The Monitor-register., 1897-05-07
Communicated
Cultivation of the Trailing Arbutus
OF MayhoWer.


turning from a fishing trip empty handed.
But, anyway if the folks who so labor
iously hound the trailing arbutus to its
lair could see the same wild exotics
necessity of a long walk in quest of these
spring beauties could be entirely dis.
pensed with. A little requisite knowl-
edge as to bow to tame these wild flowers
is all that is needed in order to step from
the front door and pick lavishly these
much coveted blossoms. And now that
they are on the wane, is the proper time
to adopt some method of perpetuating
the plants in the %dooryard.
The trailing arbutus is known by the
name of ground laurel, and also May
flower. The latter is the correct name to
| give it, and is the name under which it is
most generally known in nearly all of the
United States. When the famous May
flower landed the Pilgrims at Plymouth,
the first flower that greeted them was the
arbutus, hence, probably the name of
Mayfower being given it.
A great number of flowers 90 by the
name of May flower, but the trailing
arbutus is no doubt the chief recipient of
that beautiful name. To the naturalist
it is known as Epigea repens. and as a
great many people think that the attach
ing of scientific names to plants and
animals is rather ambiguous, the same
people who so uDknowingly commit such
an error can readily see that if the
arbutus had no general name such as
Epigga repens, in what a eonglomerated
State would the plant world be thrown
into with several names to every separate
flower. So, by the scientific name being
given each plant, it is known in every
language as that especial plant, and cant
be no other. If, on the other hand, we
botany would be placed on a level with
commercial occupations, where every
concern is for itself and do O ell joy the
distinct advantage that Botany possesses;
that is, of having a grand network of
systems that control the entire field of
botany. This ~scietific method of naming
plants is one of them.
But the intention of writing this article
is not to deal with botanical characteris-
tics, nor with flower lore or traditions,
but, instead, with the simple cultivation
of that harbipger of spring-the trailing
arbutus or Mayflower.
There are few plants which have so
often failed to flourish under artificial
conditions as this plant. and there is GER
tainly some color for the prevalent opin-
ion that it is difficult to transplant. If
there is serious disturbance of the roots
the plant nearly always dies, but if the
trapsplanter is very careful to allow every
particle of earth to cling to the roots in
removing it from the soil. there is no
reason why he cannot successfully cause
it to grow and thrive.
When it is possible it is always the
best plan to collect small plants or seed.
llu&o duu RlOW buCm S0AClOlLy III o WOlk.
prepared bed or cold frame of sandy
loan and peat before transplanting out
permanently. 1t is always best to secure
seedlings, If possible, and these can be
found by hunting along some cart rut OIL
other cleared place.
In removing the seedlings, at least six
inches of soil should be allowed to remain
attached to the roots, and this can easily
be done by running a spade around the
plants until a ball shaped mass is secured
then by placing the spade horizontally
under the plants they can be removed
without Earring the roots. If one car
secure the seed of the plant it is still
more preferable than the transplanting o.
seedlings. The seeds are most likely tt
be found in sunny c~learings. By sowing
these in fine rich soil, and just dropping
the seeds on the surface and covering
with moss, and watering the soil when
ever dry, and when large enough trans
planting in shallow boxes of rich soil
then placed in a we'll shaded pit anG
covered with leaves in winter, in three o.
four years flowers can be secured. Any
one wishing to take the trouble of grow
ing the plants in this way will be amply
repaid for their labor by the numerous
bright blossoms, together with the grea
interest that necessarily must attach itsel
to such a delicate operation.
By the seed method no doubt large
blossoms could be grown han by relying
on the woods for the supply. By a little
manipulation of the plants probably
some distinct varieties could be brought
forth. In transplanting the young plant
or Seeding, who hever the case may be
great care should be exercised, and tbt
place that is chosen for replantipg should
be as nearly like the original growing
place of the plant as possible. TIT
plants should be given a northern expos
ure, and if planted on the north side o
the house among some old trees. ant
deep down in the moss that may be found
there, shaded nearly all day and in winter
given a good covering of leaves, n car
secure a good quantity of these muct
coveted flowers.
If in transplanting the hole that is tt
contain the plants is made larger thar
the mass of plants and earth that is to gt
into it, and when the plants are placed
therein, if a quantity of sand or grave
is packed around the intervening space,
SO much the better. A quantity of sand
, placed around the bases of the roots is
certainly placed there to the advantage
of the plants, and if this sand is KEPT
moist during the blooming season still
greater bene fits will result from the add.
tional labor.
The plants respond readily to fertiliz.
ers, though not in a way that one could
wish. A small amount of potash applied
ia water gives the best results, and will
strengthen the plants materially in order
to pass the winter successfully. l write
this article with the hope that someone
may have these sweet flowers blooming
ia their front yards, and if my hope lis
realized | will feel that I nave not writtt u
this in vain. WARREN SHINN.
Cornell University.