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COOP Wi ae FOCALS. 


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F FLORISTS’ MAGAZINE, 


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JANUARY TO DECEMBER, 1837. 


VOLUME V. 


CONDUCTED BY MR. JOSEPH HARRISON, 
NURSERYMAN, 


DOWNHAM NURSERY, 


NORFOLK, 


LONDON : 
WHITTAKER & Co, AVE MARIA LANE, ; Re 


BR. GREBNLAW, PRINTER, KING’s CROSS. 


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5 


PREFACE. 


In presenting our readers with the Fith Volume of the Flori- 
cultural Cabinet, we do most unfeignedly offer our most sincere 
thanks to our numerous subscribers and contributors for their 
patronage and support. 


Although, with each former Volume, we had the high gratifi- 
cation of an increasing demand, yet the circulation has extended 
more during the present year than any previous one, since our 
first Volume was published, and the sale has been increased 
by more than ten thousand numbers. This fact affords us no 
ordimary degree of pleasure, whilst it assures us that our 
labours have been approved. 


Nearly up to the present period, our opportunities for 
acquiring information for all the recently introduced plants 
has been very limited, by reason of our engagements in the 
situation we held as Gardener, at Wortley Hall; but now being 
at liberty, we have every desired opportunity of obtaining in- 
formation of their introduction, character, culture, &c. With 
this object in view we have spent the past autumn in, and 
around London, viewing collections of plants, obtaining infor- 
mation, and taking notes thereof. These particulars will be 
given in future numbers. So sensible are we of the advan- 
tages that are afforded by viewing collections in and around the 
Metropolis, (which is in the aggregate the great mart for newly 
introduced plants,) and of such information being embodied 
in the Cabinet, for the benefit of our Readers, that we intend 
immediately to take a residence in or near London, and pur- 
pose to devote that attention to the subject, which will, we are 
persuaded, prove both interesting and useful to our subscribers, 


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| il PREFACE. 

and render the next Volume the best which has appeared, both 
for the cultivator of flowering plants in general, and the Flo- 
rist whose attention is more particularly directed to a certain 
class of flowers. We pledge, that our utmost efforts shall be 
directed to effect the desired purpose. ; 


We are under very great obligations to our friends who have, 
as heretofore, so liberally continued to favour us with commu- 
nications for the present Volume. We again record our thanks 
for their kindness, and most respectfully solicit a continuance 
of their communications, to a work which is already so largely 
indebted to their favours, and which has materially contribut- 
ed to their popularity, as to gain so unprecedented a circu- 
lation as the Floricultural Cabinet has obtained. 


The Floricultural Cabinet having thus become the medium 
of circulating Floricultural Intelligence, to so great an ex- 
tent, and our Readers, with us, being desirous to promote and 
extend its operations, we therefore respectfully solicit of each 
recommending our Publication to other persons, and whilst 
thus co-operating, the furtherance of the object will be pro- 
moted. 


We again enter upon our Editorial labour for the next 
year with increased energy, and encouraged as to the future, 
by an increased number of friends. 


Dorenham, Nov, 22d, 1837, 


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THE 
FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


JANUARY Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 
DESCRIPTION OF A PLAN FOR A PLANT-STOVE AND GREEN- 
HOUSE, WITH A POTTING-SHED, &c. ATTACHED, 


BY AN OLD SUBSCRIBER, PIMLICO, LONDON. 


THE accompanying plans are designs for a Plant-Stove, Greenhouse, 
and a potting-house attached, for the use of amateur gardeners. 
The first thing to be considered in the erection of a Greenhouse, 
&c., is the choice of a situation. The most proper will be, that which 
affords a full south aspect, and with the east and west sides open to 
these points of the compass. 
__ The site. of the building should be in a dry situation, for if not so 
placed, ‘the war mth, or superior temperature of the house, will induce 
the moisture to rise out of the ground, and in cold seasons of the year 
____ will render it damp and chill. To prevent this, I should recommend 
_that the entire site of the building be covered, a foot thick, with what 
is ‘here called Conerete ; that is a mixture of lime and gravel, or 
‘brick rubbish, in the proportion of about one of the former to three or 
Races ce latter,» The lime should be powdered and mixed dry withthe 
he ateriajs; then, before laying them upon the surface of the site, 
as. “much water should be added as will thoroughly moisten them. 
Two coats oft this concrete, each being six inches thick, will effec- 
Finally prevent the ascent of any moisture from the ground below. 
¢ The next best aspect fora Greenhouse, will be on the east side of 
_ ahouse or other building which faces the south. In this situation 
the Plants will have the advantage of the morning and mid-day sun. 
A Greenhouse constructed in any situation with a less favourable as- 
pect than either of those described, will have but little chance of 
being suited to the growth of plants. 
VOL. V. B 


oh DESCRIPTION OF A PLANT STOVE. 


If the building be detached from any other, it will be necessary to 
provide separate means for warming it, and for this purpose, nothing 
can be better, or more economical, than the little furnace, &c., des- 
cribed in the Floricultural Cabinet, for March, 1836. If the ash- 
pit of the furnace was furnished with a good register door, the com- 
bustion of the fuel could be so managed as to continue the night 
through. The chimney should not be more than a foot long, with 
an elbow to pass through a six-inch wall—if longer, it will increase 
the draught too much. No doubt the gentleman who furnished the 
plan, &c., has provided the necessary appendages to his furnace. 

The plans which I have sent you, con- 1 
sist, first, of a potting-room, four feet wide 
by seven feet long, (Fig. 1.) Through this 
to a greenhouse, seven feet square, (Fig 2.) 
And beyond this, descending two steps to 
the hothouse or Plant Stove, four feet wide, 
(Fig 3.) It will be perceived that the di- 
mensions are small, but I think not too 
much so for the use of many amateur gar- [7 
deners. Indeed some may desire smaller, in 
which case the potting-room and plant-stove x 
need ‘not form any part of the plan—or a | | 
portion of the three may be left out; say ~ 
one side of each, leaving the remaining side 
and the gangway, which would, no doubt, ai 


(Fig 2.) 


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DESCRIPTION OF A PLANT STOVE. 3 


be quite sufficient for the use of many persons. A well arranged 
__ potting-room is a very necessary appendage to every greenhouse, 
) and as there are very many operations to be performed in it, and 
uch time spent there, it ought to be both conveniently and com- 
fortably fitted up. 


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In the annexed plan, (Fig 3) one side of the potting-room is 
fitted up with a counter, in the top of which there is a well, sixteen 
_ inches square by eight inches deep. In the middle of this well is 
fixed a block of wood, eight inches square by six inches thick, leav- 
ing a space of four inches all round. The top of this block is two 
4 ‘inches below that of the counter. The use of the block is to set the 
pots upon when potting, and the well round it is to hold the mould 
_and keep it together. The space upon the top of the counter on each 
_ side of the well, is to place the pots upon as they are filled. Imme- 
_ diately under that part of the counter on the left of the well, are two 
drawers, one to hold tools, the other bass matting, cut into lengths of 
“nine, fifteen, and twenty-four inches, to be ready for tying up plants. 
To the right of the well is a drawer for potsherds, for the use of 
‘drainage. The space under tle drawers and well is divided into 
three bins—one for holding compost for annuals; another, com- 
post for greenhouse plants; anda third, for any other compost tha 
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4. ON RESTORING PLANTS. 


may be required. The bins must be made to run upon castors, so 
that they may be readily taken out to be filled with such composts 
as may be required. The wall above the back of the counter should be 
fitted up with wells to receive round sticks for plants, of the lengths 
of 6, 9, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 30 inches. And for square Bice, for 
border flowers, (or standards,) in lengths of 18, 21, 27, 33, 42, 54, 
and 66 inches. The opposite side of the room is fitted up with a 
closet, the top of which is a counter, or work-bench. Against the 
wall, over the back of this counter is arange of shelves for garden 
pots aud seed pans. Eight inches of the back of this counter, (which 
is two feet wide,) forms the bottom of the first shelf. Each shelf is 
broad enough to hold two pots, and they are so distant from each 
other, as to admit of two standing one within the other. A set of 
shelves so arranged, and the pots thus placed, afford ample space for 
as many pots as will be required by most amateurs. 

I have lately adopted a new mode of affixing names to plants that 
are grown in pots, it is as follows :—Instead of using tallies, I have 
had a blank label painted on the rim of each of my pots. For pots, 
up to large sixties, one inch is quite sufficient ; for those above that 
size, one inch and a half. This affords ample space, either to write 
the name, or place a number. Hither one or the other is done with 
a black-lead pencil, whilst the paint is newly laid on; this does not 
rub or wash out. ‘Iwo coats of paint are necessary to have them 
look well; the last coat of paint should have less oil in it than the 
first, it will then be more easily written upon. These names will 
last as long as the pot, and is cheaper than any other description of 
labels. More time is required in preparing tallies, than is necessary 
in adopting my plan, and not near so neat or durable. 


ARTICLE II. 


ON RESTORING PLANTS WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY 
FROST.—By Mr. Jack Frost. 


As the winter advances, a few remarks on the nature of rescuing 
Tender Plants from the effects of frost, by the application of cold 
water, may not be uninteresting to some of your readers. Every 
gardener is aware, that sprinkling cold water upon frozen plants has 
a tendency to restore them, but T am fully persuaded that, through 
ignorance of the nature of such application, it is seldom performed 
with that degree of success which itis capable. Heat, or caloric, 
exists in two states, viz., latent and perceptible; when any two sub- 


ON RESTORING PLANTS. 5 


stances of different temperature, come in contact with each other, the 
temperature of the one is raised, and that of the other is lowered, un- 
til the two substances become equal, and if they are of equal density, 

the temperature will be a mean one—this is provided that neither 
of these substances undergo a change from solid to fluid, or from 
finid to gaseous. In this case, a great quantity of perceptible heat 
will be consumed, and converted into latent heat; and if the change 
is from gaseous to fluid, or from fluid to solid, perceptible heat will 
be produced from the giving off of the latent. Thus, if equal weights 
of ice at 32, aud water at 172, be mixed together, the whole of the 
ice will be melted, but the temperature of the mixture will be 32, so 
that 140 degrees are lost, or converted into latent heat. 

Ifa tender plant that will not bear the frost, a Pelargonium for 
instance, be exposed to an atmosphere of 32, or exactly the freezing 
point, it will not be injured, but if the temperature sink below that 
point, say 28, under ordinary circumstances, when the least circula- 
tion of air is, the juices of the plant will be frozen, and it will be in- 
jured by the application of perceptible heat, in its rising from 28 to 
32;° but if the temperature when at 28 is raised by the freezing of 
water, when the act of freezing, by giving off latent heat, raises the 
temperature to the freezing point, the plant is uninjured. It follows, 
therefore, that the depletion of water should commence before there 
is any alteration in the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere, 
that is, in a morning before the sun rises, or before a fire is put on, 
and continued until the temperature is raised to the freezing point; 

but if the temperature of a greenhouse should be sunk to 28, and a 
slight syringing of water applied, only sufficient to raise the tempera- 
ture, by the congealation of its particles to 30, a great injury will 

_ be sustained ; if left to rise afterwards by perceptible heat to 32, as 

_ the agitation which will have taken place amongst the plants, will 

have more effectually frozen their juices. The water which is used, 
should not be much, if any, above the freezing point, or as cold as 
can be procured, so that the temperature of the plant should rise 

from 28 to 32, not by the application of a warmer substance so much 
as the converting of lateut into perceptible heat. It is also of very 

_ great consequence that the leaves or no part of the plant should be 
_ moved when in a frozen state, as the cellular tissue, of which they 
“are in a great measure composed, being of a very delicate texture, each 

cellule being filled with watery juice, which becomes frozen, the least 
bending of that part of the plant would rupture the membrane, which 
are only (and in many cases not quite) elastic enough to allow of 
the expansion of the water by freezing; it is, therefore, obvious that 


* 


6 ON CAPE HEATHS. 


instead of the water being laid on by a heavy rose, as I have sometimes 
seen, it should be done by a very fine syringe, like a shower of dew. 

Being pressed for time, and not wishing to take up too much of 
your valuable pages, I have put the above ideas (the result of expe- 


rience) in as condensed a shape as possible, but I hope not too much: 


so to be understood. 


ARTICLE III.—ON THE PROPAGATION OF CAPE HEATHS. 
BY A PRACTICAL HEATH GROWER. 


A GENUS so interesting, and we may say so long fashionable, must 


necessarily have early attracted the attention of plant cultivators ;. 


and from the profusion of flowers which most of the species produce, 
and their parts of generation being for the most part so perfect, we 
need not be surprised at the many hybrids which the care or curio- 
sity of the cultivator have produced. 

Heaths, like most other plants, propagate themselves from seed, 
although most of those cultivated in this country have hitherto 
originated from cuttings. A considerable portion of them ripen 
their seeds with us, and these are annual importations of seed from 
the Cape: particular care should therefore be taken in raising them, 
for there is a great probability of new varieties being produced, es- 
pecially from seeds produced in the heath houses of this country. 

Propagation from Seed—The time we would recommend for 
sowing heath seeds is late in February, or early in March.—By 
sowing them at this season, we can always have the young plants 
sufficiently strong to stand the following winter. The size of the 
pots should be according to what quantity of seed you have to sow, 
as we consider it best to sow only one sort in a pot. The pots should 
be filled at least one half with broken pots, so as to have them well 
drained. The upper part should be filled to within one-fourth of an 
inch of the top with very sandy peat, and the surface made smooth. 
Upon the surface so prepared, the seeds should be thinly sown regu- 
larly all over it, and scarcely any covering put over them ; this pre- 
caution is absolutely necessary from the circumstance that heath 
seeds are very small, and unable to push through a deep 
covering. The pots so sown should then be placed in a cold frame 
under glass, where they should remain ; and :f the weather should be 
very dry and much sun, they should be shaded with a mat. This 
shading should be continued constantly during sunshine, until the 
plants be from half an inch to an inch high, afterwards it should 
be gradually removed to harden them by degrees. For six or seven 
weeks the surface of the mould must never be allowed to become dry 


ON CAPE HEATHS. ~ 7 


but daily examined, at the end of which time the seeds may be 
expected to have vegetated ; some seeds, of course, do not vegetate so 
soon as others, therefore the pots should still be carefully attended 
to; but after three months or little more, all hopes of their vegeta- 
tion may be given up. As soon as the seeds begin to vegetate, the 
frame should have a little air admitted to prevent damp, and this 
should be increased as the young seedlings gain a little strength. 
Whenever the plants are sufficiently large to bear handling without 
injury, they should be potted out into small sized pots, well drained, 
always putting five or six into the same pot, particularly near the 
edge. In taking the young plants out of the seed-pot, great care is 
necessary that they be not injured; and when the whole (or as 
many as is wanted) is thus potted, they should be very carefully J 
watered with a fine rose watering-pot, and then kept for ten days or’ 
a fortnight in a close shady place, after which they should be placed 
upon shelves in the heath-house or greenhouse, as near the glass as 
possible, that they may enjoy plenty of light and air. Here they 
should be shaded for a few hours in the heat of the day, if there 
happen to be much sun at the time. In this state they are to stand 
till the spring, and to be regularly watered, and kept free of damp, 
which at this season is their greatest enemy. 

Propagation by Cuttings —Cuttings of heaths may be put in at 
any time when the young wood is taken, alter it has become suffi- 
ciently firm so as to prevent its damping off; many of the sorts will 
be in a proper state in the months of May, June, and July. The 
length of the cuttings must depend on the habit of the species of 
some of the free growing sorts, they may be about an inch anda 
half long; and from others that are of a more stinted growth, they 
may not exceed half an inch in length, in both cases they should be 
taken from the plant at the part where the young cutting starts from 
the old wood; strip off the leaves nearly half the length of the cut- 
ting, place the cutting on the nail of the thumb, and with a sharp 
knife cut off the smal] end close to the joint or place where it was 

pulled off the. plant. The pots for the reception of the cuttings 
should be about eight inches in diameter at the mouths, they should 
be filled at ieast five inches with broken pots, the upper part of which 
should be of a smaller size than those below, over which should be 
_ placed a thin layer of fog (hypnum) to prevent the mould from 
_ working down among the draining. The pots should then be filled 
to within one inch of the mouth with very sandy peat, and the re- 
mainder filled to the level of the edge with fine sifted pit sand, and 
the whole pressed firmly down. After being watered, the pot is then 


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8 ON GERANIUMS. 


fit to receive the cuttings. When more than one sort is put into a 
pot, care should be taken to select the kinds as near of a habit as 
possible ; unless this is attended to, some sorts will be found to strike 
root in a much shorter time than others, which makes it inconveni- 
ent when potting them out. When the pot is filled with cuttings, it 
should be well watered with a fine rose watering-pot, and placed ina 
close shady part of the stove as much away from fire beat as possible, 
and admitting no air near to the spot where the cutting pots 
are placed; likewise taking care never to allow the surface of the 
mould to become dry. Where there is not the convenience of a 
moist stove, an exhausted hotbed frame, where there is very little 
bottom heat, will be found to answer as well if not better. We do 
not consider bell-glasses at all necessary in any of the above-men- 
tioned situations, unless it be for some sorts that are very difficult to 
strike, such as Erica aurea, taxifolia, &c. or where the situation in 
which they are placed is very dry and airy. If glasses are used, 
they will require to be wiped almost every day, to prevent any damp 
from injuring the cuttings. And when they have struck root, which 
will be easily known by their beginning to grow freely, the glasses 
should be removed gradually some time before they are potted out. 
When the cuttings are rooted, they should be potted out singly into 
the smallest sized pots, and afterwards treated in the same way as 
recommended for seedlings. 

Young Heaths, either from seed or cuttings, should never be potted 
out later in the season than the beginning of September; if potted 
_ out after that period, they have not time to get established in the pots 
before the following winter. The soil best suited for the first potting 
should be one-half peat, and one-half sand, always taking care to 
drain the pots well with small pieces of broken pots or bricks.— 
Cuttings that are not rooted before the beginning of September, 
should be allowed to remain in the cutting-pots till the following 
March, after which they should be potted out, and heated in the 
same manner as already recommended. 


ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTURE OF GERANIUMS. 
BY MR. THOMAS APPLEBY, : 
Gardener to George Young, Esq. Sheaf House, near Sheffield. 


Havine promised you a paper on the Culture of Geraniums, I shall 
now endeavour to fulfil my engagement. 

I employ the term “Geranium” as being most popular, though 
the proper botanical term is Pelargonium. English, Stork’s Bill 


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ON GERANIUMS. 9 


(Pelargos. Stork) the fruit or seed having a beak like a Stork’s bill. 
As this is an extensive genus comprising nearly three hundred 


recorded species, and five hundred varieties, and as the same culture 


will not answer for them all, I find it necessary to divide it into three 
Species. 
' 1. Species that have tuberous Roots. 
2. Species that have not been hybridized. 
3. Species that have been hybridized. 

J. Species that have tuberous Roots. 

These have thick fleshy tuberous roots, and some species have 
short stems, but the greater part have no stems, the leaves and flow- 
ers springing immediately from the roots. Some are exceedingly 
beautiful, as P. longiflorum, niveum, Leeanum, undulaeflorum, rose- 
um, astragalifolium, asarifolium, dipetalum, &c. &c. All of them 
are pretty, and where there is convenience are well worthy of culti- 
vation. Unfortunately, they require considerable care ‘to cultivate 
them successfully, and hence they are much out of fashion, which I 
am sorry for, as I am pretty certain if they were better known, and 


 oftener seen, they would be more in request. 


A good greenhouse is the best situation for them during winter 
and spring; when in a growing state, they should be as near the 
glass as the arrangement of the house will admit. Plenty of air 
must be given on all favourable days. They should be frequently 
syringed with cold water, and be smoked with tobacco, whenever 
insects make their appearance. 

During the growing season, they require watering pretty freely, 
but as soon as they have done flowering, and their leaves begin to 
turn yellow, decrease the quantity of water gradually; the best 
method to do this will be to water once in three days, then once a 
week, then once a fortnight, and lastly, once a month, by which 
time they will be completely at rest, when no water must be given 
to them till they begin to grow again, which may be looked for about 
February or March. When at rest, any situation where they can 
be kept moderately dry and cool, will do for them. Heat, light, and 
moisture not being necessary. 

The best time to increase this section of Pelargoniums, is just be- 


fore they begin to grow. Take off a small tuber or two where they 


can be spared from each plant, and pot them into as small pots as 


they can be placed just to cover them; place them in gentle heat, 


giving but little water until they begin to grow, when they may be 


removed among the established plants, and the ordinary culture 


"given; they may also be increased by seed, which, however, they do 


not produce so freely as the shrubbv soecies, 


10 Asem ON GERANIUMS. 


The best soil for those plants is an equal mixture of loam, peat 
soil, and dung ; they require also well draining, by placing plenty of 
broken pptctierds at the bottom of each pot at least one inch thick. 

2. Species that have not been hybridized. 

Many of those species [also are rather difficult to cultivate, and 
in consequence are comparatively scarce; but if the following direc- 
tions are attended to, I trust the difficulty will be surmounted. 

The species under this head are represented by Pelargonium tri- 
color, bicolor, elatum, pendulum, tetragonum, fulgidum ovate, ele- 
gans, &c. &c. 

As they are all shrubby species, they require watering all the 
year, though always carefully, for if the soil gets sodden with water 
for a length of time, it is generally fatal to the plants. They also 
require greenhouse treatment during winter and spring. In sum- 
mer they require placing out of doors in an open situation, screened 


from high winds, and set upon a bed of ashes so thick as to prevent. 


worms from getting into the pots; keep them clear of weeds, tied up 
neaily, and regularly watered during dry weather. Pot them into 
larger pots when they require it; the best season for which operation 
is the month of April. 

The compost I have found them to grow best in, ‘is loam, peat 
earth, vegetable soil, and sand in equal parts. 

To propagate them, take youngish cuttings off about the month of 
May ; fit some bell or small hand-glass to such a number of pots as 
may be required ; fill them half full of broken potsherds, rough bits 
of turf, or anything that will permit the water to pass off freely ; put 
in upon them as much of the compost as will fill the pots up to one 
inch of the rims, and fill up to the top with pure sand, then give a 
gentle watering, and insert the cuttings, giving more water to settle 
the sand close and firm to them. When pretty dry, cover them with 
the glasses, and place them in a gentle heat; pot them off when 
struck, and keep them close and warm until they have struck root 
again ;_ then give them the ordinary treatment, as to situation, air, 


watering, potting, and so forth. Some of this section seed also, but © 


not freely. 


(To be concluded next month.) 


ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CRINUM. 11 


ARTICLE V. 


A FEW REMARKS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE GENUS CRINUM, 
BY MR. HENRY SANSOME, 
Gardener to the Rev. E. T. Halliday, North Town, Taunton, Somersetshire. 


Havine successfully cultivated many species of the beautiful genus 
Crinum, I am solicited by many of your readers to forward you my 
method of cultivation, which should you consider it worthy inser- 
tion in your valuable Magazine, itis at your disposal. 

The greater part of this genus being inhabitants of hot countries 
require the stove in order to their success, and a liberal supply of 
water during the summer months; but during winter, the quantity 
of moisture should always be diminished, otherwise many of the bulbs 
will perish. I find, however, those with columnar stems, do not ob- 
ject to plenty of moisture at all times, as the habit of their leaves is 
more decidedly perennial ; but it is by far the best, at all times, to 
rather underwater than overwater, and particularly those varieties 
which are of tender growth. 

The compost I find the best for Crinums generally, is a rich yel- 
low loam, rather of a friable texture; many cultivators of Crinums 
use peat in the compost, but I consider it very prejudicial ; plenty of 
drainage in the pots I consider very essential, so that the plants may 
often receive the proper nourishment of fresh water—the size of the 
pots much depend on the habit of the bulb—but in order to bloom 
them well, they require plenty of pot room when in a healthy state. 
Whenever the youngest leaves of any Crinum with a sprenial bulb 
turn yellow and decay, the bulb should be allowed to go to rest for a 
short period ; too much moisture in too low a temperature, will often 
produce this effect. In potting, the whole of the column should be 
kept above the soil, and all the obsolete coats, which are the base of 
decayed leaves, should be gradually stripped away, leaving the bul- 
bous stem smooth and clean. I find nearly the whole genus to suc- 
ceed the best when plunged up to the rims of the pots in troughs of 
sand, which are fixed over the flues; and during very hot weather, I 
find it very essential to inundate the troughs, but not to keep them 
constantly flooded; some of the species at the approach of winter, 
will require the pots to be turned on their sides, and to be kept per- 
fectly dry. . As soon as the plant has completely ceased to vegetate, 
shake the earth carefully from its bulb, pull off the decayed coats 
without making the bulb bleed, and repot it in dry pulverised Joam, 
and Jet no water be given till the spring. My minimum heat is 65 
Fahrenheits, and maximum from 80 to 90 


+ 


12 ON THE HOYA CARNOSA. ¢ 
If the preceding hints be strictly adhered to, success will follow. 
I have many other exotics doing equally as well as the Crinums, 
which, should you consider the same worth recording, I shall feel 
great pleasure in forwarding for insertion. : 


ARTICLE VII—REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF FUCHSIAS, 
By Mr. Wiiliam Barratt, St. John’s Botanic Gardens, Wakefield. 


By my former communications you will easily perceive, that I 
have paid some attention to that beautiful genus of plants, Fuchsias. 
I have this season added to my stock several very splendid varieties, 
andintend shortly to give you a continuation of the name, habit, and 
description of the new ones, to those of mine you have already pub- 
lished in the Floricultural Cabinet, for the last two years. The 
hint I wish to give you at present on Fuchsias, is, their arrange- 
ment in the beds, in order to produce, shall I say, one of the most 
splendid beds of beautiful and graceful flowering shrubs our gardens 
can boast of. The shape of bed most suitable is an oval one, say 
five feet across, and eight feet in length; plant in the middle of the 
bed some of the tallest growing kinds; in the next row round, some 
middle sized ones, weeping kinds; next row should be the several 
varieties of Globe Fuchisias ; and another row dwarf kinds,—and then 
complete the bed with an edging of Fuchsia reflexa, and Fuchsia 
microphylla, planted alternately: The plants when planted, shonld 
be in the middle two to three feet high, and the other rows gradually 
less in height; the edging should be about four inches in height. 
Although they will not all exactly grow proportionately to their 
heights when planted, yet they will do something near it, and if 
planted out in April, or early in May, in rich soil, and a little peat 
mixed, the effect will surpass the expectation of most people. 


ARTICLE VIII—ON THE CULTURE OF HOYA CARNOSA, 
BY S. W. E. SMITH, LYMINGTON, HANTS. 


In a former Number of the Cabinet, ‘‘ Pedro” wishes to know the 
treatment of the Hoya carnosa:—I have a beautiful plant, whose 
branches are nine feet long, and covered with large bunches of its 
lovely flowers, dropping their delicious juices upon other plants. It 
is trained across the greenhouse windows ; is potted in a mixture of 
equal parts of sandy loam, yellow loam, and good manure. I keep 
it nearly dry all the winter, and in spring and summer water plenti- 
fully every two or three days with good manure water. I have struck 


— ee 


ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 13 


three young plants since May. I take off the cuttings at two joints, 
and insert them in the same compost, kept a little moist, shaded 
and stimulated by the heat of the cucumber frame. They can be 
struck from single leaves only, but I have never tried the experi- 
ment. 


ARTICLE VIII.—ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 
BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER. 


Tuts Flower, though it has nothing mysterious in its cullivation, 
has furnished some authors with so large a subject to write on, that 
they have composed whole Volumes on it. They have discovered 
wonders in every particular, even to the least action they imagined 
within themselves that nature wrought in these flowers, which has 
carried them to very prolix considerations thereon, and to reflections 
rather chimerical, than backed with the least appearance of truth, 

Works of this nature in point of instructions, are of the number 
of those we call specious; and where the authors, by endeavouring 
to make out too plainly what they advance, are lost in imagining 
spaces, and puzzle themselves more and more. 

To what purpose is it to make a wonder of a thing that is all na- 
tural, plain and easy? Can they believe, that the shortest way to 
instruct, is to descend into particulars, which, far from encouraging 
us to cultivate a flower, disgust us rather, and dishearten us from it ? 
Besides that, these pretended rules are most of them merely visions, 
and arguments good for nothing but to swell a volume; nor can any 
advantage be gained from them: We, therefore, without further pre- 
face, will come at once to the point. 

To follow the natural Order in the culture of Pinks, reason re- 
quires us to begin, by giving rules for the method of sowing them, 
since seed is the first principle of all vegetables. 

Without going so much about the bush, to come to the method of 
sowing of Pinks, I say, we sow them in the naked earth upon hot- 
beds, or in pots of earth, or wood, in autumn, or in the month of 
March. 

We sow them in the naked earth, having first traced out a bed 
according to the rules of gardening, and of the size we think fit; 
upon which, we scatter mould at least an inch thick, but, not till 
after we have made the earth as tangible and easy to work as possible. 

If it be upon a hotbed, we need use no other ceremony ; for the 
mould that is there will be enough of itself, having a sufficient quan- 
tity of salts to give this plant its requisite growth for planting. 


14 ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 


But, if we make use of the pots of earth, or of wood, we must fill 
the bottom of them with a good kitchen-garden earth well sifted, and 
lay over it at least an inch thick of mould; this mixture pleases not 
some, who have written on this subject: but experience having more 
fully convinced me than all their empty discourses, I pretend to lay 
it down as an infallible rule. 

The pots and garden-plots, where you intend to sow your pink- 
seed, being ordered in this manner, you may scatter it thinly over 
them, or sow it in rows drawn by the line, I mean as to the bed; 
for, as to that you sow in pots, it must always be sowed scatteringly, 
and never in rows. When this seed is sown, take care to cover it 
forthwith, either with a rake, or with your hand. 

Having done this, water it immediately to the end of the mould, 
which is naturally light, may cleave the closer to it, better cherish 
the burgeon, and make it sooner take the requisite dispositions to 

*become a plant of its kind. In order to the obliging it to do this, 
likewise take care to sow the seed in places exposed to the sun, and 
to carry the pots where you have sown any into such places also. 

You should always have a good stock of pink-seed, that you may 
sow a great deal of it: For, a true florist should never give himself 
this trouble, but with a design to have some that are worth his rais- 
ing: and it often happens, that among a thousand plants we have 
scarce three or four that are worth our care, though indeed we have 
sometimes more. When these plants are come up, they require to 
be frequently watered. 

The Pinks sown in this manner, being come to a growth fit for 
planting, we prepare beds for them; along which, we draw drills by 
the line, four inches distance from one another; and observe the 
same in planting the Pinks. 

The usual season to plant Pinks from the seed, is always aborie the - 
end of March, or the beginning of April; and the Pinks thus put in 
the ground, grow till the next year without producing any flowers: 
but, after they have weathered out the winter in this condition, pro- 
vided we have taken care to protect them from the severity of the 
frosts, by covering them with straw, we see them pullulate, and 
shoot forth slips from the foot; and from the midst of most of those 
slips, rise sonze stalks that bear flowers, and others that serve only 
for layers. 

As soon as we have planted our Pinks from the seed, we take care 
to cover them in the day-time, with screens of straw laid ridge-wise 
over them, or with some piece of cloth stretched out over them in the 
same manner. to hinder the heat of the sun from coming too soon to 


ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 15 


the roots, and over-heating them; which would much retard their 
taking root again. And, we must not neglect to cover them in this 
manner for the space of seven or eight days, unless the weather 
should be rainy, which would save us that trouble: we must also not 
forget to uncover them every evening, that they may have the bene- 
fit of the freshness of the night, which, in that season is very propi- 
tious to plants. 

In the next month of the following year, when the Pinks are 
blown, we take a view of all that are planted, and have any flowers; 
and, if any of them have finer flowers than ordinary, we put some 
mark upon them, that we may have layers from them for increase, 
which is one of the three ways in use to multiply the kind. This 
first method of perpetuating Pinks, is properly speaking, a nursery. 

Next to the seed, which is the first way of increasing the kinds of 
the Pink, comes that of the layers; to succeed wherein, you must 
follow the rules Iam about to give you; but I presume that your 
Pinks are worth preserving, and that your slips come from valuable 
stocks. 

If so, take a penknife, or some other instrument of like nature 
that euts sharp, and, making choice among all the slips of the Pink, 
of that whose stem is strongest and fairest, make an incision in it 
through the middle of the nearest knot, to the foot of the plant, 
taking care that this incision go no farther than half, or, at most, 
than two-thirds of the knot: having done this, lay the slip gently 
down, fasten it with a little crooked stick, support it with another 
little stick, if you lay down your slips in the naked earth, for if it be 
in pots, the edges of them are sufficient to support them: then hav- 
ing covered with a little mould the part that is in the ground, water 
it well, and let it alone till it require your farther care. 

If it be in the naked earth that you lay down your layers, you 
must for the first three days take care to cover them, to keep them 
from too much sun, which at first would do them mischief: and if it 
be in pots, set them for the like number of days in the shade, and 
bring them afterwards into an aspect, that will make them act more 
vigorously. 

The layers ought to have taken root about the eighth or twelfih of 
September at latest; which is what you must take care to see: and 
if you find they have not, or that they have shot out only little fibres 
that can scarce be seen, you must get ready a bed of reasonable 
heat, and put in it the pots of the layers that have not yet taken 
root: this warmth is such a friend to the plants, that it never fails to 
actuate and give life to the parts that are disposed to shoot out the 
Toots. 


16 ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 


Indeed the layers that are in the naked earth have not this advan- 
tage ; for which reason too, more of them die away than of those that 
are in the pots. but on the other hand, this does not always happen ; 
and I myself have seen layers that had not retaken root within that 
time, lie in that condition in the naked earth all the winter, and take 
root towards the end of March, which is no small evidence against 
such as are over-cautious in the management of Pinks. 

Among all the productions that a stock of a Pink produces, there 
are always some of them that are much less than the others; and 
these are they we leave to keep up the chief stock. 

Now since the earth in which we set the layers is generally light, 
and by consequence unprovided of any large store of moisture; you 
must be careful to water the layers very often, and not to expose 
them to too great a heat. 

I wonder why the name of suckers has been given to that part ot 
the Pink we cut off, and that has no root; and why it was not rather 
called a slip, which is always taken for a small rootless branch of a 
plant, and which we thrust into the earth to make it take root: but 
in point of art we must always conform to the custom that has been 
long established: I say then that the third expedient made use of to 
multiply Pinks is by the suckers, which is performed in the follow- 
ing manner. 

Consider your pink-stock, and having cast your eyes over it, re- 
solve within yourself which suckers you will make use of: the middle 
sized are always the best: when you have done this, take your scis- 
sors, and cut off your suckers within two or three joints of the middle, 
which is the place whence the leaves spring out; and take care it 
have no more: when you have thus cut it off, slit it into four, by 
the lower end to the joint next that end, and from thence guide that 
incision to the second joint, and having taken off the tops of its leaves 
to within three inches of the middle of the sucker, throw it into the 
sun to make it wither alittle: when yon see it begin to languish, 
take it again and throw it into fresh water, and leave it there till you 
see it has recovered new vigour; then take it out of the water, and 
having your pots of earth or wood ready, and filled at the bottom 
with kitchen-garden earth, covered over with at least two inches of 
mould, thrust in your suckers to the second joint, press down the 
earth a little against the part you thrust in, water it plentifully, and 
set your suckers in the shade: do this, and I will answer for the 
success. 


(To be continued. ) 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 17 


PART IT. 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last. 


1, BANKSIA OCCIDENTALIS, West-Coast Banksia. (Bot. Mag., 3535.) Na- 
tural Order, Proteacea; Class, Tetrandria; Order, Monogynia. A very neat 
and handsome species of this very singular tribe of plants. Both foliage and 
flowers are pretty; the latter are of a dark red colour. Banksia, in honour of 
Sir Joseph Banks. 

, 2 BRAsSSAVOLA corDATA, Heart-lipped. Orchidacea; Gynandria; Monan- 
# aria. (Bot. Reg., 1914.) There is nothing very striking in the flower of this 
species of Epiphyte. The petals are of a greenish-yellow colour, very narrow, 
and about one inch long; the labellum is half an inch long, and the same 
breadth, heart-shaped—white. The plant is a native of Brazil, and was im- 
ported from thence by Messrs. Loddiges, in whose collection it has bloomed this 
year. ‘The species is yery nearly allied to B. nodosa; the flowers are only half 
the size of that species, and having a heart-shaped labellum. Brassavola, in 
compliment to A. M. Brassayol, an Italian Botanist. 
; 3. BrovuGHTONIA CoccINEA, Crimson-Flowered. Orchidacew ; Gynandria ; 
_ *Monandria. (Bot. Mag., 3536.) Synonyms, Dendrobium sanguineum ; Epi- 
dendrum sanguineum ; and Broughtonia sanguinea. The flowers of this species 
of orchideous plants, are said to be, by Dr. Hooker, the richest coloured of any 
of this splendid family of plants. It is but rare in the collections in this coun- 
try, though introduced, from Jamaica, to Kew Gardens, 1793. The plant usually 
blooms from May to July. ‘The flower stem rises about ten inches high, bear- 
ing a raceme of, from six to ten, very rich crimson coloured flowers, continuing 
in bloom along time. Each flower is upwards of an inch across. It is a yery 
desirable species, and well deserves a place in every collection. Broughtunia, 
in compliment to A. Broughton, a Botanical Author. 
, 4 CarLeya INTERMEDIA, VAR. PALLIDA, Pale-flowered. Orchidacee ; Gy- 
-Saandria ; Monandria. This species has bloomed in the collection of the Lon- 
don Horticultural Society. Itis a native of Brazil. Mr. Tweedie remarks of 
it, “This is by far the handsomest of the tribe found in the neighbourhood of 
Buenos Ayres, and grows equally well on the sea-beaten rock, and the moss 
covered tree in the heart of the forest, and is to be found in bloom at all seasons. 
There are many varieties of it; their colour pink and crimson.” The present 
variety is very beautiful. Each flower is about three inches across. The sepals 
and petals are of a pinkish-white colour. The labellum is three lobed, the cen- 
tre one feathery at the summit, and terminating with large stripes and spots of a - 
deep crimson, finely margined with white. The following fine species have 
been described by Dr. Lindley :—Catieya bicolor, native of Brazil; sepals and 
_ petals of a tawny colour; the labellum is of a bright purple and white. —C. coc- 
cinea, native of Brazil, avery beautiful flowering species. The flowers are about 
_ three inclies across, of a bright scarlet colour. The flower stems rise about three 
inches high. This latter circumstance connected with its brilliant coloured 
blossoms, render it a most striking and very desirable species. C. Harrisonia, 
a native of Brazil, producing from one to four flowers on a raceme. C. maritima, 
a native of Buenos Ayres, producing three flowers on a raceme, of a fine rose 
‘eolour. C. ovata, a native of Brazil, very much resembling C. labiata. Messrs. 
Loddiges possess a fragrant species with crimson flowers, which was discovercd 
by Mr. Schomburgh, in British Guiana. 
5 CRATAHGUS GLANDULOSA, VAR. MACRACANTHA, Long spined glandular 
_ Hawthorn. (Bot. Reg., 1912.) Rosacew; Icosandria; Pentagynia. Synonyms, 
_ ©. glandulosa; C. macracantha. A very fine variety of American Hawthorn, 
ot a vigorous habit, producing a profusion of deep vermillion red berries, in clus- 
ters, and which make a very showy appearance. ‘he foliage is of a dark green. 
_ The spines are from three to four inches long. 
Cc 


7 
’ ‘ 1 


18 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. ¢ 


6. DROSERA FILIFORMIS, Narrow-leaved Sun-dew. Droserocee ; Pentandria; 
Pentagynia; Synonym, D. tenuifolia. A native of New Jersey, where it was 
discovered by Mr. Macnab, and by him introduced to the Edinburgh Botanic 
Garden. It has bloomed in the Comely Bank Nursery, and in the stove at Dr. 
Reill’s. The flower stalk rises eight or ten inches high, producing a raceme of 
ten or twelve flowers, rose coloured, each flower about half an inch across. Dro- 
sera from drosos, dew; referring to the clear fluid which exudes from the foliage, 
and appears as if covered with dew. , th 

7. Evroca WRANGELINA; Baron Wrangel’s Eutoca. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 
362.) Hydrophyllee ; Pentandria; Monogynia. This pretty flowering annual 
is a native of New California, and has very recently been introduced into this 
country. It has bloomed, this summer, in the garden of A. B. Lambert, Esq., 
Boyton House, Wiltshire. The plant is of ready culture, giowing freely in the 
open border, and blooming for several months, and has a peculiarly neat ap- 
pearance. The cymose heads of pale-blue blossoms being showy ; each blossorf 
is about half an inch across. Eutoca, in compliment to Baron Wrangel, a 
Swedish Nobleman. 

8. GENISTA MONOSPERMA, Single-seeded. (Bot. Reg., 1918.) Leguminose; 
Diadelphia ; Decandria; Synonyms, Genista monosperma; Spartium monos- 
permum. It grows wild in Sicily, Barbary, Greece, at Gibraltar close to the 
sea-beaten rocks, where, in February, it blooms in vast profusion. It is said to 
be one of the most deliciously fragrant blossomed shrubs yet discovered. The 
flowers are white. Genista, from genu, the knee; branches being flexible like 
the knee-joint. 1, 

9. Isopacon BaxTeERI, Mr. Baxter's. Proteaceew; Tetrandria; Monogynia.” 
(Bot. Mag., 3539.) A native of New Holland, from whence it was sent to the 
Edinburgh Botanic Garden, in 1830; it has bloomed in the greenhouse at that 
place. The foliage is very handsome, much resembling Greyillia acanthifolia. 
The heads of flowers are rose coloured, with darkish tips. The plant usua!ly 
grows about two feet high. It is a pretty greenhouse shrub. : 

10. Marva Munroana, Mr. Munroe’s Mallow. (Bot. Mag., 3537.) Malva- 
cee; Monadelphia; Polyandria. It was introduced into this country by the 
late Mr. Douglas, who discovered it growing on the barren plains of the Colum- 
bia, in North-West America. It will bloom freely when grown in the open air 
in this country, and a warm and sheltered situation be selected for it; it wi 
then bloom from July to October. If cultivated in the greenhouse, it blooms 
from May. Tach flower is near an inch across, of a pale rose colour. 

11. NECTAROSCORDUM SICULUM, Sicilian Honey-Garlic. (Bot. Reg., 1913.) 
Liliacee ; Hexandria; Monogynia; Synonym, Allium siculum. A hardy bul- 
bous plant, discovered in the shady woods of Sicily; nearly thirty flowers are 
produced in each umbel; they are of a brown, purple, rose, and white inter- 
mixed, each flower is more than half an inch across; it is more interesting than 
showy. Nectaroscordum, from nectar, honey ; and skordon, garlic. 

12. ORNITHOGALUM CONIcUM. Pure-white flowered Star of Bethlehem. 
(Bot. Mag., 3538.) Asphodelee; Hexandria; Monogynia. A native of the 
Cape of Good Hope, from whence, Baron Ludwig sent bulbs to the Glasgow 
Botanic Garden, in 1835; the same year if bloomed in the greenhouse. The 
flower scape rises about one foot high, terminated by a raceme of flowers, at first 
conical, afterwards more elongated. The flowers are of a pure white, each near 
two inches across, making a showy appearance. Ornithogalum, from ornis, a 
bird ; and gala, milk. The plant producing much when bruised. 

13. PHromis ARMENIACA. Armenian Jerusalem Sage. Labiate; Didyna- 
mia; Angiospermia. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 364.) A hardy herbaceous perrennial 
plant, with flower stems rising about a foot high, producing numerous fine yel- 
low blossoms, which have a neat and elegant appearance, being large showy. 
The plant was introduced into this country in 1834, from Armenia, where it was 
found growing on dry stony hills. It well deserves aplace in the flower garden. 
It is grown in the Chelsea Botanic Garden. Phlomis, from Phlogmos, a flame; 
the down used for candle wicks. , 

14 PrescoTria cOLoRANS, Purplish Prescottia. (Bot. Reg., 1916.) Orchi- 
dacee; Gynandria; Monandria. A stove herbaceous orchideous plant from 
Brazil, andimported by Messrs. Loddiges. The flowers are produced in a dense 


nen Spill eae oom 6 


een, Se 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. _ 19 


manner, upon a spike of six or eight inches high, something in the way of the 
common Plantain—they are of a yellowish-green. Prescottia, in compliment to 
John Prescott, Esq., of St. Petersburgh, a celebrated Botanist. 

15 Rarrst COLUMNARIS, YAR. PULCHERRIMA, Painted-rayed. (Brit. 
Flow. Gard., 361.) Composite ; Syngenesia ; Polygamia Frustranea; Synonyms, 
R. sulcata; Rudbeckia columnaris; R. Tagetes. The late Mr. Drummond dis- 
covered this hardy perennial plant growing in Texas, from whence he sent seeds 
into this country. It is found frequently growing on the margins of rivers 
throughout the western regions of North America. The present showy variety 
has been raised by Mr. Miller of the Bristol Nursery. The flower stems rise 
from two to three feet high, each crowned with a splendid flower, three inches 
geross. The disk of the flower has a large portion of a fine velvety crimson and 
brown colour; the exterior part of a fine yellow. Altogether it is a very splen- 
did flowering, and deserves a place in every flower garden. 

16 SisyRINCHIUM GRAMINIFCLIUM, VAR. PUMILUM, Dwarf grass-leaved. 
(Bot. Reg., 1915.) Iridacee; Monadelphia; Triandria. This very neat and 
beautiful flowering plant was discovered on the mountains near Valparaiso and 
Conception; a plant of it has been sent to Robert Mangles, Esq., Whitmore 
Lodge, Summing Hill, Berkshire; in the very select collection of that gentle- 


- man it bloomed in May 1836. The flower stems rise near six inches high, pro- 


ducing a profusion of flowers, each of which is near an inch across, of a pretty 
yellow, with a deep purple spot at the base of each petal. The plant requires 
protection during winter in a cool frame or greenhouse. Sisyrinchium, from 
Sesurigchion; an old Greek name for the Iris Sisyrinchium. 

17. STACKHOUSIA MONOGYNA, Pink-tipped. (Bot. Reg., 1917.) Stackhou- 
siacee; Pentandria; Monogynia. A half hardy perennial herbaceous plant, a 
native of New Zealand, from whence it was sent by Mr. James Backhouse to the 
York Nursery. The flowers are produced in a dense spike. The petals are 
very narrow. Each flower is nearly half aninch across. The tips of the spikes 
are of a bright pink, but when the blossoms expand they are pure white. Stack- 
housia, in honour of the late John Stackouse, Esq., F.L.S., of Pendarvis, in 

rnwall. 

