeing it enumerated in a catalogue, in 1832, as being the largest of all plums, weighing about four ounces each,-we