Phyllotaenium Mirabile

A fine and distinct stove perennial from South America, referred provisionally to the genus Phyllotaa-nium. It is a large free-growing plant, with tuberous root-stocks, throwing up a few peculiar leaves, which have semi-terete petioles, three feet high and of a purplish brown color, and a three-lobed blade, two feet wide across the base, which is cordate, with a deep sinus. The color of this leaf-blade is green, blotched with irregular patches of yellow-green, and stained beneath in the central portions with purple, which spreads outwards between the ribs. The lobes of the leaf are so arranged as to give it a sub-hastate character. It has been awarded a first-class certificate by the floral committee of the Royal Horticultural Society.- William Bull.

The Phylloxera On Fruit Tree - A New Danger

Mr. Erni, the United States Consul at Basle, Switzerland, writes to the Department of Agriculture, that he learns from a Berlin journal that the Phylloxera vastatrix has been found extensively on fruit trees imported from France, and that the intention of the German and Swiss governments is, in consequence of this discovery, to prohibit the importation into those countries, from France, of fruit trees, as they have already done, for some time, of grape-vines.

A Piano For The Cottage

Why not! Where is music more musical than in a rural cottage? Messrs. Marshall, James, and Frazer have been making a small, cheap, neat, well-finished instrument, which they call the "Parlor Gem." It is a full-toned instrument, with a key-board of large compass, and might well have been named the "Cottage Gem." We should like to see just such an instrument in every " cot" in the land.

Picea

Pectinata, hardy. - Fraseri, hardy. - Webbiaia, hardy; apt to lose its leader. - Pindrow, hardy. - Normandiana, hardy, and beautiful. - Nobilis, perfectly green.

Picea Amabilis (The Charming Silver Fir)

I fear there is little hope for years to come of this fine species bearing mature seed. Whenever it does it should be managed exactly in the same way as the common Larch.

Pinus Austriaea requires also the same treatment.

Picea Cephalonica, Cephalonian Silver Fir

Where the Araucaria imbricata is tender, this will be found the best substitute for it, partaking somewhat of its character. It has now been proved one of our hardiest Piceas; it is, however, a slow grower, which to some may appear to detract from its other good qualities. The cultivator of good Evergreens cannot, however, pass it by, as its unique and beautiful appearance is desirable in the smallest collection.

Picking Pears

The general test, as to the time to pick pears, is when the stem will cleave from the spur, without breaking, when the pear is raised. The Flemish Beauty, Beurre Diel, and some other varieties, are lessened in value very much if allowed to remain on the trees until ripe. The Bonne de Jersey and Beurre d'Amalis are frequently picked too early. The Bartlett, Flemish Beauty, and some other varieties ripen so uneven they should have two or three pickings. . When summer and fall pears are to be sent to market they should be picked when green, and all pears when not wet by dew or rain. Winter pears should be picked as late as the weather will allow. The growers and dealers who forward to our principal markets, will doubtless realize more to sort well, and pack carefully the best varieties of pears in strong crates, like the peach packages. Inferior varieties may be put in half or whole barrels.