_18 VERBENA LAMBERTIA, vaR. RosEA. Drummond’s Pink Flowered Ver- 
vain. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 363.) Verbenacee; Didynamia; Angiospermia. 


_ This very pretty flowering variety was discovered by the late Mr. Drummond, 


in Texas, and is cultivated in this country under the name of V. Drummondi; 

the plant appears to be only a variety of V. Lamberti. The flower stem rises 
fo half a yard high, terminating in a spike, from three to six inches long, of 
fragrant flowers, which are pale rose coloured. When grown vigorously it is a 


_ very handsome varicty. It delights i in a fresh loamy soil, well enriched with 


manure or leaf mould. The plant is quite hardy and easily increased by slips. 
it may be obtained at most of the principal Nursery Establishments. 


gt | 
. 


20 ° MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. — 


PART III. a 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES. 


On THE CULTURE, &c. OF CacTusES.—In the month of August, 1835, I ad- 
dressed a Query to the Editor or Correspondents of the Floricultural Cabinet, 


requesting information as to the name and treatment of a number of small Cac-¢ 


tii, which I then described thus. They were raised from seeds, and originally 
appeared with flat leaves like the Cactus speciosa, but have since made shoots 


which are both hexagonal and octagonal, covered with hairs, each shoot having » 


the appearance of being twisted, they are now three years old. The specific 
name and mode of treatment to make them bloom freely, is what I request in- 
formation upou, and shall feel much obliged to any one who will kindly answer 
me. 

_ ON THE CULTURE OF CyCLAMENS.—A subscriber to the Cabinet would feel 


himself extremely obliged if any correspondent would inform him of the best. 


method of growing the Sweet Scented Cyclamen. I purchased several roots in 
bloom three years ago, but have not had the pleasure of witnessing a single 
bloom on them since. By giving this assertion in your next number, you will 
still further oblige yours, &c. ALPHA. 

December 13th, 1836. 

On Pansixs.—Can you or any of your Subscribers, inform me where, near 
Sheffield, I can procure the following Pansies, and at what price? viz. Royal 
Crimson, Iver Beauty, Rollinson’s Princess Victoria, and Jane Ann's Favourite. 

Near Sheffield, Dec. 13th, 1836. An ADMIRER OF THE CABINET. 


On SowiIne SEEDS OF ANOMATHECA CRUENTA, &c.—A Subscriber has been_ 
anxiously awaiting an answer in your Cabinet to the question asked in the Octo 
ber publication, relative to the management of the Seeds of the Anomatheca 
cruenta, and if likely to blossom the same year? Perhaps Mr. Harrison himself 
would be kind enowgh to give an answer in his next Number, as the season may ~ 
soon be too late to take advantage of the knowledge : equired. 

‘December 6th, 1536. 

The seeds should be sown as early as there may be the convenience of giving 
them a warm and moist temperature, as a cucumber or melon frame, or pine 
stove. The pot should have an inch deep or upwards of drainage, in a rich, 
light, sandy soil; we have found the plants to grow very vigorously. When the 
plants are strong enough to take up out of the seed-pot, which will be when 
about two inches high, let that be carefully done to retain all the fibrous roots, 
insert one plant into a small sixty-sized pot, replacing the plants into the frame, 
to assist in re-establishing them; when they appear to be striking root afresh, give 
an increase of air, so that the foliage does not draw up weakly. In a short time 
they will require pots a size larger. When this is done, they may be placed in 
a cooler department, as a greenhouse or frame, where they can be protected till 
the middle of May, when, with balls entire, they may be planted in the open 
border, where they will bloom the same season. We had some which bloomed 
from the middle of July to the end of September. The situation was open to the 
sun, and sheltered from the East, West, and North winds. ConDUCTOR. 

Ox THE Danvia.—Has any of the readers of the Cabinet tried the experi- 
ment of cutting the roots of two Dahlias, each into two parts, and then joining 
the two sorts together, that is, one portion of each kind being secured to a por- 
tion of the other. If this has been tried, I should be obliged by being informed 
what the result was in affecting the colour, &c. of the flowers. C. NEVILL. 

ORNAMENTAL CREEPERS, &c.—I should be very much obliged, if some 
reader of the Cabinet would give a list of Ornamental Creepers, or climbing 
plants, suited"to train against a wall, trellis, pillar, or arbour. A list of green- 
house, and one of hardy kinds, will confer a great kindness on Fora. 

Notts, Dee. 13th, 1836. ; 


| 
a 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 21 


ANSWERS. 


On DEsTROYING THE WIRE-WorM.—In answer to an inquiry respecting 
Wire-Worms, contained in the October Number of the Floricultural Cabinet, I 
beg to send the following Extract from Kirby and Spence’s Introduction to 
Entomology. “A very simple and effectual remedy for that destructive insect, 
the Wire-Worm, was mentioned to me by Sir Joseph Banks.—He recommended 
that slices of potatoes stuck upon oceneers, should be buried near the seeds sown, 
examined every day, and the Wire-Worms, which collect upon them in great 
numbers, destroyed.” 


On CompPErTition IN Exuipitinc Tuirs, &c.—In replying to the Query 
which was forwarded to us by Mr. Figgans, and inserted in the November 
Number, page 260, we give the.following as our opinion. Supposing that dis- 
tinct prizes are offered as follows :—The first Rose 20s.; second do. 15s.; third 
do. 10s.; and fourth do. 5s. In this case, A would be entitled to 20s. and C to 
5s. In the same manner A would be entitled to 10s. in Bibleemz.ns, and 10s. in 
Bizards; and C to 15s. in Biblemans, and 15s. in Bizards. A would thus ob- 
tain 40s. and C 35s. From which it is evident that A has the advantage over C, 
in the first prizes, viz. 20 to 5, whilst C has the advantage in the second prizes 
over A of 30 to 20. If A and C were to compete where there were prizes only 
given to firsts and seconds, then the first would be obtained by A; but if no 
thirds were offered prizes, A would not be entitled for the third Biblemans, or 
third Bizards; C would not be entitled for the fourth Rose, but would claim the 
prize for the second Bib. and second Biz. Thus A would get the first prize, and 
C the seconds. 

(None of our Correspondents having replied to Mr. Figgans’s Query, and an 
answer being desired in the December Number, we have inserted our opinion of 
A and C’s claims in such a competition.) Conpuctror. ~ 


On THE CULTURE OF CacTUsEs.—-A Correspondent requesting instructions 
on the Culture of the Cactus, I heewith send you some practical observations 
taken from the Horticultural Transactions, they are part of an excellent com- 
munication by Mr. Green, gardener to Sir Edward Antrobus, Bart—* The - 
compost that I use,” observes Mr. Green, “is an equal quantity of light turfy 
loam, and pigeon’s dung, and one-third sheep’s dung, exposing the mixture one 
year to the influence of the summer’s sun and winter frost to mellow. When 
wanted for use, I add one-third of sandy peat, in both cases mixing them well 
together. I grow the young plants from February to July, in the forcing flower- 
house kept from 55° to 6U° Fahr. Iafterwards remove them to a shelf in an 
airy situation in the greenhouse, exposed to the mid-day sun, giving them plenty 
of air and little water. The plants that I want to flower the following Septem- 
ber, are placed in the forcing-house the first week in December, giving them 
very little water for the first ten days, and gradually increasing the water as the 
plants advance in growth. About the Ist of February I stop all the young 
shoots, which soon become well ripened; from this time I decrease the quantity 
of water until they become quite dry, in order to throw the plants into a state of 
rest. In the beginning of March, I replace them in a cold shady situation in 
the greenhouse, treating them as before. For plants to flower in August, I 
place a quantity more in the forcing-house the first week in January, treating 
them the same as those for September; only they are put to rest in the green- 
house a fortnight later, and replaced in the forcing-house one week sooner.— 
The first owering plants are put in the forcing-house the end of January, and will 
come in flower about the middle of March. When these plants have done flow- 
ering, and are removed from the drawing-room, or greenhouse, I prune out most 
of the old shoots that have flowered, so that the plants are furnished regularly 
_with young shoots for flowering the ensuing year; these plants are also placed 
in the forcing-house for ten days, to ripen the young wood and dry up the mois- 
ture, and are then put to rest in the greenhouse as usual: euch plants will 
flower a second time in October. Others put in the forcing-house the middle of 
February will flower about the end of April; if then pruned, and dried, and put 
to rest as before, they will flower a second timc in November, and so on in pro- 
portion. I repot them at all seasons whenever the plants may require it, always 


* 
22 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. _ 


observing to keep the pots well drained with potsherds, that the moisture may 
pass off readily. This process may be considered troublesome, but superior 
growth, and abundance of flowers, amply repay the care bestowed. By the 
above treatment, C. speciosus and Jenkinsoni have generally produced from 
ninety to a hundred fine expanded flowers, at one year old. The plants that I 
brought to the Society (May 21, 1833,) were about two years old; the C. specio- 
sus bore two hundred flowers, C. speciosissimus seventy-two, C. Jenkinsoni one 
hundred and ninety-four. I prefer growing them in wooden tubs, with nice 
stakes fixed to the tub, to the usual mode of supporting them by sticks driven 
into the ball of the plant, which I consider injures the fibre, and makes the 
plant appear unsightly.” 


REMARKS. 


On THE CaBINET Numeers, &e.—The Floricultural Cabinet is unquestion- 
ably the most valuable Publication to the Amateur, as well as the practical 
Gardener, both rich and poor, its pages being open for questions and answers, 
which are both amusing andinstructive. I have frequently seen questions in it 
which would seem at first sight but of little utility if answered, but in them- 
selves of great importance, especially to the young beginner, and pleasing to all 
who have the pleasure of perusing it. The low price at which the Cabinet is 
charged, places it within the reach of every one who is anxious for improvement 
in the beautiful study of Horticulture. 1t is to be regretted that the Proprietor 
did not, when the Cabinet was first established, see the likelihood of so useful a 
Work rising to its present dignity, and have many more Numbers printed than 
was called for, as a friend of mine being anxious to possess the whole of the 
Numbers now published can only obtain 26 of them. We are informed by the 
Bookseller (who supplies me with the Number monthly) that the Numbers 
above named cannot yet be obtained, nor can he say whether they will be ob- 
iainable or not. You will therefore greatly oblige me and my friend by inform- 
ing us in your next Number, how and when we are likely to get them.* We 
have not yet been favoured, as suggested by one of your corréspondents, with 
Plates and description of Grasses. I feel confident that it would be of very 
great utility, as so little is known about Grasses, when so much is required, if a 
Double-Nember were to be issued until a few descriptions on Grasses with plates 
were given. I do not think that any one of your numerous Subscribers would 
object to it, for myself I would rather give one shilling per Number, and have 
two plates and descriptions, when we could also have some of our good old- 
fashioned flowers represented. 

Can any of your Subscribers inform me of a Grass or any other aquatic plant 
that would grow in an iron tank about 12 feet by 9, where lukewarm water is 
always running through it. EscHSCHOLTZIA. 

Liverpool, December 14th, 1836., 


On New or HanpsomMe FLowerine Prants.—Tropeolum brachysema.— 
Last month we noticed, at page 295, a new species of Tropcolum, the specific 
name of which we did not know. We have recently obtained information that 
it had been named by Dr. Lindley T. brachysema, to whom a flowering speci- 
men had been sent, by G. C. Rashleigh, Esq. Hyde Lodge, Winchester, Hants. 
Mr. Rasleigh has received a considerable collection of ‘roots, bulbs, and seeds, 
from Valparaiso, among which was seed of the Tropeolum. It has bloomed in 
the collection of that gentleman, flowering very freely, of a pretty yellow, 
slightly streaked with a dark colour inside. The blossoms hanging in abundant 
clusters add very much to its beauty. The foliage is exactly like the T. tricolo- 
rum. The flowers are in form more like the common Nasturtium of the gardens, 
each flower being rather more than half an inch across. It is a very neat and 


* Complete sets of the Cabinet, from No. 1 up to the present one may now be had of Messrs" 
Waitraker & Co. We had no idea, at the commencement of the Cabinet, fhat the demand 
would be more than one quarter of what it has reached, or we should have been better prepared 
to meet the wishes of our friends. The increased demand each month, and getting up back 
Numbers, has required great expense and exertions in the operations. We have much plea- 
sure in announcing that we can now, and in future, meet the demand. CONDUCTOR. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 23 


pretty species, well deserving a place in every greenhouse. Plants of it have 
been sent to Mr. Thompson and Mr. Knight, King’s Road, Chelsea, and Mr. 
Ingram, Southampton. Mr. Rasleigh has also flowered some other handsome 
Tropeolums, differing in some particulars from T. tricolorum, and T. elegans. 
‘The collection contained some new specimens of Phycella, as well as a very 
sweet, night-scented, small flower, which is sapposed to be Leucocoryne odorata. 

Gardoguia multiflora, Many flowered.—A very neat and handsome flowering 
species, requiring a greenhouse temperature. It is a shrubby plant, growing 
from a foot to half a yard high. It has very much the appearance of a neat 
plant of the Fuchsias. The flowers are produced in abundance, very similar to 
the Epacris grandiflora, they are about the same size and form, of a pretty rosy 
crimson colour. The foliage is fragrant. The plant deserves a place in every 
greenhouse. It strikes freely, and may soon be had of most nurserymen. 

Sedum Siboldi—A new species from China, which requires to be grown in 
the greenhouse. The plant blooms profusely, and its fine scarlet flowers make 
a very showy appearance. It is propagated easily, and may soon be had fo 
most of the public nurserymen. 

Eutaxia pungens.—This is a very neat handsome and abundant blooming 
species, recently sent from New Holland, and is now spreading in the London 
Nurseries. It is a shrubby plant, growing from two to three feet high. The 
flowers are yellow with an orange red centre. The plant deserves a place in 
every greenhouse. It blooms freely during summer. 

Clerodendrum speciosissimum, Showy flowered.—This fine flowering shrubby 
plant has very recently been introduced into this country, and is one of the 
most showy plants for the conservatory or greenhouse. The plant grows to 
four or five feet high, and produces numerous large spreading panicles of fine 
rich scarlet flowers. Each blossom is two inches across. It may be had of the 
public nurserymen, and it well deserves a place in eyery conservatory or green- 
house. We were informed, the plant had been introduced into this country by 
Messrs. Lucombe, Prince & Co. Nurserymen, Exeter. 

Bignonia venusta—A most splendid flowering climber, which ought to be in 
every stove, warm conservatory, or greenhouse. When the plant has got esta- 
blished, it blooms profusely, its large clusters of flowers, near twenty in each, 
of a fine orange colour, being exceedingly showy. Each trumpet-shaped blos- 
som is near three inches long. If the roots of the plant have the advantage of 
a bark pit, or otherwise wormed, it greatly promotes its vigour, and is the means 
of bringing it early into bloom. Plants may be had of most public nursery es- 
tablishments. 


On OncuHIDE#.—For what purpose can the world have been adorned with 
these Orchideous plants? To man or animals they are scarcely ever of any 
.  knownuse. No honey i is secreted by their flowers; neither poison, medicine, 
nor food, are collected in the recesses of their stems; and their very seeds seem 
unfit for ‘feeding even the smallest bird. We can scarcely Suppose them provi- 
- ded for the purification of the unwholesome atmosphere of the forest recesses in 
which they delight, for their organization is that of plants whose leaves perform 
[ _ their vital actions too slowly to effect such a purpose. For what then can they 
have bees formed, unless to delight the sense of man, to gratify his eye by their 
gay colours and fantastic forms, and to shew the inexhaustible fertility of that 
creative power which we recognise every where in Nature. If this be not the 
_ object of those countless changes of form and colour which the Orchis tribe ex- 
hibits, we shall scarcely comprehend why in this very genus Oncidium the lip 
___ bears at its base a collection of tubercles which are not only different in every 
__—-species, but so strangely varied, that 
4 “ Eye of newt, and toe of frog,” 
are the least singular of the forms that lie cowering in the bosom of their petals; 
the heads of unknown animals, reptiles of unheard-of figures, coils of snakes 
_ rising as if to dart upon the curious observer, may all be seen in the blossoms 
3 of the various species, whose very flowers may be likened to unearthly insects 
on the wing. 


ON NUMEROUS SPECIES OF LuPINES.—In the Synopsis of the Genus Lupi- 
A nus, by Dr. J. G. Agardh, that gentleman has described seventy-six certain spe- 
_ cies, and adyerted to seven other kinds of whieh very little is known, 


Rae : MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


On CuInEsE GARDENING.—The style of Chinese gardening, like other arts, — 
is peculiar ; they have no idea of spacious landscape ; there is a littleness in all 
their designs ; they have a desire for a small part of every the grandest features 
of nature: lakes, where a mackerel would be puzzled to turn; rocks which a 
man may carry away under his arm; aged trees fifteen inches high; and thick 
forests of pines composed of equisetum. Of whatever extent the ground may 
be, it is all divided into little squares, parallelograms, or irregular areas of a few 
square yards or perches. These compartments are surrounded by low brick 
walls, having a flat coping, on which are placed flowering plants, in fine glazed 
porcelain pots. The paths are often composed of flat stones, not two of which 
are on the same level, if near together. A great deal of trellis-work are in the 
gardens, either appearing like the remains of former fences, or as coverings of 
naked walls. Ifa ditch or artificial hollow be in the garden, it must be crossed 
by a semi-circle arch of four or five feet span. Their little tanks of water are 
not considered beautiful until they are completely covered with ducks’ meat, 
(Lemma); in short, there are so many childish freaks which constitute the 
beauty of a Chinese garden, that it is astonishing so clever and civilised a peo- 
ple can be gratified with such puerile efforts of unnatural taste, As far, how- 
eyer, as their collections of flowering plants decorate a garden, the assemblage 
is enchanting. Their Magnolias, Bombaces, Azaleas, Camellias, Ixoras, Pao- 
nies, &c., not to mention the great variety of herbaceous and aquatic plants 
natural to the country, are indeed magnificent; indeed one of the finest traits 
of the Chinese character is their fondness for flowers. 


REFERENCE TO PLATE. 


1. Marsi’s Paragon Dahlia.—This very handsome kind was raised by Mr. 
Marsh, Gardener to Sir Bethell Codrington, Bart. The flowers are of a very 
perfect form, cupped petals. It is a profuse bloomer, comes into bloom early, 
and has always produced double blossoms; the flowers stand well above the 
foliage; the plant grows three feet high. We purchased the stock of Mr. Marsh 
last season. A considerable quantity of very vigorous plants will be offered for 
sale early this spring. é 

2. Gardoquia Hookeri, Dr. Hooker's. Gardoquia; Labiatw; Didynamia; 
Gymnospermia. This very neat and handsome flowering plant is a native of 
South Carolina, from whence it was sent, along with many other valuable seeds, 
by Mr. Gordon, to Mr. Charlwood, Seedsman, Tavistock-Street, Covent Garden, 
London. During the last summer, we saw it in the very select collection of 
plants at William Bows, Esq., Broughton, near Manchester; it was cultivated 
in a warm part of the greenhouse, and by the very successful mode of culture 
the plants had, they produced a vast profusion of blossom, and had a most 
handsome appearance. The plantis shrubby, grows from half a yard to two 
feet high, bushy, blooming from April to November. The very worthy gar- 
dener, under whose management every thing appears to be cultivated in a state 
of perfection, entitling him to very superior merit, informed us, that to have 
healthy plants, young ones must be annually raised, (cuttings striking very 
easily,) and they may be constantly kept in an excited state. The pots had a 
free drainage, and in a mixture of sandy peat and loamy soil, it flourished in 
the manner we stated. We understood that the plant was very liable to injury 
from oyer-waterings, that especial attention to avoid this was necessary, Gar- 
doquia, in honour of D. Diego Gardoquia, Minister of Finance under Charles 
4th, King of Spain, a lover of Botany, who greatly assisted in the publication of 
the Flora Peruviana. 

3. Verbena Tweediana, Mr. Tweedies’. This very handsome flowering plant 
has bloomed in Scotland during the lesisummer, where it attracted much notice. 
Several of our friends who saw it, one of whom says, that it very far exceeds 
that admirable little plant V. melindres, (chamedrifolia,) the racemes of flowers 
being much larger, as also the flowers, and of a fine crimson red colour. The 
plant grows erect, from half a yard to two feet high, blooming very freely. It 
deserves a place in every greenhouse and flower garden. It strikes readily by 
cuttings, and grows vigorously in a rich loamy soil. 


troy fo: 


———=<==<&=_- =~ ~-— 


THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


FEBRUARY Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE NEAPOLITAN VIOLET. 
BY MR. ERRINGTON, OULTON PARK, CHESHIRE. 


I Bee to hand you the following remarks, on the culture of that 
lovely winter flower the Neapolitan Violet, for insertion in your 
excellent Magazine, if you consider it worth your notice; for I do not 
remember haying seen anything of the kind in that work from its 
commencement. 

The first part of the process is to obtain early runners, to affect 
which it is of course necessary to have a bed or patch of established 
plants in hand—such being the case, commence your operations early 
in April, by sifting some very fine vegetable mould all over them; of 
course not choking the plants, but merely to form a receptacle for 
the fibres of the young runners. In the course of a month, by due 
attention to watering when dry, &c., (a process particularly neces- 
sary,) fine early young runners may be obtained. Prepare them a 
bed or beds on an open and airy border, (south if possible,) and if 
the soil be somewhat solid so much the better, as the object is 
not so much to get an excessively luxuriant, as an early and stiff 
plant. On this solid sub-soil (if I may so term it) raise a bed six 
inches above the common level, with soil composed as nearly as 
possible, of equal parts of fresh loam, inclining to lightness and vegetable 
soil; by which latter I mean about equal parts of bog or heath soil, 
and finely decomposed leaf mould. 

On this bed prick them out at about eight inches apart each way, 
and all that remains to be done, while they are in this situation, is to push 
their cultivation on as fast as possible, by complete attention to 
watering and weeding. If the weather prove excessively sunny for 
days together, shading at any period through the summer will be 
highly advantageous. One thing must be here remarked,—to- 

VOL, V. D 


26 ON THE NEAPOLITAN VIOLET. 


- 


wards July they will be getting strong, and of course producing 
abundance of strong runners: as soon as these become thick 
they must be thinned with the knife, once or twice; in doing which, 
let all those that appear long-jointed be cut entirely away, and all 
such as appear short-jointed and stiff, be retained: leaving finally 
from three to six, not more, of these stiff and staunch adherents. In 
the first week of September, if the cultivation has been done justice 
to, they will be fit to remove into their winter quarters, for what is 
termed forcing. As to the making up of the frame, fancy must dic- 
tate that, as there are so many modes, and each good of its kind: 
I will, however, just observe by the way, that they are very impatient 
of heat and moisture, and are full as likely to be “ killed by kind- 
ness’ as lost by neglect. In this, as in most of our gardening oper- 
ations, nature must be our principal guide. I have tried a small 
bottom heat of leaves, and have found it to answer well; but this of 
course requires great caution to watering and giving air, as they are 
liable to damp off in winter: however, Iam convinced that if the 
runners be obtained and cultivated early they will be best on 
a cool bottom, say an old melon bed that stood high enough to receive 
a good body of lining through the winter: in which case the old bed 
may be pierced through with abundance of holes, both for the escape 
of superfluous moisture, and for the sake of the heat of the linings 
penetrating the bed. The soil they are to be planted in should be 
prepared as follows :—about three inches thick for the bottom, of the 
surface of an old cucumber bed, taking as much rotten dung, as 
loam or soil: on this place about three or four inches more of the 
compost before directed, only adding a good sprinkling of sharp 
sand, and a litile very rotten dung to it. The plants may now be 
removed, in doing which, take care to obtain as large balls of earth 
as is possible, the less check they receive the better; and when the 
frame is planted give the whole a good watering. All that can be 
done hereafter, is to keep on the lights in all rainy and inclement 
weather; never suffering them to have a drop of rain, and giving 
them all the air possible without starving them. As the early frosts 
begin, let the plants be regularly matted up at nights; as the cold in- 
creases, add more mats towards December and through severe 
weather plenty of hay or litter: I need scarcely add, be sure to keep 
the’frost out. Let it be well remembered that they are very impatient 
of confined damp, and also of heat:—from 50 to 58 degrees is plenty 
for them. The slugs are mortal enemies to the blossoms; therefore 
be sure to keep a few cabbage leaves in the frame, and pick them 
over regularly every evening or morning. By these” means this 
lovely winter flower may be obtained in the very highest perfection 
from October to May. 


ee 


en ee ae 


ON FORCING ROSES. wh 


ARTICLE J1.—ON FORCING ROSES, &e. 
By J. R. Willis, Gardener to the Rey. W. P. Thomas, Drakes Place, Wellington. 


As I see no answer to the desire of your correspondent, ‘“‘ A Devo- 
nian,” in Vol. iv, page 75, on Forcing Roses, I once more intrude 
on the pages of your valuable work, the Floricultwral Cabinet. 

In giving an account of the plan I adopted with the Roses I had 
under my care last season, I must observe that it answered my most 
sanguine expectations; I am, therefore, following the same mode of 
treatment this present one. I hope at the same time it will meet the 
wishes of ‘“‘ A Devonian.” 

I pot the plants the latter part of August in the compost -and 
same sized pots I recommended in Vol. ii, page 3 of this work, Havy- 
ing but one plant stove, which is about 40 feet long by 15 feet wide, 
I take a common cucumber frame, putting some rotten tan into it, in 
which I plunge the pots, (but I should have named, that before I put 
them into the frame, they are pruned back to two or three eyes,) I 
then put a strong lining of hot dung, as recommended by Mr. Wood, 
in Vol. ii; and put on the lights directly, having some very thick 
reed mats# made for the purpose, I cover the lights with them; 
they remain covered in this manner about a fortnight when the 
buds will all have broken. I take the mats off and let them have all 
the light I can so as to bring them to their colour, which they will attain 
ina few days. I then remove them to the coldest end of the plant 
stove, which I keep now at 75 or 80 degrees ; I keep them to this situ- 
ation about a week, when I remove them on a trellis to the front of 
the house, towards the end where the heat first enters, where I keep them 
moderately moist at the roots, and occasionally syringe the tops. It 
is almost needless to add, that the time for putting them into the frame 
can only be governed by the time they are required to be in bloom, 
which I find to be about six or seven weeks from the time of putting them 
in the frame. In answer to the question, ‘“‘ Whether it is possible to have 
fine forced Roses late in December and January?” I reply, that I have 
forced them so as to have them in bloom at Christmas, but the flowers 
were never so fine, neither do I find them to bloom so freely as those 
which come in flower in February and March; in fact I have had 
them in February and March little inferior to those in the open air. 
With respect to whether “They will bear removing to a conservatory 
after the blossoms are produced, &c.?” I answer, they will remain in 
flower much longer thanif kept in the stove, but I find that the buds that 
were just formed when they were taken from the stove will turn yel- 
low and drop off; they are not so liable to fall when kept in a warm 
room inthe house; I have had them in the house for more than a 


week, and then removed them back to the plant stove, and opened 


the buds already formed, but they certainly feel a check, as they were 
not so fine as the first. Jn answer to the question concerning ‘ Moss 


D3 


28 ON THE WIREWORM. 


and Province Roses?” They both force remarkable well with me, 
and produce a great number of flowers; the only difference I show 
them in treatment from the others, is, they are syringed rather oftener 
than the other sorts. The Roses I principally force, are those here 
named, they may not be considered the best by some, as I am aware 
that the different growers have their fancy sorts for the purpose of 
forcing Moss crimson, Moss scarlet, Province, Crimson perpetual, 
Gloire de jardens, Lee’s perpetual blush, Yorkshire province, Indica 
Ochroleua Noisette, Smith’s New Yellow Noisette, Charles 10th— 
These are the sorts I most admire for the purpose of forcing, not for- 
getting the one recommended by Mr. Wood, viz., Rose du Roi. With 
regard to ‘ The height the Dog Rose stock should be, to shaw the 
flowers to advantage?” I should say, in answer, that the heiyht in 
some measure depends on a persons own fancy, but, however, my 
opinion is, the dwarfer it is the better. 

The Persian Lilac should be taken up or repotted as soon as the 
leaves are off, and potted in a sandy loam, in pots sufficiently large to 
to contain their roots when potted; put them in some convenient and 
sheltered place, until the latter part of January, then put them in the 
stove, and keep them moderately moist. Hydrangea horfensis may 
be forced just in the same manner. 

The greatest beauties we can add to a conservatory in spring, are, 
in my opinion, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Kalmias. Those I force 
are Rhododendon ponticum, Do. Smithii, Do. Cunninghamii, Do. ar- 
boreum, Do. Catawbience. Kalmia latifolia. Azalea Indica alba, 
Do. pheenicea, Do. Smithii, Do. pink, Do. blush, Do. white, Do. 
yellow. These should be carefully taken up with good balls, disturb- 
ing the roots as little as possible, and put them in pots large enough 
to contain the balls. The time I pot them is in November—I do not 
recommend their being brought into the forcing-house until after 
Christmas, when they will begin to push directly ; the only treatment 
T use, is keeping them moist and syringing the buds. 

Dec. 6th, 1836. 


ARTICLE 11I—ON DESTROYING THE WIREWORM. 


BY C. S, PLUMSTED HALL, 


A “ Subscriber and Constant Reader” mentions in the Floricultural 
Cabinet for October, 1836, that a friend of his had lost, in one season, 
an extensive collection of Dahlias owing to the attacks of wireworms. 
The same circumstance is very prevalent in those counties where the 
cultivation of hops are general; and the method adopted by a very 
clever grower of these plants is, to have five or six slices of raw 
potatoes placed among the loose mould which surrounds the plant 
you wish to preserve. In a short time the slices of potatoe will be 
quite filled with the worms, when it is advisable to employ women or 
children to take up the slices of potatoe and put down fresh ones. 


ON THE ERYTHROLENA CONSPICUA. 29 


In the hop ground I saw, one of the slices of potatoe alone con- 
tained twenty wireworms, and by examining one slice of potatoe it 
will be easily discovered when they require to be replaced. 


ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTURE OF THE PRIMULA SINENSIS. 
By Mr. Plant, Gardener to S. H. Haslam, Esq., Chesham, Bury. 


Ir may not be unacceptable to some portion of the readers of your 
Floricultural Cabinet, to be informed of a mode of treatment in 
order to bloom the Primula Sinensis in its best perfection, and at its 
proper season. 

The compost I make use of consists of rich light loam and peat 
soil in equal parts. 

The seed is sown in the month of May, in a pan lightly covered 
and placed in a cold frame. When the plants have formed their two 
first rough leaves they are transplanted singly into pots of sixties; 
when their roots have filled these, they are then removed into 
forty-eights, and afterwards into thirty-twos, keeping them in the 
same situation, fand finally into twenty-fours when removing them 
into the greenhouse in October. It is necessary in all the pottings to 
give a good drainage of broken crocks or cinders. 

The Primula Sinensis and its varieties, treated after this manner, 
form a desirable addition to the greenhouse and conservatory during 
the winter and spring months, afterwards they may be planted into 
the open border or thrown away, as it is requisite in order to have 
good blooming plants to sow the seed every year. : 


ARTICLE V.—ON CULTIVATING THE ERYTHROLENA CONSPICUA 
BY SCARLET THISTLE. 


My pleasure ground is laid out with small clumps of different shapes, 
one clump is planted with white dahlias, another with yellow and so 
on. I am fully convinced that by having each ‘clump planted in this 
manner, the superiority of one flower over the other is more fully 
seen and the effect more striking. 

The clump next to the one planted with white Dahlias I had planted 
with Erythrolena conspicua, and I do assure you the effect was most 
beautiful. The plant is of very easy culture; I recommend the seed to 
be sown under a hand-glass in March, and when the plants are three 
or four inches high, to be placed singly into pots, and kept in a frame 
until the middle of May, when they may be turned out of the pots 
into the clump. The soil I find them to thrive the best in, is a rich 
loam. I have had plants this season from five to seven feet high, and 
completely covered with fine large bright scarlet flowers. Should you 
consider this worth noticing, you shall hear from me again. 


Pas 


30 ON THE AURICULA: 


ARTICLE VI. 
_ ON THE TREATMENT OF THE ERITHRYNA LAURIFOLIA. — 
BY G. H.S. y 


Tue Erythrina laurifolia was introduced into Britain in the year 1800, 
from South America, and is generally treated as an inhabitant of the 
stove and greenhouse only, which on trial is found to grow and flower 
most beautiful when planted out in the open air with other exotics from 
the same country ; using a compost of peat, sandy loam, and decayed tree 
leaves, well chopped and incorporated together, but notsifted. If planted 
in spring, head it down almost to the surface of the ground, and place a 
hand-elass over it, keeping it close until all the buds are broke, then 
admit plenty of air in favourable weather; on the hand-glass being 
removed, the young shoots must be well secured, in case of wind, as 
they are very apt to break, if not supported. If treated as above, it 
will have a fine green foliage intermixed with its beautiful scarlet 
blossoms from July to September. When it has done flowering, it 
may be headed down and covered with tree leaves for the winter, or 
all the shoots tied together, and then rolled up with hay-bands, and 
in spring treated as before directed. © 


ARTICLE VIL—ON THE CULTURE OF THE AURICULA, 
By James Sheppherd, Nursery Seedsman and Florist, Winchester. 
I nave for the last ten years practised growing Auriculas, and 
followed Mr. Emerton’s plan, laid down in his Treatise, for several 
years; but loosing so many plants, year after year, convinces me that 
his compost is too hot, which induced me, three years ago, to try 
a fresh compost, and it proved very successful. My plants this 
year completely cover the pots with leaves, which have from 
twelve to twenty-two leaves, with trusses, from nine to twenty-two 


pips. 

Good soil and good management, as Mr. Emerton observes, is not 
easily beaten, although I differ with him in many respects ; as for in- 
stance, I do not use exactly the same soil, nor keep my plants under 
glasses in the winter, neither keep them in the same situation when in 
bloom. The situation in which I keep my plants for the four winter 
months, viz., October, November, December, and January, is under a 
shed, in a full south aspect, where they can enjoy all the sun. Ob- 
serve to keep them tolerably dry; the beginning of February I top- 
dress them and put them under glasses, but giving them all the air I 
possibly can, and also to kecp the frost from them; I manage to keep 
them as warm at night as in the day, for this being their growing 
season, they like to be kept at a regular temperature, if not, they 
will become more or less chilled, and not bloom free. The situation in 
which I like to keep them, when in bloom, is in an east aspect, letting 
them have the sun till 8 o’clock in the morning, after which, I shade 


ON PINKS. oil 


them with very thin mats till the sun is gone from them: if put to a 

north aspect, and some of the pips not quite blown out, they will be 

chilled and never open free. Remember I do not keep them too warm 

when in this situation, neither let the cold nights chill them. If 

auriculas have too much water they will become sickly and turn yellow, 

which was the case with four or five of mine last spring in letting 
them have toc much rain. The compost must be rich, light, and 
_ sweet, and when you are potting your plants never press the mould.too 
hard about the roots, nor on any consideration over pot them, as this 
family of plants, like many others, will not thrive well until the roots 
touch the pot. 

Before I changed my compost I lost from ten to fifteen plants every 
year, but for the last three years I have been very successful and 
only lost one, Taylor's Ploughboy,—which by some neglect the 
old soil had not been removed from it, and had diseased the 
plant in the trunk, just under the surface. About the latter end of 
May, when the bloom is over, I remove them to their summer situa- 
tion, which is shady, as they thrive better in the shade in the summer 
months, until the end of September, but by no means under the 
droppings of trees. Observe, I take off all the offsets when I top- 
dress them, which I consider the best time, as the auricula at this 
season (February) makes considerable progress, and whether the 
offsets have roots or not I take them off,. provided they are large 
enough. I plant four offsets in pots called forty-eights, in which they 
will take root very freely, not letting them have too much sun; in 
about two months they will be fit to pot off in the same size pot above 
named. 

I herewith send you some new varieties of seedling auriculas of 
my own rearing, which I trust will be found worthy of your notice. 

If the lovers of auriculas should like any of No. 1, 2, and 3, they 
can be obtained by taking the three varieties at 18s. 6d. per plant, 
on application, post-paid. 

Plants will be ready to send out in August next. I beg to state that 
the above sorts are free growers, and most excellent trussers, from 
fifteen to twenty-two pipps. 

[The blooms were so damaged in conveying as to prevent us taking 
any drawing of them.—Conpucror. | 


(Continued from page 16.) 


ARTICLE VIII—ON THE CULTURE OF PINKS. 
BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER- 


Be not impatient about your suckers taking root; but if by the tenth 
or twelfth of September, you see that nature has not had strength 
enough to operate in them, put your pots into hotbeds, and be careful 
to cover them with glass-bells. 


32 ON PINKS. 


Never did any author enlarge so much upon nothing, as he that wrote 
the culture of Pinks has done upon this article: he has carefully 
euumerated every particular, even to the minutest circumstance of 
things, that he imagined only might happen: in short, he has forgot 
nothing, yet all he says is, for the most part, empty words that prove 
nothing. 

To make a mixture of earth proper for Pinks, that naturally love 
the cool; take one third of good kitchen-garden earth, one third and 
a half of mould, and half a third of yellow earth; sift them well and 
mix them all together. When this composition is made, take pots of 
a middle size, which are wider at top than at bottom, so that whenever 
you think fit, you may the more easily take your Pinks out of the pots: 
fill them with this earth; press it down a little, to hinder it from sink- 
ing down too much of itself, as it otherwise would: and when you 
have filled them thus with the earth to within an inch or better of the 
brim, fill them up quite with mould taken from an hotbed. 

Having done this, go to your suckers, take up the little hook that 
holds them fast, and if you find they have taken root, divide them from 
their stocks, by cutting them with a knife or some such like instru- 
ment, as near as you possibly can to their stalk: take care that the 
two shanks of your suckers, which are the lower parts of them that 
spread themselves abroad, by reason of the incision which was made 
on them, and to which the little fibres adhere, be always of a like 
length; gnaw off the ends of the leaves. This is a method which has 
been hitherto constantly practised. 

Having exactly followed these instructions, take it fora certain rule, 
that the true time to plant the suckers, is towards the beginning of 
October; and when you have divided them from their stocks, and 
have nothing more to do, but to put them in pots, observe the follow- 
ing method of doing it: 

Take your suckers, that are prepared in the manner I named, 
hold one of them in your left hand; with your fore-finger make in 
the middle of your pot a hole large and deep enough to contain 
your sucker; putitin, and fill up the hole; press down the earth 
upon the suckers, water them, and when you have planted them all 
in this manner, carry your pots into the shade: leave them there for 
ten or twelve days, which is the usual time in which we suppose them 
to have retaken root. 

The safest way to govern plants is, always to have regard to their 
constitution, and to the places from whence they draw their first ex- 
traction. The Pink comes from a temperate climate, and accordingly 
desires but a moderate sun. Therefore, when the ten days the suckers 
have been in shade are over, take them from thence, and place them 
in an easterly aspect, which agrees with them the best of any. 

This Pink is not very sensible of cold, therefore, be not afraid to 
let it weather out the first frosts: we see a great many endure the 


———E 


————ESEOr 


 — 


ON PINKS. 33 


winter in the naked earth, and come to no damage. Not that I ad- 
vise you to leave your pots exposed in this manner ; that would be too 


_ much neglecting a flower that deserves a particular esteem. 


As soon, therefore, as the frosts begin to pinch, let all your pots be 
carried into your conservatory, if you have one; and if not into a 
chamber or some other place, where they may be sheltered from the 
rough violence of the air. 

If the winter be mild, and consequently the earth in the pots that 
are in the conservatory should grow too dry, it will not be amiss to 
give them a little water, drawn fresh from the well, or some other 
place of that nature: but if it freeze, or if there be any likelihood of 
frost, you must not do so on any account; for to water them, woud do 
them more harm than good. 

There is no animal more dangerous to Pinks than rats; you must, 
therefore, be very watchful that they do them no mischief, and make 
use of all the means whicb have hitherto ‘been invented to destroy 


them. 
There can be no fixed time prescribed to take the Pinks out of the 


conservatory, for the end of the winter must determine it; though 
about Easter we see the florists generally set them out in the air, but 
in a place of shelter from the hoar-frosts, to which the season is still 
subject, and where the sun never comes: for plants, that have been 
as it were imprisoned, must be accustomed by degrees to endure the 
Open air, otherwise they will be suffocated by it, and die away. 

If there be any leaves on the Pinks, that seem to be rotten, you 
must be careful to take them off, which must be done by pulling, or 
cutting them off as close to the stem as you possibly can. 

When the Pinks have been for some little time in a place like that 
Ihave described, you must carry them to another, where they will 
thrive, and grow better; that is to say, you must set them in the 
easterly aspect, which is favourable to them; though I have seen 
some exposed to the south, that have done very well, and that grew in 
a short time by the help of frequent waterings; but thé water ought 
always to be warmed by the sun. 

These waterings should never be given them till after sun-set ; and 
always with a little watering-pot, that the water falling gently on them 
like rain, may not beat down the earth: as to the quantity of the 
water, it must always be left to the discretion of the florist, to give 
them as much or as little as he thinks fit. 

When the pinks begin to spindle, they require a little more care 
from him that looks after them, than they did before: for we then take 


_ little hazel-sticks, of about the size of the little finger, the bark of 


them being stript off, set them at the foot of each spindle, and tie them 


_ with a small rush as fast as they rise up: for without this prop, the 


stem, which is naturally weak, would not be able to support the 
flowers it produces, but would be apt to grow very crooked. 


34 ON PINKS. 


The stock of a pink sometimes shoots out mounters from all its 
slips, which is an inconvenience we ought carefully to ayoid: there- 
fore carefully take off some of them, by cutting the stalk to the 
second joint. 

The frequent waterings given to pinks, and that beat down the 
earth, together with the heat of the sun that dries and hardens it, 
obliges a florist to turn up the surface from time to time: and 
we may affirm, that each time he does so, he will find a visible ad- 
yantage by it: after which tillage, we always give it some new mould 
taken from a hot-bed, as well for neatness sake, as for the benefit 
the pink gives by the addition of new salts, which penetrate into the 
plant, whenever we water it. 

The pink is a plant that requires more assistance from art than any 
other; it often produces buds we wish it did not: and when we per- 
ceive this hurtful fruitfulness, we must not omit to ease it of the 
burthen, as much as we jidge convenient; especially when two grow 
aside one another, we must be sure to take away one of them: for in 
the affair of pinks, we ought to be more desirous of beauty, than of 
the great number of flowers. 

The buds we take away are always those that grow nearest the foot 
of the pink ; and we must shew our judgment in this operation ;_ that 
is to say, we must take away from those that want nourishment, than 
from those which grow naturally large, on which we are sometimes 
obliged to leave all of them, because they are subject to burst. 

In regard to the Pinks that burst, we must, when we have any that 
are subject to do so, tie the bud, and shift it a little on the side where 
it bellies out: the large and short bud, we ought mostly to suspect. 

When the Pinks are in flower, we should consider whether na- 
ture has disposed all things in a manner, so just in all its proportions 
that we may say, this is a beautiful Pink ; and in defect hereof, we 
must comb such as require it; the manner of which is as follows :— 

Wash your hands clean, and wipe them very dry, take your ill- 
shaped pink and bend down the top of the husk, shifting it a little ; take 
notice which leaves of your Pink are out of order, and with your 
hands dispose them in the most beautiful order you can: after this 
you will see the difference there will be between the first disposition 
and the second. 

All persons that are truly curious, when they have any Pinks that 
burst, and which by reason of that accident cannot keep their flowers 
in due order, make use of a piece of pasteboard, cut round, and a hole 
made in middle, not larger than the size of the pink, and this they 
place just under the leaves of the flower, which they put into their 
due order: this gives it a beautiful aspect, and makes it grow to a 
wonderful size. 

The Pinks that are in pots are generally set upon boards, that are 
laid upon trestles, and when they are placed to advantage, they claim 
the admiration of all that see them. 


ON PINKS. 35 


; When your Pinks are in flower, whether they grow in the naked 
earth or in pots, you must take care to cover them; for their flower 
is so delicate, that the sun withers it away in liitle time, and the rains 
will take off all their lustre; therefore, they that raise up Pinks, must 

make use of what expedients they think fit, to preserve them from 
___ these injuries. 

There are some, who, to make the flowers of their Pinks last the 
longer, carry them into the shade: this is a very good method, and 
may be followed if you think fit. 

The pink is a plant, that from its root shoots out leaves, that are 
long, narrow, hard, thick, and of a bluish green; from the middle of 
which grow stalks that are hard, round, and knotty from space to 
space; at the top of which are flowers of many leaves and various 
colours, supported by a long and pipe-like cup. From the middle of 
the cup rises up a chive, that in time becomes a cylindric and mem- 
braneous head, opening at the top, wrapped up in the cup itself, and 
filled with a small flat seed, of a black colour, and that comes to 
maturity, by setting the pink in the same place where it was when it 
began to blow. 

When you would furnish yourself with a stock of pink-seed, you 
must always make choice of the most fruitful, and the most inclined 
to bear seed; which a florist, who applies himself ever so little 
to the culture of his pinks, will easily distinguish. 

After having given rules for the culture of pinks, as also the de- 
scription of them ; and told how and in what place the seed is formed, 
T believe it will be proper to set down in this place the qualities that 
render it a beautiful flower ; to the end that he who cultivates it, may 
know perfectly well on what he bestows his labour. 

A pink is reckoned beautiful when it is large, has a great many 
leaves, and forms as it were a sort of little dome. 

When it is of a clear white, without any mixture of carnation; 
when its leaves are even at the edges, and not jagged, all of them 
round, and not sharp-pointed. 

The more variety of colours a pink has, the more it is esteemed; 
especially when the colours are well divided, and not in the least 
imbibed. 

The most beautiful variegation that can be on a pink, is always that 

which reaches from the bottom to the top of the flower; and when 

besides these advantages that please the eye, Nature has favoured it 
7 with a regular disposition of its leaves; or that we, in defect thereof, 
have ranked in due order ourselves. A pink, in which all these 
qualities meet, deserves the labour we bestow in cultivating it; and 


¥ . . . . . 

_ THe Disease or Pinks.—Pinks are subject to certain diseases which 
are easier to prevent than cure: they are rottenness, and the white 
disease. 


36 ON SPECIES OF ACACIA. 


The rottenness is prevented by avoiding to give too much water, 
and by cutting to the quick the part that is unsound, before it is quite 
tainted, and covering it over with a dry and light earth. 

In regard to the white disease, we preserve this flower, by not 
keeping it too dry; by not placing it in a situation that will be to 
hurtful to it: and in short, by preserving it from the fogs, which in- 
fect it to that degree, that they throw it into a disease which kills it 
without remedy. 

