The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-07-18
The Florn of Terna.


1t would require the pen OF an expert.
enced and practical botanist 10 describe
the numerous varieties Of trees, plants,
shrubbery, and flowers peculiar 70 this
section, and 70 mark the different species
as we gradually approach the tropics. I
men toned In one Of my former letters
that as we entered New Orleans we found
the jesSamine, the oleander, the palmeda,
the sago palm, the banana, the orange and
lemon, the fig, the pomegrsnate, the wild
plum, and the plAntain; the Grape myrtle
was Of frequent occurrence wherever any
attempt was made at cultivation.
In the swamps and morrasses the palms
grew most luxuriantly, while clusters OF
waxen pond lilies floated gracefully on the
surface. The trumpet flower, or Ameri.
can creeper, clung to hundreds OF trees,
and the blossoms attained q far richer
depth Of color than In our Northern eli.
mate. Our ride on the Mississippi afford.
ed magnificent sight. We noticed
hedges eight or ten feet high, and Of dense
foliage composed entirely Of what they call
the Cherokee rose-resembling the white
tea rose-perlectly hardy, and a perennial
bloomer. The magnolia grandiflora tree
grows very large, and as we passed along,
It's blossoms emitted delicious perfume;
and noble lawns fronting the levees, and
connected with grand old plantations,
were adorned with clusters Of Grape myr-
tye, oleanders, magnolias, and jsssamine,
and orange and fig trees in endless pro.
fusion.
The variety known as the FTg Celestia
Is just now in season. Il requires cult.
waited taste to appreciate the fig. 1t Is
considered great luxury by the souther.
ners, but to stranger Of first seems in.
sipid, When the outer coating Is remoy.
cd, however, and It ia served with sugar
and cream, the flavor is greatly improved
and after one or two trials, and Just as we
were bidding farewell TO Louisiana, We
found ourselves readily requiring iond-
ness for 1t.
The oleander flourishes In extraordina.
ry luxuriance in the city OF Galveston.
II borders the sidewalks, and thousands
of blossoms of the double.pink variety
are TO be seen on q single tree. The
white species Is also fayorite in this To-.
cality.
The rose tree and the Cape jessamine
are peculiarly adapted to this sandy soil,
and q bouquet can be gathered in the
open air at almost any period Of the year.
The China tree, or Pride of the South, is
great lavorite in this locality. It's OF q
dwsrfed and busy growth, blooms early
in the season, and is just now loaded with
seed pods. On the prairies we noticed
the musquite tree, Its foliage Is Light
green and feathery. It bears bean pod,
which is said to form an excellent substi-
tute for bread, and is relished by both
man and beast. The mustang grape
tlourishes luxuriantly in the swamps and
lOwlands, and we noticed many large clus.
tiers Of unripe truit. The prickly
pear, variety of cactus, is found in
abundance, and hundreds of varieties OF
flowers are TO be seen on every hand
Among these may mention white and
crimson poppies; a magenta colored thistle
Of rare beauty and endless profusion; o
new variety OF the lupin, Of flesh color,
tinted with scarlet, delicate white bios.
SONS Of various kinds, yellow and pink
star flowers, great clusters of the blue
verbena, petunias of many colors, the CO.
reopsis, portulacca, blue lilies with brown
and golden centres, the standing cypress
plant with great spikes Of scarlet coiored
blossoms, the passion vine covered with
bloom, daisies, marguerites and astors,
and many other specimens Of Horticulture
with which l was not familiar.
Delighted as we were with the glorious
wealth Of flowers, we were informed that
It was too late in the season 10 see them
TO perfection. During the latter part of
May, and from that time to the middle Of
June, 1t is said the prairie presents the
appearance Of vast flower garden. Most
OF these plants seed proiusely and annu.
ally multiply themselves almost indefl.
nitely, while others are perennial in their
habit The Commissioner OF Agriculture
at Washington could do nothing better
than 10 send agents to the Texas prairies
to gather seeds and plants, instead Of i'm.
porting them from abroad.
The variety is quite as extensive as
those we now secure from tho foreign
markets, and there is no doubt the most
Of them would readily adapt themselves
TO the latitute of the Middle, Western
and Northern States.