In the June number of the Gardeners' Monthly, page 164, I notice a communication from Mrs. J. S. R. Thomson which mentions that " there is one variety of the China called in ignorance Umbrella Tree." Now the Umbrella China is a separate and distinct variety of the China tree family (Melia Azedarach umbraculifera); it assumes the exact shape of an umbrella, in its natural growth, and does not need the aid of the pruning knife.

The first Umbrella China known in the United States was found growing on Galveston Island, Texas, where once stood the village of Campeachy, which was from 1817 to 1821, the rendezvous of that celebrated buccaneer, Laffitte, who roamed the seas in search of booty, and it is supposed that the seed of the Umbrella China was brought to Galveston Island, by his vessels, from some island or country in the tropics.

It is a tropical tree without a doubt. I know of several experiments with it in Missouri and Illinois, where it will not live through one winter, - the sap freezes and bursts the tree, - and I know of no case where the tree is growing in very cold climates although we have sent quite a number north.

From the tree on Galveston Island the seeds were taken to Harrisburg and Lynchburg, Texas, where they were grown for sale and from there sent out to all parts of Texas.

I have been growing the tree for sale for the last eight years - make a specialty of it - consequently have watched the habits very closely and every year I learn something new of it.

In getting seed to plant, one has to be careful not to select the seed of an Umbrella that is growing in close proximity to a common variety, for if he does his labor will be in Train, for nine out of ten of the trees you will raise from those seeds will be common, scraggy Chinas; we have proved it repeatedly, consequently know it to be a fact; we have our seed-bearing trees growing in the center of our nurseries, so as to insure against cross-fertilization from common Chinas growing on neighboring property.

All of the parks in our Alamo city are planted in Umbrella Chinas, also the beautiful grounds in and about the U. S. Depot of Texas, here; and of late years they have been planting the parks in many of the cities of Mexico with it.

There is no tree of the fine species that will withstand the excessive heat and long drouths of Texas and Mexico, as well as the Umbrella China.

Although it is called the "Pride of India" it is no less the pride of the Lone Star State and our Alamo City in particular. San Antonio, Texas.

[Mrs. Thomson suggested that "Umbrella tree" was improper, because that name has been already pre-empted for Magnolia tripetela, which is the "Umbrella tree." But if the word "China" be added, there will be no confusion.

It should not be " Umbrella tree," but " Umbrella China tree," as Mr. Knox puts it. - Ed. G. M].