Take care not to place your pinks in any plots of the garden, where 
there are other flowers of the large kind: whose beds filled with them, 
afford in the season a very beautiful prospect: but it is always best 
to raise them in pots, to adorn an amphitheatre made on purpose to 
receive them. ‘ 


ARTICLE IX.—REMARKS UPON GREENHOUSE SPECIES OF ACACIA 


BY A FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY. 


Tue volumes of the Floricultural Cabinet contain numerous valuable 
articles on the treatment of various flowering plants, but it appears to 
me that those individuals who have favoured us with the excellent re- 
marks on each kind, have generally directed their attention to such 
plants as required a lengthy article upon them. For such I am sure 
the readers of the Cabinet are much indebted, but there are many, 
very many, beautiful flowering plants which have not been noticed, 
they highly merit it; and though no lengthy remarks are necessary, I 
think it would be equally acceptable if a few short observations upon 
them, as to the particulars of the plant, its culture, so as to keep it 
healthy, and bloom profusely, &c., were given. I believe many of 
the readers of the Cabinet have hesitated to communicate useful in- 
formation, merely because the observations they had to make upon a 
plant, or plants being few, they would not therefore be interesting or 
useful, but I am sure the more simple the means, the more condensed 
the remarks, the more acceptable to us. I hope therefore those 
readers who have practical ; knowledge of any beautiful flowering 
plant, hardy or tender, will favour us with information. To commence 
with, T herewith send a few remarks upon two genera of plants of 
which no notice has been taken in the Cabinet, they are the green- 
house Acacias, and Mimosas. I have included the two, because many 
of the kinds formerly Acacias have been transferred to the Mimosas, 
and others of the Mimosas to the Acacias. And considerable confu- 
sion prevails through the country as to their identity. But whether 
they are now designated Acacias, Mimosas, Ingas, &c., there is a 
natural identity in the class of plants and I refer to them as a whole. 
The plants are profuse bloomers, very showy, most of the kinds pro- 
duce yellow flowers, some white and others pink : most of them are 
very fragrant, as the well-known Mimosa paradoxa or Acacia armata. 


SS ee 


Se es 


to 


sis ‘ 
slag hewn, § 


mee, 


ON HOYA CARNOSA. ot 


They generally produce their lovely blossoms during the early spring 
months, hailing the return of that delightful season with presenting an 
array of beauty, and affording a delightful gale of perfume. The 
greater portion of this ornamental tribe of plants are from New 
Holland. They are generally very free growers and of easy culture. 
3 I find them to grow vigorously in equal parts of good rich loam and 
peat, having a quantity of Calais sand mixed therewith. I use a good 
portion of drainage in the pots, and give the plants plenty of pot 
room. This latter attention is necessary as the plants root so very 
rapidly. In a soil as above described and giving a good drainage, a 
yery free supply of water is required, I always take care to let the 
soil be dry before I give a fresh supply of water. I shift the plants 
into larger pots immediately they have done blooming, they then push 
freely those young shoots which are the blooming ones for next 
season. 

I would add a list of kinds here, but I think it unnecessary to do so, 
as each kind are graceful in form, and beautiful in flower, and merit a 
place in every greenhouse or conservatory. 

Many of the kinds strike root freely from cuttings, taking the 
young shoots, I strike them in sandy loam, the greater portion being 
sand, and place them where they get a little bottom peat. Those 
kinds which I find do not root readily from cuttings, I have struck 
from portions of the roots, inserting them, &c., as done to shoots, 
leaving out the top part of each about an inch. I have never failed 
to raise plants of any of the sorts by this method. I always cut the 
lower portion of the root in a transverse direction close under an eye. 
If this plan of striking was adopted with most kinds of greenhouse 
plants, it would be found to succeed better than by taking shoots. The 
__ roots not being liable to damp off as the shoots often do. I shall con- 
es tinue to send a few remarks upon plants for each successive number 
of the Cabinet, if it meet the approval of the conductor. 


ARTICLE X.—ON THE TREATMENT OF THE HOYA CARNOSA. 
BY PRIMULA SCOTICA. 


Nor haying observed any reply to your Correspondent’s question res- 
pecting the treatment of the Hoya Carnosa, I send my gardener’s 
mode of treatment, which always succeeds admirably. He uses a 
_ mixture of sand and heath mould, and during the colder part of the 
year, keeps the pots in the hothouse. Those plants of the Hoya Car- 
_ nosa that are propagated by planting the leaf, are long in producing 
any stem; and it is better to procure a good offset, and lay it spirally 
in a pot containing the above mixture, when a fine plant is rapidly 
produced. This waxen-flowered plant shows te-advantage. trained 
along a rafter, or against a trellis, and requires the free access of air 
and light. 


38 ON REPOTTING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 


ARTICLE XI. 


ON THE REPOTTING OF GREENHOUSE PLANTS, &e., 
BY A PRACTICAL GARDENER IN STAFFORDSHIRE, 
ON account of the variety and number of greenhouse plants, it is 
rather difficult to reduce them to any one certain rule; not only 
because they are less expensive, and consequently more cultivated, 
but also that our milder climates, are found to produce plants in 
greater abundance than the Torrid Zones. 

Therefore the business of shifting is, in general, a weighty concern. 
To be enabled to execute this business with regularity, every prepara- 
tion should be previously made, and the different sorts of mould laid 
up ina shed; as well to keep them from becoming too wet for use by 
sudden showers, as from getting too dry by the action of the sun, or 
arid winds which may be expected at this season. Also on wet days 
(if nothing more urgent is to be done) let a quantity of old broken 
pots be made small, to serve for draining to the tenderer sorts; the 
coarse siftings of peat being suflicient for the stronger growing kinds. 

Things being thus in readiness about the middle, or end of May, 
the general shifting should be commenced: in order to which, let 
some of the plants be carried to the shed, and carefully proceeded 
with in the manner already directed for hot-house plants; observing, 
above all things, not to injure the roots, but gently to loosen them 
with the hand in such manner, that the mat of roots, which is 
generally formed on the outside, may not remain entire; whereby 
they will soon strike into the fresh mould that encompasses them. 

Green house plants for the most part require a considerable share 
of pot room, as many of them are yery free growers; but still great 
caution is necessary, to avoid over potting the tender weak growing 
kinds. When shifted, let them be tied up if requisite, and well 
watered. It will be also necessary to shade them for a few days 
from the influence of the sun and winds, until they are perfectly 
established in the fresh mould. Any dead or ill-grown parts can now 
be with propriety cut away, so as to give the heads a regular neat 
appearance: by observing this process, it will be found, that though 
a temporary check may be the consequence, they will soon flourish 
and do much credit to the operator by their healthy appearance and 
progress. : 

It being mentioned that shelter, and occasional shade is necessary 
for a few days when they are first placed in the greenhouse, I must. 
add, that should the weather prove dark, and cloudy, this work may 
be omitted: however, if hot sunny weather ensue, it will be in- 
dispensably necessary ; and also, to water them twice, or thrice a day 
when first potted, observing to wet the leaves as little as possible. 

By the middle of June, it will be time to think of preparing the 
out-door departments, in which it is intended the plants should stand 
during the summer months. 


ON REPOTTING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 39 


The most eligible situations for this purpose are, the north aspect 
of yacant walls, or hedges, where they will be a little shaded from the 
noonday sun, or between rows of close hedges particularly planted, 
and solely appropriated to this purpose. I can by no means espouse, 
or recommend the practice, of setting them close under the shade or 
branches of large trees; as the plants are thereby inevitably drawn 
into a weak state in a few weeks, and those who adopt such situations, 
are not unfrequently under the disagreeabie necessity of throwing 
away many, of perhaps their most rare plants, every Autumn; and 
eyen those that remain will have a bad unsightly appearance. Indeed 
shelter from the winds, is the great desideratum, to prevent their 
being upset, for in my opinion, most greenhouse plants are fond of 
the warmth of the sun, except when recently potted, provided their 
roots are kept moderately moist. Let us look for a moment to the 
arid mountains of the Cape, and there we shall find them exposed to 
its full glare, and perhaps without water for months: their roots how- 
eyer can penetrate deeper there than they can possibly do in pots, so 
that life is preserved, and as soon as the periodical rains commence, 
they resume in a very little time their verdure, and, “‘ breathe their 
balmy fragrance all around.” 

Some gardeners’ practice is to plunge them amongst the shrubs and 
flowers of the pleasure ground; this answers pretty well with the 
strong growing kinds; such as myrtles, geraniums, coronillas, &c., 
old plants or supernumeraries that will not be wanted to house in 
the autumn: and even has a very pretty effect when judiciously 
done ; but it will by no means do for the tenderer species. Therefore, 
upon the whole, the most unexceptionable situations, are such as at 
i the same time afford a moderate portion of shade, and are so situated, 
___as to break the force of those strong gales, which frequently blow in 
_. the summer, and early autumn months, and yet allow that free circu- 
lation of air so necessary to the well-being of plants in general, and 
_ atall seasons. Having fixed on the place they are to stand, it must 
_ be thoroughly cleased from weeds, and the hedges, if any, neatly 
clipped. It should then be well rolled, to make it perfectly firm and 
level, over it a layer of good lime, slacked, and made into the con- 
sistency of thick white wash, should be poured, and allowed to soak into 
the surface: this I recommend as being a strong preventative against 
worms getting into the pots; which is always injurious to the plants. 
When this is dry, let about an inch of finely sifted coal-ashes, be 
regularly laid on, and firmly rolled a second time. 

Being thus prepared, the plants may be brought out and set regu- 
larly and level on the surface; in whatever form may best suit the 
situation, or the fancy of the proprietor, even on this subject a few 
observations may not be unnecessary. 

Therefore in placing them, it should be endeavoured to give them a 
loose, easy, but yet judicious manner; which is by far more handsome 


' 


40 ; ON REPOTTING GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 


than the stiff, shorn-like front, admired by some: any plants that 
may be in flower, should be placed in conspicuous situations, but 
not so as to make the clump look in the: least tawdry ; simplicity and 
neatness are the principal objects to be considered, in this, as well as 
the other decorations of the flower garden: another circumstance to 
be remembered, is, that now as their summer growth commences, it 
will be necessary to allow each plant, sufficient room to spread accord- 
ing to its natural habit of growing ; and also to be careful, that the 
curious tender sorts, (which are frequently the most valuable,) are not 
crowded by the large free growing kinds. Indeed they should be set, 
as well as heaths, in a separate clump as they lose a good deal of 
their interest, by being confounded with large shewy plants that 
attract the eye, at the first glance, from the more delicate and minute, 
but to many not less attractive species. 

Should the weather prove dry when they are thus set in their 
clumps, they must be freely watered; particularly in the afternoon, 
when the sun has nearly ran his course. A good washing also with 
an engine, or syringe, at times in the absence of the sun, will be of 
considerable service to them; but if any individual plant should at 
any time become too wet, let it be placed apart from the rest, and not 
watered again until it evidently requires it: this is a circumstance 
which I shall have occasion to mention hereafter ; all that is necessary 
now, for a few weeks, is to pick off dead or withered leaves, and 
weeds of every description ; and a regular attention to the directions 
already given. 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. — 4] 


* 
‘ 


Pael IT. 
* 
: LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our _last. 


4 __1. Buoruinetonra Canpipa, Snow-white flowered. (Bot. Reg. 1927.) 
| Natural Order, Orchidacee; Linnean Class, Gynandria; Order, Monandria ; 
_ Synonym, Rodriguezia candida. A truly delicate and handsome flowering 


species of this most interesting tribe of plants. It has been introduced from 
Demerara, by R. Bateman, Esq., in whose superb collection it bloomed in 1835. 
The flowers are produced upon a pendulous raceme, that which bloomed at Mr. 
Bateman’s produced five flowers. Each blossom is about two inches long, of a 
snow-white transparency, having the tip slightly suffused with a sulphur colour. 
The genus consists of five charming species, viz., B. candida, B. fragrans, the 
flowers are produced upon an upright raceme which are delightfully fragrant, having 
the perfume of Jonquils or Narsisus’s. It is a native of Brazil, where it is found 
growing upon the loftiest branches of the Cedrela tree, and the flowers are 
produced in vast profusion, their fragrance is so powerful as to give a delightful 
perfume to a considerable extent around it. B. vigida, found in Brazil, pro- 
ducing its flowers in a long, stiff, erect raceme, the summit of which is ter- 
minated by a cluster of five or six blossoms, of a largish size, they have the 
delightful fragrance of violets. B. rubescens, a native of Peru, where it is 
found growing upon the trunk of the Calabash tree, the flowers are produced 
upon an upright raceme, of a beautiful white, spotted with rose colour. They 
are produced most abundantly, and in blossom nearly allthe year. B. venusta, 
a native of Brazil, producing its lovely flowers upon a pendulous raceme. 
They are of a snowy-white, slightly suffused with pink. The plant blooms so 
profusedly as to be literally loaded, bending beneath the heavy clusters. 
Burlingtonia, named in compliment to the Countess of Burlington. 

2. DELPHINIUM TENUISSIMUM, slender-branched (Brit. Flow. Gard., 366.) 
Ranunculacee; Polyandria Trigynia; Synonym, D. divaricatum. A hardy 
annual Larkspur, a native of Greece, near Athens. And has bloomed in the 
Chelsea Botanic Garden. The plant grows about a foot high, much branched, 
producing medium sized blossoms of a rich purple colour. Delphinium from 
Delphin, a Dolphin ; the nectary is supposed to resemble that fish. 

3. EPIDENDRUM CRASSIFOLIUM, Thick-leaved. (Bot. Mag., 3543.)  Or- 
¥ chidacee ; Gynandria; Monandria; Synonym; E. ellipticum. A native of 
j Rio Janeiro, producing erect spikes of rose coloured blosso ms, making a showy 

appearance. Each blossom is near an inch across. This species has been 

_ figured in Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet, under the name of E. ellipticum, and 
_ which Dr. Lindley refers to his E. crassifolium; Sir W. Hooker is of opinion 
that they are not the same species, the former being a native of Brazil, and 
the latter of St. Vincents. Epidendrum from epi, upon; and dendron, a tree ; 

the native habitation. 
> 4. HEUCHERA CYLINDRACEHA, Cylindrical. (Bot. Reg., 1924.) Saxifragacee ; 
Pentandria, Digynia. A h:rdy herbaceous perennial plant, a native of North 
America, where it grows in dry mountain woods. The flowers are apetalous, 
produced upon a small panicle. ‘The species was discovered by Mr. Douglas. 
Heuchera, in compliment to J. H. Heucher, professor of Medicine, Wurtem- 
burgh. 

5. HipPEASTRUM AMBIGUUM, Yar. longiflora ; Knight's Star-lily. (Bot. 
Mag., 3542.) Amaryllidee; Hexandria; Monognia. This very splendid 
_ flowering species has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden. It was sent 
there from Lima, by J. Maclean, Esq. ‘The scape contains several blossoms, 
_ ach being as large as the common white lily of the gardens. ‘They are white, 

veined, streaked with red, and greenish towards the*bottom of the tubular part 
of the flower. 


nt 


t 


42 Te. NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


IsMENK AmancaEs, Narcissus flowered. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) Synonym, 
Pancratium; Amancaes; Amaryllidea; Hexandria; Monogynia. A native 
of the hills of Amancaes, near Lima, in Peru, where it grows in vast abundance, 
producing a profusion of its fine yellow flowers. It was introduced into this 
country in 1804. It merits a place in every stove collection of Liliaceas plants. 
The plant grows about two feet high, sewdingforth a scape near a yard high, 
containing several flowérs, each about six inches long, delightfully fragrant. 
The limb portion of the blossom is about four inches across. It is cultivated 
by Messrs. Rollinsons, Tooting Nursery. Jsmene, after Ismene, daughter of — 
Gidipus. 

7@ LILIUM PEREGRINOUM, Narrow sepalled white Lily. (Brit. Flow. Gard., 
367.) Liliace; Hexandria; Monogynia. An old inhabitant of the gardens 
in this country, but which has nearly disappeared. It is, however, cultivated 
in the very select collection of R. H. Jenkinson, Esq., Norbiton Hall, Kingston, 
Surry. The flower stem rises about a yard high, terminating in a spike of ten 
or twelve flowers. They are campanulate, drooping, of a pure white. Each 
flower is about three inches long. 

8. GHNOTHERA FRUTICOSA, VAR./AMBIGUA., Shrubby Evening Primrose. 
(Bot. Mag., 3545.) Onagraria; Octandria; Monogynia. Dr. Hooker de- 
scribes the following varieties, viz.:—O. fruticosa vera, O. f. ambigua, O. f. 
phyllopus, O. f. incana, O. f. Frazerii, O. f. linearifolia. Cinothera fructi- 
cosa, is a species, widely extended throughout North America, from Canada 
to Carolina; but so variable in its foliage and hairyness, as to have suggested 
the idea of their being the several species above enumerated. All of them are 
handsome border flowers, producing yellow blossoms, which continue for a long 
time. Any of them would be ornamental to the flower garden. 

9, Oxncip1uM cRisPUM, Curled flowered. (Bot. Reg., 1920.) Orchidacee ; 
Gynandria; Monandria. This very singular and noble-looking species is a 
native of Brazil, and has bloomed in the fine collection of Richard Harrison, 
Esq., Liverpool, Messrs. Loddiges’s, and others in this country. In its native 
habitation, on the Orgean mountains, in Brazil, it has been found that a single 
stalk produced from fifty to sixty flowers. Each blossom is two inches, or up- 
wards, across, of a dark chesnut-brown colour, most singularly handsome, 
being unrivalled in its tribe. This very interesting genus abounds in the 
tropical parts of America, and are found growing profusely in the highest 
mountains. One species, O. nubigenum, has been discovered, where the air is 
nearly freezing, on the mountains of Peru, at the elevation of fourteen thou- 
sand feet above the sea. There are many handsome flowering kinds already 
introduced into this country, s»me of which are but of recent importation. 
One species, O. ornithorhynchum, a native of Mexico, produces flowers of a 
beautiful rose colour. OQ. lunatwm, a beautiful little species from Demerara, 
There have been many other fine species discovered which haye not yet been 
sent to this country, viz.:—O. macrantham, from Guayaquil; O. pictum, from 
Peru; O. tigrinum, from Mexico; QO. deltoideum, from Peru; O. gracile from 
Brazil; O. isopterum, from Brazil; O. leucochilum, from Mexico; O. Iu- 
natum, from Demerara; O. maculosam, from Brazil; O. Martianum, from 
Brazil; O. ramsum, from Brazil; O. reflexum, from Mexico; O. ramiferum, 
from Brazil; O. retusum, from Peru. 

10. Porentizta THOMASH, Thomas’s Cinquefoil Roseacee. (Brit. Flow. 
Gard.) Icosandria; Polygynia. This is far fhe handsomest of the yellow 
flowered kinds. It was discovered by M. Thomas, a botanical collector, on 
Mount Polline, in Italy. It is cultivated in the very superb collection of Mrs, 
Marryat, Wimbledon, where it bloomed the last season. It is quite hardy, and 
certainly merits a place in every flower garden. The plant grows about one 
foot high, and crowned by large corymbous heads of fine lemon coloured 
flowers. Each blossom is more than an inch cross. 

1. Rosa srnica, Three-leaved China Rose. (Bot. Reg., 1922.) The plant 
is well deserving a place against a good aspected wall, or similar situation. It 
grows rapidly, and is well suited as a climber for covering a wall or trellis. 
The foliage is of a shining gre.n. The flowers are produced in profusion of a 
pure snow-white. They are single, but being so beautifully white, and each 
more than three inches across, renders it highly ornamental. The rose is 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 45 


much esteemed in the south of France and Italy, where it is very generally 
grown in the gardens. The plant may be obtained of Mr. Wood, of Maresfield, 
Sussex. 

12, SrsyRINCHIUM SPECIOSUM, Showy flowered. (Bot. Mag., 3544.) Iridex; 
Triandria; Monogynia. A very pretty, flowering, greenhouse species, a native 
of Chili, from whence it has recently been imported into this country, by Mr. 
Towart, gardener to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, Bagshot 
Park. In its native country it is found on sandy hills, where it blooms pro- 
fusely. Each flower is about two inches across, of a splendid purplish-blue, 
with a yellow eye at the centre. The stems rise about eight inches high. It 
deserves a place in every greenhouse. The plant has bloomed in the Glasgow 
Botanic Garden. — 

13. TRADESCANTIA CARICIFOLIA, Sedge-leaved Spider-Wort. (Bot. Mag., 
3546.) Commelline; Hexandria; Monogynia. The species is a native of 


’ Texas, from whence it was sent to this country, by the late Mr. Drummond. 


It has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, in a cool frame. The flower 
stems rise about'a foot high, producing an umbel of many flowers, of a 
purplish blue colour, each flower being near an inch and a-half across. This, 
like all the spider-worts, is a very neat and pretty flowering plant. Trades- 
cantia, in compliment to Mr. John ‘Tradescant, gardener to King Charles the 
First. 

14. Triconipium optusuM, Blunt-petalled. (Bot. Reg., 1923.) Orchi- 
dacee; Gynandria; Monandria. This singular species of the orchideous tribe 
of plants has been sent, by Mr. Colley, from Demerara, to R. Bateman, Esq., 
of Knypersley Hall, Congleton, Cheshire. The genus belongs to the sort of 
Maxillarie like plants, but the curious flowers sufficiently distinguish it as a 
genus. It is of a free flowering habit. The flowers are near two inches across, 
white, and orange-brown, with purple veins. TJ'rigonidium, in allusion to the 
triangular form of several parts of the flower. 

15. TRITELEIA UNIFLORA, One-flowered. (Bot. Reg., 1921.)  Liliaceew ; 
Hexandria; Monogynia. An half hardy, bulbous, plant, a native of Mendoza, 
where it was discovered by Dr. Gillies. Each flower is about an inch and 
a-quarter across, white, with a delicate sky-blue tinge. It is cultivated by Mr. 
Lowe, of Clapton Nursery. 

16. TutpacHis Ltupwicrana, Ludwig's. (Bot. Mag., 3547.) Liliacee ; 


' Hexandria; Monogynia. This plant was introduced into this country in 1834, 


It is a native of Cafferland, South Africa. Scape grows about two feet high. 
The flowers are produced, in a umbel, about eight in each. The perianth is of 
a greenish purple, with purple streaks, the limb six parted. The inner part 
forms a crown to the mouth of the tube, of a fine yellow colour. 

17. WiTsENIA coryMBosa, Corymbose, flowered. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) Iri- 
dee; Triandria; Monogynia. A native of the Cape of Good Hope, well 
deserving a place in every greenhouse. The plant produces a profusion of 
flowers, in dense corymbs, of a lively bright blue colour. It blooms from 
August to the end of the year. Witsenia, from Mr. Witsen, a Dutch Consul in 
India. 

18. VERBENA AUBLETIA, VAR. DRUMMONDI, Sweet Lilac Vervain. (Bot. 
Reg. 1925.) Verbenacea; Didynamia; Angiospermia. This very pretty 
variety has been recently introduced into this country from Louisiana, from 
whence it was sent by Mr. Thomas Drummond. This variety is very different 
from the variety which has been in our collections in the country for the last 
two years, the flowers of that variety being of deep rose colour, whilst the 
present variety has flowers of a beautiful pale lilac. They. have a peculiar 
fragrance. ‘The plant is a half-hardy perennial plant, deserving a place in 
every flower garden. Messrs. Rollissons have plants of this pretty variety, 
where we saw it in bloom the last summer.. 


44 - MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 


PART UI. 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES. 


ON THE MANAGEMENT OF Ericas.—I shall esteem it a great kindness if 
some Correspondent of the Cabinet would give me tbe particulars of a mode 
of treatment with Ericas, so as to keep the plants bushy and healthy. I have 
had frequent renewals of plants, purchasing bushy ones, but though I have 
kept them in an airy part of the greenhouse, and to the best of my knowledge 


have treated them with a regular supply of water, &c., yet they soon become 


naked, and in two or three years died. I have invariably found too, that a 
great quantity of my large plants, bought at a distance from my own residence, 
have soon died after removal. How is this to be accounted for? Would small 
plants be likely to succeed better? I beg in this place to thank the Corre- 
spondent, “ A Practical Heath Grower,” for his very excellent remarks on 
Ericas in the January number. If the same person, or others, practically ac- 
quainted with the subject, will favour me with a reply, I shall be greatly 
indebted for such kindness. 
North Wales, January, 1837. W. P. Haminron. 


On IpomMopsiIs ELEGANS.—I have had seeds sown of this handsome flower- 
ing plant for the last four years, I have succeeded to get the plants near 
flowering, when, on a sudden, without any reason I could discover, they 
withered, drooped, and died. This has invariably been the case with plants 
grown in pots, as well as in the open border. I shall be very much obliged if 
some Reader of the Cabinet would give me the particulars of a successful 
mode of treatment. An early attention to my request will be an additional 
kindness, so that I may be successful the coming season. This plant did go 
by the name of Gilia aggregata, two or three years since. J name this lest any 
of the Readers should not know it by the more recent name. 

Nottingham. MEpicvs. 


On A ist OF Rock Piants.—Will you, or any of your Correspondents, 
be kind enough to give a list of some of the best plants for rock work? A 
variety of colours, and flowering at different seasons is desirable. The rock 
has a western aspect. J. G. 


To “ J. K.” I would be obliged to your Wilts Correspondent, whose initials 
are the same as my own, J. K., (and who I humbly thank for his honourable 
mention of my name in last month’s Cabinet,) if he would favour me, at his 
convenience, with any list or hint he may deem it prudent to let me know of; 
and he in return may, with every liberty, put any question to me on any sub- 
ject on gardening, &c., he may consider me likely to know; my knowledge is 
not much, but what I know I will freely communicate. J. KERNAN. 

4, Great Russell-street, Covent Garden, London. 


REMARKS. 


On TREE MiIGNONETTE.—Sow seed of the common Mignonette, towards 
the end of February, in pots of the size thiry-twos, such being near six inches 
deep, and four and a-half diameter, inside measure. Use a good rich loamy 
soil. After the seed is sown, place the pots in a cucumber or melon frame. 
When the plants are up, they must be placed where they can get air, to pre- 
vent them being drawn up weakly as well as to preserve them from damping off. 
When the plants have made a few leaves, pull up all the plants but two, which 
must be allowed to remain till they get over danger from damping off, when 
the best may be retained and be secured to a support. As the plants grow, 
side shoots will push, they must be pinched off, always leaving the leaf at the 


: MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE: 45 


base of each shoot which contributes to its growth. If the leading shoot should 
shew flower it must also be pinched off. When the plants have grown ten or 
_ twelve inches high they may be removed to a warm part of a greenhouse. 
_ Water must be given when the plants are dry. As the season advances the 
plants must be placed in more airy situations, which will gradually harden 
them. When the plants have reached a desirable height, from half a yard to 
two feet is very desirable; pinch out the leads. This will induce a number of 
lateral shoots to push and form a bushy head. Plants thus treated will bloom 
early the following spring; after they have shewed flowers, the plants, if 
vigorous, may be removed, with balls entire, into pots a size larger, they will 


then bloom all the season. Te EY Be 
Chelsea, Jan. 12th, 1837. ; 
x On BLOOMING HYACINTHS IN GLASSES.—The bulb should be allowed to 


touch the water, then be placed in.a dark room or cellar for two or three weeks. 
The water will by that time become offensive and require to be replaced. With 
_ the fresh water given add a small portion of salt, about the size of a hazle nut. 
The water must be changed, and salt added twice a week in future. When the 
glasses are brought out of the dark room.or cellar into a sitting-room, the plants 
push more rapidly and flower sooner by being kept in the darkest part of the 
room, and if in a high situation, as a shelf or chimney-piece, all the better. 
When the flower stem has pushed several inches high, the glasses may be placed 
near the window to give colour to the petals; without which the darker the 
situation the lighter coloured the flowers. In order to have the fine stems of 
flowers erect, I have had a wire frame made which fastens round the glass near 
its bottom, again nearer to its widened part at the top, the wire is then bent to 
the middle of the opening and then carried upright to the height desired, to this 
the flower stem is secured, it prevents the flowers from overwhelming the glass 
as well as keeping the stem neat. Joun CHARLES. 
Monmouth, Jan. 12th 1837. 


Jones’s SULPHUREA ELEGANS Dani1a.—We have been informed that an 
old and very inferior flower called Sulphurea Elegans, has been sent out last 
season as a substitute for the former splendid sort. The old sort is not worth 
__ growing in any collection, whilst the latter deserves to be grown in every one. 
_ The flower is of a very large size, of an unique handsome colour, a very perfect 
_ shape, and far superior to any other of the yellows I saw at the exhibitions in 
the metropolis, or the country during the last season. Persons who order this 
kind during the present year, should obtain the warrantry of the correctness of 
_ the kind from the person offering for sale. Wace 
Wallingford, December 16th, 1836. 


_ TO OBTAIN FLOWERS FROM BULBOUS ROOTS IN THREE WEEKS.—Put 
“quick lime into a flower-pot till it is rather more than half full; fill up with 
good earth; plant the bulbs in the usual manner; keep the earth slightly 
damp. The heat given out by the lime will rise through the earth, which wil 
per its fierceness: in this manner flowers may be obtained in three weeks.— 
Vagazine of Domestic Economy. 

_ HEATING BY MEANS OF HOT WATER.—I have recently seen an experiment 
tried in using glass pipes instead of iron, and which answered most completely, 
giving out heat much quicker, affording a greater degree of heat, and retaining 
it longer. 

On Dryinc Prants.—I observe that the weights I use in drying plants 


have been misprinted in the December- number. They should be, one weight of 
20lbs, and two of 10lbs, each. PrIMULA Scorica. 


Own THE AGE OF TREES.—Adamson and De Candolle haye ascertained and 
ablished accounts of the probable longevity of numerous celebrated trees. 
iome of the Cedars of Mount Lebanon, measured in 1660, by Maundrell, and 
Pocock, were found to have been nearly 800 years old. The Oak of Welbeck 
ane, described by Evelyn, must have been 1400. The Olive trees in the gar- 
den of Jerusalem certainly existed at the time of the Turkish conquest of that 
_ tity. The English Yew trees of Fountainjs Abbey, Yorkshire, have survived 


AG MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


1200. ‘Those in the chureh-yard of Crowhurst, in Surrey, 1400. That of 
Fotheringall, in Scotland, from 2500 to 2600. That of Braburn, in Kent, 
3000. But they describe two other trees of a most remarkable character, viz., 
the Boaback, estimated at 5150; and the Cypress of Taxodium, in Mexico, 
which is 117 feet 10 inches in circumference, is still more aged. ‘The ages of 
the following trees have been ascertained, with as much exactness as historical 
data, or the principles which have been derived from admeasurement and count- 
ing the circles of trees of like kind afford:—A Date tree in Egypt, 300. 
Apricot tree in Damascus, 324. Red Oak of Mount Etma, 400. Walnut tree 
of Balbec, 406. Almond tree in Damascus, 640. Fig tree in Damascus, 648. 
Olive tree of Palestine, 719. Fig tree of Palestine, 780. Olive tree of Asia 
Minor, 850. Oak in Louisana, 1000. Sycamore of Heliopolis, 1805. One of 
Cedars of Mount Lebanon, 1824; another, 2112. A Peletin (terebinthus) of 
Asia Minor, 1890. The celebrate¢ Chesnut of Mount Eta, 2660. The 
Sycamore of Bosphorous, 4020.—Youth’s Instructor. 

ON THE CONTRASTING COLOURS OF FLOWERS TO PRODUCE THE BEST 
EFFECT:—To demonstrate the theory of colowrs, then, a circular card may be 
divided into seven compartments, by lines drawn from the centre to the circum- 
ference, one compartment being paintéd red, the next orange, the third yellow, 
the fourth green, the fifth blue, the sixth purple, the seventh violet. Let 
water-colours or patterns of ribband, of each of these respective colours, be 
procured, and arranged in the enumerated order. It will be found, that any 
one of these colours is producible, by due admixture of the two adjacent 
colours. ‘The first and third, red paint mixed with yellow, produce the second 
colour, orange. The second and fourth, orange mixed with green, produce the 
third, yellow; the third and fifth, yellow and blue, generate green, the fourth 
colour; that and the sixth form the fifth, blue; the fifth and seventh violet 
create the sixth, purple; the sixth and the first, red, constitute the seventh, 
violet; the seventh and second, orange, terminate in the first, red. What 
then is the necessary conclusion, but that in the order of prismatic colours, ad- 
jacent colours are inharmonious; and that harmony results only from union of 
two colours, distant in order by one intermediate tint. The principle produc- 
tive of harmony being thus discovered, may receive confirmation, by experi- 
ment with ribbands of different colours, blended, or with sewing silks twisted, 
in the preceeding order of arrangement. Yet, beauty resulting not only from 
harmony, but also from contrast, the next inquiry is, from what principle to 
produce the latter effect. It is discoverable from the following experiment. To 
patterns of ribbands or silk, of the seven preceding colours, let white and 
black be added; and all be placed in a perpendicular line, the white above the 
red, the black beneath the violet, adapting the numbers to the altered arrange- 
ment, the white being denominated one, the red two, and so on, the violet being 
marked eight, and the black nine. By advancing black to the side of white, 
or as it is accounted the absorption or abscence of all colours to the accumula- 
tion or presence of all, the strongest possible contrast is produced. Violet and 
purple will also contrast with white, in decreasing ratio; while the remaining 
colours produce a very inferior degree of contrast, by no means eligible from 
their approximation to white, in graduated reflection of light. On a similar 
principle, the best contrast to black next to white, is red, as the colours rank- 
ing first of the seven in order of refraction, therefore first in power of reflec- 
tion; orange is an inferior contrast, but yellow, blue, purple, or violet, from 
graduated absorption of light, present no contrast to its entire absorption, black. 
In the same manner red receives no contrast from the two nearest colours in 
the prismatic gradation, orange or yellow, but from the semi-colour green; it 
admits the lowest contrast in blue, higher in purple, or violet, and the highest, 
as already remarked, in black. ‘The decisive inference then is, that contrast 
is not producible without passing over two prismatic colours at least. Such 
being ‘fixed laws, constituting the primary principles of the theory of colours, 
and demonstrable by experiment multifarious and conclusive, their application 
to landscape gardening and the disposing of flowers in the flower-garden, &c., 
involves not the Slightest difficulty, and solves numerous phenomena. Why, 
for instance, does verdure, or why do shrubs, supply the best relief to gandy 
flowers? On account of excellenffeontrast, green being a sober colour inter- 


—— oe 


4 
} 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 47 


mediate between the deener and brighter tints, consequently affording a foil to 
all. Why is snow injurious to the effect of foliage, or flowers, of every 
eratuated tint? On account of its glaring whiteness, supplying neither con- 
trast nor harmony, white entering into the composition of every shade of tint, 
and particularly being productive of semi-colours; consequently, being a com- 
ponent principle, when uncombined it can neither harmonise, nor contrast 
with itself. Why does the olive tint of the expanding oak-leaf offend the eye 
of taste? Because, its being composed of green in combination with yellow, 
the component principle can neither harmonise nor contrast with itself, in a 
simple uncompounded tint, in the surrounding grass, or foliage of more for- 
ward trees. Why does the verdant herbage of spring produce inferior pictor- 
esque effect, in grounds ornamented with trees, than the sterile grass of early 
autumn, consequent on mowing? Because, spring grass and foliage are 
gradations of one and the same colours; consequently, in whatever variety of 
gradation, the diversified tints of any colour, neither harmonising nor con- 
trasting, cannot possibly be productive of pictoresque effects. Contrariant is 
the effect of sterile grass, on account of its russet tint, like ripened corn, pre 
senting advantageous contrast; russet being a semi-colour, uncompounded of 
green. Countless natural phenomena, with their solutions, might be multi- 
plied, illustrative of the preceding theory of colours being of practical utility in 
yardening.—Dennis’s Landscape Gardening. 

AvRICULA.—Nature has given such a finish to the finer specimens of this plant , 
that art may well be required to furnish them with the shelter of a roof. Some 
of the family are hardy and beautiful as spring flowers on the open borders; 
but the more delicate cannot endure the pelting of the rain which falls in April, 
the season of their*beauty; a glass frame is therefore essential to the saving of 
the fine meal with which the flowers and sometimes the leaves are covered, and 
which seems designed to moderate the heat of the sun, but which has in itself 
no defence against the washing of the rain; and hence those plants which are 
brought to great fineness by cultivation, soon perish or grow poor when neglected. 
The best specimens at first raised from seed are quickly propagated by off.sets 
from the roots; and as cultivators have great tenderness for their young brood, 
you haye only to open an asylum and it will soon be filled. It were vain to at- 
tempt particular descriptions of five hundred varieties. As to the general pro- 
perties of a good plant, the stem should be of such length as to carry its head of 
flowers ereet, and raised above the foliage. About seven or eight pips, or single 
blossoms, make a rich and close umbel of flowers. The circumference of the 

_ border of each blossom should be round, the anthers large, the eye smooth, white, 
and circular; the ground colour should be equal on all sides, defined next the 
eye, and only broken where it blends with the edging. The favourite ground 
colours are—black, purple, dark brown, rich blue, bright pink, crimson, or glow- 
ing scarlet. A green edging is fine, but that combined with a crimson ground 
colour, being very rare, is, probably on that account, prized the most. Florists 
aye given receipts for compost with trifling exactness of invalids who pore upon 
dietetics and weigh their fod@. Sound earth, vegetable earth, peat earth, decayed 
willow-wood, and wood ashes, are recommended in proportions, from half, down 
to twelfth and twenty-fourth parts. No doubt such a commixture may be very 


- good, but some other will do just as well. Let the compost be rich and light; 


consisting of one half of old rotted cow’s dung, either from a spent hot-bed or 
gathered from the fields, and the other half black mould from the garden, adding 
more or less of peat moss,and sand according as the soil is light or heavy; the 
whole mass to be so blended as to assume a uniform consistence. With this, fill 
the flower-pots within an iuch of the top, taking care to cover the hole in the bot- 


“ _ tom with a piece of slate to prevent the intrusion of worms, The pots should be 
_ Six or seven inches wide and about the same measure in depth. Smaller ones 
may be used for bringing forward young plants, whether seedlings or off-sets. 


4 


_ The proper time for planting or re-potting, is in August. Srip every plant cf its 


_ decayed leaves and of ail stumps of roots beneath the young fibres, and having 
firmed the earth with the hand give a plentiful watering. The pots may then 


*. be closely set together in the frame, which should be half filled with saw dust, in 


which the pots are to he immersed to the lip. ‘The glass cover may be put on at 
the first to encourage striking, and then kept on or off according to the weather, 


48 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


using the help of a bass matting in every hard frost. Before winter, fill up the 


yacant inch left on the surface of the pots with old dung gathered from the fields, 
which replace with fine mould about the time of flowering, To destroy green fly, 
with which the plants are apt to be infested, a slight cloud of tobacco fumes 
closed for a few minutes under the glass cover is all that is necessary. Other 
flowers in congregated array may be more dazzling, but the auricula so exhibited 
has no rival in soft, rich, and diversified beauty. It has more of dignity than 
gayety; it has not the tinsel of a theatre, but the jewellery and grandeur of an 
assembly of nobles and high dames, in broad ruff, powder, crimson, purple, and 
ermine. The sight justifies the art: art cannot make the purple of the auricula, 
but without art the auricula has not the purple; and the finest forms left to the 
common fare of earth and skies, soon become the spectres of what they were— 
the gorgeous velvet dwindling to the meanness of hawksweed, and the crown- 
broad disk to the dimensions of a daisy.—Manse Garden. 


Tue Lity.—Of which there are many varieties, but a few of the best are the 
large common white, growing four or five feet high ; (the small white flower, not 
unfrequently called lily, is a Narcissus ;) the orange lily, which takes its name 
from its colour; the fiery lily, which may be known by the bulbs it bears on the 
stalks ; the martagon, or Turk’s-cap lily, of which there are many sorts, and 
which are named from the turning in of the petals presenting the figure of a 
turban ; the tiger, and the crown imperial. The bulbs are scaly and do not agree 
with the treatment of hard bulbs. If kept long out of the ground they must be 
placed in sand to prevent drying. The proper season for planting is September ; 
planted in spring they are apt not to flower that year. But the best rule with all 
the tribe, is to observe when the leaves begin to decay after the season of flower- 
ing, and then to take them up, whether to give more room or fresh soil. They 
are too monstrous for beds and do best either in single plants or in patches at 
intervals. The crown-imperial, though not the most showy of lilies, is a grand 
and elegant flower, and remarkable for its rapid growth at an early period of the 
spring. At that season of all food itis the most enticing to snails. Being 
horribly olefiant and juicy, itis probably to their palate what garlic is toa 
Spaniard. But unfortunately for the plant, being fisular, the snail perforations, 
resembling thoss of a flute, admit the air direct to the heart, and death is the 


consequence. Early in spring scoop out the earth around the stems, and with it _ 


the slimy people sleeping beside their banquet. Put a roll of stiff paper round 
each stem, not tight, and fasten it with a pin; then draw in the earth, leaving 
the paper two incees higher. The snails do not find their way over.—Jbid. 


ee SSS er 


REFERENCE TO PLATE. 


The superior kinds of Pinks and Picotee given this month are seedlings in 
the possession of the persons who raised them, and who offer them for sale. 
They have been advertized in the Cabinet for October and Noyember, last year. 
We have been informed, by persons who have sven the flowers, that they are of 
first-rate excellence, and ought to be in every collection of this class of flowers, 


T. HARDCASTLE, PRINTER, HIGH-STREET, SHEFFIELD. 


J & J. Parkin 


THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


MARCH Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I.—ON TENDER AQUATICS. 
BY C. B. B. 

THE enquiry of your Liverpool correspondent under the signature of 
Escholtzia, respecting plants which would grow in a tank of tepid 
water, (such as is frequently attached to steam engines,) induces me 
to trouble you with the following observations; which I hope may 
meet the eye of some lover of flowers at Birmingham, Sheflield, Leeds, 
Liverpool, or Manchester, and induce him to make an experiment, 
which I think can hardly fail of success. Every one at all acquainted 
with stove plants, is aware of the exceeding beauty and magnificence, 
of the tropical water plants, even when confined to the narrow pots 
and pans, and cisterns, to which the limits of our hothouses generally 
restrict tham. Now itis most probable that these plants would flourish 
with even more than native luxuriance, in the warm water tanks 
attached to steam engines. They delight in extreme heat, and will 
bear any temperature short of 100 degrees; about 85° to 95° during 
summer suits them best, and in winter from 60° to 65° ; and some 
species will not flourish, without a continual change of water, which 
it is almost impossible to provide in a common hothouse or pit; but, 
which, might always be ensured by constructing a large tank, and ” 
allowing the hot waste water from a steam engine to flow into it. Iné? 5 ee 
ease any of your readers should be willing to try the experiment, and 
it is indeed one well worth trying, (for the magnificent plants in quesy: * if, oy 
tion are rarely seen in any tolerable beauty in this country,) I ata 4! rae 
the following suggestions :— 

The tank should be in a situation to receive plenty of sun, and should 
be covered with cucumber lights, to prevent the blacks from the 
engine, and the inclemency of weather, from injuring the buds and»... 
leaves, as the flowers of several species arise above the water, and 
would never endure the air of our climate evenin summer. The plants 
should be planted in very large pans, 1 foot deep and 18 inches across 

VOL, VY. Fr 


SDR ON THEORY AND PRACTICE. 

; a, 
atleast. These pans should have a layer of broken brick and some 
clay about 4 inches thick at the bottom, and be filled with stiff pond 
mud, or strong yellow loam, fit for growing melons, and the surface 
of the mud should be covered with stone and broken brick. The pans 
should be sunk, not less than one foot nor more than three, below the 
surface. Some species must not be more than six inches under, but 
most of the strong growing ones, from two to three feet. I should 
leave them always under water unless experience shewed, that any 
species perished in winter, which I do not think probable, unless it 
were Nelumbium speciosum, but I suspect this, which is difficult to 
keep elsewhere, would survive in such a situation. 

The waste water should run off by a siphon from the bottom of the 
tank, so as always to draw off the coldest water, and if the heat was 
found too great for the plants in winter, when they die down, the waste 
might then be allowed to flow off at the top, so that the bottom water 
in which the plants were sunk might be coldest. 

The species I should recommend for the experiment are Nymphea 
Lotus, N. rubra, N. coerulea, Nelumbium speciosum, Euryale ferox, 
Pontederia crassipes, and Limnocharis Humboldtii, but particularly 
the five first, which are strong growing plants. Nymphoea Lotus grew 
almost like a weed with me last year. The best season to put them in 
would be March, as the offsets abound most at that time, and some 
would flower in May. Some gold and silver fish, in the same place 
would be highly ornamental, and consume the filth of the engine. 

Of course the plants will not succeed if the boiler of the steam 
engine is of copper, or if the temperature of the tank ever much ex- 
ceeds 90°, but by proportioning its surface to the supply, this might 
easily be managed. If the glass case be high enough probably many 
Orchidea would succeed suspended over the water in the same place. 
One might be constructed to cover a small reservoir. I hope the 
above will meet the eye of some one able to make the experiment, 
and who will communicate his success. 


ARTICLE IT.—REMARKS ON THEORY AND PRACTISE, 
With some Observations on the Food of Plants, &c. 
BY JOSEPH HAYWARD, ESQ., LIME REGIS, DORSETSHIRE. 


