pots too small for the quantity of roots the plant has formed, and the evil consequences of this are increased in seasons when it is most desirable they should be avoided; for if the weather be so unfavorable as to put off the period of planting out, the roots have been meanwhile increasing, and filling up the pot, so that when the plant is taken out to be set in the open ground, the ball of earth cannot be removed without breaking some of the fibers; and, fearful of doing this, many persons plant them without disturbing it, and the result generally is, that the plant does not begin to grow vigorously until the time it ought to be in flower. THE VERBENA GARDEN.-There are many persons who fail in the cultivation of the verbena. The requisites are, that the plants be young, strong, and healthy. They must have a full exposure to the sun, from sunrise till sunset, for they will not thrive in the shade. The soil should be light and deep mold from the woods, loamy, (or well-rotted chip dirt,) and fine white or silver sand. An occasional watering with liquid manure, made by dissolving one pound of guano in ten gallons of water, letting it stand twenty-four hours without using, once a week, will be found beneficial. The soil should be kept loose about them, and well worked. Some verbenas have a tendency to grow upright instead of the true form, a dwarf, with close-spreading habit, broad segment of petal, well-defined eye, and good foliage; they should have a good stamina, so as not to be burned out in midsummer. The scarlet varieties should not be forgotten in making selections. The verbena is peculiarly adapted for purposes of decoration in small city lots, from the rapid growth it makes if at all carefully planted, producing, even on poor soil, a profusion of its dazzling trusses of flowers; sustaining its vigor under the burning rays of the sun if a little mulching is spread around the plant at the root, and not liable to suffer much from extreme wet if the weather is moderately warm. The verbena is patient of cold, and will withstand several degrees of frost, while it requires air and light to keep it in even medium health during the winter. It requires a little care and skill in its arrangement, as do all choice flower plants. upright position on the surface, six inches apart each way, and replace the soil carefully, which should cover the crown of the ranunculus about one and a half inch; deeper planting is injurious. After the plants appear, keep them free from weeds, and press the soil firmly around them after they get two inches high. If the weather prove dry, water them freely early in the morning, and shade them from the sun during the hottest part of the day. A PETUNIAS.-No class of summer flowers better repay the small care they require, than petunias; they are a mass of gay bloom from June to November, and, when planted in patches, or in beds, or even in pots or vases, flower profusely. Common kinds are raised from seed, sown in a hot-bed, and afterward pricked out into small pots, and, when sufficiently strong, turned into the open ground early in the summer. bed of choice kinds, in full bloom, is a brilliant sight. The finer varieties are increased from cuttings. The best time is late in the summer, and from plants that have been headed down for that purpose; or, if the plants are taken up in autumn, and kept in the greenhouse, they will make abundant increase from cuttings during the winter. BALSAMS OR LADY SLIPPERS.-According to Breck, there has been a great improvement in this beautiful family of flowers. They are now divided into early, late, dwarf, tall, and camelliaflowering. This last section contains about one dozen beautiful varieties, very large, double, and perfect in shape, and resemble roses, or medium-sized camellias; the colors are very brilliant, viz., scarlet, crimson, violet, purple, rose, white, yellowish white, purple spotted, scarlet spotted, rose spotted, red striped, purple striped, variously striped and mottled, etc. They should be transplanted to the garden in June, care being taken to give plenty of room to each plant, for when crowded together they will not develop themselves to perfection; two feet distance between the plants is not too far. Single or semi-double plants should be pulled up as soon as the flowers show themselves. - TEA AND NOISETTE ROSES. The tea and Noisette roses have been generally classed distinct from the China; they are, however, but varieties of the latter. Many of the roses now classed among the China have a strong tea scent, and many of the present tea roses have very little fragrance. The characteristic of the Noisette rose is understood to be its clusterChina and tea roses seldom endure our winter with the thermometer at zero, and it is better to protect them by means of straw and hay, or boards upon low stakes. Perhaps the least troublesome way of protecting them is to have one or more hot-bed frames, six feet by twelve, and about a foot and a half or two feet deep. This can be set several inches from the ground, and litter of any kind placed around the sides. The roses can be carefully taken up and planted in this frame as thickly as they will stand; the top can then be covered with boards a little slanting, to carry off the rain, and the plants will be suffi THE RANUNCULUS.-This plant loves a cool and moist location, but no stagnant water should be permitted, nor should they be placed under the shade or drippings of trees; the morning sun, free circulation of air, and shade, will in-blooming habit. sure success. The soil should be trenched eighteen or twenty inches, and composed of good rich loam, to which add one sixth part of very old, well rotted cow-manure, and the same quantity of clay broken into small pieces; add to this a little sand, and thoroughly mix the whole, adding some sandy peat if the soil binds, and make the bed on a level with the path or walks; the plants will do better if the bed be below, rather than above the level. Having thus prepared the soil some time during the summer or autumn, the bed must be stirred up early in the spring, and one and a half inch of the soil taken off; then place the plants in anciently protected. IN HECTOR FALLS, SENECA LAKE. THE LAKES AND LEGENDS OF CENTRAL NEW YORK. N a separate article devoted to the the year 1800, when they entirely disapleague of the Iroquois, "The six fierce nations of the North," I shall describe at length their peculiar form of government, and their most striking characteristics. The Cayugas, to whom I have frequently alluded, were more closely allied with the Senecas, their western neighbors, than with any other members of the league. While the latter produced several eminent chiefs, as Red Jacket and Farmer's Brother, there is but one great name associated with the Cayugas, Logan, "the noblest Roman of them all." His own cruel fate seems to have been inherited by the remnant of his tribe. They ceded their lands to the state in 1795, with the exception of a small reservation, which was also given up about VOL. X.