The Horticultural Authority

A pleasant quarrel as it stands is going on between the Rural New Yorker and the American Agriculturist, as to where the great horticultural authority of the United States is located. Judging by what has appeared in print so far, this great literary light must be somewhere in the city of New York. Well, they are all pretty good fellows, and we would advise that they kiss and be friends.

The Langdon Nurseries

These well known nurseries, established twenty-seven years ago, at Mobile, Alabama, by Col. C. C. Langdon, have passed into the hands of his nephew, Daniel W. Langdon, who proposes to place them on a footing second to none in the South; and in this we are sure he will have the good wishes of all his brethren in the trade.

Dr. J. T. Rothrock

This distinguished botanist, and well-known lecturer at Fairmount Park, left on the 19th of June for a six months' study in Germany of some of the special branches of his favorite science.

Death Of Robert Buist, Sr

As we are about to go to press we have the announcement of the death of Robert Buist, Sr., which occurred on Tuesday, July 13th. To his intimate friends his death was not unlooked for, as it was known he had been in feeble health for some months past. We have but space in this number for this brief announcement, but will have more to say of our deceased friend and eminent horticulturist in our next.

Spiraea Palmata

This Japan species has flowered this year in American gardens, and proves to be an excellent border plant. It flowers in Philadelphia in June, and earlier than the American Spiraea lobata, which it resembles in color and general appearance. It is much dwarfer than that popular kind.

Grass For Lawns

M. P. D , Zanesville,Ohio: "What variety of grass seed would you use to make a close, firm sod on lawns and small yards in the city? By answering this question you will confer a great favor".

[For your section of the country you will need nothing better than simply Kentucky Blue Grass - Poa pratensis. - Ed].

The Hardy Heaths

It is surprising that these beautiful plants are not oftener seen under culture In Germantown, recently, we saw some specimens several years old in beautiful flower, the owner of which simply threw a few dry leaves over them with brush-wood to keep the heavy winds away. In most winters this would not be necessary, but it is like an insurance premium. The kinds we saw were Erica vagans and Calluna vulgaris - the last particularly successful.