Your Floricultural Cabinet I think well calculated to make a valuable 
work if you adhere to the proper principle, and it appears to me you have 
it in view, which is, to diffuse a knowledge of the cultivation of Plants 
deduced from practice. The object of every cultivator is to produce 
certain effects; and when people undertake to produce any effect, 
who do not know the cause, they generally form some supposition of 
what the cause is ; such supposition forms Theory, which may be true 
or false, and as the latter is too often the case, the students of every 
art, are apt to treat Theory with contempt, and to depend upon the 


ay 


ON THEORY AND PRACTICE. ot 


knowledge to be required, by imitating a practitioner ; but the know- 
ledge to be obtained from mere practise, however successful, is little 
to be relied upon; for although the cause of success may assist, the 
practitioner may be ignorant of it, and therefore, although the same 
practice may be followed in another situation, it may fall altogether, 
because the cause is not there established. If it be an axiom, that 
every production of nature and of art, is the effect of some cause—it 
must follow, that before any effect can be produced, the cause must be 
established; and before any effect can be effectually prevented, the 
cause must be removed; and consequently, before any person can 
establish or remove a cause, they must know what it is. Then how is 
a knowledge of the causes of effects to be obtained ? Certainly by ne 
other means than by first forming a Theor y, and then putting it to the 
test of practical demonstration, to ascertain its truth or falsehood. If 
a theory be thus proved to be true, the knowledge of it is science. I 
consider the causes of all effects to be certain elementary principles 
established in nature, and which are brought into action or rest, and 
made to exist in a separate or combined state, and to undergo certain 
changes in form and duration of their existence, by certain immutable 
laws of nature. My efforts have long been directed to the ascertaining 
the true causes of the different effects it is desirable to produce by the 
cultivation of plants; as well as the true causes of those effects, it is 
desired to prevent ; and for this purpose, I have not only put my own 
Theories to the test of repeated practical experiment, but also most 
of the Theories of the celebrated Physiologists and Chemists, and 
practical Professors of Horticulture. And in this, all who have done 
me the honour to visit my garden, admit, that I have established 
many important principles of practice: my practical elucidations are 
more particularly exhibited in the training and feeding of fruit-trees ; 
I say feeding, because it is an obvious fact, not only that plants require 
food, to sustain them, as much as animals do, but that their growth 
and productions are determined by the quality and the quantity of the 
food they are supplied with. As to give such an explanation of the 
nature and properties of different soils, and of different manures, or 
the elements of the food of plants, would occupy more of your pages 
than you can afford, you will probably allow me to refer such as wish 
to make a minute enquiry into those subjects, to a little work I have 
lately published, ‘‘ On the Causes of the Barrenness and Fruitfulness of 
Plants and Trees.” I will, however, beg leave now to offer the 9th law of 
nature, in my arrangement, for the immediate consideration of your 
readers, and shall be ready to give any further information in my power : 

the 9th law “‘The leaves form the excretory Organs of a Plant or Tree ; 
and whether the supply of food be great or small, a plant or tree cannot 
attain, nor sustain itself in, a perfect state of fructification, until it is 
furnished with a surface of leaves duly proportioned to the sap sup- 
plied by the roots. To enable them to perform their functions, it is 

E3 


52 ON THE PANSY. 


also necessary that the leaves should be duly exposed to the action of 
light, and to the influence of the sun and the air.” Now according to this 


law, it must be obvious that the cutting back and shortening the 


branches and lessening the quantity of leaves, must obstruct and re- 
tard, rather than forward the production of flowers, seeds, and fruit; 
and yet this is a general practice. It generally happens, that when a 
plant grows luxuriantly to leaves, branches, and stalk, it is but little 
inclined to produce blossoms; we may therefore justly conclude, that 
in such cases there is a greater supply of food than the leaves are 
equal to; and that although we cannot enlarge their powers, we can 
relieve them in their duties, by lessening the supply of food, and thus 
promote fructification. 

Lime Regis, Dorset, January 10th, 1837. 

(We feel assured our readers, will with us, be much obliged by any 
further remarks of Mr. Hayward’s.)—Conpbucror. 


ARTICLE IIJ.—ON A LIST AND TEMPLE OF ROSES. 
BY S. W. E. SMITH, LEAMINGTON, HANTS. 

A Correspondent, Pedro, requested a list of Climbing Roses, a very 
superior list is given in this month’s Cabinet. I have in my own gar- 
den a Temple of Roses, it consists of eight posts, ten feet high, con- 
nected at the top by iron rods. To each post are two climbers, most 
of which have grown to the top within six months. They are the 
White Banksia, Yellow ditto, Rosa Ruga, Rosa Russelliana, White 
Boursault, Purple ditto, Grevillii or seven sisters, Rubra, sweet 
scented Red Multiflora and White ditto, Rosa Clair, White Noisette, 
Pink ditto, Purple Grevillii, Dark double China, Pale ditto, 

The centre of the bed is arich mould, and manure is now laid 
plentifully on it, which will be forked in next spring, and then I shall 
cover the bed again with moss; all sorts of dwarf Roses are planted 
in the centre, a border of wild camomile I have been recommended to 
keep round the edge, to prevent the aphis, but my children carry all 
the lady birds they can find to the temple, and I have no doubt I 
shall keep the trees clean and healthy. 


ARTICLE IV.—ON THE CULTURE OF THE PANSY. 
BY PENSEE. 

By following the method recommended in your December Cabinet by 

Mr. Todd, for propagating the Heartsease, I think it would be found 

that by taking off the young suckers as they appear breaking through 

the ground, you would rob yourself of your finest blooms, to say nothing 

of the trouble of making each cutting as taken off, and the chance of 

an unsuccessful strike. 

I therefore offer to your readers the plan I have adopted, and with 

much success. When the plant begins to spread, which is about June, 
I throw into the centre of each a double handful of rich and finely 


tee 


ASAI IT CA OPE 69 oS 


Koes 


t 


ON PELARGONIUMS. 53 


sifted mould, thus inducing the plant to form roots near the surface. 
Early in September I take up the plant, wash the root from the dirt, 
and divide it, seldom obtaining less than two dozen plants from each, 
and often many more. These I plant about three inches apart, where 
they remain until wanted for the late Autumn or Spring planting, 
having found it necessary to plant at both these seasons, to procure 
fine blooms for exhibition both in April, May, and June. I should 
also recommend a much richer compost than Mr. Todd thinks neces- 
sary, and not to attempt to bloom plants a second year. 

T must also join issue with Mr. Todd in his recommendation of 
removing as much earth as will adhere to the roots, when transplanting 
from his nursery into the blooming bed, as possible; because I have 
found the very reverse to succeed best. I have given each way a fair 
trial, and I now always wash and shorten the roots before planting. 


(Continued from page 10.) 
ARTICLE V.—CULTURE OF PELARGONIUMS. 
BY MR. APPLE BY. 
TuikD Section.—Species that have been hybridized.—This section of 
Pelargoniums is the most numerous, not so much in plants that have 
specific botanical distinctions, as in varieties raised from seed obtained 
from plants, the pollen of which has been mixed with others; these 
varieties are almost endless, and are produced annually, chiefly by 
nurserymen near London. 

On account of their easy culture, they are in great request for the 
greenhouse, flower garden, and windows, both of the cottager and his 
more opulent neighbour, and as this class of flowers affords a cheap, 
lasting, and innocent pleasure to so many individuals, I hope I shall 
be pardoned by my intelligent brethren, whom, of course, I do not 
presume to instruct, if I am rather particular in directions in the culture 
of these charming flowers. 

As this section is cultivated both for the greenhouse, and flower 
garden to plant out in beds, I shall divide the culture into 

1. Propagation. 
2. Greenhouse management. 
3. Flower Garden management. 

1. Propagation by Cuttings.—The best cuttings are the young tops, 
taken off at the third or fourth joint, and the two lowest leaves pared 
clean off with a sharp knife, if the kind to be increased is scarce, cut- 
tings of any one year old wood may be struck, provided they have 
two joints, one to be put in the soil, and the other to grow, but such 
cuttings do not make such neat bushy plants. Cuttings of the roots 
also will grow, if taken off in pretty large pieces, with some small 
fibres attached to them. The soil for cuttings I have found to do the 
best, is pure loam mixed with fine sand, which insure closeness round 
the cuttings without any fermenting substance to rot the young and 


G4 ye ~ ON PELARGONIUMS. 


tender wood. For choice kinds I use the smaller 60 pots, and put 
one cutting in each pot, by which plan I run no risk in potting. For 
commoner kinds, when a cutting or two is no object, I use 36 pots, 
putting five or six cuttings in each, round the edge of the pot; and 
when fairly struck I pot them off into small pots, and put them into a 
frame and shade until fresh rooted. 

The best season to put in cuttings, undoubtedly, is the month of 
March ; cuttings made at that season and plunged out rather deep in 
their small pots in the open ground in June, and taken up and repotted 
before the frost sets in in Autumn, makes the best plants; they are 
stiff, bushy, dwarfish, healthy plants, and flower admirably the fol- 
lowing spring. The month of July, however, is the season when cut- 
tings are most plentiful, on account of the flowering season in the 
greenhouse being over, and many of the plants requiring cutting down. 
Cuttings made in July I pot off when struck, in pure loam in small 
pots, and plunge them up to the rims of the pots in coal ashes at the 
back of some low hedge or paling, shading them from the sun. 

The best situation in which to strike the cuttings, is a small frame 
set upon a moderate hotbed, the dung to be covered with some sand 
or coal ashes three or four inches thick, and the cutting pots set 
upon them, shading with a thick mat during sunshine, and kept 
close for ten days or a fortnight, unless steam arises when the lights 
are propped up an inch or two in a morning. As soon as I judge they 
have formed their callosities, (a swelling at the bottom of the cuttings, ) 
I gradually inure them to the full sun. I water very moderately until 
they are struck, when those that are in single pot I place in a shady 
part of the greenhouse, to harden a little previous to plunging out 
of doors. 

When a large supply is wanted for the flower garden and I am short 
of room or convenience, Itake of as many cuttings as I judge. needful 
in the month of September, and keep them in the cutting pots until 
March, when I pot them single, and grow them in a pit or frame until 
the planting season. 

Propagation by Seed—When the seed is ripe I gather it and keep 
it dry until February or March, when I take 36 pots filled with a com- 
post of rotten leaves, peat earth, and loam, in equal parts, well drained, 
the compost I press down pretty firm, and sow the seed rather thin, 
covering it with the same soil very lightly, placing them in the frame 
with the cuttings. When they have come up and have made their 
second leaves, I pot them off into 60 pots, and replace them in the 
frame until they are well established, when I take them into the green- 
house near the glass, gradually inuring them to the open air, and 
then I plunge them out, as I manage the cuttings in single pots above 
mentioned. 

Both cuttings and seedlings when about four inches high should 
have the top buds nipped off, which makes them branch out three or 


7 
‘ 
‘ 

a 

j 
; 


ON PELARGONIUMS. 55 


four shoots, and of course so many more heads of flowers the following 
season. 

2. Greenhouse Management.—The season to take Geraniums into the 
greenhouse depends upon the weather, and as all Cape plants are 
much healthier, and flower more freely the more they are exposed,to 
the full air, so long as frost keeps off I delay the taking them in, in 
fact this last season, I did not house them generally until the middle 
of October. Choice kinds I had covered up with mats or large sheets 
of canvass elevated on stakes, on such nights as were likely to be 
frosty. A few that shewed plenty of bloom buds I had taken up, 
potted, and placed into the greenhouse in September, and they are 
now in as fine flower, as to size and colour, as ever I had them in June 
instead of December. 

Perhaps no months in the whole year are so unhealthy for Gerani- 
ums as November and December, for the weather generally is dark, 
damp, and rainy, and the plants being full of sappy green leaves, and 
having received a check from new potting, are often shedding leaves 
which I constantly remove, or they would become mouldy and give 
out a bad smell, offensive both to the owners and the plants themselves. 
At all times during the day I give as much air as possible, by opening 
the doors, windows, ventilators, &c. In the mornings I have made a 
fire to dry up damp, but allow it go out before the house is shut up or 
the remedy would be worse than-the disease; close heat at this season 
being most injurious. 

During the severity of winter, fire is necessary to keep out the frost, 
(when very severe both night and day,) but I am careful not to create 
damp by watering more than is absolutely necessary. It often hap- 
pens on frosty days the sun shines clear and bright, and though the 
air is frosty, I always give air to lower the temperature of the house 
to admit fresh in and to dry up damps. 

In January, I scrape off the top soil of the pots, and have them 
washed that are green with moss, picking all decayed leaves, trimming 
off any awkward branches on large plants, and tying up all that re- 
quire it; then haying at hand some light rich soil, I fill up the pots, 
and finally give a good watering. While they are off the stage, I 
have it cleaned down, and the house cleaned out, operations which 
are all conducive to the health, not only of Geraniums, but also of 
every other family of plants under glass, with the exception of suc- 
culents. ‘ 

As the season advances they will generally begin to show flower 
buds, and as soon as I observe that, I consider they require potting, 
especially those in the small pots struck in July; this will mostly 
happen about the middle or end of March, but such as do not show 


flower, I do not repot, as that would encourage growth rather than 


fiowering. 
I may here state what I conceive to be the best soil or compost 


56 Tae ON PELARGONIUMS. 
its 


for those plants to flower in;_I have found the following to answer 
admirable: fresh loam from a pasture, cow dung and rotten leaves 
in equal parts, well mixed and turned over for twelve months. If 
heath mould is plentiful, I use about one-eighth in addition, which 
improves the colour of the flowers,in potting, I take care to drain 
them well, and do not fill the pots quite full, which enables me to 
water them more effectually in the warm drying days of May and 
June. 

In the spring months too much air cannot be given, and in conse- 
quence more water is required, which I bestow very liberally, fre- 
quently syringing over the whole plants, which refreshes them and 
prevents insects injuring them, though no kind of insects particularly 
affects the Geranium, if I except the green fly, which is easily de- 
stroyed by tobacco smoke. When the flowering season is over, and I 
do not want the plants for the flower garden, I cut them down, and 
as the sap will flow out of the wounds no water is given until the 
bleeding stops. If they are in too large pots I shake them out, cut 
off part of the roots, and pot them into less pots which is a sort of 
renewal of the plants. I take them out of doors as soon as I think 
the frosts are over to some place sheltered from the sun and west 
winds, setting them thinly upon a bed of coarse coal ashes two or 
three inches thick, which prevent worms getting into the pots. 
During summer I give water when it is required, and keep them 
clear of weeds, and when I observe they make roots through the 
holes at the bottom of the pots, I shift them into a fresh place, which 
is all the care they require until the autumn arrives, when they are 
sheltered from the frost in the greenhouse or in ptis. 

3. Flower Garden Management.—Part of the operations of this 
section has necessarily been described in the two former sections, 
the propagation and management through the winter being much the 
same, but as more plants are wanted of particular kinds for the 
flower garden than for the greenhouse, I find it necessary to preserve 
a quantity through the cold season in pits; we have here some pits 
covered with wooden shutters without any glass, which answers very 
well. On fine mild days the covers are quite removed, but little 
water is given, and all decayed leaves are removed as they occur, 
though they do not look quite so fresh and green as those in the 
greenhouse, yet sufficiently so to be fit to plant out when the proper 
season arrives. Some are preserved in ashes in the sheds and others 
hung up in a cool cellar. All these soon recover their verdure when 
planted out in summer, and those methods may be made use off by 
such amateurs as may not haye the convenience of a greenhouse 
or pit. 

The best season to plant out is about the first week in June, the 
frost generally being quite over by that time. In planting them out 
no preparation of the soil is necessary, as they grow quite fast 


ON PELARGONIUMS, 57 


enough in any kind of soil however poor. In fact: they flower much 
better if they are cramped at their roots, hence I put them out in 
their pots, plunging them two or three inches deeper than the rims of 


‘the pots. During very dry weather they will require watering about 


eyery other day, evening being the best time unless frosts in 
autumn are apprehended. 

In arranging them in the beds I find small beds all of one kind 
look much better than an indiscriminate mixture: not but such an 
arrangement looks very well, and in some cases is desirable. At the 
front of the entrance of Sheaf House there is a large plot of ground 
surrounded on the west side with hardy evergreens, this I fill during 
summer with geraniums, the largest I plant at the back and gradually 
lessen to the front. I plant these in a mixture, and certainly they 
are allowed by every one who has seen them to be very ornamental. 
During the time they require shelter the place is occupied by hardy 
evergreens kept in pots for that purpose. No kind of geraniums 
show better in beds than the old scarlet horse-shoe and its varieties 
which as they are all nearly of one colour and habit I plant them 
altogether, and they flower all the summer if kept well watered 
during dry weather. It perhaps would be desirable to some of your 
readers to give a few names of such as I have found to do well in the 
flower garden as bed plants. 

Macranthon, a white ground, with pink stripes, flowers all the 
summer and autumn. 

Daneyanum, a crimson, dark striped, flowers all through the 
season. This beautiful variety was raised by the late Mr. Daney, a 
florist, near London. It was one of the finest, if not the very finest, 
of those beautiful hybrid now so common. I have been credibly in- 
formed that, after he had bloomed it, Mr. Daney did not sell one 
until he had increased his stock of it to 200 plants, and then he sold 
it at 5 guineas a plant, thus realizing 1000 guineas by this still fine 
variety. 

Moor’s Victory, shaded scarlet, a good kind both for foliage and 
flowers. 

Plagrans, or Lord Yarborough, a crimson shade, flowers freely alli 
the year. 

Humeii, A good kind for beds, flowers well all the year, I have it 
now in flower very fine. 

Yeatmanianum grandiflorum, dark blotch, a good kind but rather 


small foliage, flowers well. 


_ Grandissima, rose, dark spot, a large flower, makes large trusses 
and flowers all the year, a truly fine variety. 

All these may be had of any respectable nurseryman from 6d. to 1s. 
each. 

I have now described to you my method of cultivating Pelarga- 
niums. Perhaps some of your readers may think me tedious, and 


G 


-, 


58 ON CULTURE OF CYCLAMNES. 


unnecessarily particular, but, to such, I shall only say that if you 
wish to succeed, you must take pains, and in proportion to the pains 
bestowed will be the success. To those who may think proper to 
adopt my plan as far as circumstances will allow, I will say persevere 
and you will succeed as I have done. My employers are satisfied, 


I odtained last year a great number of prizes at the Sheffield Horti- 
cultural Society. 


ARTICLE VI.—ON THE CULTURE OF CYCLAMENS. 


BY c. B. B. 


Ir by the sweet-scented Cyclamen (F. C. 1837, page 20,) Alpha means, 
the common Cyclamen Persicum, white with a crimson eye, it is so 
easily cultivated, that the wonder rather is, how he can have so mis- 
managed, without killing it, as to prevent it from flowering for three 
years. To grow it in perfection, the root should be placed just on the 
surface of a compost of equal parts of sandy loam, leaf mould and rotten 
cow dung, ina well drained pot, which diameter is nearly double that 
of the root itself, and placed in alight and airy situation, where it has 
little more than protection from frost. When it dies down, about 
June, the plant should be set aside in a cool place without water, till 
the end of August, when it may be replanted as above. I have found 
the following plan, recommended by Mr. Paxton, effective, though the 
reason for it is not obvious. Soon after the plants die down, I turned 
them into the open border, and allowed them to remain, until the 
nights began to be chilly, towards the end of September. By this 
time they had made both leaves and flowers buds, which soon expanded, 
when the roots were taken up, and potted as above. If the plants are 
kept in a close damp, or dark place, they will never flower. 

The directions above apply nearly to all the genus, except that 
C. coam requires peat,and C. repandum is always difficult to keep when 
dormant. The common sweet scented Cyclamen, of South Europe, a 
rose coloured species, prefers more sandy leaf mould, and will bear 
any thing except frost, and a wet soil. It grows profusely in the 
Italian Islands, on the mossy banks which bound the vineyards. 


a ee 


ON CLIMBING PLANTS. 59 


ARTICLE VII.—ON FRAXINELLA, OR WHITE DITTANY. 


BY A FLORIST. 


Fraxinella is a living plant, that multiplies by its roots, as well as 
by its seed. We sow it in September, in naked earth, or in beds: if 
in naked ground, we take the precaution to choose a proper place, 
which is always at the end of a plot well loosened, and tractable, and 
covered with mould to the depth of an inch, There we sow it, either 
all over the surface of that narrow space, or in traces drawn by the 
line, at the distance of three inches from one another; then we cover 
it up with the same mould, as even as we can. 

When the plant thus sown, comes up, if the season be very cold, 
cover the young sprouts with big straw, or dry dung. When it is 
good fair weather, uncover them in the day-time, and cover them up 
at nights. 

When the Spring comes, water them, and weed them, as you see 
occasion; and when they are big enough to be set in their proper 
places, take them gently out of the ground, towards the end of March; 
carry them to the places appointed for them, and plant them according 
to art; remembering always the directions I gave above, of the way 
of planting Flowers of the large kind. Take care to guard their roots 
well with earth; water them, and after that, water and weed, as you 
see occasion; and, in the proper season, the flower will answer all 
expectations. ° 

Fraxinella is a plant that shoots from its roots, stalks about two feet 
high, reddish, guarded with oblong leaves, ranged by pairs on one 
side, which terminates in one leaf. The summit of the stalks, bears 
flowers in the form of a spica, or ear; each of which consist of five 
leaves, of a purplish white colour, and variegated; in the middle of 
which, rises eight or ten purplis stamina, or therads. 

After the flowers fall, there succeeds a fruit, composed of several 
grains, containing seeds pointed at one end, and of a shining black 
colour. 


ARTICLE VIIT. 


A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF GREENHOUSE AND HARDY 
CLIMBING PLANTS. 
BY MR. JAMES BROWNE, DERSINGHAM, NORFOLK. 


Having observed in the last number of the Floricultwral Cabinet, a 
request of ‘* Floras” to your correspondents, for a list of Greenhouse 
ahd Hardy Climbing Plants, I have endeavoured to comply, by sending 
the following for insertion, trusting that it will be found useful to your 
numerous readers :— 


ABBREVIATIONS, 
gh. greenhouse climb. climbing, as Clematis. decid. deciduous. 
!. frame twing: twining, as Ipomma. — everg. evergreen 
-... the same 


! whether shrubby or 
herbaceous 


Ge 


60 


Systematic Name, 


Specific character, 


di : 
a in fort Time of flowering ; 


A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF GREENHOUSE AND 


Ampelopsis, class 5, order 1, natural order Ampelidez. 


cordata 
hederacea 
hirsuta 


climb. deciduous 


Aristolochia, cl. 20, or. 3, Asarince. 


sipho 
tomentosa 
Arkansa 


twining deciduous 


Asparagus, cl. 6, or, 1, Asphodelez 


scandens 


gh. twining 


Astephanus, cl. 5, or. 2, Asclepiadee. 


triflorus 


gh. twining 


Atragene, cl. 13, or. 6, Ranunculasee. 


austriaca 
americana 
ochotensis 


climb. deciduous 


Bignonia, cl. 14, or. 2, Bignoniacee. 


capreolata 


climb. evergreen 


Billardiera, cl. 5, or. 1, Pittosporee. 


scandens 
longiflora 
fusiformis 


gh. evergreen 


Brunnichia, cl. 8, or. 3, Polygonee. 


cirrhosa 


gh. evergreen 


Calampelis, (Eccremocarpus) cl. 14, or 2, Bignoniacee. 


scabra 
longiflorus 
Caprifolium, cl. 5, or. 1, 

italicum 
etruscum 
sempervirens 
gratum 
pubescens 
Periclymenum 
japonicum 
flexuosum 
Douglasii 
longiflorum 
occidentale 


climb. f. everg. 


Caprifoliaceze. i 


twining decid. 

twining everg. 
decid. 

toe everg. 


decid. 


Celastrus, cl. 5, or. 1, Celastrinee. 


bullatus 
scandens 
punctatus 


climb. decid. 


gh. evergreen 


Clematis, cl. 13, or. 6, Ranunculacee. 


Flammula 
Massoniana 
glauca 
chinensis 
australis 
Viorna 
Simsii 
florida 
Viticella 
cirrhosa 
balearica 
odorata 


climbing decid. 


gh everg. 
decid 

f. everg 
gh. ae 

decid 
fs 

everg. 
fae chs 
gh.. 


Cobeea, cl. 5, or 1, Cobecez. 


scandens 


hee everg. 


8 
Convolvulus, cl. 5, or. 1, Convolvulacee. 


pannifolius 


gh. twining everg. 


20 April, May 
60 June, July 
60 April, May 
30 June, July 
20 oe oe 
20 
6 May, June 
4 July, August 
8 June, July 
12 May, June 
12 May, July 
20 July, August 
12 June, August 
15 June, September 
8 
6 June, July 
15 July, September 
We ee. aes 
12 May, June 
20 ee Bye 
16 May, September 
20 June, August 
20 May, June 
15 SN. 
12 July, September 
20 =i tages 
15 
20 ae ots 
20 June, August 
20 June, July 
15 May, June 
6 June, August 
20 July, October 
16 June, September 
12 April, May 
12 Se a 
12 bis = 
12 September 
8 Bo 
10 April, Sept. 
20 September 
12 March, April 
12 February March 
10 Ae 54 
30 June, September 
15 June, September 


Colour of Flower. 


Green 


eeee 


Yellowish 
Purple 


Green 
White 


Blue and Yell. 
Purple 
White 


Scarlet 
Crimson 
Blue 
Pink 


Orange 
Yellow 


R. Yellow 
Orange 
Scarlet 
Red 
Yellow 

R. Yellow 
Red 
Orange 


seee 


Yell. and white 
Orange 
White 
Yellow 
Whitish 
White 
Whitish 
White 
Purple 
Whitish 
Purple 
Whitish 


Purplish 
Purple 
Blue 


HARDY CLIMBING PLANTS. 


Date of In- 
| troduction. 


Native Country. 


N. America 


N. America 
Arkansa 

C. of G. Hope 
C. of G. Hope 


Austria 
N. America 
Siberia 


N. America 


N.S. Wales 
Van D.’s Land 


Carolina 


Chili 
Peru 


England 
Italy 

N. America 
Canada 
Britain 
China 


N. i America 
China 
Ft. Vancouvre 


Virginia 
N. America 
Japan 


France 

C. of G. Hope 
Siberia 

China 

N. Holland 
N. America 


Japan. ‘ij 
Spain 


Minorca 
E. Indies 


Mexico 


Canaries 


61 


Soil and Propagation. 


1803 ee 


1629 

1806 

1763 me sandy peat 

1799 

1824 peat and loam 

1795 Cuttings of root, sand and peat 


1816 Division peat and loam 
1792 
1797 


1818 


Layers, sandy loam 


1710 Cuttings, peat and loam 
1790 Seed or CUE: gpme Lak? 
1810 
1823 
1787 Cuttings, loam and peat 
1824 Cuttings or seed, loam and peat 
1825... ae sats 
Cuttings 

Sonne 

1730 
1822 


loam and peat 


ee ee 


eee 


1806 peat and loam 
1824 
1826 


loam and peat 
1824 


peat and loam 


1759 Layers, ak and loam 
1736 
1837 Cuttings 
1596 Layers 

; sandy peat 
1820 
1821 
1730 
1812 
1776 
1569 
1596 
1783 
1831 Seed, loam and peat 


peat and loam 
Seed 


Layers 


1792 Seed, citings, peat and loam 


1805 Divisien of root, peat and loam 


aa 


62 A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF GREENHOUSE AND 
Systematic Name. Specific character Prigey" Time of flowering. 
Convolvulus farinosus 10 May, June 
Hermannie 6 August, Sept. 
Decumaria, cl. 11, or. 1, My rtacez. 
sarmentosa twining decid. 30 July, August 
Dumasia, cl. 17, or. 4, Leguminosa. 
pubescens gh. twining everg. 6 August, Dec. 
Eustrephus, cl. 6, or. 1, Asphodelee. 
angustifolius gh. twining everg. 4 June, July 
latifolius rh Br 
Gelsemium, (Bignonia) el. 5, or. 1, “Apocynez. 
sempervirens climbing everg. 6 June, July 
Hedera, cl. 5, or. 1, Araliacee. 
helix climbing everg. 20 October, Nov. 
canariensis 15 
Hibbertia, cl. 13, or. 3, Dilleniacez. 
‘volubilis gh. twining ss ick 8 May, October 
grossulariefolia ; 6 March, August 
TIpomeea, cl. 5, or. 1, Conv olvulacez. 
sinuata, gh. twining everg. 6 July, August 
carolina annual 1.04 bese re 
cerulea 9 
coccinea 10 
purpurea Bic 12 
Jasminum, cl. 2. or. 1, Jasminee. 
azoricum gh. climb. everg. 6 April, August 
revolutum Br a ae Oe dee Dt. 
officinale climb. decid. 20)" eal “is 
grandiflorum gh... everg. 12 June, October 
Kennedia, cl. 17, or. 4, Leguminose. 
rubic nda gh. twining everg. 10 March, August 
cocciaea ae 55 ae 12 ae on 
comptoniana 10 
Lophospermum, cl. 14, or. 2, "Scrophularinez. 
erubescens _ f. climbing 12 June, October 
rhodochiton LON tye he 
Menispermum, cl. 22, or. 10, Menispermee. 
canadense tw ining 10 June, July 
Lyoni climbing 10 5 
Passiflora, cl. 16, or. 2, Passiflorez. 
cerulea twining everg. 30 June, October 
maculata foe eG 
incarnata 20 
Periploca, cl. 5, or. 2, Asclepiddee. 
reca twining decid. 12 July, August 
Petunia, cl. 5, or. 1, Solanee. 
phenicea f. climbing 6 June, October 
Sollya, cl. 5, or. 1, Pittosporez. 
heterophylla f. climbing 8 June, September 
Tecoma, (Bignonia) cl. 14, or 2, Bignoniacee. 
australis f. climb. ev erg. 10 April, July 
radicans a decid. 30 July, August 
grandiflora gh...  everg. Bi) ENE ie 
capensis f. Som a8 10 : 
Vitis, cl. 5, or. 1, Ampelidee. 
dentata climb. decid. 10 June 
cordifolia 12 
Wistaria, (Glycine) cl. 17, or. 4, Leguminose. 
frutescens twining decid. 10 June, September 
Consequana a ; POW -¥ Ac 


Colour of Flower. 


Pink 
White 


White 
Yellow 
Red 
Yellow 


Green 
Yellow 


White 
Purple 
Blue 
Scarlet 
Purple 


Yellow 
White 
Brown 
Scarlet 
Blue 


Rose 
Dark Purple 


Green 
White 


Blue 

Spotted 
Pink 
Brown 

Purple 
Blue 


Orange 


“Hardy CLIMBING PLA NTs. 


Native Country. 
Maderia 
Peru 


Carolina 
Nepal 
New S. Wales 


N. America 


Britain 
Canaries 


New S. Wales 
New Holland 


Florida 
Carolina 
E. Indies 
W. Indies 
S. America 


Madeira 
E. Indies 


New S. Wales 
N. Holland 
Jalapa 

Mexico 

N. America 
Brazil 

N. America 
Syria 

Rio de la Plata 
N. Holland 
New S. Wales 


N. America 
China 


al: of G. Hope 


N. America 


N. America 
China 


63 


= and Propagation. 


Date of In- 

troduction. 
1777 
1799 . rich ‘earth 
1758 Layers, peat and loam 


Cuttings, sandy loam 


Cuttings, sandy peat 


Cuttings, peat and loam 


Layers 


1600 


Cuttings, 
1803 ee 


sandy peat 


1817 
1732 
1818 
1713 
1699 


Seed, sandy loam 


1724 Cuttings, rich loam 
1812 

1548 

1629 

1788 Cuttings, sandy peat 
1803 sels 

1803 


1820 Cuttings, Seed, rich loam 


1833 peat and loam 
1691 Division of root, neat 
1823 ; 

1699 Cuttings, sandy loam 
1812 |, tape ; 

1629 


1597 Division of root, sandy loam 
1831 Cuttings, seed, peat and loam 
1832 Cuttings, seed, loam and peat 
1795 Cuttings sandy peat 

1640 Division of root, sandy peat 
1800 Cuttings, rich loam 

1823 Ac ae 


1820 Cuttings, rich loam 
1806 cin 


1724 Layers, sandy peat 
1818 rich loam 


64 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 
WPART IF, 
LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed sinee our last. 


1. Crara@eus Fava, Var. Lobata. Rough barked Thorn, single fruited 
variety. (Bot. Reg. 1932.) Natural Order, Roseacew; Class, [cosandria; 
Order, Pentagynia. The original species produces its fruit in clusters, but in 
the present variety they are solitary. They are of a greenish-yellow, slightly 
tinged with pale red at the end. The plant forms a compact spreading head. 
The bark splits very much like that of an elm tree. Crateyus, from Kratos, 
strength, alluding to the density of the wood. 

2. CRaATamGUS OXYACANTHA, Var. Oliveriana. Hairy-leaved Black Haw- 
thorn. This variety of the common Hawthorn very much resembles the origi- 
nal species. Its berries are produced in large clusters, but are of a sloe-black 
colour, producing a pretty appearance. It is stated that the plant is a native of 
Asia Minor. 

3. GAILLARDIA BICOLOR, Var. Drummondii integerrima. Two coloured 
Gaillardia. Dzrummond’s entire leaved variety. (Bot. Mag. 3551.) Compo- 
site ; Syngenesia; Frustranea. This variety appears identical with Gaillardia 
picta, excepting all the leaves being entire. The fine large blossoms, more than 
two inches across, the large crimson disk, surrounded by a ray of fine yellow, 
produces a very showy appearance, and renders the plant well deserving a place 
in every flower garden. Gaillardia, in compliment to M. Gaillard de Maren- 
tonneau, an amateur botanist. 

4. HipPEASTRUM BREVIFLORUM. Short flowered Knight’s-Star Lily. (Bot. 
Mag. 3549.) Amaryllidee; Hexandria; Monogynia. Mr. Tweedie found this 


very distinct species in the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres. The scape rises- 


about three feet high, bearing an umbel of six handsome flowers. Each flower 
is about four inches across, white striated with red, and down the middle of the 
petal, at its lower part, is a stripe of yellow. It is a very handsome species, and 
well merits a place in every collection of liliaceous stove plants. It has bloomed 
at the Glasgow Botanic Garden. 

5. LACHENALIA GLAUCINA. Glaucous flowered. (Bot. Mag. 3552.) Aspho- 
deleew ; Hexandria; Monogynia. This very handsome species has been sent by 
Baron Ludwig from Cape of Good Hope to the Glasgow Botanic Garden. The 
scape rises near a foot high, producing a spike of numerous flowers. They are 
at first of a palish blue, changing, however, as they become older, to a rosy- 
lilac. The perianth (calyx) is also coloured, and prettily spotted with blue. 
There are two varieties of this plant, one haying pale blue flowers, and plain 
leaves; the other having lilac or rose coloured flowers, and spotted leaves. 
Lachenalia, in compliment to W. de la Chenal, a botanical Author. 

6. LiMNANTHUS DoUGLASSII. Mr. Douglas’s Limnanthes (Bot. Mag. 3554.) 
Limnanthew; Decandria; Monogyiia. A native of California, from whence it 
was sent by Mr. Douglas. The plant is annual, quite hardy, decumbent, stems 
growing ten or twelve inches long. The ends are crowded with numerous fra- 
grant flowers, each about an inch across, much resembling in size and form the 
Nemophila grandiflor:. A large portion of the flower is a deep yellow, the 
extremities of the petals being white. It blooms from June to August. Lim- 
nanthes, from lumen, a lake; and anthos, a flower. The plant, probably, in its 
native habits growing by the sides of lakes, rivers, &c. 

7. LOBELIS CARDINALIS; var. MinLERI. Mr. Miller's Lobelia. (Brit. Flow. 


Gard. 372.) Lobeliacee. Pentandria; Monogynia. A very handsome flower- - 


ing variety, raised by Mr. Evans, gardener to Mrs. Batt, Newhall, Salisbury, 
Wiltshire. It is an hybrid between L. cardinalis, and L. syphilitica. The 
plant is perennial, quite hardy, blooming from July to the end of the summer 
season The stem rises three feet high, having a long raceme of flowers, of a 
lively purple colour, darker up the centre of the petals. The plant deserves a 
place in every collection. Plants may be had at the public Nurseries. A num- 
ber of very fine flowering hybrid Lobelias have recently been raised, and will 
be offered to the public this spring. (See Messrs. Godivin’s Advertisement in 
February Cabinet.) They are highly ornamental,.and great acquisitions to the 


. 


al pt i el 


a oe 


> er? 


NEW AN} RARE PLANTS. 65 


flower-garden. Lobelia, in compliment to wie, a celebrated botanical 


Author and Physician: he died in 1616. 

8. LoBELIA POLYPHYLLA. Many-leaved. (Bot. Mag. 3550.) <A native of 
Valparaiso, from whence it has been recently sent to this country, and bloomed 
in the Glasgow Botanic Garden. Mr. Knight of Chelsea also possesses plants 
of this species. The plant is perennial, suffruticose, growing a foot high, branch- 
ing, each producing a terminal raceme of flowers, of a deep blood purple colour, 
producing a beautiful appearance. The plant ought to bein every flower-garden. 

9. MENONVILLEA FILIFOLIA, Thread-leaved. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 371.) Cru- 
cifera. Tetradynamia; Siliculosa. A hardy annual plant, a native of Chile, 
from whence it appears to have been sent to the Imperial Botanic Garden, at 
St. Petersburgh, and from thence sent to A. B. Lambert, Esq. Boyton-House, 
Wiltshire, where it bloomed the last summer. The stems grow erect, about a 
foot high, each terminating in a longish raceme of flowers. The flowers are 
small, having very narrow petals, white. ‘There are several other species of this 


. genus, all natives of Chile. Menonvillea, in compliment to M. 'fhiery Menon- 


ville, an enterprising Naturalist of France. 

10. Muscaria comMutTatom. Dark Purple Flowered Grape Hyacinth.— 
(Brit. Flow. Gard. 369.) A native of Italy and Sicily, where it grows frequent 
in the meadows. The flowers are produced in dense racemes about twenty in 
each, of a dark purple colour. It is grown in the gardens of the Honourable W. 
T. H. Fox, Strangways, Abbotsbury Castle in Dorsetshire. The plant blooms 
in March and April. The flowers are scentless. Muscaria, from moschos, allu- 
ding to the order of the type. f 

11. NEPENTHUS DISTILLATORIA. Distilling Pitcher Plant. Pax. Mag. Bot.) 
This very singular plant is a native of the East Indies, aud was introduced into 
this country in 1789. It was subsequently lost, but the late Dr. Carey gathered 
seeds of it near Bengal, on the Cirdar Mountains, who sent some to Mr. Cooper, 
of Wentworth. A very fine plant is now growing in the stove at Chatsworth, 
which has near fifty pitchers upon it. The plant has bloomed for eighteen 
months past. The flowers, which are numerous, are produced upon a raceme of 
eight or nine inches long. 

i2. Onerpium LunatuM, Crescent-lipped. (Bot. Reg. 1929.) Orchidacez: 
Gyandria; Monandria. This very neat flowering species bloomed in the collec- 
tion of Messrs. Loddiges’, during the lastsummer. It is a native of Demerara. 
The spike rises about nine inches high. The flowers very much resemble those 
of O. Harrisoneanum. Each is about three quarters of an inch across. The 
labellum is white striped, with dark blood colour. The other portion of the 
flower is yellow, spotted with brownish-red. 

13. Peresxra acureata. West India Goosebery. (Bot. Reg. 1928.) Cac- 
tacew; Icosandia; Monogynia; Synonym, Cactus Pereskia. This plant is an 
old inhabitant of our hot-houses, but seldom seen in bloom, often used as a stock, 
on which other kinds are inarched or grafted. The plant produces its flowers in 
a panicle of ten or more upon each. They are white, rather more than an inch 
across, and make a very pretty appearance. A fruit is produced much like a 


_ soft mellon Gooseberry. Pereskia from N. F. Peireskin’s, an Amateur Botanist. 


14. Sprranruus Brucreosa. Long Bracted Lady‘s Traces. Orchidacee 
Gynan%ria ; Monandria. (Bot. Reg. 1934.) A stove harbaceous species of 
Orchidew, belonging to the division Neottiee. It was sent to Messrs. Loddiges’ 


from St. Catharines. The scape rises about a foot high, terminating in a spike - 


of flowers. Thay are very small, of a pale yellow colour. Spiranthes, alluding 
to the spiral manner that the flowers are produced in. 

15. Tropaotum BracnysERas. Short Spurred Indian Cross. (Brit. Flow. 
Gard., 370.) We have already given some particulars respecting this pretty 
little plant, under the spacific name, Brachysema, which, by some mistake, we 
had so inserted it. It appears the proper specific title is as now given. ‘We in- 
troduce it in this place to correct the mistake. 

16. Tutpacuta Vrotacka. Violet-flowered. (Bot. Mag., 3555.) Liliace; 
Hoxandria; Monogynia. A native of Southern Africa. The scape rises about a 
foot high, producing an umbel of eight or nine flowers, of a bright shining purple 
colour. Each flower is about three quarters of an inch across. Tulbaghia, in 
compliment to M. Tulbagh, a Dutch Governor, Fj 


C/ 


rt 


a 
oa 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 
a oe. 


PARY II. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCRE,. 


QUERIES. 


A List oF THE BEST HarDY EVERGREEN aND DeEcIpvots SHRUBS.— 
I shall be much obliged by a list of the best Hardy Evergreen and Deciduous 
Shrubs, to include the Camellias, Magnolias, and those shrubs which have been 
introduced for the last few years, fit for small gardens; and if the height, time 
of flowering, and prices would be given, it would be very acceptable to myself 


as well as others. The list of plants given in November, by Mr. Brown, was a . 


very excellent one, and wanted the prices only to make it complete. A similar 
list for the greenhouse would be equally acceptable. PEDRO. 
London, January 25th, 1836. . 


Superior Pansies.—A reader of the Cabihel would be much obliged by a 
list, and description of colours, of forty of the best kinds of Pansies most 
suited for cultivating for prize flowers, to be exhibited at the Floricultural 
Meetings. An early attention to this request, by a connoisseur of Pansies, will 
be a very great favour conferred on An OLD SUBSCRIBER. 

Brompton, Jun. 20, 1836. 


A List oF ONE Hunprep FLowrErs &c.—A new Subscriber will be par- 
ticularly obliged, if some Correspondent, will insert in as early a number as 
possible of the Cabinet, a list of flowers, Kc., suitable for a garden 100 feet by 
21, in rather an cpen situation, with a south aspect, and northern side of 
London. The list to contain only those flowers that a mere novice can attend 
to, with as good a succession of Howers as possible. A NEW SUBSCRIBER. 

Jan. 23rd, 1837. 

The garden is in some places shaded by fruit trees—please to say, therefore, 
what will grow under them. 


DOUBLE FLOWERED CLARKIA.—Seeds of a double variety of this pretty 
plant are advertised in the Cabinet, for sale by Mr. Kernan. I have never 
heard of it before, but certainly it must be an acquisition to the flower garden, 
well deserving a place i in all. Can any reader of the Cabinet inform me where 
it has been raised, and if it has bloomed in this country. J. Kine. 

Blackheath. 


Rosa Harpit.—I have been informed that a new Hybrid Rose, raised in 
Germany, and named Rosa Hardii, produces golden coloured flowers, having a 
dark purple eye. I should be glad to be informed by any reader of the Cabinet 
who may have seen the flower, whether it be a double or single flowering variety, 
and where, in this country, plants may be purchased. Rosa. 

Cheltenham Feb. 6th, 1837. 

We refer our Correspondent to apply, immediately, to Messers. Wood and 
Son, Maresfield, near Uckfield, Sussex, for the kind, ‘if it be wished to have the 
plant for blooming the céming season. (See their list in the Cabinet for Feb- 
ruary.) CONDUCTOR. 


THE DOUBLE BLOSSOMED CHINESE PrimMrose.—Information has recently 
been given me, (but I have entirely forget by whom) of a double blossomed 
Chinese Primrose. If some Correspondent of the Cabinet will inform me where 
it can be procured, and the price per plant, it will very much oblige. 

Bath, Feb. 7th, 1837. A Tapy. 

Mr. Henderson, nephew of Mr. Henderson Nurseryman, Pine Apple Place 
Edgeware Road, London, succeeded in raising a double flowering variety, 
having fringed petals. We understand plants are offered for sale at the above 
named nursery. Conpvcror. 


— 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 67 
ANSWERS. 


On Heatine py Hor Water tn Grass Tuses, 1836, p. 2156.—R. must 
be nder some mistake respecting glass tubes, employed in hot water appearauce 
as is statement that they give out heat quicker, and retain it longer is self-con- 
tradictory, to say nothing about the affording a higher temperature. The sub- 
ject was most accurately investigated by Mr. T’. 'Tredgold, some years ago. The 


‘result was, that water in a glass tube gives off its heat rather more slowly than 


in an iron one—in the ratio of 155, 180, where the iron is covered with rust, as 
hot water pipes generally are—consequently iron pipes give out heat quicker, and 
under equal areas of external surface, produce a higher temperature than glass 
would, and ot course the heat contained in them is more rapidly expended. 
With respect to glass tubes, the difficulty and expense of joining them, would 
probably prove an insuperable objection to their use, if their brittleness were not 
a sufficient one. 


On THE Heart oF A Furnace, &c., 1836, p. 137.—I see a Correspondent 
at Canterbury, is incredulous as to the time which'the little furnace mentioned in 
page 46, continues to burn. The fact, however, was as stated, and since that 
time, another furnace smaller than the former, as having rather less diameter 
and conical, has remained alight without any attention an equal time. When- 
ever it is filled with fuel and regulated, it burns untouched, twelve hours, 
and only requires stirring up to put it to work in the morning. It must, how- 
ever, be observed, that the combustion for a great part of this time is so slow as 
to produce very little heat. 


On Growine Care BULBS IN THE OPEN GROUND, page 1836, p. 137.— 
may be glad to be informed, that notwithstanding all that is said about growing 
Cape Bulbs in the open ground, those who attempt generally lose their plants, or 
if they succeed, the flowers are so indifferent as ill to reward the trouble. A few 
strong species succeed, but the wet of our autumns destroys most kinds, and the 
frosts cut up those which suraive. If he will try, he must drain his beds well, 
raise them high, and protect them from all rain after October begins. 

C2 Bags: 


REMARKS. 


A List oF Firty EXCELLENT Sorts oF Danuias.—I forward you the 
requested list of Fifty Dahlias, together with a few others which are spoken of 
in the highest manner, but not having seen them, I have omitted them in my 
list; those to come out this season, and which T have placed amongst the fifty, 
I have seen, and can highly recommend. Quilled Perfection must be considered 
a first-rate flower, and Sir H. Fletcher, Dodds’s Mary, and Jones’s Sulphuria 
Elegans, unequalled. I speak thus favourably of the latter, from the bloom 
exhibited at Salt Hill last year, which was splendid. Addison must also be in 
every collection, and will, I think, find itself a place in every good stand of 
blooms. I should remind growers that this is Granta’s year, it having been 
generally remarked that this splendid flower is in perfection only every other 


On Spotted LEAVES OF ORCHIDE&.—A Correspondent in one of your late 
numbers, complains of spots in the leaves of his Orchidew, which do not appear 
to be caused by insects. As 1 have found that cold, especially during the night, 
when there is moisture on the leaves, affects many tender stove plants in the 
way he describes. I think it is possible his Orchidee have suffered from that 
cause—a temperature much below 65 degrees, especially during summer, when 
the heat by day is great, will generally cause spots. C.B.B. 