-29 peared. Some of them settled at the Grand Rapids, others near Sandusky, in Ohio, and still another branch in Canada. About one hundred and fifty Cayugas are now living with the Senecas, near Buffalo, under their own chiefs, but doubtless they, too, ere long, will be banished beyond the Mississippi. Mr. Bogart, for a long time clerk of the Assembly, relates an interesting incident which occurred at the reception of General Quitman by the Legislature of our state in 1847. Directly in front of the speaker's chair, a place of honor in the crowded hall granted by the kindness of the presiding officer, sat an old Indian, who shared the attention of the audience with the hero of the Mexican war. He was an aged man, dressed fancifully with beaded cloth leg gins and with gay and checkered cap. Though not understanding a word of English, he listened with Indian gravity to the proceedings. After their termination my friend was delighted to learn that he was an old Cayuga, who had come from Canada to transact some business with the Land Office department. He had, as he stated through an interpreter, left the Cayuga Lake in 1794, and resided ever since in Canada. Himself and three old women were the only survivors of the Cayugas in that settlement. There are many limestone sinks in the neighborhood into which small streams discharge themselves, and the cavernous nature of that rock leads us to suppose that the springs are supplied from subterranean reservoirs into which the water percolates, or perhaps flows in subterranean channels. The latter are known to exist, and sounds like the flowing of water underground have frequently been heard in the vicinity. It is singular, however, that the springs discharge a greater volume of water when the wind blows down the lake. We revert here to some of the peculiarities of the Iroquois. It was the interest of the chief priest, or medicine man, with whom the good spirits that so abound in the Indian system were supposed to be in constant communion, and by whose charms and mystic ceremonies the evil spirits were checked and subdued, to inculcate superstition and foster the love of the marvelous peculiar to the wild man of the forest. The office of medicine man secured for him the reverence of the people, who received through his mediation the favor of the Great Spirit, invoked by charms and magic spells. In him, indeed, they saw the type of the be My friend pointed out on a chart his own native village on the Cayuga. The old Indian's eye lighted up as he recognized the outline of the shore; and he cheerfully communicated much information concerning those old times and localities. He pointed out his birthplace, near the great spring, to which I have already alluded. This remarkable fountain is situated at Union Springs, six miles south of Cayuga Bridge, and being the distinguishing feature of the adjacent region, evidently served as a landmark to the Indians and the early explorers of the country. Two large streams, employed in propel-nign influence and aid of the supreme ling several mills, gush perpetually from power, or the Great Spirit. the soil, but a few rods from the beach, as if designed to furnish a measure of usefulness before mingling with the waters of the lake. The Owasco, but ten miles east of the Cayuga, has an elevation of more than a hundred and fifty feet above the latter. It is supposed by many that the great spring is supplied from that source through a subterranean channel. This, however, is by no means certain. A venerable Quaker, an educated man, and one of the oldest inhabitants of Union Springs, informed me that the above theory is untenable. Between the Hamilton group, in which the Owasco is imbedded, and the Limestone, from which these springs issue, there are several formations, one of which, the Oriskany sandstone, is not favorable to the existence of a fissure from that lake. The quantity of water is also much diminished in time of drought, which would hardly happen if it came from an elevated reservoir like Owasco Lake. Again, the sulphur that abounds in one of the streams, and not in the other, discredits the idea that they come from the same source. Every year, upon an appointed day, the priest performed a sacred service alike in every habitation. At early dawn every fire was extinguished, and every hearth was cold. Ashes and cinders were scattered about, and discomfort and misery seemed everywhere to prevail. With measured step the venerable man entered each wigwam, and with solemn fervor invoked the Great Spirit in behalf of the family. Then striking a light, he kindled a new fire on the domestic altar, with a prayer for the continuance of comfort and prosperity during the year. The lodge was swept, the feast prepared, and peace and joy prevailed. In this manner the bond of allegiance was annually renewed, and religious reverence maintained. Curious, indeed, were the traditions of the Indians respecting the origin of their race. It was their belief that there existed in the beginning two worlds, one inhabited by man, and the other by monsters living in darkness and deep waters. In the advance of time the lower world was made a proper abode for the human race. To people it a female descended from the upper world, and found a resting place on the back of a tortoise, where she gave birth to twins. The one was called Usskoss, (good,) the other Tautaokoss, (evil.) Soon after their birth the mother died, when Usskoss converted his mother's head into the sun, moon, and stars. By their genial influences he drove the great monsters to their hiding places in the deep, and checked the ferocity of the lesser monsters. The tortoise increased rapidly in size, and ultimately formed a great island. Uskoss then made the earth, its hills