The cockscomb coral tree, Erythrina crista-galli is a very beautiful summer blooming shrub of deciduous habit, belonging to the natural order Leguminosae, and it is a native of Brazil, from whence it was introduced in 1771. In its native country it is said to attain to the height of a tree, some forty feet or more, but in cultivation it rarely exceeds six or eight feet. It is a plant of robust, vigorous growth, having an arboreous unarmed stem, the prickly petioles bearing the bright green ternate leaves which are slightly notched on the under side. The pea-shaped flowers which are very showy, and of a brilliant scarlet crimson color, are produced in pairs at the axils of the leaves, during the plant's season of growth, some three or four times. This Erythrina is a plant easily grown, and can be cultivated by all, as during the winter season it requires no other protection than that offered by a dry frost-proof cellar. When grown as a single specimen on the lawn it forms an object of great beauty; its showy crimson scarlet flowers form such a decided contrast with its bright, glossy foliage, that it cannot fail to attract the attention even of the most indifferent or careless observer.

The preferable method of cultivating this plant is to set it out about the tenth of May in a well enriched deep soil, and as soon as hot, dry weather sets in a liberal mulch of coarse stable manure applied and liberal supplies of water given. Thus treated the plants will produce very satisfactory results until the foliage is destroyed by frost, when the plants should be carefully taken up, placed in a tub or box, the roots covered with earth and stored in any dry frost-proof cellar, where it can remain until wanted for planting out another season. The plants are apt to grow rather straggling, and on this account they should be cut back into shape, before being planted out in the spring. In hot, dry weather the plant is sometimes troubled by the red spider and as soon as these pests are noticed, the plants should be copiously syringed until the pests are destroyed. Propagation is effected by seeds and cuttings. Cuttings, if taken off at a joint and placed in sand in gentle bottom heat, will soon take root, and if the young plants are potted off as soon as rooted, and liberally treated, nice flowering specimens will soon be obtained.

If we desire to increase the plants by means of seeds, which by the way are freely produced - they should be sown as early as possible, about the first of January, and flowering plants will be obtained the coming summer. Sow the seeds thinly, placing the eye down, in a well drained pot or pan of light rich soil and place in a warm, moist situation, and as soon as the young plants are strong enough to handle, carefully remove them into three-inch pots similarly prepared, then place them in a warm, moist situation, and use all available means to obtain as strong plants as possible before they are planted outside.

The generic name is derived from "erythros," red, the color of the flowers, and the specific in allusion to the fancied resemblance the flowers bear in form and color to the comb of a cock.

Queens, L. I., New York.