To Destroy Stucs, Wooprice. Earwics, &c.—Take some cabbage leaves, 
and either put them in a warm oven, or hold them before a fire, until they are 
soft, then rub them with salted butter, or any kind of fresh dripping, and lay 
in the places infested. JACOBUS. 


68 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


season. In 1835 it was in every stand; last year, I do not remember seeing a 
good bloom. In my list I may, perhaps, have excepted several flowers which I 
have admitted ; indeed, I see thatthe Editor of the Gardeners’ Gazette condemns 
Ariel and Glory, declaring them hardly worthy of admittance amongst an 100, 
but as this gentleman seems rather eccentric in his likes and dislikes, I am not 
inclined to pay particular attention to him. PENSEE. 

Dodd’s Mary Calypso 

Springfield Rival Metropolitan Roselle 

Sir H. Fletcher, Richardson’s Piltdown Rival 

Quilled Perfection, Brown’s Ariadne, Brown’s 


Addison Warminster Rival, Wheeler’s 
Countess of Sheffield Venosa, do. 
Sulphuria Elegans, Jones's Dr. Halley 

Perfection, Widnall’s Glory 

Granta, do. Ariel 


Corinne, Brown's 
Triumphant, Jefferies’ 
Countess of Moreton 

Mary Queen of Scot's, Leod’s 


Yellow Perfection, Stones’s 
Blue Beard 

Lydia, Brown's 

Queen of Dahlias 


Metropolitan Blush Ada Byron 

Mrs. Wilkinson Countess of Liverpool 
Napoleon, Smith’s Fisherton Rival 
Purple Perfection, Squibb’s Pink Perfection 
Diadem of Flora Burgundy 

King Otho ss -—— 
Beauty of Camberwell Girling’s Ruby 
Angelina Suffolk Hero 

Sir E. Sugden Madonna 


Polyphemus, Elphinston’s 
Lilac Perfection 

Hermione 

The Gem, Brown's 

Beauty of Dulwich 
Perfection, Sutton’s 

Royal Adelaide, Clark's 
Metropolitan Perfection 
Hon. Mrs. Harris, Squibb’s 


Mrs. Broadwood 
Lady of Oulton 
Surpass Polyphemus 
Nulli Secundus 
Beauty, Brown’s 

St. Leonard’s Rival 
Countess of Jersey 
King of Beauties 
Conqueror of Europe 


Aurora, Maule’s 


On THE AROMA Or FLowERS.—Before R. T. W. can expect an answer to his 
query, December Number, 1836, page 292, concerning “ aroma of flowers,” he 
must explain its meaning. Ci BiB: 


On THE GERMINATION OF OLD SEEDS.—The germination of seed, supposed 
to have lost their vegetative principle, may be greatly accelerated by immersing 
them in Oxalic Acid, or putting them in a cloth moistened with the acid. They 
are not to remain in the cloth any longer after the germination has commenced. 
By attending to the foregoing, seeds have vegetated after being kept thirty years. 

Jau. 25th, JACOBUS. 


EUPHORBIA JACQUINIFLORA.—In December last year, I had the pleasure of © 
walking through the superior collections of Exotics in the nursery of Mr. Lowe, 
of Clapton, and one plant particularly arrested my attention, viz. Euphorbia 
Jacquinni. It produces a large head of scarlet bracteew, that may be termed its 
flowers, which are splendid and showy. It deserves a place in every hothouse 
in the country. The season of its blooming, length of time I was informed it 
bloomed, several months, alike contribute to make the plant desirable. 

Ealing, Jan. 3d, 1837. J. A. Smite. 


On THE Passion FLOWER.—AS you expressed a wish to receive my smal] 
communications, I forward them in time, I hope, for the February number. I am 
much obliged for your answer respecting the Billiardiera Melocarpa, and hope 
always to receive so speedy a reply.—* The name Passion Fower is derived from 


~~ S -a 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 69 


the Latin, “ flos passionis,” originally given to the plant by the Spaniards, from 
its supposed resemblance to the instruments of the Crucifixion of our Saviour. 
When they first discovered America, and found a flower seeming to represent so 
closely circumstanees of so sacred a nature, they attached the most superstitious 
ideas to it. I have read that, in old botanical works, very curious prints are to 
to be met with, in which the flowers seem to be composed of the things them- 
selyes, being evidently portrayed from the exaggerated accounts of the first dis- 
coverers, who saw in the five anthers, our Saviour’s five wounds ; in the three 
styles, the nails by which he was fixed to the cross; in the column which rises 
from the base of the flower, the pillar to which he was bound. Theresemblance 
appeared to the Roman Catholics so strong, that the name of Passion Flower was 
bestowed on it; and it is now held in such veneration in South America, that the 
Nuns train it with very reverential feelings round the windows of their little dor- 
mitories.”—I copied this out of a very nice little book for beginners in Botany, 
by C. A. Halstead, which seems to me much the clearest and nicest work of the 
sort I have ever seen, and I should recommend it to any beginner in the science. 
If you think this worth inserting for the amusement of your readers, 


You will much oblige, 


Dec. 30th, 1836. KALMIA. 


A List or Fiery EXCELLENT KINDS OF DaHLiAs.—With this I send you a 
list of fifty superior Dahlias. I saw blooms of them at the various exhibitions 
around London and in the country, during the last season. The plants may 
not all be the best bloomers, as to quantity produced. I had not an opportunity 
of seeing some of them grow, but I can vouch for the superior form of the 
blooms, which I saw at the first-rate exhibitions, all of which obtained many 
prizes. I would furnish a list for the Cabinet, how many times I saw each sort 
in the winning stands, but fear it be too lengthy an article. 


Marquis of Northampton, Elphinstone’s Bristol Perfection 


Duke of Devonshire, Widnall’s 
Sir Edward Sugden 

Countess of Orkney 

Ada, Gaines’s 

Mary, Dodds’s . 

Roso Superba, Elphinstone’s 
Conqueror of Europe, do. 
Paragon, Marsh’s 

Goldfinder, Dray’s 

Malibran, Kington’s 

Mrs. Broadwood, Elphinstone’s 
Sulphurea Elegans, Jones’s 
Ruby, Girling’s 

King Harold, Dray’s 
Shakespear, Girling’s 

Lord Lyndhurt, Forsyth’s 
Purple Perfection, Elphinstone’s 
Warminster Rival, Squibb’s 
Maid of Judah, Kington’s 
Enterprize 

Salter, Mitchell's 

Sir H. Fletcher 

‘Champion, Wells’s 
Incomparable White 


Middlesex Rival, Pamplin’s 
Quill’d Perfection, Brown’s 
Piltdown Rival, Mitchell’s 

Rival Sussex 

Countess of Jersey, Gaines’s 
Elis 

Scarlet Perfection 

Miss Georgiana 

Queen’s Superba, Wilmer’s 
Queen of Trumps, Elphinstone’s 
Lady Dartmouth, Widnall’s 
Penelope, Chubb’s 

New Scarlet Perfection, Holman’s 
Mrs. Wilkinson, Penny’s 
Napoleon, Smith’s 

Countess of Sheffield, Mantel’s 
Lilac Perfection 

St. Leonard’s Rival, Stanford’s 
Alexander the Great, do. 
Victorious, Kington’s 


. Paris, Widnall’s 


Magnet, Kington’s 
Ipswich Beauty 
Madonna, Stanford’s 


In the above list will be found high-priced kinds, if all be offered for sale this 
season, which I am not aware of, not having looked through the published lists. 
To those persons who wish for superior hinds, at a lower cost, the catalogues 
published give a pretty correct statement of sorts. What I saw were exhibited 
at Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Vauxhall, Salt Hill, Cambridge, Twickenham, and 
a few other minor exhibitions. 


Near London, Feb., 1837. A CLERGYMAN, J. . S. 


ies 


r 


¢ 


70 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


SEEDLING DAHLIAS, 
RAISED BY J. KINGTON, STOWELL, NEAR CORSHAM, WILTS. 


TNCOMPARABLE WuHiTE.—Good show flower, and can be depended always to 
come good; it obtained the Ist prize for seedlings at the Bath Show, Sept. 15th, 
and the Ist for seedlings at the Rodborough Show, Sept. 23rd, 1836. 

Maxcipran.—Fine white edged with rosy pink, obtained the Ist prize for 
seedlings of any colour at the Chippenham Show, Sept. 9th; and the Ist for 
edged seedlings at the Hungerford Show, Sept. 30th, 1836. 

MaGnet.—Dark crimson, striped with light, fine cup petals, extra good shape; 
took the Ist prize for striped seedlings at the Hungerford Show, Sept. 30th. 

RosEBtp.—Beautiful shaped, rose cupped petais, obtained the Ist prize for 
Selfs, at the Hungerford Show, Sept. 30th, 1536. 

Moon-RaAkER. —Fine purple, good show flower. 

Nimrop.—Good rosy bronse, fine cup petals, show-flower. 

Kineton’s Vicrorious.—Beautiful light rose, extra good shape, cup petals; 
this variety obtained the Ist prize for selfs at the Salisbury Grand Show, Sept 
2ist and 22nd for any colour at the Rodborough Show, Sept. 23rd, 1836. 

Maip or Jupau.—Fine cream and buff excellent show-flower, every flower 
come perfect. 

Victor Huco.—Fine dark purple, good shape. 

VaTuHEK.—Dark purple, Springfield shape. 

December, 1836. J. Kineton. 

{GP The above kinds are offered for sale by C. W. Harrison. (See List 
Advertized.) 


MEETING OF BOTANICAL SOCIETY, Fes. 2nd. 


J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President, in the Chair.—A paper was read from Mr 
Freeman, being hints on the importance aad practability of adopting a more 
systematic method, in describing and arranging species of plants.  In_ his 
preliminary observations the writer complained that descriptions were generally 
without systematic arrangements, except where the species belonging to a genus 
are so very numerous as to be divided into groups; and that no proper account 
is taken of the relative value of characters, which are left to the judgment and 
experience of the describer. After describing the characters of the several 
species of Thalictrum and Anemone, which he selected as examples, he proposed 
their arrangements in a tabular form, as less liable to objections and more easy 
of reference, A continnation of a description by Mr. J. E. Dennes, of the plants 
in the neighbourhood of Deal, Walmer, Sandwich, and Dover, wasalso read, In 
one day Mr. Dennes recornized 84 genera, and 120 species; but has no doubt 
that on a fine day in July, this number would be materially increased. There 
were, on the table, some specimens of Lycopodium circinatum, of Humboldt, 
from Sonth America, placed in water, in order to shew the developement of the 
leaves. 

ATHENZUM. 


Bive AND WHITE FLOWERED PyRAMIDAL CAMPANULAS.—This plant when 
grown to a degree of vigour it is capable of, by a rich soil, and plenty of pot 
room, with one or more shiftings into larger as required, I find to grow nine 
feet high, with numerous subordinate spikes, and during some months at the 
end of summer to make one of the most showy plants in cultivatim. The sea- 
son to take in plants for potting being the present, and as they may be purchased 
at five shillings per dozen, induces me to send this small notice of the plant, 
that the readers of the Cabinet may be enabled to provide, and cultivate this 
truly sweet and splendid flowering plant. When grown in pots, it forms one of 
the most ornamental plants for a greenhouse-room, or to be placed in a vase on 
the lawn, or in a flower-garden. Or if grown in the open border in a deep and 
rich soi}, it merits a place in all. I have found that by placing one of the blue 
tlowered kinds in a shady place in the greenhouse or room, the flowers become 
paler and are of a most beautiful French lilac colour, most strikingly handsome. 

Loudon, Feb. 10th, 1837. AN AMATEUR OF THE METROPOLIs. 


ro 


EP 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 7h 


On Nerium SpLENDENS, &c.—During the past summer, I flowered a few 
dwarf plants of Nerium Splendens, by the following method :—In April I 
looked over my old plants, and discovered those shoots which had a leading bud 
of blossom; I then took a small garden-pot, knocked the bottom out, and 
carefully drew the shoot through, at about six inches below its crown; I notched 
the stem like a Carnation, putting a bit of soil to keep the tongue open. I then 
tied a piece of sheet-lead under the pot, to enable me to fill it with fine rich 
soil. I pressed the soil tight, and placed the plant in a hothouse for a month; 
the layers rooted speedily. I then cut it off the parent, repotted into a larger 
pot, kept in the hot a fortnight longer, which was then the flrst week in June, 
and a most beautiful bloom succeeded upon all the plants, and they not more 
than a foot high. A free supply of water was given, whilst striking root, as well 
as subsequently. I beg to assure the readers of the Cabinet, that the plan is 
worth trying. I should be glad for this to be inserted in the March Number. 
(Too late for the first sheet of the work.—ConpbvucTOR.) 

Honiton, Feb. 13th, 1836. J. P. CLark. 


N.B. The saine treatment with Nerium Oleander wouid doubtless be equally 
successful. ; 


ALLSPICE OR PIMENTA,—is the diied berry of a West Indian species of 
myrtle (Myrtus pimenta,) which grows to the height of twenty feet and upwards, 
and has somewhat oval leaves about four inches long, of a deep shining green 
colour, and numerous branches of white flowers, each with four small petals. 
In the whole vegetable kingdom there is scarcely any tree more beautiful or 
more flagrant than a young Pimenta tree about the month of July, branched 
on all sides, richly clad with deep green leaves, which are relieved with an 
exuberance of white and richly aromatic flowers; it attracts the notice of all 
who approach it. Pimenta trees grow spontaneously, and in great abundance, 
in many parts of Jamaica; but they cannot be propagated, without great dif- 
ficulty. The usual mode of making a Pimenta walk, or plantation, is to appro- 
priate for this purpose a piece of woody ground] in the: neighbourhood of an 
already existing walk, or in a part of the country were the scattered trees are 
found in a native state. The other trees are cut down, and, in a year or two, 
young Pimenta plants are found to spring up in all parts, supposed to have been 
produced from berries dropped there by birds, which eagerly devours them. 
About the month of September, and not long after the blossoms have fallen, the 
berries are in a fit state to be gathered. At this time, though not quite ripe, they 
are full grown, and about the size of pepper-corns. They are gathered by the 
hand ; and one labourer on a tree will strip them off so quickly, as to employ 
three below to gather them up; and an industrious picker will fill a bag of 
seventy pounds weight ina day. The berries are then spread on a terrace, in 
the sun, to be dried; but this is an operation which requires great care, from the 
necessity of keeping them entirely free from moisture. By the drying they lose 
their green colour, and become of a reddish brown ; the process is known to be 
completed by their change of colour, and by the rotting of the seeds within the 
berries. They are then packed into bags or hogsheads for the market. When 
the berries are quite ripe, they are of a dark purple colour, and filled with a 
sweet pulp. Pimenta is thought to resemble nutmegs and cloves, whence it has 
obtained the name of allspice. It is also employed in medicine, as an agreeable 
aromatic, and forms the basis of distilled water, a spirit, and essential oil. The 
leaves of the Pimenta trees yield, in distillation, an odoriferous oil, which 
is not unfrequently used in medicine preparations instead of the oil of cloves. 


Lonpon Horticurturayt Society Meretines, Fes. 7tH.—Dr. Henderson 
Y. P. in the chair. Seyeral books were announced. Lord O'Neill, Sir P. G. 
Egerton, Mr. Richard Forest, G. Coode, Esq,, and Christopher Rawson, Esq., 
were elected Fellows of the Society. Dr. Lindley read a letter from Mr. 
Buchan, gardener to Lord Bagot, Blithfield, Staffordshire, forwarding therewith, 
forty seeds of the true Cinnamon Tree, from a tree which was imported into 
this country. The fruit much resembles acorns hanging in clusters of two or 
three, and it is considered that the plant would well bear exposure to the air in 
winter, in most seasons, and without much protection. Specimens had, been 


72 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


sent to many Botanical and Horticultural Societies, in districts where it is con- 
sidered that the plant would thrive better than in Staffordshire. The flowers 
exhibited were, of Echeveria gibbifora (Crassulacee) Gibbons flowered, con- 
tinuing in high flower and perfection. It is a greenhouse plant flowering freely 
at a season when yery desirable. It is of easy culture, and very suitable for 
either the greenhouse or sitting room. Its yellow and pinkish flowers being very 
showy. Helleborus odorus, a plant having a pleasant aromatic odour, but dif- 
ficult to increase. Eulophia lurida (Orchidew.) These were from the garden 
of the society. Epacris pungens; E. impressa; E. campanulata alba from 
Mr. Glenny; Boronia pimata; Veltheimia viridiflora ; Poinsettia pulcherrima ; 
and six kinds of Camellias from Mrs. Marryatt; Oncidium carthaginense, 
the flowers of which were in high perfection, of an olive colour, although the 
plant had been kept in a drawing room in London for the last month. Brassia 
maculata, bearing yellow and red flowers. Bilbergia iridifolia, bearing crimson 
flowers; and Thalia grandiflorus (cannez.) ATHENEUM. 


REFERENCE TO PLATE. 
Bignonia Venusta.—This very splendid flowering hothouse climber well de- 
‘serves a place in every stove; scarcely any flower can equal its beauty and 
comeliness when in bloom. _[t is of easy cultivation. If planted in the corner 
of a bark pit, and its roots allowed to extend in the bark, it grows vigorously, 
extending thirty feet or more in a season. If the plant was allowed plenty of 
root room by being planted into an open bord«r in the stove, it would doubtless 
sueceed equally as well, provided some due proportion of warmth was commu- 
nicated to the soil by being near a flue, &c.; or grown in a large tub would 
probably answer well. Our plant is grown in the bark pit. A plant growing, 
in the stove of the Misses Trevor, Tingworth, near Woburn, in three years 
covered a surface of 500 feet, and blooms most profusely. Manure water is 
given at Tingworth to promote its vigour. The truss we have given has only 
about one half the usual quanlity of flowers in it—our space not admitting 
more It blooms from November till February, during which time it has a 
a most enchanting appearance. Plants may easily be obtained at a low cost. 
Cuttings readily strike root, inserting young shoots of about six inches long, 
into a sandy loamy soil, and placing them in a moist temperature. 

Catceolaries —These very splendid shrubby kinds, have recently been raised, 
by the persons whose name is attached to each. In order to give our subscribers 
as much as possible, in each plate, consistent with a proper representation of 
of the flower, we have only given a single blossom of each, aware that our readers 
would readily judge what additional show would be given by any increased 
quantity produced upon a plant, and thus give eight kinds instead of one or 
two, if large specimens were figured. 

No. 1, 2, and 5, are seedlings raised by Mr.Barratt, St. John’s BotanieGardens, 
Wakefield. We saw them in splendid bloom last season, in his fine collection. 

No. 3. This most striking dark flowered variety with its white cap, we received 
a specimen from Mr. Atkins, Nurseryman, Northampton—along with a number 
more of very superior kinds which had_been raised in the establishment of Mr, 
Atkins; we had only space at present for this very handsome kind. Others we 
purpose giving during the season. 

No. 4, 7, and 8. These most strikingly handsome kinds were raised by Mr. 
Plant, Florist, Cheadle, Staffordshire- We visited the place during blooming 
season, and took drawings of forty, or more, of the most superb kinds, which 
Mr. Plant had been so very successful in raising. To have obtained the 
beautiful spotting upon shrubby kinds, was a new feature in the genus, for 
which Mr. Plant deserves the thanks of every admirer of this handsome family 
flowers. 

No. 6 is C. Majoriana. superba. A most superior kind, raised by Mr. Major, 
landscape gardner, Knostrop, near Leeds. ‘The present variety is of a brighter 
aud lighter scarlet than C. Majoriana. We saw plants of it in exquisite bloom. 

We have a plate in preparation of a number of other splendid kinds raised by 
each of the above gentleman. We hope each of the parties will meet with that 
encouragement they so deservedly merit, for their trouble, by an extensive sale 


of plants. 


72 
2. feta Pat ( Yu LPL ‘etd 
x 


OK SA 
/ Va LITO. 
JACLT IA OF TFLOFL: 
/ 


THE 


| FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


APRIL 1st, 1837. 


PART I, 
: ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


OBSERVATIONS ON AN APPARATUS FOR HEATING A PIT. 
BY. C: GC. Br 


HAVING sent you some months ago an account of a little apparatus 
which I had employed for heating a pit, I now send you the result of 
my experiments, which I can venture to recommend for general adop- 
tion. To those who may not in the mean time have contrived any thing 
better for themselves I am the more anxious to do so, because | find 
that my previous suggestion has been acted upon in several quarters, 
and I fear that some disappointment may have arisen to those who 
adopted it as an effective instrument which was litle more than an 
essay towards one. For those who may have been so disappointed, I 
just mention that by using from eighteen to twenty-four feet of three- 
____ inch pipe, instead of nine feet, and substituting a small cistern holding 
two or three gallons instead of the funnel, the apparatus may be effec- 
tive; and by this last expedient of a cistern, my original apparatus 
__ was worked efficiently for more than seven months. The boiler, how- 
ever, which 1 am about to describe, possesses so many advantages, 
over the former, that 1 should not recommend any one putting up a 
new apparatus to follow the former model. 
The annexed sketches will explain both the form of the boiler, and 
the mode of applying it. 
No. 1. represents the boiler, a doulle cong of copper or tin, nearly 
_ resemblinga loaf of sugar with the top cut off. The boiler containing 
a shell of water about one inch, or one inch and a half thick surrounds 
mi Vou. Vv. H 


the fire, the fuel for which is introduced as before: At th 
. bare two pipes with union joints, giving opening to the boiler a op. A 
and bettom. | OBR pte Sek AS 
y 


o) 


~ 


fies 
° 
i 


mh... 


ies, being a circle of iron, c, nearly as large as the top of the furnace, 

; _ suspended over the fire, causing the flame to play against the boiler, 
"the draft taking place all round it, and arim of iron in form like an 
inverted cone attached at its upper edge to the lid, but leaving a 
space of about one inch and a half between itself and the circular 

P _ damper, through which space the draught plays, as shewn by the arrows 
in No. 1. These two are essential to the working of the furnace with — 


oN 


-nough of fuel. 


- 


5 
NvZ2 ae Mele 


a nee 

awn | . - 2 th Se 
a "No. 3. is a ring of iron as broad as the boiler on which it rests, and — 
which is attached to a square iron frame, by which it is fixed in the 1 


t ‘brickwork which supports i. — The grate G. may either rest on the { 


OBSERVATIONS ON HEATING A PIT. 73 


three brackets, xxx, and be thrown down by a little rod with a look, 
_or be fixed on two pivots, and secured by a catch, so as to turn over 
' and allow the clinkers to fall out when required, 


No. 4. Exhibits the apparatus complete; the lead pipe a from the 
top of the boiler enters the lower side of the cast iron pipe A,. while ~ 
from B. the other extremity of the range of iron pipes, the lead pipe 6, 
enters the top of this reservoir R. a strong cask answers the purpose per- 
haps as well as any thing. From the lower side of this reservoir, a lead 
pipe c, communicates with the union joint at the bottom of the boiler. 
A supply cistern placed so that its bottom is higher than the highest 

__ part of the iron pipe, and communicating with the bottom of the reser- 
voir, and a valve not lower than the top of the supply cistern, with an 
air pipe on the highest point of the iron pipes, complete the appa- 
ratus, 


_ The fire being lighted in the furnace, the heated water flows into 
_the iron pipe and thence into the reservoir, till all be heated. When 


” 
v 


' 2s 


sd 


76 OBSERVATIONS ON HEATING A PIT. 


the fire goes out, a counter current takes place, till the water in the 
reservoir is all cold again. 

The following particulars may prove useful to those who wish to 
employ such apparatus. 


PROPORTIONS IN INCHES FOR BOILERS OF DIFFERENT SIZES. 


Sia 
: : ae 
2 E . Ss 3 
5 = & sz = = 
z° 5 Ss = 3 = are 
Pes a ee £6 E ca 
hn 3 8 ES By aaa 
a 2 ‘3S 3° ae = & 
=) 4 = Pa AS 5 wo A 
(1) 6. inch. 9. 18 12 inch 1} 3 inches. 
(2) 6. 10. 20. 12 ik 3) 
(3) 6. 12! 92° UE 1 433 
(4) 6. 14, 24° 1, 2 4 


The first of these, will be sufficient for a pit containing from an hun- 
dred to an hundred and fifty square feet of glass, the last probably suf- 
ficient for agreenhouse of from} six hundred to eight hundred or 
more. ‘fhe reservoir should contain not /ess than thrée times as much 
as the pipes. 

The expence of the smallest boiler is about six pounds; in tin, conica] 
not curvilinear, about one pound fifteen shillings. The larger 
boiler in copper, may be each about one pound to one pound five shil- 
lings dearer than the other. 

The expence of setting, from the small size of the boiler is very 
trifling. The best plan is a slight case, either of wood, slate, or 
brick work, packed with saw dust, and covered from the wet. The 
reservoir also should be similarly packed in saw dust, that no heat may 
be wasted. 

Fig. 5. The annexed sketch exhibits the mode of arranging the 
apparatus as appliedtoa pit. F. is the furnace surrounded by the 
boiler a, the lead delivery pipe from the top of the boiler to the cast 
iron pipe A; B B the other cast iron pipe; b b the return lead pipe 
communicating with the top of the reservoir; c the retyrn from the 
bottom of the reservoir to the boiler. The boiler and reservoir are 
outside the pit, enclosed ina small chamber of four and a half inch 
brickwork, The lowest point of A’ A viz A’ must be higher than the 


. 


OBSERVATIONS ON HEATING A PIT. a7 


top of the boiler, and the pipe must incline upwards the whole way 

from A’ to B’ about one-third of an inch in nine feet, so that B’ is the 

highest point of the iron Pipe, here the air pipe is placed. From B 
to the top of the reservoir must be an uniform fall ; one-sixteenth or 
one-twentieth of an inch in every foot is sufficient. 


The principal advantages of the apparatus are, that it is applicable on 
a much smaller scale than any other boiler now in use. That it occu- 
pies less room, is less expensive ; for though its cost in copper, equals 
or exceeds a common cast iron boiler, yet when the furnace doors 


& and bars, and the expensive. setting, and chimney necessary for the 


latter are taken into account, the economy of this will be apparent. 
It consumes much less fuel, and requires much less attendance, as it 
may safely be left for three or four hours; if once filled with fuel. 

In conclusion, it is perhaps well to observe that any material devia- 
tions from the Proportions given above, will probably be found dis- 
advantageous. All cylindrical boilers, with vertical furnaces, which I 
have hitherto seen, have been so much too large in proportion to their 
height, that half the heat of the fire went up the chimney; it will be 
seen this defect is cautiously, and I believe effectually guarded against. 
A further caution also against a common error may not be. misplaced, 
the lowest point of the iron pipe, must be above the boiler and they 
Must incline upwards from the point at which they receive the hot water 

_ to the point at which they deliver it to the reservoir. The only case 
in which I should be tempted to deviate from this, would be, where the 
pipes exceeded one hundred feet in length, when the air-pipe may be 
placed at the end of it furthest from the boiler; and both iron Pipes 


_ incline equally from that point towards the boiler and reservoir. The 


o- 


ete 
78 ON THE CULTURE OF THE PINK, 


sizes of boilers, as given above, will be found somewhat more than 
equal to the work assigned to them, and by using coke entirely in- 
stead of cinders, or a mixture of them in different psoportions, in- 
creased power may be obtained. 

With respect to pipes, I have not sufficient experience to offer much, 
but for those who have no better information, the following may be 
useful, 

It will be found that in a pit from seven to eight feet broad : 

2. inch pipes, are sufficient to produce greenhouse tempera- 

ture. 

2. 3-inch, for common stove plants. 

2. 4-inch, for Orchidece, and plants requiring the extremest heat 

that can be produced. 

The results also of the following experiments may be useful as 
some sort of guide. 

1. A boiler rather Jess than No. 1. filled with coal and cinders, varied 


30) gallons, 55 degrees in 1 hour and 20 minutes, and boiled that 
quantity in about four hours. 


2. Boiler No 2, raised 40 gallons, 50 degrees per hour, and boiled 
that quantity in three hours and twenty minutes, the ee 
being at 54°, 


is ie 


ARTICLE II. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE PINK, 
BY MR. THOMAS IBBETT, MOUNT PLEASANT, BULL FIELDS, WOOLWICTI. - 


Having in a former number of the Cabinet mentioned that there was 
gieat room for improvement in the cultivation of pinks, I therefore beg 
to send you my mode of cultivating that beautiful flower, which you 
would have received before, but circumstances of a domestic nature 
prevented my attending to it sooner ; in perusing your number for Jan- 
uary 1837, I find the culture of pinks has been laid down by some 
one calling himself a practical gardener, and so he may be, and I have 
known very good practical gardeners possess very little knowledge of 
growing flowers, and I regret that the observations which have been 
made, are of little or no use to those, who wish to study the cultivation 
of pinks. Asit seems to me a query if the Practical Gardener has ever 
seen a good bed of pinks, or he would not bave written as he has done 
on the subject. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE PINK, 79 


Having been a cultivator of pinks nearly thirty years, induces me to 
send you the method [ adopt, for the propagation of that flower, which 
is by piping, being the most safe and expeditious plan that I know of. 
About the third or fourth week in June, I begin piping, choosing a 
southern aspect in the most airy part of my garden, and I always 
choose my mould of an open texture, worked finely with the spade for 
the first four inches, and for the next two inches I sift some mould- 
through a fine sieve, with one-fifth of drift or river sand laid on the 
top of the above, I then take a straight edged board, and level it all 
over; the length and breadth of the bed, to be regulated according to 
the quantity to be piped ; since { have been a dahlia-grower, 1 have 
struck my pipings where I have struck my dahlias ; having removed the 
frame I take off the top surface until’f come to the dung, | then take a 
fork and shake as much of the dung as will cause a gentle heat, I after- 
wards lay a piece of old matting on the top, to prevent the worms from 
wotking up, covering it over with the mould as above described, the 


next object being to select the most rare and new sorts, which I pipe 


first, covering them with glasses varying in size from four to twenty 
two inches square, using the small ones for the best sorts, I generally 
take the grass or side shoot from the plants with the number stuck to 
them, keeping each sort separate, I then proceed to cut off the pipings, 
stripping the leaves to the second joint, and with a sharp knife cut them 
close under the joint, taking care not to injure it. In those sorts; in 
which the joints are shorter, I cut the third or fourth joint, [ then short- 
en the tops as close as possible to the heart without injuring it, and as 
Icut them I place them in small pans of water to stiffen, which causes 
them to enter the ground more freely, taking care to keep each sort 
separate, I then take the glasses and make a print in the mould with 
them, I next proceed to take each piping singly and stick them into the 
mould up to the first joint, three quarters of an inch apart, after having 
filled the space I proceeded to give them a gentle watering, taking care 
hot to put the glass down close until they are dried, or it will cause 
them to damp off: I proceeded in this manner until I have gone through 
the whole of my collection, being particularly careful to shade them 
from the mid-day sun, which I do by placing hoops a-cross the pip- 
ing place, covering them with matting from eight in the morning till 
five in the evening, giving them the full benefit of the morning sun till 
eight o'clock: in the course of three weeks many of the glasses may be 
taken off, and at the end of six weeks most of them will be fit for 
planting out into the bed which should be prepared ready to receive 
them, planting them three inches apart in the rows, and each row four 


80 ON THE CULTURE OF THE PINK. 


inches apart. In the middle of September I generally begin to make 
up my bed for blooming, having it four feet wide with border boards 
above the level, I take out one spit of earth from end to end, replacing it 
with a layer of horse or cow-dung quite rotten four or five inches 
thick al] over the bed, I then cover it with about six inches of earth» 
keeping it three inches higher in the centre, gradually sloping to the 
edge, after which 1 mark out the bed and plant the pinks seven inches 
_ apart: about the Jatter end of March 1 top dress them with some old 
rotten horse-dung worked into the ‘mould with a small fork between 
each plant: in the begining of May they will spindle up for bloom, I 
then take off all the side shoots that show for bloom, not having more 
than two of the main stems to bloom, and in many cases not more than 
one, and also all the side shoots that show for bloom, leaving only the 
main pod to bloom; ‘about the latter end of the month many of the pods 
will begin to open, care must then be taken to keep the pods from 
bursting, to prevent. which, they should be tied with a piece of soft bass 
matting round the middle of the pod in a ght knot, and should they 
be inclined to run down on one side, they should be eased on the op- 
posite side down to the bass, which will give freedom to the petals to 
expand equally, and when they begin to drop their guard leaves, cards 
should be placed on them, laying the guard leaves even and round to 
allow the others to fall in regular succession, then the shade should be 
placed over them from the sun. 

I now beg to make some remarks from what has fallen from the pen 
of the Practical Gardener, relative to the raising of pinks from seed which 
he states is the first principle of all vegetables, so far I admit he is 
correct, I wish I could say so in other respects. He observes you should 
always have a good stock of pink seed—but I should like to know how 
it isto be obtained; there has been many seasons that I have not been 
able to get as much seed from one thousand five hundred plants, as 
would raise one dozen, it is true some seasons are more favourable 
than others, and a greater quantity of seed may be obtained, and there 
are many sorts that 1 have not been able to save a single pod in the pe- 
riod of twenty years. 

The Practical Gardener also recommends the laying of pinks, 1 would 
ask what person of any experience, or practice in piping, would attempt 
so tedious a method as laying, as piping of any description is better than 
layers, and it is my decided opinio» that ifcarnations and picctoees 
would strike as free as pinks, very few florists would lay either. 

The time I wou'd recommend for the sowing of pink seed, is the 
latter end of March, or the begining of April, which I perform in the 


4‘ 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE PINK. 81 


following manner; I take a flower-pot No, 12, and fill it with finely 
sifted mould, drawing a flat piece of board over the top to make the 
surface even, I then lay on the seed and cover it over with very fine 
mould, and give them a gentle watering, covering the pot with a glass, 
and about the begining of June they will be fit for planting in the na- 
tural ground and will bloom the following year. 

It is a great error among the cultivators of this flower, in not getting 
the sorts they require in due time ; | have frequently received orders as 
late as the middle of November after all the best plants are disposed of, 
the plants so late obtained cannot be expected to be so fine as those 


- planted out in September, which gets better hold of the ground and are 


better able to stand the winter. 

Since writing the above I have seen the second part of the Practical 
Gardener’s remarks, and I beg to state, I have the same opinion of the 
second part as I had of the first, at the same time I beg to thank him for 
his information concerning rats, he states there is no animal so dan- 
gerous to pinks as rats, therefore you should be very watchful that they 
do them no mischeif, I can assure him, I have a great many raés in 
my garden and its neighbourhood, and they must be all very kind 
ones, as I have never known them to destroy any of my pinks, but 
there is a little animal, or insect called a grub, which has done more 
mischief in one night than all the rats have done in twenty years, and 
when I find any of my pinks bit off, I work round the stem of the 
plant with my finger in the earth, and I generally find them about 
one inch under the surface, and not being quite so nimble as the rats, 
I can more easily catch them, and I show. them no more quarter than 
I would the vermin before alluded to. In giving my opinion of the pink 
I beg to obsepye I consider it a most beautiful flower, and worthy a 
place in the garden of every florist, I have frequently been highly grati- 
fied during the twenty years that | have been a grower of that delight- 
ful flower, to observe after a long winter, my pinks looking beautiful 
when there was scarce any thing else green in the garden. 

The pink is the poor man’s flower, and has been exhibited for show 
more than any other flower until the introduction of the dahlia, which 
the poor man has little chance with, it requiring considerable room to 
grow any quantity : I consider the pink also very litle inferior to the 
carnation or piccotee ; take and place the following twelve blooms in a 
stand viz. Dryden’s Earl of Uxbridge—Hopkins’s one in the Ring— 
Ownsworth’s Omega, Bexly beauty—Westlake’s Hero—Bray’s Invinci- 
ble—Mans, Dr. Summers—Stevens’s George Cook— Clark's Matilda— 
Barret’s Conqueror—Seal’s Miss, Austin, and Ibbet's Triumphant; and 


‘ 


th 
82 CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM. 


I think it would be a difficult matter to beat them, with the assistance 
of the Practical Gardener to boot. 

Mr. Editor I have placed the above remarks in your hands for inser- 
tion in your Cabinet, if you think them worthy a place in that publica- 
tion, and rest assured shou!d opportunity occur, I should fee! proud 
in forwarding any communication that would assist the amateur or 
others in the culture of flowers generally. 


ARTICLE Ill. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM INDICUM. 
BY S. R, P, GREENWICH. 


I am so much a debtor to your Floricultural Cabinet for the pleasure 
and instruction I have derived from its pages that I am anxious to 
offer any contribution under the hope that I may assist in affording to 
others a reciprocal pleasure. 

There are few late flowering plants, that surpass in beauty the 
Chrysanthemum Indicum, its varied, and increasing colours, are daily 
adding fresh splendour to the floral world, and whether it be in the 
conservatory, the sitting room, or the flower garden, I know not a 
more desirable autumnal plant. Much has appeared already on the 
cultivation of this pretty flower; but as [ last year produced a me- 
thod of treatiug it asa dwarf pot plant, that notwithstanding the 
disadvantages of the late ungenial season, more than answered my an- 
ticipations, I am induced to submit my mode of culture. * 

farly in the spring I took from the old plants rooted young shoots 
planted then singly, in number sixty, and promoted their growth and 
strength as rapidly as possible, by placing them in a cold frame, and 
supplying them occasionally with liquid manure. When the pots were 
full of roots they were shifted into 48:., and placed in an open 
situation, and watered as before; bythe latter endof June the tall 
growing sorts, had nearly reached three feet high, and the more 
dwarf in proportion ; they were then turned out of the pots, and suf- 
fered to get a little flaccid, the mould was partly shook from them, and 
their roots slightly reduced. They were next potted in 32°. as follows, 
some pieces of broken pots, as usual, and about two inches of compost 
being put into the pot, the plants, with the aid of a second person to 
fill wp the meuld, was coiled round the inside of the pot; the top of 


ON THE CULTURE ON IPOMOPSIS ELEGANS 83 


the stem, which was left about five inches above the surface of the 
earth, was, by a more sudden turn, brought to the centre of the pot 
and there fastened upright toa stick. Should the stem crack in this 
operation, it will not effect the plant, if it be not severed. 

The plants were placed in a shady situation; when the tops have 
shot a little, they were pinched off to about four inches: as soon as 
the laterals had started, the pots wereexposed to the full sun ; at the 
latter end of August, they were shifted into 24*., the pots placed a foot 
apart and constantly kept moist with water or liquid manure. Thus 
treated they averaged from fourteen to twenty inches, and clothed with 
a fine healthy foliage down to the pots. They were placed in the 
greenhouse and sitting rooms, and produced the finest bloom I ever 
saw. 

This may appear a lengthy process ; but when it is considered, that 
we take more trouble to produce a fine balsam or cockscomb; surely, 
it will not be thought too much pains to bestow upon this delightful 
flower that cheers the last ray of departing autumn “ when all fair 
things are passing away.” 


ee 


ARTICLE IV. 
ON THE CULTURE OF IPOMOPSIS ELEGANS. 


BY J. M., ESQ. HANTS, 
Ir Medicus does not obtain better advice relative to preserving the 
Tpomopsis Elegans than what follows, even this may prove acceptable. 
I pot the plants in light soil, with about an inch of small drainage at 
the bottom, over which I place a tuft of moss; when obliged to shift 
them, I am very careful not to disturb or fhjure any of the young roots, 
and sometimes (when plants were scarce) I have broken the pot, as the 
safer way. In planting I always elevate the plant (as it were on a 
little hill) in the middle of the pot, such as heaths are served; and I 
take carein giving water, which requires to be done moderately, but 
often, not on any account to let it teuch the stem of the plant. Let 
Medicus do this, and keep them ina light and airy situation in the 
greenhouse, or turn them out if he wishes them to grow more luxu- 
riantly, into the border in the spring, (the border being composed of 
light and open mould) and though I do not say he will not lose one or 
more plants without being able to account for their dying, yet I think I 
may confidently assert that the majority of his patients will do‘credit to 
his cause provided he attends them after the manner I have prescribed. 


$4 ON DIAL PLANTS. 2 


ARTICLE V.—ALIST. AND DESCRIPTION OF PLANTS WHOSE 
FLOWERS INDICATE THE HOUR OF THE DAY. 


BY MR. JAMES BROWNE, DERSINGHAM, NORFOLK. 


I Tak the liberty of sending the following extract for the use of your 
readers if you think it worthy a place in the cabinet. 

* Among curious collections, it may be desirable to assemble the 
dial plants, or such as indicate the hour of the day by closing or 
opening ; a list has already, been given by Linnzus in the Philosophia 
Botanica: but the following are plants generally known and easily pro- 
cured, and aresufficient to form a botanist’s dialin Britain. 


Opens in the Shuts from 


NAME OF PLANTS morning. Noon to night 
Hour. Min. | Hour | Min. 


Tragopogon pratensis.... +e 
Leontodon serolinus ...... 
Helmenthia echioides .... 
Borkhausia alpina .....+. 
Cichorium Intybus ....... ° 
Papaver nudicaule ....... 
Hemerocallis fulva .....-, 
Sonchus levis ....--.-- 
Agathyrsus alpinus -...-. 
Convolvulus arvensis . ..«- 
Lapsana communis ...... 
Leontodon taraxacum ..... 
Achyrophorus maculatus ... 
Nymphea alba ..... ceeee 
PactuGa ASatival.sic.s cje's,s nied 
Tagetes erecta ...... sees 
Anagalis arvensis...-+.e 
Hieracium pilosella ...«.- 
Dianthus prolifer ......... 
Calendula arvensis .....-. 
Arenarea purpurea ...,... 
Portulaca oleracea ....... 
Malva Carolinians ...... 
» Stellaria media.....ccsee 


— — 
_ 


—- 
OVUNWENNWOURDWORD—-YYD 


SOCMSSCSCrtanngqcogooounnrcna 
s 
SK nNwocowre SONGDOUSHTouoCc oH 


— 


SOoD~owmwmry 2 NQDOOnantacn -— & p S LW 
— 
So 
—_— — 


— 
— 
— 


The above might be planted in a departmenit by themselves, and 
would form an object of great interest to all lovers of Nature, 

While I have pen in hand, I must express my disapprobation of 
botanists continually changing the names of plants, names that have 
been transmitted to us by our forefathers. Our old favorites have now 


ON THE CULTURE OF ORCHIDEANS PLANTS. 85 


new names, and many of them nothing near so apptopriate as the 
old. It appears to me that the meddling parties, either do it, to ren- 
der new articles necessary, or to (ridiculously) immortalize themselves 
by a display of their supposed ability above their predecessors. I 
will just quote a few of them as examples, Coreposis tinctoria, to Cal- 
liopsis bicolor. Dahlia superflua, to Georgina variablis,  Colutea 
frutescens, to Sutherlandia frutescens. Celsia acutifolia, incisifolia, 
&c. to Alonsoa, with many others. 

I find too there has been an attempt made to divide our old favorite 
Tropedlum to two or more genera, I trust that such alterations of the 
names of plants (excepting with good reason} will never meet with 
support from the true lovers of Flora. 1 have two or three other 
articles in course of preparation which shall be forwarded as soon as 
my ayocations will allow me time to finish them. 


— 


ARTICLE VI—ON THE CULTURE OF ORCHIDEOUS EPIPHYTES. 
BY A THREE YEARS PRACTITIONER, } 


In the summer of 1833, a number of plants in bloom of this sin- 
gular and interesting tribe, came under my notice in the collection of 
Messrs. Loddiges of Hackney Nursery, which at once determined me 
on commencing their culture, having a great deal of glass. I pur- 
chased one hundred pounds worth of plants to begin with, and had them 
placed upon a back fluein a vinery, at eight feet from the glass. 
The period of the vines being in leaf, the plants had the advantage of 
a partial shade ; in this situation they did well in the summer of 1834, 
but when the winter approached I found them declining in vigour and 
looking unhealthy, with all the attention I could give them, following 
the ‘direction of Messrs Loddiges, and Mr. Cooper of Wentworth. I 
immediately had a house erected to grow them in, [ have it heated on 
the hot water system, three feet above the pipes going round the house, 
Ll have a ribbed trellis three feet broad, upon which I have a quantity 
of plants, they flourish amazingly. At the centre of the house, I had a 
pit constructed with a wall three feet high, the breadth of the pit is eight 
feet, and Jength thirty six, two hot water pipes are laid up the centre, 
and a floor one foot above, where the top pipe is laid it is of tiles. On 
this floor I laid one fogt of moss, and upon the moss | placed my plants, 
growing in pots, wicker baskets, &c., they flourish amazingly too. 
Since I commenced growing this tribe of plants, I have had considerable 
opportunities of trying experiments on their culture, as well as ascer- 


86 ON THE CULTURE OF ORCHIDEOUS PLANTS. 


taining the practice of most of the celebrated cultivators. I now possess 
eight hundred and forty six specimens, Most of them I have purchased, 
and in consequence I have carefully examined the soil in which I 
have received the plants. The following system of management is 
what I practise in general with all the. kinds, and none can boast of 
more healthy, or finer specimens for the period ! have had them. 

In the specimens I have had from Messrs. Rollinson’s of the Tooting 
Nursery, I found a small garden pot inversely placed inside the pot in 
which the plant was growing, of course it was a much smaller pot than 
the pot which held the plant, around this small pot was placed two inch- 
es deep of small boken potsherds. This forms a very efficient draining, 
which is of great importance to a successful culture of the plants ; the 
plants are grown in two parts of broken potsherd, with one of peat. I 
have followed the same system of management as to potting, excepting 
substituting one portion of sphagnum moss for one of the broken pots- 
herds. I find the plant thrive better in this, than in that which Messrs. 
Rollinson’s plants were retained in. I observed that Messrs. Rollinson’s 
mode of potting had been as follows. A small inverted pot, around 
which were a good portion of largish potsherds, upon those a few smaller, 
then a layer of peat in peices near an inch square, on the top of this 
a layer of small potsherds, and so proceeding till the pot was filled, 
finishing with the potsherds at the surface. Messrs. Rollinson’s plants 
look very healthy and grow vigorously. 

In heating by hot water there is the advantage of a moist atmosphere; 
I have two open tanks from which is considerable evaporation. In 
addition, I water the mossy surface between the plants twice a day, and 
sprinkle them over the tops twice a day, during the season the plants 
are in a growing condition, that is from February to November. I do 
this with water that is warm, I do not give as much in these sprink- 
lings as to wet the soil, but only to moisten the foliage. J keep: the 
temperature for the above named period, at seventy degrees by night, 
and from seventy to eighty by day. Atthe season of rest, I keep the 
temperature at sixty two by night, sixty eight by day. I have a quan- 
tity of plants in baskets made of sticks, nailed together at the corners, 
allowing spaces between the sticks, the roots protude through them. The 
plants flourish well by this mode of treatment. 

