Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-18


We transfer to our columns from the Rich
mond Enquirer the following interesting and
well expressed report of a committee of the
Virginia Agricultural Society on flowers:
Report of the Committee OF Flowers.
"The committee to whom was assigned the
duty OF reporting the premiums on flowers, beg
leave to express their sense of the benefits
which arise from their cultivation. These
beautiful productions which Providence has
scattered over the earth, are naturally calcu-
lated to please the senses and refine the imagi-
nation. They are symbol Of civilization it.
self. They impart brighter grace to the
landscape, our gardens, and our houses. They
give delicious perfumes to the boudor. They
ornament our centre tables, and add new beau
ties to the charms Of the fair. They constitute
too, distinct and interesting branch of sci
ence. The genius of Linneus has been dedi
Gated to their classification, and the muse in
every form has sung their praises.
But there are other lights in which they pre-
sent themselves to our consideration. AS the
fruit naturally follows the flower, so Botany be-
comes one of the landmarks to Agriculture
How can we clearly understand the way, in
which the variety of fruits and flowers Of the
same family is produced, without some ac-
quaintance with the parts and physiology of the
plant We know how much the various sorts Of
Indian corn, for instance, mix together and cross
each other; but it is not every one who has
examined the formation ofthe ear Of corn, rs it
is covered with the shuck. Strip it of its
green leaves, and we find that every single grain
has silk thread attached to it which extends
beyond the end Of the ear. This thread is the
pistil, or the female organ, which receives the
powder or pollen that falls from the tassel. 1t
is this thread and this tassel which constitute the
flower of the Indian corn. When varieties grow
near each other, the pollen from the surrounding
stalks fall upon the sillen texture, and bro
duces further varieties Of the grain 1t is SO
with thousands of other plants, and by mixing
with each other of the same family they lead
to new varieties, new forms, new tints, new
beauties. In this way the splendid azalia has
been highly improved; and, in like manner,
greater yarities Of flowers are constantly pro.
duced.
In another way also new flowers are contin.
ually exhibited. 1t is when the florist succeeds
in turning the seed vessels into new petals, that
they become doubled, and those beautiful COM
pound flowers are struck out, which multiply
the sorts Of our roses and other productions of
the garden. There is no assignable limit to
this variety. It is probably by mixing the
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Gently produced at Paris and our common
jamestown weed, or Stramonium, which is
now about to assume new importance in the
practice of medicine, has lately been turned
into a double flower in one Of the gardens of
Boston, .~
But still larger space than these two is
opened to the introduction of flowers. Com
merce is busy in transporting to other scenes
the flowers of other regions. South America is
filled with beauties which were new to us.
Taste is collecting them and introducing them
among us. Within few years we see new
cactuses, new fuchsias and that most delicate
and brilliant Of the towery family, the calceo.
larias, are appearing among us. The acacias
Of Australia, the Norfolk island pine, the most
exquisite evergreen in the world, and the Vic
toria Regina, the most superb of all the flow
ers, are adding new graces to our greenhouses
and gardens. ~
The fact is, that not only are new species of
fruits and flowers coming among us, but the
old families are feeling the touch of improve
ment and assuming more brilliant colors The
deep red chrysanthenum was supposed, upon
its first introduction some few years ago, to be
a splendid addition to our fall flowers. But
new varieties of the hrysanthemum have sue.
ceeded to throw the did flower completely into
the shade.
Such is the progress Of the age, even on
flowers. Nothing is $50 easy as to encourage
their further improvement. By attending to
the process Of mixing, flowers, and of doubling
their petals, we create rs it were, new species.
And by obtaining new families from abroad
we enlarge their number and their beauty. We
earnestly recommend to the Agricultural So
ciety, therefore, to encourage their introduction
from other regions. Request our ministers
and captains of vessels, when they go abroad,
to send home the roots and seeds of the
choicest fowers-plaee these in the hands of
proper florists, when they arrive-and you
will see new creation arise, as it were
under your eyes. Who has not been struck
been recently given by our new consul at Rio
de Janeiro, Mr.. Robert G. Scott, of this city,
of the Botanical Garden, near that town? He
has promised to send us every variety which he
found there. Let us avail ourselves of his suc-
gestion, and request him to send our society
the first he can obtain. Let us extend the
same commission to our other officers and cap
tains who visit distant climes Let us also
draw on the seeds Of the Patent Office, and on
the public garden at Washington. In this
way your patriotic association may become
sort of focal point, from which the plants of
the most distant regions may be disseminated
throughout Virginia 1t was with the hope of
extending our resources that call was made
on Mr.. Breckenridge, the skillfnl and obliging
superintendent of the Public Conservatory at
Washington, who was kind enough to furnish
a fine collection of 1l3 valuable roots and
seeds, accompanied by the following letter:
. "WAsuISGToy, D. G., Oct. 20, 1853.
DEAR SIR: With this you will receive
racket containing & distinct kinds Of seeds
all labeled-or named correctly. A number Of
them are from Russia, some from Italy, and
great many are from the most choice plants of
our own gardens; but would particularly call
your attention to paper Of the Zamia hor-
rida--or Hottentot's bread tree, which is very
rare and fine. have also added packet Of
the roots of gladiolus prittacinus, and another
of very fine tulips. And shall feel much.
gratifed to learn that the collection pleascs
you, and is calculated to answer your pur
pose.'