The National tribune., 1882-07-08

lanos, and Is composed of the natural grasse
that grow without the aid of cultivation, ant
the salt hay grows on the low land that il
occasionally covered with salt water from
the ocean,
RoSEMARY.-This small evergreen shruf
was formerly more frequently seen in gar
dens that it is at present. 1t is native O.
the south Of Europe. Its use as a medicinal
herb is very ancient; it was considered USE
ful in headaches and in stimulating the flag
ging mental powers, whence it was called
Herb of Memory. 1t is now chiefly used as
a perfume, and its odor strongly resembles
that of camphor. 1t yields by distillation
an essential oil which is used in hair oils
and for scenting toilet soaps. The flowers
OF the plant enter into the ingredients OF
the dlstillation called Hungary water.
RYE WITH BUCKwHEAT-The Frut Re
c0rder remarks that sowing rye and buck
wheat together is a new idea The buck
wheat shades the rye and thus protects it
from the sun while young. The crop of
buckWheat is taken off in the fall, and the
rye Is in fine condition for winter" This
may be worthy of trial, but we have never
observed much of success where the endeavor
has been made to grow two crops on the same
piece of ground at the same time. AS to rye
requiring shade, we think it mistake;
better put in something to shade the buck
wheat
QUAssIA BARK.-This article of COM
merce is produced by several tropical trees.
The original source was from q medium
sized tree, native of Surinam The tree is
called QudSsid aH1dri, or the Bitterwood The
name QuassiG was bestowed upon this tree
by LinnGus in honor of a negro named
Colssi, or Quassia, who employed its bark as
a remedy for fevers, and enjoyed such
reputation among his fellows as to be almost
worshiped by some and suspected of magic
by others 1t was introduced into Europe
about 1856, and came into great reputation
and general use as a tonic and stomachic
solution of quassia chips is a valuable
remedy against leafeating insects, also such
as attack fruits in the green state, and safer
than some of the virulent poison substances
now so freely used. For curcuIio on plums
and peaches, thrips and Ieaf-eating beetles
on grapevines, aphis on roses, cherries, cur
rants, &c, caterpillars on cabbages and other
vegetables, weak solution of quassia chips
sprinkled over the foliage viii render it so
bitter as to be distasteful to the insects. The
bitterness will disappear by rains washing
it off or artificial waterings can be resorted
to in order to get rid of the bitter taste.
RHoDoDENDRONs.-Att the Centennial Ex-
position held in Philadelphia, one of the
most attractive features in the floral line was
the Towering display of rhododendrons from
the nurseries of Samuel and Robert Parsons,
Of Flushing, L. I. A noted English grower
of these plants also had fine collection, and
was specially favored by having house
placed at his disposal, in which his plants |
were protected from the sun while in flower. |
Since then the demand for these plants has
become popular, but many purchasers have
ailed to realize their expectations; the
plants, instead of fourishing, have dwindled |
and died, and they have consequently been |
abandoned. In providing artificial condi-
lions for these plants we must observe them |
IN their native habitats. We will ALWAYS |
find them in sheltered and shady places on
side hills, generally not far above moist val
eys and streams. They do not object to sum
ight provided they have abundant moist
IRE at their roots. Their roots run quite
lose to the surface in the strata formed by
he annual decay of leaves from the over
Opping forest trees. 1t will also be found
hat they prefer the neighborhood of ever
5reen trees, such as the hemlock spruce, and
n all cases, on surface where surface water
apidly disappears In choosing a situation
or these plants the best is that which is sur
ounded by trees; and in preparing site for
hem the soil should be excavated to depth
# 18 inches at least, and thorough drainage
ecured by filling ups or 10 inches with small
tones, oyster shells, or brush-wood chopped
ntO small pieces and firmly packed in the
'ottOm of the bed. Over this place anv
ind of soil except clay, the upper or 5
nches being formed of the decayed leaves
nd debris found on the surface of forest
and. The roots Of these plants being con-
ned to the surface, they should not be deep j
? planted. We have seen the best success s
there they were merely set on the surface ]
nd quantity of fine soil thrown over the I
pots to be washed in among them by rains
r thorough watering Immediately after I
lanting; then coating of leaves, or short I
raw, grass cuttings from the lawn, or even t
naf, if nothing better is readily available, !
lould be carefully spread over the roots and '
,peated from time tp time until they have c
.come well established A small bed thus a
repaired will amply repay all the initiatory t
,pense involved, and will secure success h
here proper selection of the hardest i'm fl
owed varieties is secured q
PASTURE FOR HoGS.-Farmers in the
eat hog-prOducing sections Of this country d
e paying more attention to pasture for hogs u
w than heretofore. One who has given "
e subject no little study and tried various q
periments in that behalfsays that there isno q
Iestion about green oats and peas being q d
ost appropriate food for pigs, and that it a
mes at the very season when pasture is apt a
be short. Corn being the most universal IL
ttening food for hogs in the West after cold 81