_ [have grown for two seasons, several plants of Dendrobiums, Oncidi- 
ums, and Epidendrums, secured to pieces of sycamore wood branches, 
about five or six inches in diameter, I placed a quantity of sphagnum moss 
against the wood, then the roots of the plant, and over them more of the 
sphagnum, the whole secured by metallic wire. Some of them I have 


ON THE CULTURE OF MESEMBRY ANTHEMUMS. &7 


suspended in the house, others I placed in the pit where the wood be- 
comes warm, the latter have hitherto done best; a few of those growing 
best, I placed upon an end in a deep pot, and then filled around the 
wood with pots, peat and sphagnum, since which, they have grown very 
vigorously. In hot sunny days | have a close meshed net thrown over 
the glass roof. My house is double-roofed, admitting a great deal of 
light, which renders the covering very necessary in hot weather. 


ee ee 


2 ARTICLE VII. 
ON THE CULTURE OF MESEMBRY ANTHEMUMS, IN THE OPEN AIR, 
BY MR. JAMES HALL, GARDENER, HARTLEPOOL LODGE, THIRSK, YORKSHIRE, 


This very showy following tribe of plants is not cultivated in general 
asl am sure its merits demand. I therefore send these few remarks 
more with a view to bring the plants into notice, by growing them in 
the open air, than describing any new mode of culture as to soil, &c. ; 
during the last season | had a most brilliant show from early in May to 
October. 

Having a considerable number of plants which I had cultivated in 
the greenhouse, and cool frame for two or three years; on May Ist, I 
planted them out in the open air, turning them out of the pots with 
balls entire. [selected a situation under a south wall, where there was 
a flower border four feet wide: I planted four rows of twentyefive plants 
in a row, at one foot six inches apart in the rows, placing them alter- 
nately. The taller growing kinds in the back row, gradually declining 
to the post one which consisted of the very dwarf growing kinds. The 
border was made about a foot deep and filled with the following kind of 
compost, fresh loamy soil, well rotted cow-dung, anda good addition 
of lime rubbish and river sand. This compost was well incorporated 
and mixed up for two months, before I put it in the border. When I 
planted out the plants I gave them a good watering to settle the soil to 
the balls, and carefully attended to this through the season. They re- 
quired a plentiful supply when they had began to root anew in the bor- 
der, the dwarf kinds I find require less than the vigorous sorts, the sub- 
soil of the border is rock, and being dry, I think it more suited to the 
growth of the plants. I beg to assure the readers of the Cabinet, who 
have cultivated this tribe of plants that it is well deserving their attention 
The flowers only expand when the sun is upon them, so that it: is. re- 


88 ON THE CULTURE OF MESEMBRYANTHEMUS, 
ms 

quisite to have them grown in a situation possession such advantage. 
On November first, I took up the plants, and re-potted them, keeping 
their heads entire, and placed them in the greenhouse and cool frame 
for winter protection. During the winter I give the plants a scanty 
supply of water, never allowing them to be saturated at the roots, but 
when quite dry to give them as much as will moisten all the soil in the 
pot. 

IT havea rock-work twenty eight yards long, with a ten feet depth of 
frontage, having a full south aspect, well protected on the north by a 
thick holly hedge, upon this rockery, I planted sixty good strong plants. 
The taller kinds | placed in hollows, out of which the heads rose some 
distance : the dwarf and trailing kinds to spread and hang over the sur- 
face of the stones. I used: a compost for them to grow in same as for 
the border. In this situation they flowered most profusely, producing 
a very preity effect : they required a good supply of water, almost every 
day, but they amply repaid for all attention. I judged that in con- 
sequence of the plants on the rockery being dry at the roots, and 
screened on the north, that J might safely allow them to stand out 
through the winter which they would survive, but on examining them 
yesterday, (February 23rd,) I find nearly all the tops are killed. It is 
probable the roots of some may be alive, but if they push shoots, they 
will be so late in the season, and perhaps not more than two or three 
shoots to a plant, that little show would be produced, (if any) by them. 
For the future I propose taking up my plants from the rockery, and 

_ giving winter protection in a dry, cool, frame. 

To have a good show, established plants of two or more years growth 
is necessary. Small plants make but little show, unless planted closely 
together ; they are easily raised from slips or cuttings, put off from ri- 
pened shoots of the young wood. ‘The cuttings must be inserted in a 
dryish soil, and be kept so ull the cuttings begin to wither, when if 
water be moderately supplied, they will immediately strike root. A 
gentle heat ina cutting house or frame, assists to strike more certainly 
‘Thus in two years a good stock of plants may be obtained to turn out 
which will produce effect. 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 39 


PART IL, 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


Noticed since our last. 


1. Beconra ocropeTara, eight petaled, (Bot. Mag. 5559.) Natural order, 
Begoniacee. Linnean class Monecia. Order, Polyandrias. This is by far 
the finest flowering species that has yet been introduced into this country, 
the flowers are as large as those of a single Anemone; it was sent from Lima 
in 1835, by J. McLean, Esq. to the Botanic Garden, at Glasgow, where, in the 
hot-house, it bloomed in October and November, of 1836, It requires a very 
high temperature to bloom weil. The root is tuberous, the plant does not 
produce a stem. ‘Ihe leaves are upon long foot-stalks a foot anda half 
long, the leaf is eight or ten inches long, cordate. The flowers are pruduced 
in corymbs, of a greenish-white colour: the male blossoms are larger than the 
female: each of the former are two inches, or more across. Begenia, in com- 
pliment to M, Begon, a French promoter of Botany. 3 


2. BOLBOPHYLLUM BARBIGERUM. Bearded flowered. (Bot. Reg. 1942.) 
Orchidacee. Gynandria Monandria. A most singularly pretty flowering 
Orchideous Epiphyte Plant; which has bloomed in the collection of Messrs. 
Loddiges, at Hackney, in whose collection it bloomed during the last year; 
it was introduced from Sierra Leone. The flowers are produced upona ra- 
ceme of six inches in length, upon each are from sixteen to twenty flowers; 
the petals are yery minute. scarcely perceptible ; the lip is long, narrew, 
flexuose, closely covered with a yellow felt, within its point there is a deep 
purple beard of very fine hairs, and on the under side is another such beard 
of fine hairs; at the end of the lip there is a purple brush of threads, which 
by a current of air, waving about, to produce a graceful and pretty effect ; 
the lip, with its yellow felt, purple brushes, and two beards, is joimted so deli- 
’ cately that a very slight breath produces a rocking movement, which makes it 
appear as if some animal nature was possessed by the plant: the ower isa 
most extraordinary production. Messrs. Loddiges have another species of 
similarly curious habits. The plant has something of the appearance of a 
small kind of Oncidium. Bolbophyllum, from bolbos, a bulb, and phyllum, a 
leaf; alluding to the leaves arising from a bulb-like stem. 


3. CratzGus FLAVA, Rough-barked Thorn, Roseaceze. Icosandria Penta- 
gynia. (Bot. Reg. 1939.) The single fruited variety was noticed last month, 
the present species bears its fruit in clusters of three or four berries upon 
each, they are of a greenish-yellow. 


4. Cuysis aurea, Golden-flowered. Orchidacee. Gynandria Monandria. 
(Bot. Reg. 1937.) Another splendid flowering species of Orchideous Epiphyte, 
which has been introduced into this country by Mr. Lowe, of Clapton, in 1835; 
it was collected by Mr. Henchman, in the wiey of Cumancoa, in Venezuela. 
Mr.H. describes it as growing suspended by long fibrous roots, from the 
lateral branches of trees, so that its pseudo-bylbs hanging pendulous wave in 
the wind, and produces a spike of ten flowers. Mr. Bateman of Knypersley, 
has a plant of it which has grown very rapidly suspended from a rafter ina pot, 
planted in turfy-peat and broken potsherds. The stems are in structure very 
like those of a Cyrtopodium or Catasetum, but its real affinity is to the genus 
Epidendrum and its section, The flowers are very showy, each about an inch 
and a half across, the sepals are white at the lower part of a golden-yellow. 
Labellam, white with deep red yeined stripes.—Petals same colour as the 

Vora. I 


90 — NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


sepals. Chysis from chusisa melting. The pollen massses being as it were 
tused together. A 


5. DELPHINIUM MonTANUM. Mountain Larkspur. Ranunculacez. Poly an- 
dria Trigynia. (Bot. Reg. 1936.) Synonym. D, elatum. D, hirsutum. One 
of the handsomest flowering species. a native of the Alps of Europe. It is a 
hardy perennial, flowering from August to October: growing from five to seven 
feet high. The plant is covered with soft green down, and the flowers are of 
a pale sky-blue, slightly tinged with purple. This is an old inhabitant of our 
gardens, but, we have given these particulars in order, that our readers who 
may possess the kind and not know its real name, may be able to do so. 


6. Davresta uLicina, Furze-like. Leguminose. Decandria Monogynia 
(Pax. Mag. of Bot.) A very neat and handsome flowering greenhouse plant, 
a native of New Holland, it well deserves a place in every collection. The 
plant forms a yery neat bush; the flowers are produced in yast profusion, and 
are yery neat and pretty, much resembling, but a little larger, than those of 
the Eutaxia myrtifolia. They are produced from April to June, and they are 
of a bright yellow with red centre. Daviesia so named in compliment to Rey. 
Hugh Davies, F. L.S., a celebrated Botanist in Wales. 


7. EpIDENDRUM CHLOROLUCEUM, Green and White flowered. Orchidacez. 
Gynandria Monandria. This new species has bloomed in the collection of 
John Allcard, Esq., in September, 1836, and by that gentleman imported 
from Demerara ; the flowers are rather uninteresting in appearance ; they are 
produced on araceme of eight or ten upon each, about three quarters of an 
inch across ; they are without scent; sepals and petals green; lip white. 
Epidendrum, from epi, upon; and dendron, a tree. 


8. EuPHORBIA FULGENS, Fulgent flowered Ephorbiaceze. Dodecandria 
Prigynia. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) This very neat and handsome flowering plant is a 
native of Mexico, and has recently been introduced into this country. It has 
bloomed in the select collection of Lucombe, Price, &c,. Exeter Nursery. It 
is an elegant ornamental Stove Plant ; branched upright, leafy, growing freely, 
and blooming profusely ; the leaves at the ends of the shoots are of a pink- 
ish purple colour at the underside, and of a dark green above; the older 
leayes wholly of a green colour ; the flowers are produced in groups of three 
or four together in constant succession along the shoots; each flower is near 
half an inch across, of a bright red colour with a small yellow tube. The 
brilliancy of the flowers, their vast porfusion, and elegance of the plant, 
renders it a very desirable, and which ought to be in every collection of 
hot house plants. It propagates very easily, and grows rapidly. Euphorbia, 
so named in compliment to Euphorbus, a physician to Juba, King of Mauri- 
tania, and who is said to have first used the plant in medicine. 


9. GesneriA SeLLow1, Dr. Sellows Gesneira, Gesneriex. Didynamia, 
Angiospermia. This very elegant flowering stove plant has been introduced 
into this country from the Brazils, and has been specifically named after. 
Mr. Sellow, a collector of plants, employed by the Prussian Goyerument. 
It well deserves to be in every collection of hot house plants The flowers 
are produced in a raceme, numerous upon each; of a fine scarlet colour. 
Each flower is about three inches long. Gesnerta in honour of Conrad Gesner, 
a famous botanist of Zurich. é 


10. Lissocnrius speciosus. Mr. Griflin’s Showy Lissochilus. Orchidacea. 
Gynandria Monandria. (Pax. Mag. Bot.) A native of the Cape of Good Hope, 
from whence it was imported by Mr. Grifiin, of South Lambeth, London, in 
whose collection it has bloomed.—It is one of the terrestrial Orchidez, which 
flowers freely from May to August; a hot house of moderate temperature 
appears to suit the plant best. The flowers are produced upon a scale rising 
two feet high, of a fine yellow colour. Each flower is upwards of two inches 
across. Like this tribe of orchideous plants, the present delights in a rich 
loamy soil, mixed with peat and sand, the pot to have a good proportion of 
drainage, care being taken not to have too large a pot. 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 91 


11. Morna nitrpa. The beautiful Morna, Asteracee. Syngensia Polygami- 
ia zqualis. (Bot. Reg. 194! ) Sir James Stirling introduced this neat and 
pretty flowering plant into this country in 1835, from the Swan River, Austra- 
lia ; where it is found to inhabit the dry parts of the country. It has bloomed 
in the very select and extensive collection of R Mangles Esqr. Whitmore 
Lodge, Sunning Hill, Berkshire. That gentleman exhibited it at the Horti- 
cultural Societies’ Show, at Cheswick in 1836, and amedal was awarded for it. 


Itis a neat and delicate plant, producing cymose heads of numerous 
flowers, éach about three quarters of an inch across, of a fine yellow colour. 
They resemble the flowers - of Elichrysun bracteatum, but are smaller, and 
very superior in delicacy and richness. It is a perennial plant, well meriting 
a-place in every collection of herbaceous plants. Morna, so named after 
Morna one of the heroines of the northern romances. 


12, NeMOPHILA -aromaRtA.. Speckled flowered. Hydrophyllacea. Pen- 
tandria monogynia. (Bot. Reg, 1940.) An hardy annual, probably from Cali- 
fornia. It was introduced into this country the last year. The flowers are 
about half an inch across, white, with a slight tinge of blue at the centre, 
and spotted with small lead coloured spots. When put in contrast with N 
“insignis, it isjan uninteresting species. Nemophila from nemo a grave; and philo 
L love, reffering to its native habitation. 


13. NurTaLyiaA corpata, Heart-leaved. (Bot. Reg. 1938.) Malvaceae, 
Monadelphia Polyandria, A native of North America, where it had been 
collected by the late Mr. Drummond; and it appears forwarded to the 
Glasgow Botanic Garden. It is another pretty addition to this handsome 
genus. The flowers are of a pretty blush colour, each an inch and a half 
across, It well deserves a place in every flower border, Nuttallia, in com- 
pliment to Mr. Thomas Nuttall, a writer on Botany, in North America, 


14. Perunta VIOLACEA: HyBRIDA. Purple Petunia, hybred varieties. So- 
Janceze Pentandria Monogynia, (Bot. Mag ) 3555.) The impregnation of P 
violacee and P nyctaginiflora, has produced several very charming: varieties, 
such as, Pale Pink with a dark centre ; Sulphur with dark centre ; White with 
dark centre, and others streaked and veined with dark. The size of the 
flowers of some of these bybrids has been much increased, some being three 
inches across. All the tribe merit a place in every collection of greenhouse, 
or border plants for summer, being highly ornamental in either situation, 
Petunia, from Petun the Brazilian name, 


15. PuyceLya Brevirusa, Short-tubed. Amaryllidacae. Hexandria Mo- 
nogynia. (Bot. Reg. 1943) A neat and pretty species, which it appears wilt 
flourish out of doorsif planted in a dry and warm situation The Honourable 
and Reverend Mr. Herbert has grown it succesfully in this way, and in his 
treatise on Amaryllideze, to be published this month, some instructions upon 
their treatment will be given, which being the resnlt of many years obser- 
vation and practical experience will be very valuable. Phycella from phykos 
red alkanet colour. 


lg. RyripopHYLLUM auRicuLATUM Gesneriacew. Didynamia Angiosper- 
mia. (Bot. Mag. 3562) Recently introduced into this country to the Glasgow 
Botanic Garden, its native country is not known, but it is probable from the 
West Indies consequently (if so} will require a hot house treatment. The 
stem rises several feet high producing cymes of flowers of a fine yellow, spot- 
ted with red inside, and a yellowish green outside, The tube is near an inch 
Pi and the five parted monophyllous corolla is near three quarters of an 
inch across. Rytidophyllum, from rutis, idos, wrinkle: and phullun 2 


Jeaf, 


92. MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


yan 
mt 


PART II. 


MISCELLANEOUS, INTELLIGENCE. 


. QUERIES, 


Ow Ipomorsis Evecans,—I hoped some reply would have appeared in the 
Cabinet this month, to the observations of Medicus in your February Num- 
ber on the Ipomopsis Elegans. Like him I haye raised plants that have 
grown well till they appeared ready for flowering, and then they have wither- 
ed and died. 1 have tried them in the borders and in pots, in the open air 
and under shelter, but have not succeeded in any way, the soil of my gar- 
den is very light, and all the species of Gilia succeed remarkably well in it. 
1am agreat admirer of the varieties Zinnia’Elegans, and have cultivated 
them with great success, but I frequently find that when they are growing 
luxuriantly, without any apparent cause, the main stem withers, and they 
die. This occurs at all stages, from seedlings an inch high, to plants in 
fall bloom. If you, or any of your correspondents can point out a successful 
method of cultivating the above plants, you will oblige LoLorTeE. 

Iam uncertain how to address you, I wish you would state in your next 
Number of the Cabinet, which I have taken in from its commencement, and 
find it highly useful. 

12th March, 1837. 


> On crearinc A GARDEN or FroGs.—I shall be much obliged if you, or any 
of your Correspondents can inform me of the best method of clearing a 

arden of young frogs, which are very abundant, as there is a large pond on 
the premises, though it is far from being damp. Should I not succeed in 
destroying them, have I reason to fear they will still be injurious as well as 
disagreeable? When will Rosa continue her remarks on budding roses, 
for I have been unable to find them, since the March Number, though she 
promised then to continue them in the May or June Number. I hope this 
may not be too late for msertion in the August Number, in time to destroy 
the frogs when young. Kavmta. 


On povsie CrarKra,—I see in the last month’s Cabinet J. King enquires 
about the double Rose Clarkia. Inever heard of such a flower before. I 
should be obliged if Mr. Kernan would give an explanation. Is not Clarkia 
Elegans Rosea, and Double Rose Clarkia the same ? 

March 15th 1837. PELARGONIUM 


ANSWERS. 

Best Firry Sorts of Danrias—I herewith send you a list of what I 
consider the best fifty sorts of Dahlias of last year’s cultivation. Not living 
near the metropolis, 1 have not had an opportunity of seeing the flowers of 
the new sorts of Dahlias, but I doubt not but ‘* Pensee,’ in last month’s 
Cabinet jhas already described the best fifty sorts that will come out this 
year, 

Acme, Harris's * Aurora 
Agenoria Angelina 
Alpine Shepheydess. Adelia 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


Apollo 

Ariel 

Ariadne 

Beauty of Teffont 
Blue Beard 
Brigand Chief 
Chamelion 
Caluisflora 
Conqueror, Harris's 
Criterion 

Dodd's Mary 
Duchess of Buccleugh 
Dr. Halley 
Enterprize 

Glory 

Gutatata Perfecta 
Honorable Mrs. Harris 
King of the Fairies 
Lady Lacelles 
Lavinia 

Lilac Perfection 
Lord Nelson 


Lovely Ann 

Madona 

Madame Vesitris 
Magnum Bonum 

Micans 

Miss Penfold 

Mrs. General Grosvenor 
Napoleon 

Newich Riyal 

Perfection Yellow 
Perfection, Holman’s, Scarlet 
Queen Elizabeth 
Sterling Gold, Rendle’s 
Rose Incomparable 
Rose Pink 

Springfield Rival 

The Gem, Brown's 

The Rival 

Vandyke 

Veuus 

Village Maid 

Vulcan 


93 


P.S. The prices can be seen by referring to the Dahlia Catalogue at the 
An ADMIRER OF DAHLIAS, 


end, 
March 6th 1837. 


Forty SUPERB SORTS OF HEARTSEASE.—Sceeing a request in the Cabinet for 
March that some Connoisseur of Heartsease would send a list of the best 
forty sorts, I have taken the liberty of forwarding the annexed selection of 
names ; your correspondent wishes also for a description of the colours, &c., 
but that, I must beg to believe as a Pancey is far more difficult to describe 
than a Dahlia, or indeed any other florist flower, for although the colours 
and pencilling are very different to observe, | am afraid a written description 
would make them appear very similar. 

I can however reccommend all I have quoted as first-rate sorts. 

R. S. Mountuoy, 

Ealing, Middlesex, March 15th, 1836, 


Thomson’s King 
Thomas’s Anne 
Thomson’s Lord Glammis 
Thomson’s Lilac Perfection 
Thomson’s Enterprise 
Thomson’s Desdemona 
Thomsons Gem 
Thomson’s Sir John Broughton 
Thomson’s Ponoma , 
Thomson's Nonpareil 
Rogers’s John Bull 4 
Rogers’s Minerva 
Lane’s Lucipher 
Jane’s Countess of Bridgwater 
Page's Hornsey Hero 
Marshall's Reform 
oe’ Hector 
ountjoy’s Hecuba 

Mountjoy’s Magnum Bonum 
Mountjoy’s rahe 
Mountjoy’s Xantippe 


Mountjoy’s Cedo Nulli 
Mountjoy’s Beauty of Ealing 
Mountjoy’s Blucher 
Mountjoy’s Cupid 

Mountjoy’s Van Tromp 
Mountjoy’s Sir John Seabright 
Mountjoy’s Duke of Sussex 
Mountjoy’s Ealing Rival 
Mountjoy’s Black-eyed Susan 
Mountjoy’s Harriet 
Mountjoy’s Madamselle Grise 
Mountjoy’s Maid of Judah 
Mountjoy’s Forbisher 
Monntjoy’s Flora 

Mountjoy’s Sophia 
Mountjoy’s Jessey 
Mountjoy’s Matilda 
Mountjoy’s Cream 
Mountjoy’s Voluna 
Mountjoy’s Evelina 


A few of them are not yet ready for sale. 


a oy MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


REMARKS. 
A LIST OF SUPERIOR GERANIUMS. 

Geranium—Amabile Splendens of Le rscidi 
African. Mennon - - - - - - -- 0277, 6 

2 £ s. d. | Lady Denbigh - - - --0 7 6 
Alecia -------- - 3 0 OF “Bouchstune . - - - - + = ed. @ 
Semacne: ~~ 2-9 - - = “Ll PIO eMars -)- - -2- - - = 26 gee eae) 
eeEES ee 1 OR SQueen’ ofitruamps \- : - - 7 (ia 0 
Bellissima - - - - - - - - 1 1 0°] Lady Ashley - ----- 1 1 0 
Beauty of Ware - - - - - 1 1° O74 Maid of Artwvis- - -:- -- 1,1,0 
Countess of Jersey - - + - 2 2 0} Lydia - -------- i Pear) 
Don Jaune - - - - - - - 1.1°07 Mussidoray-- - - --- 2 2 0 
Diomede - - - - - - - - 0 5 0] Incarnation - - ---- - - coulis O 
Francesco - -- - - - - - 1.2) 1 MGR Douis e- - =n -9=.- we wsal ed vin O 
Grand Sultan - -- -- - + 1 1 @ | Maid of Athens - - - — - 015 0 
Compactum Rubicum- - - 1 1 0 | Hector -----.+--- - 0 5 0 
Diadematum Rubesence - 0 7 6 | Constance -- - --~ -- 0 5 O 
Rouge et Noir - - - - ~- 11 7,0)| . Davetrey .- -'-) -.~y-~' -) O09 520 
Rembrant - - - - - - - - 11 0 | Miranda -- - - - - -7- = i) sei 
Queen Bess - - - ~ - - - 0° 770 Hericratianum - ---- 0 5 O 
Miss Annesley - - - - - - 0 5 @ | Pictum -- - - -- - tee Inet eer) 
Those I consider very fine flowers, and such as I can strongly recommend. 

Surrey Lane Nursery, Battersea, London. N. GAINES. 


On Destroyine AnTs.—I have at last hit on an expedient of destroying 
them, and that is merely anointing theirruns with gas tar. We use large 
quantities of it here, for painting doors and fences. I have also found it use- 
ful in preserving the bark of fruit trees from hares and Rabbits. It should 
be put on very lightly with a paint brush, 

MR. KERNAN’S LETTER,—THE DECEASE OF MR, SABINF, 
DEAR Sir, 

I got your letter, and mentioned to Mr. Sabine how his name was omitted 
as the author of the Article he had desired me to mention to you. He felt 
pleased at the acknowledgment of the obligations you were under to him, 

But it is a painful truth tome to have to inform you of Mr. Sabine’s sud- 
den death. Never did I receive intelligence that more affected me, as he had 
been in my shop’ the week before, as he wasin the habit of being once 
almost every week when in town. In his death I have sustained a great 
loss; from his kind and fatherly instruction and adyice, and feeling always 
happy in giving me any information he thought would be of service to me. and 
the great interest he took in recommending me to his friends and their 
orders. Surely then I have reason to regret his loss, nor can his enemies sa 
in his early encouragement of so humble and so young a man as mystit 
he could have had any object, it was on his last visit I had talked of yourself 
and Mr. Marnock, and asked his advice on the following paragraph ; | intend 
putting at the bottom of my Catalogue, as my advice on the blooming of 

8. 


Annua ued 
“‘ Tt may be questioned why I place some ‘uunuals (heretofore considered 


and placed in other Catalogues under the heading, Half Hardy,) in 
my present List—Under Hardy. I do so from practical observations, 
seeing those I have so removed to Hardy, when so treated, blooming to 
much greater perfection than when raised in a hot frame and afterwards 
transplanted.—One plant, raised in the open border, will generally grow 
to six times the size of one raised in heat and transplanted. In sowing 
Annuals in the open border that are rather tender, if the soil is not light 
and sandy, give a top dressing of pit sand and rotten manure: smooth 
this well with the rake—then draw very shallow drills from half an inch 
to one inch in depth, regulated by the size of the seeds—sow and 
cover in: if yermin or the season do not desturb them, yeu will not 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE: 93 


require more than one plant in a hundred of those that come up; be 
careful to begin thinning when the plants are quite young. Do not sow 
delicate Annuals in the open borders until the end of April, or (which 
is better) make two sowing, one in the middle of April and the other 
in the beginning of May; these will succeed each other until October. 

I would here advise my Friends to try the above plan with those mark- 
ed [*], which will be found among the Half Hardy Annuals.” 

He told me I was qnite right and that I should make it public if I did not 
care for being abused for a good intention, I said of those I had removed 
to hardy, were grown with that care and attention generally bestowed on them 
by ladies or clergymen, I very little feared the result. None but friends 
could envy his good advice to me, and his whole countenance would beam 
with satisfaction when he observed how I appreciated his council, and when 
he brought me an order he would put me to the test of my knowledge by 
putting up a certain quantity that would in my opinion make most show and 
follow best in succession, in making such selection {| was almost always for- 
tunate in meeting with his approbation. 

That he had many old and inveterate enemies, I have often heard, but 
from what real cause | know not. But by principle I know he was a gen- 
tleman that disdained dishonour, and his zeal and deyotedness to the ad- 
vancement of the science of which he was an eminent member, had few, very 
few superiors ; and whether he was considered in his private or public station 
as a Botanist, in my opinion, there neyer breathed a being less capable of 
exciting enmity against himself, or of offering even by implication an offence 
to othersthan Joseph Sabine, Esq. if he had a fault it was an error attributed 
to his noble nature, to be deceived rather than suspicious, and his remorse- 
Jess enemies knowing such, made, or tried to make him their victim, but he 
lived to see the day that out lived them all, some of the calumnies it is 

‘thought preyed heavily upon him, though circulated too often by those who had 
just head enough to invent censure, but not heart suflicient to feel for its 
consequences, 

Others there are who from the estimation he deservedly was held in, felt 
a sympathetic remorse, and would have been glad of his forgiveness, having 
seen their error; but who like a ‘‘ certain medical tree yields not its healing 
balm, till it is once wounded,” and though every abuse was heaped upon him, 
it should not have been forgot he was the founder,’and laboured hard to estab- 
lish the Horticultural Society, and encourager of every thing else where his 
assistance had any tendency in forwarding science ; as Sir T. Ackland justly 
said, they ought to take into account the great good he had done, and not 
leave all the blame at his door. He who strike or main aman may remedy 
in a great way by medicine, but there is no herb, nor compound of herbs 
cultivated from Culpeper, to the present time, in any of our Botanic or Horti- 
cultural gardens that would cover or heal the wound inflicted by slander— 
but no power could stain the ‘‘ unsunned” snow of a character and intentions 
as pure as his was. There are many young mento my knowledge. deeply in- 
debted to his kindness and encouragement, none certainly more grateful, but 
many more competent to do greater justice to his memory than your 

< Humble and obedient Servant, 
4, Great Russel Strect, Covent Garden London, J, Kernan. 


REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 


Sparazis's —The four figures area small portion of a'spike of each sort. They 
hybrids, raised by a gentleman in Guernsey, who deserves the thanks 
every cultivator of this lovely and teresting tribe of plants. We be- 
lieve the gentleman would have pleasure in exchanging with any amateur 
or nurseryman for other plants; the address of the gentleman we can supply, 
We subjoin a portion of the remarks sent us at the time the drawings 
came. 


96 : MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


r i sf Guernsey, Jan. 20th 1837 

« In conformity to the offer I made you some weeks since, I now avail 
myself of a private hand to forward you the drawings of seventeen kinds of 
Ixias, Sparaxs’s and other Cape bulbous plants which I offered you, I grow all 
the kinds and the sketches were made for my own private use only, they are 
’ very faithful representations. Almost all the kinds ripen their seeds treely 
here inthe open air, and grow and flower so much larger, stronger, and 
und brighter in colour in consequence of being so cultivated, that afler two 
or three years, it is almost impossible to recognise the small pale flower re- 
ceived from England. Some Ixias raised here from seed, attain the height of 
three anda half, and even four feet, with spikes of flowers in proportion, 
and the bulbs themselves nearly the size of Gladioli. The double ring of 
black in the throat of some of the seedlings. Sparaxis’s is a new and very 
beautiful feature in those charming and interesting flowers. We have usually 
found this class of plants to succeed best when grown ina mixture of de- 
cayed leaves, sandy loam and peat ; having the pots, or if in the open air, 
the border well drained.’’ We hope the gentleman will favour us with the 
mode of culture, which has been so very successful. For although the cli- 
mate be very congenial, some other exciting cause has contributed to such 
extraordinary large productions. The great beauty of Sparaxis’s and Ixias 
continuing in bloom in the open border from May to July, and some even 
to August, render them well deserving an attempt in every warm situation. 
We have seen them in this part of Yorkshire flourish amazingly in a border 
at the front of a vinery, peach-house, and greenhouse, and close to a south 
aspect or fruit wall. There is but little attention required in their manage- 
ment, and they most amply repay for any given them, 


FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR APRIL, 


Prant Stove.—Still support the requisite degree of heat by fires at night 
as the plants will now begin to show their blossoms, which should be en- 
couraged as much as possibe at this season. Fresh air, when the weather is 
favourable, is very necessary, and should always be admitted. when required; 
this will greatly assist their flowering, and cause the new shoots to be strong 
and healthy. This month is the most proper time to pot such plants as may 
require it, taking great care to use such compost as is congenial to them. Any 
that do not require shifting into larger pots may have the surface soil re- 
newed with fresh compost, which will greatly invigorate them, and also add 
to their neatness. The same directions respecting watering and cleanliness 
may be observed, as given last month. Still propagate all kinds of exotics 
by means of seeds, cuttings, layers, or suckers, according to the nature of the 
different kinds; insert them m pots, and plunge thent in hot-beds, which 
will promote their vegetation and rooting quickly and certainly. 

GREENHOUSE.—These plants will now require large admissions of air at 
all times when the weather is mild, for as most of them will now be shooting 
freely, they must not be kept too close. The plants must now be looked 
over, to see when water is wanted, and let all the plants be properly supplied 
therewith, as this is now a very necessary article, particularly when they are 
in the house ; be careful of the succulent kinds. Let no decayed leaves or 
shoots be allowed to remain, but let such be taken off as soon as perceived ; 
and all shoots that are of a weak straggling growth must be pruned more or 
less, as appears necessary. Let no weed, moss, or litter, be seen on the tops 
of the pots and tubs; and if any foulness be contracted on the plants, let it 
be instantly removed. In arch shrubby exotics of any particular kinds—sow 
seeds in pots, placing them in a hot-bed; sow seeds of orange, lemon, &c. for 
stocks; also propagate by cuttings, layers, or otherwise, and if placed in a 
bark bed in the pine stove or hot bed, they will be greatly facilitated in their 
rooting. € 

Hersacrous PeREnn1ats —should now be divided and re-planted ;“also 
biennials, as Sweet Walliams, &c., should be planted for blooming this 
season, 


‘ Lut rales 


Vy yf Wikepield. 


THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


MAY Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


ON ALIST OF PERRENNIAL PLANTS. 
BY R. T. W. T. 

Tue request of “‘ A Collector of Herbaceous Plants,’”’ contained in 
the August Number of your valuable Periodical, not having as yet 
met with any attention from more experienced Florists, I venture 
to recommend the following list of hardy perennials, which I cul- 
tivate myself, and which your correspondent may readily procure 
at any of the principal nurseries. I purposely omit many plants 
that are suitable to rock-work, having already given a list in the 
June Number 1835. 


FLOWERING 
BOTANIC NAME. | ENGLISH NAME, MONTH. COLOUR. 


HEIGHT. 


-|- 


Achilloa ptarmi-'sneeze-wort yar- 


ca plena row double _— [July to Sept. | milk white 3 feet 
Achilloa millefo-icommon yarrow, 
limm or milfoil June August |reddish purple {3 feet 
Allium - - |garlic June yellow 1 foot 
grass leaved sa- 
Anthericum Lili-| yoy spider wort 
ago (a) - or St, Bruna’s 
lilly July white 2 ft. 6 in, 
Astor alpinus Alpine starwort |June July purple 8 inches 
-—— amellus amellus August Oct. ! blue 2 feet 
- spectablis Sept. Oct. blue 2 feet 
Antirrhinum ma- jgreat snap dra- 
jus | gon July August | white with a large 
yellow palate 
white in front. |2 feet 
svcene sleteie Usrens fine deep crimson |2 feet 
Antirrhinum ma- 
jus bicolor Dialers ivan crimson and white|2 feet 


(a) Also called Phalangium Liliago, 
VOL. V. K 


98 


ON PERENNIAL PLANTS. 


FLOWERING 
BOTANIC NAME. | ENGLISH NAME. MONTH, COLOUR HEIGHT 
Bellis hortensis |garden daisy May June large double red [7 inches 
-—— variegatus|variegated snus white and red 7 inches 
-—— albidus [white Tea white 7 inches 
——- fistolosa /quilled A white and crimson|7 inches 
Beton officinalis {wood betony July August |crimson 16 inches 
Calliopsis lance-|spear-leaved tick- 
olata seed sun-flower |Fune Oct. {bright yellow 3 feet 
Calliopsis tenui- ; 
folia ~ slender leayed Bes yellow 1 ft. 8 in, 
Campanula azuralbell flower June July |sky-blue 2 feet 
Bononiensis elie July August |blue 4 feet 
Carpatica |— carpathion June blue 8 inches 
: Colina —sage-leaved |July August jblue 2 feet 
——glomerata |——clustered  |June blue 10 incheg 
Sere S055 S40 white 10 inches 
—— nitida — smooth-leayed |July blue 4 inches 
—— speciosa |— showy June purple 2 feet 
—— urticafolia, |— nettle-leaved |May to Oct. |white 2 feet 
meadow. ladies’ 
Cardamine pra- | smock cuckoo- . 
tensis = flower April May white 6 inches 
Centaurea (b) |wood-leaved cen- 
glastifolia tury July yellow (b) 4 feet 
Centranthus ru- 
ber - fred valerian June Sept.  jrosy red 2 ft. 4im. 
Chelone barbata |bearded chelone jJuly August |orange 4 feet 
Chelone centran-|valerian-leaved 
thifolia chelone June Noy, bright scarlet 3to 5 ft, 
Clematis erscita |upright Virgin's 
* bower July sulphur colour [4 ft. 6 in, 
Commelina tube -/tuberous-rooted 
rosa or ceelestis| commelina = |June Oct. _|sky-blue 1(c)to2ft, 
Coronilla varia |various corenilla |June July — {purple 2 ft. 6 in. 
Dictamnus Praxinella June red 2 ft. 6 in 
ease eose eoee white eees 
common,or Mead’s 
Dodecatheon (d)| American cow- 
Meadia slip May June aap 1 ft. 4 in, 
Doronicum par- |great leopards 
dalinches bane May June {yellow 2to 3 ft. 
Epilobium spica-| . 
tum = willow herb July white 4 ft. 6 in. 
Genista sagittalis/Dyers’ green weed|/May June |yellow 1 foot 


Gentiana Acaulis|gentianella March April 


rich blue externlly|/3 inches 


Geranium pheum/|dusky crane’s bill |May June |dark chocolate {12 or 2 {¢, 
——— sanguineum |bloody June July blood colour 1$ foot 
—— striatum streaked June July {white petals 1 foot 
Geum Quellion, 

or coccineum 

er Chiloense, 

or Chili jayens June July [bright scarlet 2 feet 


(b) The scales of the calyx presenta beautiful silvery appearance, and the veins 

of the leaves are prominent on both their sides. : 
(c) If raised from seed, but 3 feetif old roots -;e planted, 
(4) Flowers best in the shade and pea soil 


‘ON PERENNIAL PLANTS 98 


: | FLOWERING = ; 
BOTANIC NAME ENGLISH NAME, MONTH. COLOUR. HEIGHT. 
Gnaphalium (e) |sand everlasting, 
arenorium or cud-wee June July  jyellow il inches 
Hyhanthus multi-imany flowered 
florus | perennial ‘double 
_ 4 sun-flower Aug, Nov. ellow 3 feet 
Hesperis Matro- jcommon dames’ 
nalis violet June white double 1 ft. 4 im. 
purpurea Lafad & caaa purple i 
Lathyrus sylves-lnarrow-leaved 
tris everlasting pea July August |corrolla variegted|5 or 6 ft. 
— grandiflora large-flowered do|June Sept. [rose ae 
—— latifolius |broad-leaved do. |July August |fine rose-colour S 3 
Lithospermum creeping or pur- 4 
purpuro-coe- ple grom-well |May June violet blue i foot 
ruleum 
Lupinus polyphl- many-leayed lu- 
lus, pine June July {blue 2 feet 
———--— alba spilt uel white oe 
Lychnis chalie- |lynchis or campion 
donica July carlet 3 feet 


plena eee. 
—— dioica }batchellor's but- 


tons June red 14 inches 


—— Flos cuculi |meadow lychnis 
ragged robin |June rose colour 1 foot 
~— Flos Jovis {umbellate rose ‘ i 
campion Jaly rose 2 feet 
=—— Viscaria viscid, or rock ly- 
chnis June rose j18 inches 
Lysimachia vul- |great yellow loose 

garis strife July yellow 3 or 4ft. 
Monarda didymaltwin oswego tea |June Sept. |red and whife {3 to 4 ft. 
Anothera pumila |dwf. primrose June yellow 46 inches 

macrocarpa |long fruited ditto |June to Aug. lyellow 1 foot 
—— speciosa __|showy ditto July to Sept. |white 4 feet 
taraxicafo- |dandelion-leaved 
lia - ditto July to Oct. large white 6 inches 
Peonia albiflora |edible-rooted pe- 

Whitleyi ony une white double 3 ft.6 im 
——Rosea rose peony une July rosy 3 ft. Qin. 
Phlox crassifolia |thick-leaved ly- 

chnidia April pink { inches 

eximia choice July August |rosy pink 2 ft. 8 in. 
—— Lyonii nak July August |dark lilac 3. feet 
—— odorata weet scented June rose lilac 3 feet 
—— ovata oval-leaved June pink 6 inches 
—— paniculta [panicled July August ‘lilac 4 ft. 6 in 
-— reflexa reflexed leayes [July August |dark pink 3 feet 
—— setacea bristly May pink *  |3 inches 


» 


(e) Called by the French ‘‘ Immortelle,” and used to decorate their graves. And 
here L would correct a mistake I made in my list of Rock Prants, as the * Gna- 
phatium Armarium” I have given there is properly ‘ Antennaria Diocia” which 
grows three inches high. 


100 ON PERENNIAL PLANTS. 


re 


FLOWERING 


BOTANIC NAME | EMGLISH NAME. pdwris, COLOUR. HEIGHT. 
Phlox suaveolens ceee June Sept. [white 2 ft. din. 
tardiflora, 
or longiflora |late-flowering August white 2 feet 2 
Whelleriana Wheeler’s June Sept. {pink purple 8 feet 
Polemonium ¢z-|}Jye Jacob's lad- 
ruleam der—Greek va- 
lerian May June blue 2 feet * 
album siete ere white En 
—— Mexica- |Mexican 
num Biaibia blue and white ee 
Potentilla formo-|jandsome cinque- 
sa ; foil June Sept. |rose 2 feet 
— atrosangui- 
HEE toa aidee ates] ark blood AK 
——- Russiliana [Russel’s hybrid 4 
: variet cove crimson af 
—— Hopwoodi- hopwood’s 
Bnet cece white ie 
Pulmonaria offi- |common lung- 
cinalis wort April White and blue {8 inches 


Pyrethrum uligi- 
nosum 

Rudbeckia ful- 
gida 3 shining rudbeckia |July August 

Rudbeckia hirta {hairy Seiete 


marsh feverfeu. |July Sept. |white 3 feet 


yellow & blackeye|?2 feet 
yellow 5 feet 


Ranunculus acrislupright crowfoot |May June |yellow 2 feet 
platanifolius|platamus-leaved : 
(g) May white 8 inches 
montanus {mountain June yellow 2 foot 
Saxifraga aizoon |marginated sax ? 
frage May white spotted 6 inches 
—— crassifolia |thick-leaved April pink 1 foot 


——ceratophylla/shining calyxed |June white 6 inches 
Symphytum ofli- 


cinale var. Bo- 


hemicum comfrey May June bright crimson [8 inches 
Stenactis specio-|showy stenactis 

sa (h) July Oct. dark violet 2feet | 
Fetragonolobus |square-podded 

siliquosus winged pea July Aug.  |yellew cree 
Tradescantia Vir-|Virginian spider- f 

inica wort June Sept. {bright purple 1 to 2 ft. 
Trollius Enropz-|European globe- 

us flower May June yellow 21 ft. 


Veronica spicata |spiked speedwelllJuly Sefpt- 
——urticafolia /nettle-leaved. 


Nov, 12th, 1836 R, T W. T. 


deep blue 4 to 8 in. 


(f£) Divide the root in sprinc onty when it begins to vegetate, and plant in 
a warm situation. 

(g) Or Fair Maid of France. 

(hh) Seedlings of the Stanctis Speciosa flower freely the first year, aud perfect 
the seed, so that it may be treated as an annual, 


ON AURICULAS 101 


ARTICLE IL. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE AURICULA, WITH A LIST OF 
SUPERIOR KINDS. 


BY G. R. 


Havine promised to send you a list of the most esteemed varicties 
of Auriculas which generally appear for competition at the differ- 
ent society-meetings in this neighbourhood, I now give you 
the name of a few which may be considered amongst the finest. 
They will, perhaps, assist some of your readers in selecting a 
few of the most choice-varieties ; should any of them be about 
to commence a collection, and will give those who may be other- 
wise interested, an idea of the plants which are held in the greatest 
estimation in this quarter. 

Many lists of choice Auriculas contain the names of several, the 
flowers of which have a great tendency to vary from the original 
colours, from unaccountable causes, and which, by florists, are 
termed sporting varieties. In the same list are found others 
which are liable to change colour a short time after they are fully 
expanded. Such flowers may occasionally be considered as fine, 
and might be presented for competition. Their general character 
however, not being such as to warrant their insertion in the follow- 
ing select list, I have omitted them. All Auriculas are subject 
in a great or less degree to present an ununiform appearance of 
bloom, their flowers in some seasons being much more perfect than 
in others. The following, when well grown, will be found to have 
less tendeney to do so than most others, Some growers will, per- 
haps, find a few of those mentioned, classed differently from what 
they are accustomed to find the appearance of the plant when in 
bloom, which in some measure may be thus accounted for. Auri- 
cula-growers in general, adhere to a compost of their own in many 
cases differing considerably in its composition, and it therefore 
may naturally be supposed that the bloom of the plant, in some de- 
gree will vary accordingly. It being however a difficult matter to 
decide to what class they should belong, I have classed the follow- 
ing according to the colour of edging, which I have generally 
found them to present. Plants grow in very rich stimulating com- 
posts, for the purpose of obtaining large high-coloured flowers, 
certainly produce a beautiful green foliage, strong trusses, and 
large pips, but the bloom altogether is seldom fine, as being 


102 on AURICULA. 


Yery liable to run and become foul, by which is understood that 
either the ground-colour, edging, or eye, predominates, which en- 
tirely destroys the appearance of the flower: those grown in a more 
moderate soil generally produce a much finer and more regular 
flower, and beside} will have less tendency to impair the health 
‘and strength ofthe plant. Those persons who have grown Auriculas 
‘will not perhaps have remarked that green and grey-edged flowers 
‘are seldom so fine and true to their character when produced from 
‘a stem rising from the centre of the plant, as those produced froni 
‘one rising from the side of it, and that white edges are the reverse: 
most perfect flowers generally being produced from a stem rising 
from the centre. ‘Self-coloured flowers join with green and grey 
‘edge in this peculiarity. Shaded alpine are a class which seem to 
be little cultivated here, therefore I have not been able to add 
them to the list. There are a few plants here mentioned which as 
yet have but a limited circulation; they were raised in this neigh- 
bourhood by Mr. Smith, at Ellengowan, and Mr. McDonald, at 
Dunninald, both of whom have been very successful in raising fine 
varieties ; several of these when well grown, have proved to be of 
very superior order, and, have obtained prizes at different shows 
in this quarter, competing against many of the finest flowers 
*n cultivation. 

Having for my own amusement grown Auriculas for several years 
with great success, of which my collection at present amount to 
two hundred and fifty strong healthy plants, comprising one hun- 
dred and forty of the finest varieties; it was my intention to have 
added my mode of cultivating and managing this favorite flower ; 
but this appears to me umecessary from the excellent articles 
which have appeared in several of the preceding numbers of the 
Cabinet, I shall therefore merely state that the compost I make 
use of consists of six parts of manure, at least three years old, 
gathered from pasture fields, and one part of white sand, and con- 
elude by briefly mentioning the following principal points to be 
attended to in order to grow Auriculas in perfection. 