and valleys, its water courses and lakes, and filled them with game and fish. Finally, he made a man and woman, and named them Ongwee Honwee, the best of people. While Usskoss was engaged in these beneficent labors, Tautaokoss was equally industrious to undo the work of his brother. He created and increased monsters of frightful form, venomous serpents, and destructive creatures, and especially left no means untried to destroy the man and woman whom Usskoss had placed upon the earth. Disturbed and exasperated by the constant struggle for power, a terrific conflict at last took place, in which Tautaokoss fell, and was hurled from the island into utter darkness. The triumph of Usskoss enabled him to perfect his intended works. This done, he committed them to the care of the man and woman, and disappeared from the earth. This tradition of the creation of the world is held, with slight variations, by most of the Indian tribes of North America. Each nation, however, has a legend of its own origin at a subsequent period. The Senecas affirm that their tribe originated on Mandowaga Hill, near the head of Canandaigua Lake. It is asserted that the progenitors of the nation came forth from the hill, and dwelt on it for a time in peace and joy. While they were yet few in number a reptile was one day found by the children, and brought within the embankments of their village. There it became the fondled associate of the young, who cherished the creature with Sporting in the lake, or ranging the forest, it began to exhibit a degree of power beyond human control, and a propensity to mischief inconsistent with the safety of the people. The latter also became alarmed at the destruction of game, and were induced to seek means to put out of the way a creature which promised to be so troublesome and dangerous in the future. At early dawn on the day appointed for the attack, they descried the monster encircling the hill, its enormous jaws opening as if in defiance, in front of the gateway or passage of their intrenchments. Undaunted by this formidable foe, they made arrangements for a vigorous sally, previous to which, however, some had attempted to escape by climbing the scaly sides of the monster, but had been thwarted, and thrown back from his wreathing folds. Urged on by hunger, and impatient of restraint, the whole tribe made a vigorous onset, rushing with desperation into his very jaws. None returned that day to their homes; all fell a sacrifice to the monster, save only one woman and her two little children, who effected their escape. Gorged with his feast, the huge reptile rested for a day and night undisturbed. In terror the woman and her little ones found shelter in the forest. When overcome with sleep a vision warned her to provide arrows of a peculiar form for herself and children; and at the same time she was instructed how to use them. Carefully complying with the injunction thus received, she sought the monster, which held his watch around the hill. The charmed arrows sped with unerring aim and penetrated beneath the shining scales, reaching the reptile's heart. In agony the creature lashed the steep hillside, breaking down the forest, and plow ing deep furrows in the earth. Rolling down the hill-side, it plunged into the lake, and, wild with distress, disgorged its human victims upon the shore with convulsive throes, and, at length exhausted by pain, sank gradually to the bottom of the lake. tenderness and care. While it was yet On the shores of the Canandaigua, harmless the men fed it dayly with game. | pebbles of the size and shape of a human The serpent, however, grew so rapidly that its increasing appetite soon demanded more food than the whole village could provide. It then went forth to seek its own sustenance. skull are numerous at this day, which the Indians affirm are the petrified skulls of the "people of the hill" disgorged by the wounded monster. The woman and her children removed to the banks of the Sen eca Lake, and from them originated, according to the tradition, the powerful nation of the Senecas. We might pursue this interesting topic further, but enough has been given to attract the attention of the reader to the traditionary lore of the Iroquois. It is remarkable in how many respects their religious belief corresponds with that of the uncivilized nations of the Old World. The Senecas, to whom I have just alJuded, became in time the most powerful tribe of the Iroquois. In 1770 they were able to bring one thousand warriors into the field, about twice as many as the Cayugas and Onondaga's together. Exceedingly interesting were many of the adventures of the early settlers in Central New York. Here is one related by Mr. Weyburn, which occurred near Taghanic Falls. As he was returning, one Sunday evening in October, from feeding his horse, on the north side of the ravine, his dog started up a bear and her two cubs. The settler started for a gun, and during his absence the cubs took to a tree, and their mother took a position on the brink of the gulf, with her back against a tree, so as the better to protect herself from the attacks of the dog. On arriving at the spot he fired and broke one of the animal's fore legs, whereupon she retreated into the gulf, and was seen no more that night. In the meantime his wife and two sons, who had followed in pursuit, came to the tree up which the cubs had climbed. The latter, frightened at the report of the gun and the sound of human voices, began to cry in the most plaintive and affecting tones, strongly resembling indeed those of the human voice. The father shot the cubs, when they all returned home. The next morning, thinking that he had killed or severely wounded the bear, he proceeded in quest of her with no better weapon than a pitchfork, for he had expended his last charge of powder the previous evening. He was accompanied by his two sons, one of whom carried along a hatchet. Thus accoutered, and followed by the dog, they arrived near the great fall, when the old man, apprised of the nearness of the enemy by the barking of the dog, ran forward and left the boys in the rear. He intercepted the bear as she was attempting to climb the almost perpendicular wall of the basin, and commenced the attack by giving her three thrusts with the fork. The animal then turned upon him, when he met her with another thrust, which put out one of her eyes and severely tore her tongue |