Adhere to as simple and rich a soil as possible, avoiding all ob« 
noxious and stimulating manures. Pay attention to good drainage 
at the bottom of each pot. Avoid too often reducing the fibrous 
roots of the plant, and examine oecasionally, perhaps every three 
years the lower end of the main root, a part of which will require 
to be taken off. Do not delay making the examination, when you 
observe the leaves of a plant becoming spotted of a yellowish hue, 


ON AURICULAS. 103 


a certain sign of its being unhealthy, and the disease is often found 
to arise in the main root. Keep the plants during summer in a 
cool shaded situation during the day, giving them water occasion- 
ally. Be careful to keep them from being exposed for any length 
of time to heavy rains, or under the drip of trees. Place them 
under cover open towards the south by the beginning of November. 
Guard against damp by giving as much air as possible at all times. 
Let them have water very sparingly until February, when you 
may give it more freely. See that they are not exposed to any 
drip of water from any deficiency of the covering of the frame, 
whether of wood or glass. Keep the plants rather warm during 
the winter and spring months, which will add greatly to the expan- 
sion of the pips. Remove any damp decayed leaves from the plants, 
but suffer those leaves that are dry to remain until the time for top 
dressing. By the beginning of March add a little fresh soil to the 
surface of each pot: give water freely during this and the two fol- 
lowing months. Protect well from severe frosts. Thin out pips, 
leaving from five to nine on each plant according to its strength. 
Allow but one flower stem to each plant. Contrive to give them. 
all the air possible. Shade them from the sun when they are in, 
full bloom by placing the front of the frame to the north, 
LIST OF AURICULAS. 
Green edge—Booth’s freedom Green edge.—Hedge’s Britan- 


Howard’s Lord Nelson nia 
Mather’s Brilliant Pearson’s Badajoz 
Ryder’s royal Sovereign Page’s Champion 
Lee’s Colonel Taylor Vallington’s Nottingham 
Fletcher's ne plus ultra hero : 
Smith’s Lord John Rus- Chillot’s Britannia. 

sell Coldham’s Blucher 
Pollit’s standard of Eng- Clough’s Dolittle 

land Barlow’s King 
Pollit’s ruler of Eng- Moore’s Jubilee 

land Bearliss’s superb 
Dawson’s George Can- Streeche’s Alexander 

ning 

White-edge.—Campbell’s Ro- Ditto Venus 

bert Burns Pott’s Regulator 
Lee’s Earl Grosvenor Taylor’s glory 
Hugh’s pillar of Beauty Ditto Princess Royal 
M‘Donald’s Miss Arkley Ditto favorite 
Smith’s Jupiter Wood’s delight 


Ditto freedom Lee’s bright Venus 


* 


104 ON AURICULAS. 


Grey-edge. —Smith’s General Pearson’s liberty 
Bolivar Ryder’s Waterloo 
Ackerley’s Alpine shep- Syke’s complete 
erdess Thompson’s Bang up 
Clegg’s General Morillo Ditto revenge 
Faulkener’s ne plus ultra Ditto cottager 
Grime’s Privateer Taylor’s ploughboy 
Hey’s Lovely Ann Waterhouse’s conqueror 
Kenyon’s ringleader of Europe. 
Oliver’s lovely Ann Warris’s union 


Selfs —Burrie’s Lord Primate Selfs— Martins’s Eclipse. 
Ditto Lord Lee , Netherwood’s Othello 


Campbell’s Lord Byron Redman’s Metropolitan 
Gorton’s Stadtholder Scholey’s Ned Leed 
Grime’s Flora’s flag Fintu’s Rosetta 
Miller’s Lord Howe Whittaker’s true blue 


Forfarshire, March \\th, 1837. 


ARTICLE II. 


ON THE SOIL PROPER FOR AURICULAS, AND THE CULTURE OF 
THE GENUS LUPINUS. 


BY AMICUS FLORIBUS. 

Havine had a few of the most showy plants made a present to 
me, and they being, as I am told, of a superior description, I have 
long wished to get a recipe from your extensive, and well regula- 
ted Cabinet. I was perusing the number for February, in the 
present year, and felt myself very much gratified, to find some in- 
formation on the culture of the above named plant. (by James 
Shepperd.) He gives very good remarks on the cultivation of the 
plants, but omits the preparation of the soil used ; he recommends 
a light, rich, and sweet soil: now for an amateur, this appears ra- 
ther complexed. He also says, he has for the last ten years, fol- 
lowed the plan laid down by Mr. Emerton, but loosing so many 
plants, he feels convinced, that his plan is not a good one. Would 
he be so kind as to favor me with his recipe, or if not, the compost 
used by Mr. Emerton, it would, I feel convinced, confer a great 

favor on many, besides one, who subscribes himself 
Amicus FiLorisus. 
P. S. Should this be accepted, I herewith send you a method of 
cultivation, which I adopted among that splendid variety of plants, 
the Lupinus. ‘At a time when these plants were scarce, I was 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE DAHLIA. 105 


fortunate enough to possess the Lupinus Marshallianus, but wish- 
ing to make the most of it, I adopted the following method for its 
cultivation ; in the month of March I took some shoots off, (that 
is) when they had attained the height of an inch or two from the 
ground, I planted them in a stiff loamy soil, and copiously supplied 
them with water, and in four or five weeks, to my great surprise, 
they were rooted; I then transplanted them in my flower beds, 
and to my satisfaction, had them flower the same year, thus from 
one plant, I had five or six all blowing the same year. ‘The reason 
of my sending this, is, on account of not having seen any thing of 
-the kind in your valuable and extensive work, and thinking that 
those who possessed a choicer species would be able to propagate 
and have a more copious supply. If I have commented too largely 
on the subject, would you be so kind as to frame it in a more com~ 
pact compass, to oblige one, who is, and whose friends are true 
patrons, and well wishers to your widely circulated Cabinet. 


ARTICLE IV. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE DAHLIA. 


BY S, R. P. 


Permit me, at any convenient opportunity, the use of your 
widely circulating medium, the Floricultural Cabinet, to publish a 
method by which the disappointment so often experienced by ama- 
teur growers of Dahlias in the loss of their roots, during the win- 
ter, may be avoided, and by which simple means, I have preserved 
the tubes of these truly splendid flowers, through the dormant 
months, in the greatest perfection. Let any of the usual means be 
-employed of propagating duplicates of the sorts required to be sa- 
ved; but I will describe my own. I take from the growing plants 
the first lateral shoots, divide them with a sharp knife, under the 
third joint from the top, and cut off the two bottom leaves a little 
distance from the stem, without mutilating the eyes that will be 
seen in the axils of the leaves. These are planted so as to touch 
the side of the pot, which, if convenient, may be plunged in a little 
heat ; as soon as they have made roots, they are planted singly in 
60s. and finally repotted into 48s. every flower bud is removed, 


and the growth of the plant promoted till the middle of September, 
VOL. V. L 


106 ON THE HYACINTH. 


when the supply of water is diminished, and at the end of tlie 
same month, all moisture is suspended : the tallies are firmly fixed, 
and the pots are set at rest, under the stage of the green-house (a 
eellar will do) where, by the close adhesion of the earth to the 
roots, occasioned by the pressure produced in the growth of the 
tubers, they are preserved in a perfectly plump, sound, and 
healthy state : not a root can be broken, or an eye disturbed ; be- 
sides these advantages, I am led to believe, that their being set 
thus early at rest, according to a known law in vegetation, there is 
a tendency to push their buds at an earlier period, than by the 
usual mode of treatment. 


5 RP: 


ARTICLE V. 


BOTANICAL CURIOSITY OF THE HYACINTH, 


BY W. BREIANT, GARDENER, UPPER GORE HOUSE, KENSINGTON. 


I believe it has been asserted by Sir Humphrey Davy, that no 
species of plant will vegetate downwards. With every respect for 
that great man, I beg leave to tell you, and, through you the rea- 
ders of the Cabinet, that such is not the fact, as 1 have in more 
than one instance proved. Curiosity induced me at the time of 
putting in my bulbs, (October) to plant four Hyacinth bulbs in the 
following manner; 1 am particularly fond of the single blue Hy- 
acinth, and therefore singled these out for my object, after procu- 
ring my regular compost, which is a mixture of leaf mould, yellow 
loam, and white sand, I placed one Hyacinth bulb at the bottom of 
a 48 pot, with the crown through the draining hole, and commen- 
ced filling up-my pot in the usual manner, and then planted one at 
the top, and taking it to the green-house, I cut a circular hole in 
the shelf, so as to admit the pot half-way down. 

Both bulbs did vegetate freely, and seemed to vie with each 
other; before the flower expanded, I procured a long glass, such 
as confectioners has for show glasses, and placing the pot on the 
top of the glass, it seemed to give additional vigor to the flowers 
to expand, its appacrance now, is strikingly beautiful, the natural 
fragrance of heir flowers, combined with the peculiarity of the 


ON GRAFTING THE ROSE, 107 


growth, would entitle them to true lustre on any lady’s toilet, or 
drawing room table, and such is the deception, that I have been 
asked by several, if both flowers did not come from the same 
bulb. 


ARTICLE VI. 


ON GRAFTING THE ROSE, 
~ BY ROSA, 

The following method of cultivating the Rose by grafting, is very 
interesting, and successful, as well as having the advantage of 
economy, as you make use of the cuttings of the pruned trees, 
which would otherwise be lost. It must be remembered, however, 
that it should only be practised upon free well rooted stocks, as 
otherwise the delay in the rising of the sap, and the uncertainty of 
the supply, frequently defeat the purpose. Grafting, therefore, 
should succeed budding on the same stock, not precede it: as a 
bud failing on the stock, if the branch be not destroyed while the 
sap is up, leaves the stock still vigorous in the ground; if therefore 
you wish to try this mode it, should be upon stocks that have had 
a spring to reot themselves. 

The points to be desired, are, that the barks of scion and stock 
should be cut quite smooth, and not separated from the wood they 
grow upen— that neither should be bruised—when they are put to- 
gether they should fit close—a supply of sap should commence as 
soon as possible— that all sun, wind, and rain should be kept 
from the wound till healed, and that no ligament should be removed, 
nor shake given to the parts newly placed in contact, till they are 
perfectly healed; any jar to the scion when placed is likely ta 
to defeat the purpose, 

: GRAFTING, 

If you have a good choice of shoots in March, from your trees, 
which you desire should not be wasted, examine your shoots after 
pruning each tree, select those which are the finest, and place their 
thickest ends (taking care that the produce of each tree be tied ina 
separate bundle and ticketed) in a lump of moist clay an inch deep, 
pinch the clay tight round them, and then put the lump of clay 
in a pot full of earth (leaying the shoots out) until ready for use, 


10 ON GRAFTING THE ROSE. 


Et must be remembered at that the end of each shoot there will 
probably be one or more buds open; these must be carefully cut 
eff from the shoot or they will infallibly exaust the others. 

Let the shoots remain for three weeks in an outhouse, or any 
Place neither very dry nor very damp, where neither wind nor sur 
ean come in contact with them. ~ 

During the first week in March, cut off your stock, (in which the 
sap should be beginning to rise,) horizontally ; make a slit in it, 
straight downwards, of a couple of ches, or an inch and a half 
long, taking care not to injure the sides of the bark. 

Take the shoot in the left hand, and leaving three buds upon it, 
or two if the stock be not large; cut the lower extremity of the 
shoot in the shape of a wedge, the back being rather the thinnest 
and the lowest bud about half an inch above the thick end of the 
wedge. In doing which, care must be taken that the bark be un- 
disturbed, and each scion so_cut that all the buds point outwards, 
or at any rate, be-so placed that the shoots from them may not in~ 
terfere with each other. 


With the end of your budding-knife, or a little wooden or ivory 


wedge, open the slit in the stock on one side, and then place the 
scion, with the thinkest part or front outwards, in the other, taking 
care that the edge of the imer bark or liber of the scion touches 


the edges of the inner bark of the stock, all the way down; pull out’ 


the wedge and enter another scion in its place, the slit being kept 
open by the first; if the size of the scion be half the size of the 
stock, you may leave ashoulder to the scion, and thus increase the 
ehances of success. 

Any number of scions may be inserted in the same stock, but 
from one to four are all that are desirable in the present case, to 
eover well over the head of the stock which is apt to receive much 
injury from the weather, if not carefully attended to. 

The object of laying by the scions, is that the stock may be the 
forwardest, and: be enabled to‘supply the sap, and force them forward 
at once,.instead. of lingering while they perish from exposure and 
want of nourishment.. Whether this danger might be entirely re- 
moved by the following new mode of grafting I have not yet had 
an opportunity of trying. 

Leave a small end to the scion, with bark, &c. upon it, and hav= 
ing finished your graft as above, turning the overplus outwards, 


ON GRAFTING THE ROSE: 109 


aid below the clay, insert it in a small phial, kept constantly filled 
with water, in order to keep the scion fresh until the junction 
takes place. When well established, remove the phial and cut off 
the overplus close to the stock; covering it with cement. 

When the shoots are on, tie up the whole with a bass ligament, 
to prevent the scions from ever shifting, and then cover the whole 
beneath the lowest bud, with grafting clay, taking care to exclude 
air, sun, and rain. If the clay crack, it must be renewed; not by 
shifting, but by filling up the crack. | 

In about six months, the clay may be removed; and the wound 
covered with mixture, this latter must on no account be omitted. 

The choice of scions is regulated by the same rules as the choice 
of buds, only that in choosing scions some reference must also be 
had to the wood, which should have a sufficient thickness to keep 
it from getting dry easily, and to facilitate the operation of sloping 
the edges. The best buds are generally nearer the base of the 
shoot than the summit, but two or three scions may sometimes be 
got from a single shoot. No scion should be used when the buds 
upon it appear to have shrunk and lost their fulness, from having 
been laid by, and care should be taken on passing the bass liga- 
ment round the stock for the purpose of fixing the scions, that a 
piece of the bass be brought between the scions in such a manner 
as to protect the clft in the centre of the stock from the clay, and 
to leave the vacuum to be filled up with sap. 

Should any graft fail, which will be seen in a longer or shorter 
space of time, according to the weather, (viz. in moist, dull, grow- 
ing weather it will soon show, in that which is dry, windy, or cold 
there will be delay,) you have still the resource of knocking off the 
clay and reserving for use the fresh buds which start from the 
stock, in which case, cut the stock off immediately above them, 
~ and bud in the following autumn as usual. 

Grafting the rose, however, leaves a worse wound to heal over 
than budding, unless the scion be nearly the same size as the 
stock, or two or three scions of free-growing sorts be entered in 
the same graft: there is also this disadvantage, that the portion of 
the scion that is entered in the stock is smooth, and consequently 
does not from time to time furnish new wood, whereas in bud- 
ded stocks, shoots occasionally spring from the mserted eye, (and 
that sometimes years after it has taken.) thus renewing the tree 


110 ‘ ON THE CULTURE-OF NELUMBIUM. 


by preventing it from straggling, as well as giving it a more perfect 
and handsome appearance. 

The advantages of grafting, are, that it clears your garden of 
wild growing stocks, promises fair for instant success, especially 
when the scions are from hardy sorts, such as the Du roi, Maid- 
en’s blush, &c. and your work is complete and tree formed, and in 
some cases, flowers in a single season. 

In the event~of your having neglected to procure stocks, the 
operation of grafting may be performed equally well with budding 
upon plants in a neighbouring hedge, and those that succeed can 
be transferred to the garden at leisure. 


ARTICLE VII. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE NELUMBIUM. 
: BY C, B. B. 
Havine suggested to your readers the experiment of growing ten- 
der aquatics in warm water tanks, and observing that the Horti- 
cultural Society have been distributing seeds of Nelumbium Lute- 
um, I think a hint on the mode of raising that, and the East 
Indian N. Speciosum may not be amiss, as without such instruc- 
tion, probably not one person in fifty of those who receive the 
seeds will rear the plant. For some reason or other, probably to 
preserve a seed which by sinking in deep water, or being buried 
in mud, is exposed to many casualties, the seeds of Nelumbium, 
are furnished with an exceeding hard coat, which as long as it re- 
mains uninjured resists all soaking, whether in cold or warm water. 
In order to induce them to vegetate in any reasonable time, it is 
necessary to file the blunt end of the seed, until it just yields to the 
pressure of the nail. Thus prepared, the seed should be thrown 
into a pan of water, the temperature of whicn is not above 70 de- 
grees. When first sown it sinks, but in the course of forty-eight 
hours it will begin to push, and as soon as the seed-leaves have 
protruded afew inches, the young plant rises to the surface, 
where its leaves expand, and it floats. In a short time it throws 
down a runner, much like that of a strawberry, which descends to 
seek the mud. This runner throws out roots, and sends up a leaf 
and from its extremity a similar runner again descends, and 


DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS, 11 


again another, each rooting and throwing up its leaf, until at length 
the plant reaches the mud, when it takes root, and begins to pro- 
duce strong leaves. The best method is to sow the seed in a pan 
a foot or eighteen inches deep, having four or five inches of stiff 
mud at the bottom. It is uscless, and probably would be injurious 
to cover the seed with earth, those which I tried to plant in this 
manner, invariably came up and floated, and if effectually bu- 
ried, the seed would most likely decay ; Nelumbium Luteum, 
seems to delight nearly in the same treatment as its East Indian 
relations, and the richdeep velvet green of its leaves, form a 
beautifnl contrast to the bluish white of that species. I have not 
seen its flower, but understand that it resembles N Speciosum in 
every thing but colour. 

Whilst on the subject of aquatics, it may be well to mention 
that Nymphza Lotus grows very freely from seeds, if they are al- 
lowed to seed themselves in the water when ripe, and this is the 
best way of preserving the species, they come up in the following 
spring, and flower in the summer. The old roots are very apt to 
perish. Nelumbium Luteum, and Nymphza Ceerulea will probably 
prove the hardiest of all the tender water plants: but collectors 
must distinguish between the true N. Coerulea, a very strong and 
luxuriant growing sweet scented species, and N. Stellata a small 
elegant plant much more tender. I fear, however, that this cau- 
tion is almost needless, and that N. Stellata has disappeared from 
our collections. The remark may, nevertheless, induce some one 
who is fortunate enough to possess it, to cherish the delicate stran- 
ger, and give it the attention which its tropical natu iced 
It is a native of Malabar. N. Ccerulea is, I believe, from the 
Cape of Good Hope. 

€. B: 


ARTICLE VIII. 


A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS, 


BY PENSEE, 
I senp you a list of Carnations with remarks on the merits and 
faults of each. Should it be considered worthy of a place in 
your Cabinet, I shall follow up this criticism with another paper, 


112 DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 


or two on the same subject, and in like manner pass my opinion on 

Piccotees, Heartsease, Ranunculuses, and other Florists’ flowers. 
PENSEE. 

[We shall feel grateful for the favour, such articles being very much 


wanted by the readers in general of the Cabinet, many applications 
have been made to. us by subscribers—Conpuctor.] 


CARTWRIGHT’S RAINBOW (crimson bizard. ) 

This flower is, perhaps, as well or better known than any other 
Carnation, can never become common from its shyness in pro- 
ducing grass and propensity to run from colour on the latter ac- 
count, I have no doubt many plants are constantly thrown out, 
though in future I would recommend this never to be done, as I 
believe it possesses a property known in no other bizarse, viz. 
of returning to colour: two or three instances of this had come to 
my knowledge when I happened to mention it to one of our first 
growers, who stated that he had made the same remark; and added 
that if the flower did not run into a perfect self, he believed it im- 
variably came into colour the following season. The Rainbow is 
a large flower, very fine in shape, good in each colour, and almost 
unequalled in the white. 


FLETCHER’S DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE, (scarlet bizard.) 

The only fault, and one which cannot but be admitted, is its 
want of size, in every other respect, in colour, in shape and sub- 
stance of the petal (in my opinion, a great desideratum) and in the 
general shape of the flower, itis equal to any in its class: it is very 
generally grown and as generally admired 


(WAKEFIELD’S PAUL PRY, C. B.) 

This is ahigher coloured flower than the Rainbow, but is seldom 
as large, though a general good bloomer, yet wanting the splendid 
guard leaves and size of the Rainbow, can never demand compari- 
son. 

WILSNES’S DEFIANCE, (purple flake. ) 

Is a large flower, good in colour, but occasionally deficient in 
the stripe, or rather the stripe is not equally spread over the 
bloom, one petal having too much, whilst another is wanting. Yet 
I have sometimes seen this flower so very fine, that I should con- 
sider a collection deficient without it 

(To be continued. ) 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 118 


PART IL 
LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last. 


1, Acrorers Lopovicersi, Mr. Loddiges’ Acropera. (Bot. Mag. 3563.) 
Natural Order, Orchidaceze. Linnzean Class, Gynandria; Order, Monandria, 
Synonym ; Maxillarfa galeata. The flowers of this plant are very singularly 
handsome: they are produced numerously in large pendant racemes, eac 
flower is about an inch and a half across. Sepals of a pretty brownish-yellow. 
Lip of the same colour. Column, greenish-yellow spotted with red. The 
plant was introduced into this country by Mr. George Loddiges, from Xalapa 
of Mexico, and has bloomed in Mr. Loddiges’ collection, and in that of the 
Glasgow Botanic Garden. It merits a place in every collection of Orchideous 
Epiphytes. Acropera, from akros, the extremity, and pera, bejond, alluding to 
the little saccate appendage at the tip of the Labellum. 


2. ANAGALLIS Mone tt, Var. Celacina. Lilac flowered Italian Pimpernel. 
(Brit. Flow. Gard. 377.) Primulaceze, Pentandria Monogynia. This very 
handsome flowering variety has been raised between A Monelli and A Fruti- 
cosa. It has flowered in the collection of the Hon. W. T, H. F. Strangways, 
Abbotsbury Castle, Dorsetshire. The flowers are of arosy, lilac colour, about 
the size of A. fruticosa. It is avery pleasing variety, well meriting a place 
in every collection. This as well as its parents are very beautiful flowering 
plants for a bed in the flower garden during summer, where they make a 
most brilliant display. Botanists, in general, seem now agreed, that the A. 
Monelli and A: Grandiflora are nothing more than mere varieties. Anagallis, 
from anageleo, to laugh, applied by the ancient Greeks {o a plant beneficial in 
diseases of the liver. 


3, BEGONIA MONOPTERA. Single Winged. (Bot. Mag, 3564.) Begoniacez. 
Moneecia Polyandria. Mr. Otto, of the Royal‘Berlin Garden, has most oblig- 
ingly sent over to this country several highly, interesting, and ornamental 
species of Begonia. The present species is yery handsome. The flowers are 
white, produced numerously in a terminal raceme. ‘The stems and leaf stalks 
are of a light red colour, as is the under side of the leaves. The plant is a 
native of Brazil, from whence it was sent by Mr. Deppe. Begonia in compli- 
ment to M. Begon. 


4. CEREUS SERPENTINUS. Serpent-like. (Bot. Mag. 3566.) Cactex. Ico- 
sandria, Monogynia, Mr. Mackay of the Norwich Nursery, purchased the 
very fine collection of succulents formerly belonging to Mr. Hitchin, and the 
present species has bloomed with Mr. Mackay. It is a night blooming species, 
the flowers remaining expanded about as long as C. Grandiflorus, The 
flowers are of a pale whitish flesh colour inside, and a reddish black colour 
outside. The tube is about four inches long. Cereus, from cereus, pliant, 
alluding to the shoots, 


5. CEROPEGIA STAPELIIFORMIS, Stapelia-like. (Bot, Mag. 3567.) As- 
clepiadeee. Pentandria Digynia. This most curious flowering plant has 
bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, where it had been sent from Kew 
Gardens. Itis thought to be a native of the East Indies, and requires a hot- 
house temperature. The stems very much resemble those of'a Stapelia. The 
flowers are very singular. Corolla two inches long ; tube curved, expanded 
upwards to form the ,limb, which is cut into five segments, they are dark 
purple outside, white and hairy within. The tube is of a greenish white, 
much spotted with deep purple. The five segments of the corolla curve 
backwards, and the sides reflexed, so that the upper side having the form of 
a sharp keel, presenting a most singular appearance. Ceropegia, from keros, 
wax, and pege, a fountain. 

6. Curyseis compacta. Dwarf Chryseis. (Bot. Reg. 1948.) Papaye- 
‘ak Icosandria Tetragynia, Synonym, Eschscholtzia, compacta, The 

ol, V, M 


114 NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


present species differs from C. crocea, and C, californica, m bemg of a more 
dwarf habit, and very compact in growth. The flowers too are rather less ; 
they are of a fine bright yellow, with a deep orange centre. The plant de- 
serves a place in every flower garden, Chryseis,a celebrated Homeric beauty, 
the name alluding to the gold colour of the blossoms, 


7. CLrarKIA GAuROIDES. Guara like Clarkia. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 379.) 
Onograria. Octandria Monogynia. A hardy annual, sent by the late Mr. 
Douglas from California, to the London Horticultural Society, im whose 
garden it has bloomed. It is not near so handsome as either C. palchella, or 
‘elegans. The flowers are about an inch across, of a lilac-purple colour. 
They are produced on terminal racemes, but the blossoms are very distant 
from each other, much more so than in C. elegans. Clarkia, in compliment to 
captain Clark, who accompanied captain Lewis to Recky Mountains. 


8. DATURA GUAYAQUILENSIS. Guayaquil, Thorn Apple. (Brit. Flow. 
Gard. 380.) Solanez. Pentandria Monogynia. Mr. Tweedie sent seeds 
of this species from Peru to Dr. Neill, in whose fine collection at Cannon Mills, 
near Edinburgh, it has bloomed. It had been grown in the stove. It ap- 
pears that it blooms in February and March: in its native country, where it 
grows abundantly in moist places, on the shores of the Pacific, near Guaya- 
quil. The plant is annual, growing three feet high. The flower, with its 
tube, is abont six inches long ; corolla, upper half white, lower part greenish. 
The mouth of the flower opens about two inches. It is very probable that 
good strong plants, planted out in the open border during summer, would 
bloom very freely. 


9. DeLpHiniuM Bartow. Mr. Barlows’ Larkspur. Ranunculacee. Po- 
lyandria Trigynia. This very superior variety was raised by Mr. Barlow, 
near Manchester, some few years back. The splendour of its fine double 
blossoms, renders it a very desirable plant for every flower garden. It 
blooms during a greater part of summer, its fine blue Aires tinged with a 
purplish hue at the centre, produce a most charming effect. The spikes rise 
from three to seven feet high. The plant may be had of most Nurserymen, or 
Florists Delphinium, from Delphin, a Dolphin, the resemblance of the nec- 
tary of the flower. 


10. ECHINOCACTAS SESSILIFLORUS. Sessile-flowered. (Bot. Mat. 3569.) 
Cactez. Icosandria Monogynia. Bloomed in the fine collection of Mr. Mackie 
of the Norwich Nursery, The spines are short and white ; the plant blooms 
freely, producing several blossoms every year.—Mr. Mackie cultivates the 
Echinocactus tribe with great success. The plants are grown very near the 
glass, and in the summer time, in a very high temperature, by keeping the 
top sashes of the house closed. Strong light and heat are very necessary for 
the blossoms expanding in perfection. Some of the kinds close their blossoms 
immediately on being removed to a cooler place. It is very necessary to 
have the pots well drained, as the roots are liable to decay if the earth is 
at all sodden with moisture. All the kinds thrive best ma good encircled 
soil, well drained and planted in small pots, 


11. EpipENDRUM DIFFUSUM. Spreading Epidendrum. (Bot. Mag. 4565.) 
Orchidezw. Gynandria Monandria. A native of Jamaica, where it is a fre- 
quent inhabitant of the trunks of trees. It has bloomed in the collection at 
the Glasgow Botanic Garden. The flowers’are pointed in terminal panicle, 
six to eight inches, or a foot long, very branched. The flowers are small, 
little more than half an inch across, very narrow petals, of a light greenish 
yellow colour. The flowers are rather uninteresting, Epidendrum, from epi, 
upon, and dendrum, a tree, growing upon. 


12, GesNERA LATERITA. Brick-red. (Bot. Reg. 1970.) Gesneracez. De- 
dynamia Angyospermia. The plant is a native of Brazil, and has bloomed im 
the stove in the garden of the London Horticultural Society. The flowers 


WEW AND RARE PLANTS. i1l5 


ave of a fine red colour, an inch and @ half long. Gesnera in compliment to 
€. Gesner, a celebrated Botanist. 


13. LACHENALIA PALLIDA, Var. Cerulescens. Blue-flowering pallid La- 
chenalia. (Bot. Reg. 1945.) A native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it 
occupies the situation as that of the blue- bells and squills of the European 
countries. The flower spike is about five inches long, each flower nearly as 
large as a common blue-bell, of a light-blue colour. Lachenalia from—— 


14. Lauia anceps, Var. Berkeriana. Mr. Barker’s variety. (Bot. Reg. 
1947.) Orchidacee, Gynandria Monandria. It is a striking variety of Lela 
anceps, it differs however in the petals being much narrower, but much the 
same size as the sepals. The middle lobe of the lip is narrower and sharper. 
The sepals and petals are of a beautiful lilac colour, much like Cattleya la- 
biata. Each flower is about four inches across. The Lahbellum is of a dark 
crimson red colour, with the inside white and striped, ‘The plant is a native 
of Mexico, imported by Messrs. Lowe, & Co., Clapton Nursery. It has 
ploomed in the collection of George Barker, Esq,, Birmingham. 


15, Limnanrues Doverasst1, Mr. Douglas’s Limnanthes. (Brit. Flow. 
Gard. 378.) Limnanthee. Decandria Monogynia. This family appears to 
hold an intermediate station between Geraniacez, and Tropeolee. It is a 
hardy annual, thriving best in a soil composed of peat and loam. The stem 
of the plant rises about nine inches high, branched, flowering freely, each 
blossom being about an inch and a half across. The lower half of the flower 
of a bright yellow, the upper half white. Altogether being pretty. Limnan- 
thes, from limen, a lake, and anthos a flower. Alluding to its habits. 


16. MonocuanTHI ET MYANTHI, ORISTATI PROLFS BIFORMIS. Orchidez. 
Gynandria Driandria. A plant of the Myanthus barbatus flowered in the fine 
collection at Chatsworth, and it also produced a perfect spike of Myanthus 
cristatus at the same time. A vigorous state of culture has a tendency to fayour 
the production of monstrous flowers. A gentleman, who resides in Demerara, 
states that a flower spike of Gatasetum, often has on it several distinct kinds 
of flowers. ‘The spike of bloom at Chatsworth had seven flowers of M. cri- 
status at the upper part of the spike, and seven of M. barbatus below them. 
The flowers of the former are of a greenish-yellow colour, destitute of any 
spotting with darker. Those of the latter are green spotted with red. Tho 
lip has a number of fleshy teeth projecting from the sides and end, Dr. 
Lindley states in remarks on this sportiveness in orchidez, that, ‘‘ the ne- 
cessary consequence of this in the case of M. barbatus and cristatus is, that 
the supposed genera Myanthus and Monachanthus must be restored to cata- 
setum.” And Dr. Lindley further observes, that, he has no doubt that the 
genus Mormodes must share the same fate. 


17. Oncrprum CesoteTa. Round-leayed. (Bot. Mag. 3568.) Orchidee. 
Gynandria Monandria. Synonyms Epidendrum Cabolleta. Epidendrum junc- 
cifolium, Orcidium juncifolium. Cymbidium juncifolium. Dr. Sir W. J. 
Hooker observes, “‘ that, I am not aware that the flowers had been seen in 
this country, till a fine panicle appeared in the stove of the Glasgow Botanic 
Garden, and another plant blooming in the collection of Charles Horsfall, 
Fsq., Liverpool. The plant is a native of Trinidad. The flowers are pro- 
_ duced numerously on a scape about two feet high, much branched and 

panicled. The flowers very much resemble those of Orcidium flexuosum. 
They are of a bright sulphur yellow colour, spotted with deep red, producing 
avery neat and pretty appearance, The plant deserves a place in every 
collection. 

18. PenrsreMON CREVIFLORUS. Short-flowered. (Bot Reg. 1946.) Scro- 
phularinz. Didynamia,; Angriospermia. A native of California, from whence 
it was sent to this country by the late Mr. Douglas. It is a hardy perennial, 
of delicate habit. It produces a profusion of flowers which are small, of an 
orange red outside before expanding, afterwards of a white and purple 


L16 REVIEW. 


colour. Though not as showy as many of this tribe, yet it is an interesting 
and pretty plant. 


19, TricHoceENTRUM FUSCUM. Brown-flowered. (Bot. Reg. 1951.) Orchi- 
dea. Gynandria; Monandria. Introduced into this country by Mr, Knight 
from Mexico, with whom it has bloomed in July last year: the flowere are 
small but pretty; green, white, red, and yellow intermixed. Neat and 
pretty. 


a 


REVIEW. 


The science of Botany by Hugo Reid, 24mo, pp. 103. John Reed Glasgow, 
1837. Contents, lst, Whatis a plant. 2nd, Cells and tubes. 8rd, The 
root, 4th, Thestem. 5th, Leaves. 6th, Appendages. ‘th, Nutrition. 8th, 
The flower. 9th, The fruit and seed. 10th, Propagation of plants. 11. 
Linncean method of arranging plants. 12. Natural system for classifying 
plants. This small and neat publication on the interesting science of Botany 
contains multum in parva, We think it well worth procuring—An extract 
will shew the nature of the work : 


“ Tus Srem.—The stem is an organ possessed by most plants. It grows up- 
wards from the root, gives support to the leaves, the flowers, and the fruit, 
and transmits to them the nutritious fluids absorbed in the earth. 

‘« With respect to structure, stems may be divided into three great classes 
which ’correspond with the three natural classes into which vegetables are 
divided,—Cellular, Endogenous, and Exogenous Stems. 


“CELLULAR STEMS,—These consist of a homogeneous mass of cellular 
vegetable matter, covered by a thin cuticle, Some of them are apparently 
of a fibrous texture, but are composed of elongated cells placed parallel to 
one another. Mushrooms (Fungi,) Lichens, Sea-weeds, the lower orders of 
plants, make up this class, the leading character of which is to consist of 
cellular tissue alone. The Ferns, and one or two others, have certain kinds 
of vascular tissue, but resembling this class in other respects, have generally 
been included in it, Plants of this kind are Flowerless or Cryptogamic and are 
termed Acrogenous, growing only by addition at their external points.” 


“Enpocenous StemMs.—These consist of bundles of vessels irregularly 
dispersed through cellular tissue. The Sugar-cane, Solomon’s Seal, the Lily, 
the Palm, and the Iris, have this kind of strueture, the cellular and vascular 
tissues being blended together through the entire substance of the stem. 

“Stems of this kind are called Endogenous, because the new matter by 
which they mcrease in diameter is added interiorly. Their growth is car- 
ried on by means of the thick cluster of leaves by which they are terminated 
superiorly. From them the new matter descends along the centre of the 
stem, and pushes outwards the parts first formed. The upper parts of the 
leaves pemsh having performed their functions; their bases remain, are pres- 
sed together, and form at the top the new external part of the stem. In the 
middle of the crown of leaves is the terminal bud, which is next to be deve- 
loped, rise a little above the former, become a cluster of leayes, and in its 
turn be pushed outwards by a succeeding central bud. 

‘The oldest and hardest part of such stems is that nearest to the circum- 
ference, The more the external parts are pressed by the descent of the new 
matter, the more close and compact they become, the outer parts being soon 
incapable of being much farther pushed out, and the whole being thus com- 
pressed and condensed. The prickly Pole-palm is like whalebone externally, 
and some palms are so hard there as to resist the stroke of the axe—yet 
quite soft in the centre. 

“From the mode of growth in this stem it never can attain a great thick- 
ness, the new matter having to force outwards all the previously formed mat- 
ter, which is every season increasing in quantity and becoming harder. 


REVIEW. 117 


‘*From the same cause they have no lateral buds—no branches. Buds 
(which produce branches) originate from the soft and juicy parts of the tree 
—but in endogenous trees this is surrounded by a thick hard compact casing 
through which the buds cannot penetrate. Their only branches are; the 
splendid crown of leaves which proceeds from their one bud at the summit, 

“Hence the peculiar form of the palm trees, which present so striking a 
feature in the scenery of tropical climes, and form such a contrast with the 
trees in more temperate latitudes ; raising a narrow unbranched stem often 
to a height of about 150 feet, crowned by a magnificent cluster of leaves 
many feet in length bending elegantly outwards, and presenting altogether 
one of the most graceful objects which can adorn a landscape. From their 
great height, which renders them tottering, and their manner of growth, 
which causes them in time to become hard and compressed, even in the cen- 
tre, so that they cannot transmit juices from the root, er new wood from the 
leaves—the age of Palms is limited—perhaps not exceeding two or three 
centuries at the utmost, 

* Plants with endogenous stems have only one cotyleden (lobe) in the seed 
(hence called monocotyledonous,) and have leaves with veins proceeding in 
simple lines from the base to the summit, not forming a net-work as in the 
leaves of the Lime tree, Cabbage, Primrose, &c- Contrast, in this respect, 
the plants just mentioned with the grasses, onion or lilly tribe. 


‘‘Exocenous Srems.—The third class of stems consists of those in which 
are obseryed concentric layers of vascular tissue, arranged symmetrically 
round a central column of cellular tissue, intersected by rays of cellular tis- 
sue proceeding from the centre towards the circumference, and enclosed by 
a hollow cylinder of bark, : ; 

“ The Epidermis or Cuticle—The epidermis is a thin membrane, resembling 
much the cuticle of animals, and extending over the whole plant. It is des- 
cribed as consisting of a layer of fine membrane provided with pores, and 
covering a sort of cellular net-work, These pores open by an oval aperture, 
surrounded by a small prominence (which is supposed to open or shut the 
apperture as circumstances may require, ) into the cellular net-work, in which 
the vessels terminate. On the leaf the cuticle is a very important organ. 

‘« These pores or stomata give free passage to moisture. They are found 
only on parts exposed to the air, and which evaporate freely. Roots, fleshy, 
fruits, and seeds, and those parts of aquatic plants which are submersed, are 
destitue of stomata. 

‘““The cuticle is supposed to protect the parts underneath from the too 
direct action of air and water, to prevent too great evaporation of the fluids, 
It affords little protection from heat or cold, except when covered by a thick 
hair or wool as in the Great Mullein. On the trunks of the Fir, the Plane, 
the Oak, and other trees, the office of the cuticle seems to be performed by 
dead layers of bark, or of herbaceous integument, which are pushed out- 
wards, having performed the functions for which they were made. 

‘In forest trees and in the larger shrubs, the bodies of which are firm 
and of strong texture, it is of little importance, except in the young and 
tender state of the plant ; but in the reeds, the grasses, canes, and the plants 
having hollow stalks, it is of great use, and is exceedingly strong ; and by 
the microscope, seems to be composed of a grassy net-work, which is princi- 
pally siliceous earth. This is the case in the Wheat, in the Oat, in different 
species of Equisetum, and above all in the Rattan, the epidermis of which 
contains a sufficient quantity of flint to give light when struck by steel. The 
siliceous epidermis serves as a support, protects the bark from the action of 
insects, and seems to perform a part in the economy of these feeble vege- 
table tribes, similar to that performed in the animal kingdom by the sell of 
the crustaceous insects. I have ascertained, by experiment, that siliceous 
earth generally exists in the epidermis of the hollow plants, 


To be Continued, 


118 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


PART Hl. 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES, 


On Bow's Suwarrow PinkK—Could you or any of your pink growing 
friends inform me the best method of growing Bow’s Suwarrow Pink in order 
to ayoid disease, I selected it from different collections last year, and I 
have lost them all again; I may here remark that I have grown it in rich 
and poor soil, but I cannot keep it more than one year. - ua 


On CanapiAn Porzar and Doticnos.—Can you or any of your corre- 
spondents, kindly inform me of the proper method and season for propagating 
the Canadian poplar, or what I consider such; a tall branching tree, having 
leaves, larger thana man’s hand, and which produces no suckers. 

Also how to produce flowers on a Dolichos (of which I am ignorant of the 
specific name,) the flowers are pink, and about the size of anthylis yulnaria, 
(Jady’s finger) which 1 raised from seed five or six years ago, and have kept 
ina pot. Does it require arich soil, and will it bear to have the earth 
much shaken from the roots in repotting ? F. S. 


On tHE CuLTIvaATION or THE GENUS PassirLorA.—I shall be much ob- 
liged if you or any of your correspondents can inform me of the best method 
of cultivating the genus Passiflora in their seyeral departments, in order to 
ensure an early bloom from young plants, and also as regards their subse- 
quent management. A Constant READER. 


On tHE FLOWERS OF THE CAMILLIA FALLING OFF BEFORE EXPANDING.— 
Having anumber of plants which often going through the regular process 
generally recommended, such as potting, mtroducing into heat to moisten 
and to mature their buds, afterwards being set in a shady situation out 
of doors during the summer and autumn; when taken into the greenhouse, 
the buds keep frequently dropping off, so that at the time of flowering, in- 
stead of having several dozen blooms upon a plant, I am disappointed in not 
having more than one dozen, and in some cases, not one flower—To be in- 
formed through the medium of the Cabinet in what part of the process I am 
deficient will greatly oblige an AMATEUR. 


On Wisterta SinENSis—Haying several plants of the Wisteria Sinensis 
planted in different situations in my garden which grow vigorously but do 
not blossom, I shall be glad to be informed through the pages of the Cabinet, 
by you or any of your correspondents of a successful method to make them 
bloom.—I shall very likely favour you with answers to these queries my- 
self, A SUBSCRIBER. 


ANSWERS. 


On Dovusie Frowerine Crarkia.—Through you in answer to Mr. King of 
Black Heath, relative to the ANNUAL, Double flowering Rose coloured Clarkia 
which he notices in my advertisement in the Cabinet, few I presume, more than 
Mr. K. having heard of it before I advertised it, though I have had it these 
last two years, it was imported and flowered at the Nursery of Messrs Rivers 
Jast summer, where it was very much, and in my humble opinion, justly ad- 
mired, for being greatly superior to any of the other varieties in point of 
[ome The majority of plants, having had flowers, that were strictly speaking, 
double. 

Being satisfied that even those that came single, were more beautiful than 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 119 


the old varieties, I put ‘ fine” after it in the Cabinet, which I would not have 
done for the sake of sale in preference to give an opinion on any thing which 
experience would not afterwards fully verify. As Mr. King anticipates it will 
be a very great acquisition to the flower garden; should Mr. King or any other 
of your readers require further information, I would refer them to Messrs. 
Rivers of Sawbridgeworth, who I think would give a better description of it, 
than your obedient servant, J. KERNAN. 
4, Great Russell Street, Covent Garden, London, 


A List oF suPERB Geraniums.—Thinking that a list of the best Gera- 
niums might be useful to some of your readers, I herewith send you the 
annexed list of thirty of the best kinds that were let out last year. 


Bella Donna Miss Sophia 
Bellissima Miss Annesley 
Coriolanus Nosegay 
Commemeration Perfection 
Constance Pulcherimum Novum 
Curate Queen Bess 
Diomede Qneen of Beauties 
Emperor of the West Queen of Pixies 
General Washington Rosinant 
Indian Chief Roxana 
Lady Denbigh Sir John Broughton 
Layingtoniensis Speculum Mundi 
Lord Hill Squaw 
Maid of Athens The Gem 
Miranda The Wonder 
The above may be purchased of an nurseryman either in town or coutry 
5s to 21s. They are really good said inieta have an extensive cultivation, e 
March, 14th 1837. A Lover or FLowers. 
a ee eee 
REMARKS, 


ON ROSES, PINKS, &c, 


Whenever Roses or any other shrubs are infested with blights, take sul- 
phur and tobacco dust in equal proportions, and strew it over the trees in the 
morning, when the dew is on; and when the insects disapper then wash the 
tree with a decotion of Elder leaves. 

Whenever you want to raise any plants from cuttings (except those that 
are perfectly hardy, let there be a mixture of drift sand in the mould, as this 
will assist their striking, always remembering that a hand-glass put over 
them will be more likely to ensure success, They should be shaded from 
the mid-day sun; but the mat should be removed when the sun is off, as they 
should have plenty of light. 

To draw off any imperfect spots in Pinks or Carnations, put a small 
glass on the flower-stick which will remoye them in a few days. 

Before you plant Ranunculuses, the roots should be laid on a damp flannel 
to swell; and shake over the bulbs a little dry sand, before they are covered 
with the mould. 

If Greenhouse plants, are in a room, and the weather is very severe, set 
a pail of water near them at night, or burning two or three rush lights will : 
often preserve them from frost, 

Double Colchicums and Crocuses should remain in the ground two years. 

Old Pink roots best to save seed from, 

To drive away rats, use sulphur steeped in water; and if they or worms 
infest gravel walks, strew the walks over with salt, and then water them. 

To Destroy Snaits,—Place tiles about the garden in a hollow direction. 


120 VMISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 


They will get wnder them in the night, and in the morning you may destroy 
them. 

Remove Rose Trees in February, to make them blow late ; or cut some of 
the buds off, which will answer the same purpose. 

To preserve the choice bulbs, cover them over, in severe weather, with old 
tan, or coal ashes, 

When flowers are withering in a flower-pot, plunge about one-third of the 
stems into boiling water, and by the time the water is cold they will revive ; 
then cut off the ends and put them into cold water with alittle nitre, and they 
will keep fresh for several days, : 

Sow all seeds shallow; and if they are small, such as Poppies, Venus’ 
looking-glass, &c. they should be sown yery thin, or the plants will not thrive. 

Hoe and sow in the dry, and plant in the wet ; this will generally ensure 
the crop, and. what is planted out will be much more likely to grow. 

oe and Flowers should never be planted deep, as they will not thrive so 
well. 

Neyer put plants in too large pots, as they generally run to roots and 
stalks, but seldom blow well. 

It is a good method to put oyster-shells round the plants in pots in the sum- 
mer, as they will not require so much water, and will keep the surface cool. 

No Plants (but especially tender ones) should be watered when the sun is 
upon them, as it often turns the leaves yellow, and injures the plants. 

- Water in the evening from the latter end of May to the latter end of Au- 
gust, and afterwards in the morning, as we often have frosts the begining of 
September. 

In the winter plunge pots up to the rim in tan or ashes to preserve the 
plants from the frosts. 

Hardy Greenhouse Plants should be kept chiefly in the shade during the 
summer months, but never under the droppings of trees. Air is of conse- 
quence to all plants, so that they should be placed where they can have"plenty 
of it, though not so exposed as to be injured by high winds. : 

If you wish for Roses at Christmas, select from your Rose Trees such buds 
as are just ready to blow; tie apiece of thread round the stalk of each. 
You must take care not to touch the bud with your hand, or even the stalk 
any more than you can avoid, Cut it carefully from the tree, with the stalk 
two or three inches in length. Melt some sealing-wax, and quickly apply it 
to the end of the stalk. The wax should be only as warm as to be ductile. 
Form a piece of paper into a cone-like shape, wherein place the Rose ; screw 
it up carefully, so as to exclude the air from it; do so by each; then put 
them all into a box, and the box into a drawer, all of which is intended to 
keep them from the air. On Christmas day, or any other day in winter take 
them out, and cut off the ends of the stalks, place them in a flower-pot with 
lukewarm water. In two or three hours they will blow as in summer, retaining 
all their grateful fragrance. 

Whenever you want to transplant any Flower Roots in the summer season, 
make it a rule to do it in the cool of the evening, and give them all a little 
water ; if this plan is not adopted, the sun will spoil them. 

To destroy Earwigs, place the bowls of tobacco pipes on the tops of the 
flower-sticks, and you will find them in the morning in the bowl; turn them 
into a bason of water, and put the bowls on the sticks again. 

A SuBSTITUTE FoR BOG EartH.—Take a quantity of earth from a common 
about a foot deep with the turf; mix this with rotten dung, part horse and 
part cow, with a portion of mould from a hollow tree, and a portion of drift 
sand ; let these materials be well mixed together, and lay for several months 
before it is used, turning it once a week or a fortnight. 

The best soil for Carnations and Pinks is a large proportion of good rich 
loam, mixed well with an old melon bed, a little cow dung, and a small por- 
tion of drift sand. 

Extracted from an useful Treatise on Flowers recently published by J, Wil- 
latts, Esq. (see review in Cabinet, for 1836.) 


Ou 


Lille 


Y 


pone 
Of Selita, 


r ist 
TarKin 


THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


JUNE Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


REMARKS ON THE TREATMENT OF ORCHIDEOUS PLANTS, 
BY EPIPHYTES. 
{ am glad the subject of the culture of Orchideous Epiphytes has 
been again taken up in your Magazine, and being much pleased 
with the communication of ‘‘ A Three Year’s Practitioner,” I hope 
he will take the trouble to enter into a little more detail. In 
the first place I would ask, does he consider that his plants suf- 
fered in the winter when in the vinery, on account of their dis- 
tance from the glass, or was it not rather in consequence of the 
dry heat of the flue? It would be well if he would describe some- 
what more at length the construction of the house he purposely 
erected for their reception, as to its height in front and back, and 
also at the ridge, and whether it stands east or west with a few 
particulars as to the size of pipes, boiler, and the total area of 
the heating surface, as a guide to those wishing to erect similar 
structures. Are we to understand that the pots of plants are 
only placed upon, and not placed amongst the moss, and that 
the soil in the pots is not watered, but left to imbibe moisture 
from it? From the latter part of the paper one would infer that 
bottom heat was of great advantage in the successful cultivation 
of these plants, and I should be glad to have your correspon- 
dent’s thoughts on the subject and whether or not any particular 
species do better on the ribbed trellis, where, unless moisture 
is supplied by the pipes being open, they must be exposed to an 
VOL. V. N 


122 LIST OF NEW AND BEST FLOWER SEEDS. 


ascending current of dry hot air, An account of the mode of 
ventilation would be acceptable, andas the degree of moisture 
is amost essential point with the Ochidece, any data furnished 
from observations, made both during the seasons of growth and 
repose, with either Leslie’s (which is decidedly the best and 
least troublesome in gardening operations) or Daniel’s hygro- 
meter would contribute much to their successful treatment. In 
using the sphagnum is it mixed with the potsherds, or a layer 
of it placed in the pot? I should fear that the moss on or in which 
the pots are placed would greatly encourage those pests the 
onisci or wood-lice, which make such havock of the tender 
tips of the young roots, but perhaps some mode of remedy- 
ing the evil has presented itself to the writer, as he does 
not allude to it at all. Would not sand or ashes be a good 
substitute for the moss, and afford less shelter to the onisci? 
Many other matters relative to the management of these plants _ 
will naturally suggest themselves to your correspondent, such as 
the season of re-potting, and the preparation of the plants for 
undergoing that operation, and by treating the subject more at 
Yength, I doubt not he will greatly oblige many of your readers 


besides. EPIPHYTE, 
ARTICLE II. 
A LIST OF THE BEST NEW SORTS OF FLOWER SEEDS, &c. &c. 
BY W.C.R. 


Tr being now about the time for sowing or planting out all kinds 
of flower seeds, I herewith hand youa list of what in my opinion 
is the best of the new sorts of flower seeds, should you think it 
worthy insertion, I have no doubt but it will be of some service 
to amateur floriculturists and persons who are in the habit of 
buying all the new kinds of flower seeds, All the kinds I have 
quoted are real good sorts, and every one who grows flowers 
ought to have them forthwith (if they have not already got them.) 
All the sorts can be purchased of any respectable town or coun- 
try nurseryman at from 6d. to 2s. Gd. per packet. Those sorts to 
which an asterisk is prefixed are either the newest, the dearest, 
the scarcest, or the best. 


Adlumea scandens Amaranthus giganteus 
Agrostemma coronaria Asclepias nivea 


LIST OF NEW AND BEST FLOWER SEEDS. 123 


* Baftonia aurea 
Blumenbactia insignis 
Calendrina discolor 
mo ccecsve Gisticha 
Campanula lorei 
* Catananche bicolor 
Catulla aurea 
«+eee- Coronopifolia 
Chelone diffusa 
* Clarkia elegans rosea 
seescccesese grandiflora 
Clintonia elegans 
Collinsia bicolor 
Coreopsis elegans 
eeeree. bicolor 
Collomea coccinea 
* Didiscus Coeruleus 
Dianthus atrorubens 
Dolichos purpureus 
* Tutoca viscida 
Fumaria spicata 
Gilia tricolo 
aeeeceee...new alba 
«eee Achilleefolia 
* Godetia rubicunda 
Heliophila araboides 
Humea elegans 
Hunnemania fumarifolia 
Isotoma acillaris 
Iberis coronaria 


* Tpomopsis pecta 
eeeseeeeee elegans 
Jacabeea, new, yellow 

* «2.2222 double white 

* Leptesiphon androsaceus 
* seee soos » Censiflorus 
Malope grandiflora 

¥ ccc es cereccecee nEW alba 
Nemophila insignis 
eeeees. - phaceloides 
eseeeees. aurita 

Nolana atriplicitifolia 
Phacelia tenacetifolia 
*Phlox Drummondi 
Platystemon californicum 
Podolepis gracillis alba 

* Rhodanthe manglesii 
Sanvitalia procumbens 
Scabious, new, mottled 

* Schizanthus Grahamii 


*® yeeeeeee.. pricstil 


eeeeeeee... pinnata humilis 

* .eeceeee.. Versustus 
Streptocarpus rheaii 
Thunbergia alata 

* Trachymene Ccerulea 
Tropeolum tricolor 

es eeeceecee Shillinghi 
Wallflower, new, French striped 
Zoegea leptaurea 


Some of the sorts as named above are not very new nor are 
they very old, but they are all considered first rate sorts. There 
are also a great many new varieties of some of the older flowers, 
such as Clarkia, Anagallis, German Aster, Russian Stocks, Cam- 
panula, Centaurea, Delphinum, Franchoa, Lobelia, Lupinus, Ni- 
erembergia, Penstemon, Potentilla, Salpiglossus, Zimia, &c. &e. 
which every amateur which has a good garden ought to have. 


April 22d 1837. 


W.C. R. 


ee 


ARTICLE Il. 
ON A CHEAP AND USEFUL METHOD OF FUMIGATING PLANT- 


HOUSES, &c. 


BY A YOUNG AMATEUR. 


I beg to offer a few remarks on a cheap and useful method of 
fumigating houses, which I think will prove acceptable te some 


124 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. 


of your readers. Some short time ago I was troubled very much 
with the green fly in my Geranium house, tobacco smoke being a 
very good thing to destroy them, I was at a loss how to use it, not 
having any fumigating bellows. However, in a few days, in lieu of 
this, I hit upon a successful method. I got a flower pot about three 
inches in diameter, and made a hole in the side of it about an 
inch from the bottom of the pot. I then filled the bottom of the 
pot with red hot cinders, upon which I put the tobacco, which 
of course lighted. To the hole in the side of the pot I applied 
the nose of a common pair of bellows, which caused the tobacco 
to burn equally as well, if not better, than with the fumigating 
bellows. In order to geta good volume of smoke, I make the 
tobacco quite damp, which the red hot cinders are sure to set on 
fire. The above experiments I have tried and found to answer ex- 
ceedingly well. 


ARTICLE IV. 


ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS (ERICAS) FROM SEEDS 
BY A FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY. 

I am glad to observe that this very highly interesting genus of 
plants is again becoming extensively cultivated. I think too 
upon a more successful system of management than was prac- 
tised. a dozen years back. I herewith forward the mode of 
management I have pursued, with the greatest success. 

Propacatine Ericas.—This very interesting and numerous 
genus is best cultivated in a house dedicated exclusively for 
themselves; and where such is the case, such house is known 
by the appellation of heath-house or heathery, and to be com- 
plete should contain from about two hundred and fifty to three 
hundred species, which will afford a considerable share of bloom 
throughout the year. Heaths are comparatively of late introduc- 
tion for we find that in Miller’s time, few were known, and those 
only of the hardy kinds: none of the Cape species being at that 
time imtroduced. To His late Majesty George the Third we 
are considerably indebted for the introduction of this charming 
genus of plants. 

That monarch, at his private expence, sent Mr. Mason, a 
most assiduous collector, two voyages to Africa, for the almost 
express purpose, and by his exertions,- the first collection of 


ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. 125 


Ericas in this country was formed. The late venerable Mr. 
James Lee, in company with Mr. Kennedy, of the Hammer- 
smith nursery, may be looked upon as the first professional 
characters who embarked in this speculation, and their col- 
lection was looked upon as unrivalled in Europe. These were not 
only the first commercial collections formed, but there also the 
mode of culture first devised, which has been the means of dis- 
seminating them throughout Europe, chiefly under the manage- 
ment and direction of our late ingenious, although unfortu- 
nate friend, Cushing. Subsequent collectors have added 
considerably to this genus; and although last but not least, that 
indefatigable young botanist, Bowie, who not only visited Africa 
with a view to discover new species, but also to draw conclu- 
sions from their natural habits, to enable us to improve their cul- 
ture; and from the observations made by him, and freely com- 
municated to us as well as to others, there is no doubt, that had 
he survived his second journey, this genus, which hitherto has 
been considered difficult to propagate and cultivate, would have 
been much improved by his valued observations. A genus so 
interesting, and we may say, so long fashionable, must neces- 
sarily have attracted the attention of home cultivators; and from 
the profusion of flowers which most of the species produce, and 
their parts of generation being for the most part so perfect, we 
need not be surprised at the many hybrides which the care or 
curiosity of the cultivator has produced. To the valuable ex- 
ertions of the Hon. and Rev. W. Herbert, we are primarily in- 
debted for many plants of this description; and from his paper 
on this subject, in the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, 
we are led to infer, that this promiscuous impregnation goes on 
to a considerable extent at the Cape, where millions of them must 
be in flower at the same time. 

Heaths, like most other plants, propagate themselves from 
seed, although most of them cultivated in this country have 
hitherto been originated from cuttings; few from layers, and so 
far as we know, none have been propagated by grafting, or si- 
milar processes. A considerable portion of them ripen their 
seeds with us, and there are annual importations of seeds from 
the Cape. Those seeds ripened in this country vegetate most 
readily ; whilst those imported are often too old, or sometimes 
injured, before they reachus. As those imported generally reach 
us in winter, they should be sown early in spring ; indeed some 


126 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS 


cultivators advise their being sown immediately after their ar- 
rival; but we have hitherto found, that if sown too soon, that is, 
in February or the beginning of March that they do not vegetate 
so quickly, and, in consequence, many of the seeds are rotted : 
for it is a maxim that should never be lost sight of in the culture 
of this tribe, which is, that artificial heat should never be em- 
ployed, excepting in some cases of slow growing kinds, that may 
require a slight heat to draw the young shoots out to a sufficient 
length for the purpose of cutting; but even in this case, they sel- 
domer they are so excited, the better. 

Artificial heat, therefore, is injurious to the process of origi- 
nating heaths from seeds; we, therefore, in our own practice, as 
well as from observation of that of others, prefer the latter end 
of March or beginning of April for sowing these seeds; the na- 
tural warmth of the season then is sufficient to stimulate vegeta- 
tion, and the young tender plants so originated have not the 
chance of being destroyed by damp cloudy weather, which we 
often experience in spring, and which would be of the utmost 
injury to them in their young state. Where extensive collect- 
tions of plants are kept up, and in all large nurseries, there is 
generally a seed-house, that is, one expressly dedicated for the 
rearing of plants from seeds; such houses are generally low, 
having a northern aspect, as is the case in the Hammersmith and 
other nurseries. 

Cultivators, who have but few seeds requiring such a structure, 
-content themselves, therefore, with a good garden frame and 
glasses; and as such is portable, it can be placed where it is 
either shaded from the meredian sun, or great care taken in 
shading it artificially. The situation of such a frame should be 
both dry and airy, for damp would be extremely injurious to the 
young plants. Pots should be prepared for the seeds, of ordinary 
sizes, but those known as seed-pots are to be preferred; they are 
broad and shallow, which admits of a considerable surface for the 
seed to be sown on, and of being rendered perfectly dry at 
bottom. Great care should be taken in draining them, for al- 
though the surface will require to be kept pretty moist, still no 
impediment must be left whereby the superabundant moisture 
would be prevented from passing freely off. The directions given 
for draining cutting-pots will be, if acted upon, sufficient for this 
purpose. The mould upon which the seeds of heaths are’ sown, 
should be of the sort called peat-earth, having naturally a con- 


: 
‘ 


ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. ene 71 


siderable portion of fine white shining sand in it, or, if deficient 
in this material, it should be added to it by the cultivator. 

As the seeds are very small, the mould for this purpose, to the 
thickness of an inch and a half, should be sifted very fine, and 
the surface of the mould in the pot rendered smooth and level 
with a small circular piece of wood, say of three inches diameter, 
having a nail driven into the centre of its upper surface, by which 
the operator can use it to much greater advantage. Upon the 
surface so prepared, the seeds should be thinly sown regularly all 
over it, and covered with the same kind of mould to the thick- 
ness of one-eighth of an inch, more or less, according to the size 
of the seeds, as some are larger than others. The pots so sown 
should be then placed upon the platform in the seed-house, or 
upon a floor (if in frames) of finely-sifted coal-ashes, and after 
being gently watered with a very fine rose watering-pot, be 
shaded from the sun. This shading must be continued constantly 
on during sun-shine, until the plants be from half an inch to an 

‘inch high; afterwards it must be gradually removed to harden 
them by degrees, to fit them for potting off into separate pots. 
Some cultivators place bell or hand-glasses over the seed-pots 
when sown, and when such can be spared, they may be with 
some propriety used, For five or six weeks, the surface of the 
mould must never be allowed to become dry, but be daily ex- 
amined, at the end of which time, the seeds may be expected to 
have vegetated. When such is the case, the bell or hand-glasses 
should be gradually removed, first by being lifted up about a 
quarter of an inch, and in increasing this air, until entirely re- 
moved. Some seeds of course do not vegetate so soon as others, 
therefore the pots should be still carefully attended to; but if 
after three months, or little more, all hope of their vegetating 
may be given up. Plants, so originated, will be about the middle 
or end of September in a fit state to plant out into thumb or 
thimble pots, as they are called, and which are the smallest sizes 
that are made. 

Heaths which ripen their seeds in this country, should be sown 
as soon as they are ripe, provided this does not occur after the 
first of September; such as ripen afterwards (and several do so) 
had better be kept packed up in paper till the following April, 
when they may be sown as above directed. Plants originated at 
this time will be sufficiently strong by autumn to pot off; and it is 
even better then to pot off such as are very small, than allow 


128 ON PROPAGATING THE CAPE HEATHS. 


them to stand in the seed-pots all winter. It is perhaps not easily 
accounted for, but plants stand the winter better when potted off 
in autumn in single pots, than if they were to remain in the seed 
or cutting-pots all winter; and the same rule holds good in regard 
to potting off cuttings propagated at any period of the year 
when quite young, that is, immediately after they have com- 
menced making roots. This is not perhaps generally known, at 
least it is not always acted upon, as many persons, from an idea 
that the plants will become strong and better rooted, defer too 
long the process off potting off, and, in consequence, lose both 
time and many oftheir plants. It may, perhaps, not be quite out 
of place here to observe, that such seedlings or cuttings as have 
originated in the fine white sand of cultivators, should have their 
roots completely cleared of it before they are potted in their 
natural mould; for although most plants emit roots in that sand, 
it becomes injurious to many of them after they quit their 
cutting or seed state. Directions for propagating by cuttings 
have been already amply detailed, to render a recurrence to that 
process here unnecessary. 

We may here however remark, that this family are less annoyed 
by insects than most other exotic plants, still they are not entirely 
exempt; for that destroying insect, the green fly of gardeners, 
sometimes attacks the heath, and as it is found impatient of the 
usual remedy, tobacco smoke, the best cultivators dip the plant, 
or parts infected, in a decoction of tobacco liquor. Mildew 
sometimes attacks the heath; but this, like the cause of its ap- 
pearance in all other cases, must be owing to damp or stagnation 
of air. To remedy this evil, has not always been found an easy 
task; indeed, we recollect, about two years ago, to have seen 
nearly the whole collection of this family in the nursery of a cul- 
tivator, who is allowed to be one of the best in the neighbourhood 
of London, nearly destroyed by it. Free ventilation and a dry 
atmosphere seem the basis of a certain cure, and the application 
of flour of sulphur dusted on the plants, or put on them in form 
of paste, may be considered. as effectual in removing the evil. 


ae 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA, 129 


ARTICLE V. 


ON THE CULTURE OIF THE CAMELLIA. 
BY CLERICUS, 


Tue Camellia, is justly esteemed one of the finest, if not actually 
the finest, of our exotics, and indeed, there are few of the beau- 
teous denizens of the greenhouse and conservatory, that can lay 
equal claim to our attention. Unlike most of its compeers, this 
lovely genus, at all seasons, whether it be in blossom or not, 
excites our admiration. During the summer and early winter 
months, we are pleased with its bold and elegant form, and with 
the deep glossy hue of its beautiful foliage ; whilst from Christ- 
mas to May, the various varieties delight and charm by their fine 
and showy flowers, of white, buff, striped, and red, of every 
shade, from the deep crimson to the soft tint of the maiden’s 
blush. The Camellia may in truth be called, “ the most beautiful 
of the beautiful,” for what, in the whole range of our exotic flora, 
is more beautiful than a fine specimen of the Old Double White, 
having, perhaps, one or two dozens of splendid blossoms fully ex- 
panded? or what more delicate than the bloom of C. sasanqua, 
now called C. malifiora? The Old Single Red, C. japonica ap- 
pears to have been introduced into England, in the year 1739; 
and according to Messrs. Chandler and Booth’s Camellie, the 
Old Double White was brought to England in 1792, by Sir John 
Slater, of the East India House, and the Old Double Red, import- 
ed in 1794, by Sir Robert Preston, of Vallyfield; since which 
time many fine varieties have been imported from China, and 
many fine seedlings have also been raised in this country, within 
the last few years, more particularly at the Vauxhall Nursery. The 
names of one hundred and fifty, or one hundred and eighty varie- 
ties, might now be collected from the various catalogues of the 
London nurserymen, but nearly two-thirds are unworthy of no- 
tice, and many are mere repetitions of each other. - ‘ 

Stocks, upon which to inarch, graft, or bud, the double sorts, 
are obtained from cuttings of the Single Red: the cuttings may be 
taken at any period, after the wood of the present year is ripe. 
They should be planted in pots of fine white sand, about forty or 
fifty cuttings to a pot of eight inches in diameter ; the pots should 
be well drained, being nearly half filled with pieces of broken 


pot. Two or three leaves should be left upon each eutting, at 
VoL. Vv. ty) 


130 ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. 


least, no more must be removed than is absolutely necessary to 
allow of the cuttings being firmly fixed in the sand. After the - 
pots are filled they should be placed in a shady part of the green- 
house for five or six weeks, and then, if convenient, they should 
be plunged in a gentle hotbed ;—a bark bed will do, but not quite 
sowell. By their, thus, having bottom heat, they will strike root 
in one half the time they would do, if left in the house. As soon 
as rooted they should be potted off into small pots, and after- 
wards kept, if possible, in a hotbed or hothouse, where they will 
make fine strong wood, and be fit for use in fifteen or eighteen 
months. 

Inarching, or grafting by approach, is generally resorted to 
for the propagation of the Double Camellias, and not unfrequently, 
grafting or budding. The former is by far the safest, and may be 
performed during the summer and autumn, after the ripening of 
the wood, or early in spring, before the plants begin to grow. 
The scions may be cut from the parent plants in about eight weeks. 
There is no necessity to use clay in the operation of inarching, 
but if independent grafting be resorted to, clay must be used, and 
the wood must be quite ripe. The method called side-grafting 
is usually followed, but the tongue, if any, must be very small ; 
in inarching, care must be taken not to eut the stock or scion 
too deep. The grafted and budded plants, as soon as the opera- 
tions of insertion and claying are finished, should be kept under 
a hand-glass in the greenhouse, or ina cold frame, until the scion 
or bud has’ grown for the first time, and not till then, can the 
heads of the stocks be cut off, without great risk of failure, be- 
cause an exuberance of sap is thus thrown into the scions or buds, 
before they are established to receive it without injuwy,—just as 
too great a supply of nutriment injures the infant of the human 
race. Nor should the ligatures or clay be removed before that 
time, (these and the foregoing remarks are also applicable to 
the young inarched plants) after which, all the plants should 
have their tops nipped off, to two or three buds, or they may be 
removed by inarching or grafting them, if it be wished to increase 
the stock of the variety ; but unless one of these precautions be 
followed, the plants will very probably run up with a single stem, 
and instead of being bushy and pyramidal, will be loose and ram- 
bling, and must eventually be cut down. The young plants after 
being thus decapitated, should be treated if possible, in the same 
manner as recommended above for the young stocks, viz. to be 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. 131 


kept in a gentle hotbed, or kept in a cool part of the hothouse, 
they will soon becomie fine plants ; but if any are still inclined 
to be of a straggling growth, their side-shoots should be shorten- 
ed. No plant bears the knife better than the Camellia ; and here I 
would recommend to those of your readers who have large 
and ugly grown plants, to prune them freely, repot them, and 
then place them in a little heat of some kind; and however old 
the wood may be which is left, it will soon be covered with young 
shoots. 

The general management of the Camellia, is simple and easy; 
the chief points are to protect it from the scorching sun, and to 
prevent its roots from matting round the sides of the pot. 
Should it be exposed during the spring and summer, to the in« 
fluence of the sun, the deep dark green of its foliage soon fades, 
and is followed by a sickly yellow hue, therefore I would recom- 
mend, that from the beginning of April to the middle of Sep- 
tember, the plants should be wholly shaded from the sun, or at 
least, exposed only to the early morning sun ;—if this recommen- 
dation be once followed, it will never afterwards be neglected. 
However, in recommending that the Camellia should be pro- 
tected from the sun, I do not advise that it should be deprived of 
dight; yet it is worthy of remark, that even during the winter 
months, this plant will thrive in the darkest parts of the green= 
house and conservatory, where most others would soon be de- 
stroyed. Except, during the growing season, when a liberal 
supply of water should be given, the Camellia requires to be 
kept rather dry; but if the roots are allowed to become matted, 
the water will run down the sides of the pot, and escape at the- 
hole at the bottom, without penetrating the ball of the earth, the 
roots will be impoverished, and will not imbibe a sufficiency of 
moisture for the support of the plant, and the first symptoms of 
this willbe the sudden dropping of the leaves and buds, al- 
though they appear green and healthy; the death of the patient 
soon follows, unless the remedy be instantly applied by pruning, 
repotting, and the application of artificial heat. 

‘‘ Some cultivators grow the Camellia chiefly in peat. Messrs. 
Loddiges who have the most numerous collection of the genus, 
formerly used loam with a little sand and peat, and they are 
grown in similar soil, inthe Hammersmith nursery. Of late 
Messrs. Loddiges, find light loam alone, to answer as well, ifnot 
better, In some establishments, rotten dung is mixed with loam 


132 ON THE CULTURE OF THE CAMELLIA. 


and peat. Sweet, recommends sandy loam and peat. Henderson 
ef Woodhall; is one of the most successful: growers of the Ca- 
mellia in Scotland; his compost is.as follows;—‘‘take one part of 
light brown mould; one part of river sand, and one half part of 
rotten leaves ; mix them well together.”—(Loudon’s ‘‘ Encyclo- 
peedia of Plants,” London 1829.) For my own part I agree with 
Mr. Sweet, and use about one-third peat, and two-thirds sandy 
joam. The peat and loam should be turfy,; and ought not to be 
sifted, but chopped together with a spade, and should be rather 
coarse and lumpy ; this will secure a free circulation to the water, 
and prevent, in some measure, the mischief arising from the mat- 
ting of the roots: Mr. Sweet, has justly observed, when the 
mould is sifted, it often bakes as hard as a brick, so that it is im 
possible for the roots to get through it, 

The best time for shifting the Camellia, is during the month of 
February and the beginning of March; and if it be advisable not 
to give the plant a larger pot, it should, however, be turned out, 
and a little of the earth taken from the top, bottom, and sides of 
‘the ball, then returned, and the pot filled with a little fresh com- 
post, having first put some broken pot at the bottom. The earth 
must be removed gently from the ball, with the fingers, not a 


root taken away, unless it be dead; no cutting and parting the 


ball with the pruning-knife. In potting, they must always be 
welldrained. A top-dressing, would be of much benefit to the 
plants, if given at the time of fixing them in their domicils for the 
winter. The surface should be stirred with some instrument that 
will not injure the roots, this will keep the earth light, and pre- 
vent the moss from collecting. 

A little artificial heat, during the growing season, would make 
the plants push strong and fine shoots; and if they are again put 
into a little heat inthe month of November, it will greatly forward 
the blossoms, and they will expand finer and better than they 
might otherwise do; but in no case should the plants be kept in 
heat, during the flowering season: if so, the flowers will much 

ooner drop than they would do in the temperature of the green- 
house or conservatory, in which they would continue in full 
beauty for a considerable time. 

The Camellia, like the Orange, but ina much less degree is 
subjectto the scaly bug ; the only effectual remedy, is to pick them 
off one by one with the nail, and rub the parts affected with a 
little seft soap. The green fly will sometimes attack the young 


= 


a i 


~ 


ON THE PROPAGATION OF BALSAMS BY CUTTINGS. 133 


green wood ; here immediate smoking with tobacco, is the re- 
medy. By frequently syringing the leaves during the summer 
and washing them with a sponge, two or three times during the 
winter, the health of the plants will be improved, the attacks of 
the insects prevented, and the beauty of the foliage shown to 
more advantage. 

I have now, Gentlemen, laid before you the results of my ex- 
perience in the cultivation of this beautiful genus; and at the risk 
of being considered tedious, I have been rather minute ; but in 
a communication of this kind, elegance and conciseness, should 


give way to simplicity and clearness of detail. 
CLERICUS. 


ARTICLE VL. 
ON THE PROPAGATION OF BALSAMS BY CUTTINGS. 


BY AN AMATEUR GARDENER, 


In the month of April, 1831, I received a packet of seeds of 
the Balsam, from a scientific friend, whose son had produced 
them in the preceding year, at Madras, and forwarded to his 
father, the seeds were, to all appearance, most perfect in their 
texture, and state of maturation; and I believe, that of all I sowed, 
scarcely one failed to produce a lively and healthy plant. I sowed 
the seeds ina pot of light sandy earth; I plunged this pot in the 
earth of a melonry, which was a glazed pit, containing a bed of 
leaves, chiefly oak and beech. The pit was constructed, on three 
of its sides, of nine-inch brick work ; the fourth, that to the south 
west, having a glazed sloping light. The bottom heat of the 
leaves, might be about 80 degrees: but as a stratum of melon 
earth, full fourteen inches thick, was placed on the leaves, the 
heat at the bottom of the pot scarcely exceeded 64 degrees. 

The young plants rose, were potted out, re-potted, kept near 
the glass, and finally, kept in the open are, according to the cus- 
tomary routine; still however they evinced (with one exception 
only) not the slightest indication of producing blossom, although 
some had attained the height of three feet or more. At the close 
of the month of August I became impatient, and as I felt interest- 
ed in the final result of my exertions, I determined to try how 
far I might be successful, in an endeavour to extend the period of 
the growth of my plants into a second year, by attempting to pro- 


134 ON THE PROPAGATION OF BALSAMS BY CUTTENGS, 


pagate them by cuttings. My direct object was, as it is stated, to 
convert one of the members of the plant into a perfect vegetable 
body, possessed of roots, and capable, under auspicious circum- 
stances, of exerting its various vital functions throughout the 
winter, and finally, as I hoped, of producing perfect flowers and 
seeds in the ensuing spring. On referring to my diary, I find, that 
on the 28th of August 1831, one cutting was placed under a glass, 
such as a tumbler, or small bell«glass, This cutting was about 
three inches long; it was taken off at the axilla of a leaf, that is, 
at the angle formed between the foot-stalk of the leaf and the 
main, or other principal stem of the plant. The soil in the pot 
was composed of very light sandy loam and peat earth, and the 
pot was immersed in the mould of the melonry. This cutting 
evinced certain signs of the formation of perfect roots ; on the 
12th of September and on the 18th, four other cuttings were 
placed ina similar situation; all of them succeeded, and each 
became covered with blossoms, though it was scarcely four 
inches in height. On the’ 12th October the cutting, of August 
28th, was eleven inches high; the stem was somewhat slender, 
and drawn up, owing to the absence of sunlight, but it was furnish- 
ed with nine perfect semi-double flowers, the ground colour of 
which was a pale French-white, and this was beautifully striped 
with a deep pinkish scarlet. When I witnessed the unexpected 
result of my experiment, I communicated it in a paper addressed 
to the Horticultural Society, without delay, 

It remains only to remark, that balsams may be forced into 
flower at the close of the autumn:—that the cuttings of the young 
shoots at the axille, or angles of the leaves, of the length of two, 
three, or four inches, will almost invariably produce rooted, 
flowering plants, provided they be placed singly, an inch deep, 
in small pots of rich light earth, and then plunged in a very gentle 
bottom heat, under glass. These are horticultural facts, which I 
believe to be decidedly established; and I also consider, that in 
all probability such plants, if every flower-bud be timely removed, 
can be preserved during the winter, im a dry stove, or well-aired 
and warm greenhouse. Iam not, however, enabled to speak un- 
hesitatingly on the latter particular, because I was not, prepared 
to afford the required shelter during November, and the early 
part of December, as my house was in an unfinished state, and the 
pit in which the young plants were placed, was far too much ex- 
posed to early damps and hoar frosts. Ihave fully. succeeded, 


ON THE CULTURE OF ROSES. 135 


however, in securing a succession of other tender herbaceous and 
annual plants, by cuttings taken off in September or October; 
among which I may mention particularly, one of the Coreopsis 
tinctoria: this isnowas fine and healthy a young plant as I ever be- 
held. I only wait for a favourable opportunity of prosecuting my 
enquiries, in order to furnish that information which may enable 
other horticulturalists to extend their researches, which, if pursued 
with patience, and in a spirit of true philosophical investigation, 
may, at no remote period of time, lead to discoveries as interisting 
to the lovers of science, as they will be gratifying to those, whose 
chief object it is to add to or extend the beauties of the green- 
house and flower garden. 


ee ee ee 


ARTICLE VI. 


ON THE CULTURE OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF ROSES, 
BY AN AMATEUR 

In the many excellent observations, on the cultivation of the rose 
which have appeared, I have frequently observed that the rules, 
though most excellent in themselves, as applied to many species 
of roses, have usually been too general, and have proceeded on 
the principle of considering most species as requiring the same 
modes of treatment, while the great difference in the habits, na- 
ture, places and manner of growth, seem to me to point out im- 
portant variations in the soil, situation, and mode of cultivation 
required by many of the different species. I therefore would 
state some of the differences and places of growth, in a wild 
state, of some of the species, and the variations they seem to sug- 
gest in the culture. Though plants are greatly altered by culture 
yet they generally retain a considerable bias to the soil and situ- 
ation for which, by nature, they are formed; and it is usually 
within a certain range only, of what I would call, their natural 
habits, that they are capable of improvement by cultivation. 

In taking a cursory view of the difference, which there ap- 
pears to me, to be among some of the species of roses, I shall, to 
make myself better understood, separate the genus into five di- 
visions. 

In the first division and place Rosa, spinosissima and its varie- 
ties, the R. litea, sulphtirea, and cinnamomea which, from their 
slender shoots, small and numerous thorns, and fibrous roots 


136 ON THE CULTURE OF ROSES. 


growing very near the surface of the ground, are all, I believe, 
plants in their wild state growing upon heaths and places where 
there is but little depth of soil, and are surrounded only by plants 
of a low stature; they would seem therefore to require, to be 
planted in an airy situation, and not to need much depth 
of soil, as in their natural places of growth; they are exposed to 
the browsing of cattle, and we find them to bear much cutting and 
shortening of their shoots. 

In the second division, I include the numerous varieties of Rosa, 
provincialis, centifolia, gallica and mucdsa. The varieties of 
these species are so numerous, that this division contains the great- 
est number as weH as many ofthe most beautiful roses ; they ap- 
pear to me to be plants which, judging from their manner of 
growth, have in their natural situations to contend with high 
grasses, and other strong growing perennial plants; when over- 
_ powered by these, they, as it were, remove by sending out roots 
near the surface of the ground which, when they reach a more 
airy spot, throw up suckers, these exhaust the old plant, and form 
a new one ina better situation; the roots of this division, though 
less fibrous than those of the first, yet are so much so and grow 
so near the surface of the ground, as not to require either a 
strong or deep soil. 

The third division consists of Rosa villdsa rubiginésa, mos- 
cheta alba, damascéna, and canina: the roses of this division 
have much stronger roots than the others, and strike much deep- 
er into the earth. -The place of their growth in their wild state is 
among large, strong growing shrubs and trees: they therefore 
require a much stronger and deeper soil, and a less airy situa- 
tion than the two former divisions, and they do not need, nor bear 
so much pruning of the shoots. 

The fourth division consists of Rosa arvénsis, sempervirens 
Ranksiz, and multiflora These roses, in their natural state, trail 
along the ground, or support themselves by bushes growing near 
them, they therefore do not require a very airy situation. 

The fifth division consists of Rosa semperflérons and indica. 
The sudden and rapid way in which these roses send forth their 
shoots immediately on a change of cold to heat, points them out as 
growing in their wild state on mountains covered with snow a part 
of the year, and like other natives of such places, with rapidity, 
taking advantage of an interval of warmth to grow, bloom, and 


ripen their seed, 
An AMATEUR. 


ee 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 137 


PART IL. 
LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticcd since our last. 


1. CLEMATIS C/ERULEA, Violet Clematis, (Bot. Reg. 1955.) 
RANUNCULACEA. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 

This plant was what we saw in bloom at the splendid collection of Mr. 
Lowe of Clapton Nursery, and who informed us that its specific name was 
Azurea, under which name we figured it in the Cabinet for last year. The 
plant, when in bloom, was exhibited at the Horticultural Society meeting in 
Regent Street, and a Medal was awarded for it. It is a native of Japan. 
A free grower, and blooms profusely. It is a hardy climbing plant of great 
beauty and a valuable acquisition. 

Mr. Lowe, has recently received another af distinct species from Bel- 
gium, called bicolur, Clematis from klema a tendril, on the leaves. 


2. CRATEGUS COCCINEA, Scarlet fruited Hawthorn. [Bot. Reg. 1957 
SYNONYM. C. MACRANTHA, 


The fruit of this species is above the middle size, and of a very fine blood 
colour. The plant is found growing common about New York, in America. 


3. CYTISUS AZOLICUS, olian Cytisus. (Brit. Flow. Gard, 
LEGUMINASE. DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 

The plant is a native of the Aolian Isles, found by Professor Gussone, in 
Stromboli. Seeds of it were sent to this country from the Royal Botanic 
Garden at Naples. It is sufficiently hardy to bear the climate of this country 
if trained to a wall. The flowers are of a golden yellow colour, very 
showy. Cytisus, derived from Cythnas one of the Cyclades, where the Cytisus 
of the ancients (Medicago arborea) was originally found. 


4, ECHEVERIA RACEMOSA, Racemed Echeveria. [Bot. Mag, 


The plant is probably a native of Mexico. It flourishes freely in the green- 
house, blooming profusely in the Summer and Aatumn Months. The flowers 
are produced on a raceme which is nearly one foot long; they are of a deep 
rosy red colour, a little more than half an inch long. There are five other 
species, natives of Mexico or California, described by Candolle, and Haworth, 
Echeveria from Echevera, a Mexican botanical painter. 


5. EPIGEA REPENS VAR RUBICUNDA. [Brit. Flow, Gard. 
ERECACEZ. DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 

This very pretty variety was raised by Mr. John Milne of the Albion Road 
Nursery, Stoke Newington. It is a very pretty, dwarf, creeping shrub, pro- 
ducing abundance of rich pink coloured flowers, with white tubes. They 
are produced in small racemes, each having about five flowers upon it. I 
deserves a place in every flower garden. Epigca from epi upon, and gaia 
earth, alluding to the stems on the ground, 


6. EUTOCA VISCOSA, Charming viscosa, [Bot. Mag 
HYDROPHYLLACB#, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNTA, 

This lovely plant we have formerly noticed, but avail ourselves of ano- 

ther opportunity of recording our testimony of its merit. We have seen 

beds of it in beautiful bloom at the end of last summer. Its beauti-~ 


ful and brilliant blue blossoms, reminded us very foreibly of the spring 
VOL Y. P 


138 ' -REVIEW. 


flowered veronica chemzdrys, which adorns our banks, woods and hedges so 
profusely with a carpet of fine blue. This newspecies is a native of California, 
from whence it was sent by Mr. Douglas. Tbe plants grow about a foot high, 
producing aterminal raceme of fine blue flowers, each flower being near three 
quarters of an inch across. It deserves a place in every flower garden. 
Eutoca from eutocus fruitful, referring to the number of seeds it produces. 


7. GALPHIMIA GLAUCA. Glaucous leaved. [ Botanist. 
MALPIGHIACEZ. DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA, 


This species has been introduced from South America (Mexico we under- 
stand) by the Rev. Mr, Keen, of Leatherhead, Surry. It is an ornamental 
Greenhouse shrub, requiring a support similar to a dwarf climber. The 
flowers are of a bright yellow colour, each being about three quarters of an 
inch across, they are preduced in terminal racemes. The plaxt being of 
easy culture and blooming. freely, renders it a desirable plant for the green- 
house. Galphimia an anagram of Malpighia, a being added for the termi- 
nation, So named in compliment to Malpighia, an Italian physiologist, &c, 


REVIEW. 
Continued from p. 117. 


© From the same cause, such trees attain a great thickness and live to a 
great age. The new matter being added externally, has little resistance to 
overcome (only that of a thin bark, which is easily distended and pushed 
out) and thus there is hardly any limit to its increase in diameter, while, 
becoming only more securely fixed as it grows, and the growth going on 
between the ee and the wood almost independent of the inner parts, there 
is as little limit to the duration of the tree. In fact, each annual layer of 
alburnum and bark seems to have an independent existence—hence trees are 
often found flourishing, though quite decayed and hollow within.” 

Herpaceous or CELLULAR INTEGUMENT. This is the layer of cellular 
tissue, which lies immediately under the epidermis, and gives to the leaves 
and young stems their green colour. It forms the substance of the leaf, and 
in it the Monies effected on the sap by the atmosphere takes place. 

‘¢Lrper, Cortex, or Bark. This 1s found immediately under the herba- 
ceous integument, and consists of a vascular net-work, the spaces between 
the vessels being filled up by cellular tissue, The bark presents concentric 
layers, composed chiefly of woody fibre and cellular tissue ; and its tissue is 
easily distended and torn. There is only one layer in young shoots one year 
old. A new layer of bark is formed in each succeeding year within the old one ; 
and thus, in trees, the bark is made up of as many vascular layers as_ the 
tree is years old; the older layers being pushed outwards by the growth of 
the new layers, becoming a lifeless crust, and being often thrown off. Hence 
the bark may be called endogenous, or growing at its inner surface, 

‘In the newly formed layers of bark, the sap, which has been modified in 
the leaves by the action of the air, descends to nourish and promote the 
growth ef the plant; hence many of the valuable properties of plants are 
found in the bark, as in the oak. The outer bark serves the purpose of pro- 
tecting the new layers of wood and bark from injury, the old and hardened 
layers forming an excellent protection from external violence. 

_ * The bark, being the part in which the sap descends to supply the plant, 
is essential for its increase. If part of the bark be removed from a tree all 
round, so as to leave the wood bare, the part beneath will not grow, the 
medium by which the nutritious fluids were conveyed te it having been re- 
moved, and the tree will ultimately perish. A graft will not take if its bark 
be not in contact with that of the tree in which it is inserted ; and a branch 
ye take root when surrounded with earth, if the part be deprived of 
its bark. a 

‘Tue Woop, The wood lies immediately under tlie bark, and makes the 


a i i 


REVILW. 139 


prinsipal bulk of the trunk and branches. It consists of congentric layers 
or rather cylinders, composed chiefly of vascular tissue. In young shots, 
one year old, there is only one layer, which lies upon the medullary sheath. 
In each succeeding year there is another layer formed. Hence the age of a 
stem of this kind may be known by counting the number of concentric vascular 
cylinders in the wood. 

‘« The external woody layers next the bark are called the alburnum, and 
differ from the internal layers or true wood in being younger, softer, more 
succulent, and of a lighter colour. 

‘* The true wood or heart weod is formed by the inner layers of the albur- 
num, which gradually acquire a greater degree of hardness: the transition 
from alburnum to true wood is, however, almost imperceptible. 

* A new layer of alburnum is formed annually next the bark : it is pushed 
inwards, and becomes more compact by the pressure of each succeeding 
annual layer, till at last it becomes almost solid, the sides of the vessels and 
cells being squeezed together: hence the greater hardness of such trees in 
Sail Thus the wood in such stems is exogenous, or growing at its outer 
surface. 

‘“Mepuiary Rays. The fasciculi, or bundles of vessels which compose 
the cylindrical layers, are separated at different points by masses of cellular 
tissue, extending from the centre or pith towards the circumference, causing 
am appearance of alternate rays of vessels and cellular tissue. These are 
called mepuctary rays (from their radiated appearance), medullary pro- 
longations or insertions, or, the silver grain. The medullary rays most pro- 
bably conyey the proper juice (the descending sap) from the bark to the 
interior of the stem. 

‘The wood gives passage to the sap from the root to the buds and leaves, 
and contains many of the secretions of the plant. The sap rises chiefly 
through the alburnum (the vessels of which, being young, soft, and not com- 
pressed, are well adapted for the passage of fluids), and is conveyed to the 
leaves, there to undergo changes which render it fit to promote the growth of 
the plant. Little is known with respect to the particular function of each 
part of the wood, excepting the alburnum, the latest formed layer of which 
gives passage upwards to the sap. Thus it would seem that the new layer of 
alburnum is formed for the nourishment of the plant, by conveying the sap to 
the leaves; and this explains why a serious injury of this part is so fatal. 
When it is destroyed, its oflice is very imperfectly performed by an old layer 
filled with secretions, or hardened, and with the vessels contracted by pres- 
sure. Buta tree may live and fiourish with a large piece of the bark and 
alburnum decayed and removed, if not wanting all round. There is an 
instance of this in a venerable Hawthorn tree near Edinburgh, in which there 
is a large and deep scar on one side, patched up with stone and lime. 

“Tue Piru on Meputra. The pith is in the centre of the stem, and is 
contained in the medullary sheath or canal, which is composed of vessels, chiefly 
spiral, disposed in a longitudinal direction. In all plants the pith consists of 
cellular tissue alone, and is of a light and spongy character. The cells are, 
in general, very regular, and hexagonal in section: in the young shoots of 
trees, and in herbaceous plants, these cells are filled with aqueous juices, 
which disappear as the plant grows older, and then they contain gas alone. 

“ The pith, it is supposed, nourishes the young wood and the Fads during 
the first year of their existence; and it has been observed that it retains its 
moisture fora longer period near the terminal bud, and at the parts where 
branches are given eff. 

“ Such is the structure of the stems of that very large class of plants which 
constitutes the third division. They are found only in Dicotyledonous plants 
(plants with two lobes in the seed) as the pea or lupin, and their leaves 
present in the veins an irregular reticulated appearance. They are called 
Fxogenous, because the wood, which is the principal part of them, increases in 
diameter by the addition of new matter at its external surface. All the trees 
of this country are Exogenous. 

To be continued. 


140 MISCELLANEOUS ENTELLIGENCE. 


PART IL. 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES. 


On SHE Frirrararts.—l! shall feel obliged if you will inform me through 
the medium of the Floricultural Cabinet your treatment of Frittalarias ; 
what soil is best adapted for them? and the proper time for planting, and 
also the best method for preserving them during the winter 

ADOLESCENS. 


On THE FLowER Bups or CAMELLIAS DROPPING OFF, &c,—Will any of 
fhe numerous readers of the Floricultural Cabinet inform me the reason of 
the buds of the Camellia falling off in scales, when they have attained the 
size of a moderate gooseberry, and an effectual, yet as simple a preventive 
as possible. I bought a Plant in March (a white variety) with fourteen 
buds on it, and out of the fourteen, 1 dont expect more than three or four 
will expand. ADOLESCENS. 


ANSWERS. 


To P£LAGONIUM ON THE DOUBLE Rose CLarkiA.—The double rose Clarkia 
is a variety of Clarkia elegans rosea, with beautiful double flowers. This 
is at present rare, it requires care in marking for seed plants, the flowers 
of which are quite double ; the seed I advertised had been saved from plant 
so selected, which induced me to put rine after it, and with similar care 
for a season or two, this fine annual will become a permanent ornament to 
our flower gardens. It isin my opinion as superior to Clarkia elegans as 
Pelargonium Dennis's Perfection is to Pelargonium Quercifolium. 

Great Russell Street, Covent Garden London. J. KERNAN. 


On THe Canapian Porrar, &c.—In your last number, page 118 one of 
your Correspondents, F. S. inquires the proper method and season for propa~ 
gating the Canadian Poplar—He may safely do so by layering it in March or 
April, the layers will be fit to plant out in the following November : it may be 
done by grafting upon the black Italian Poplar, bat not with the same cer- 
tainty of suecess, nor are the grafted plants so durable, being subject to be 
overpowered by the shoots from the same stcck, unless kept pruned off. To 
the same inquirer, I beg to suggest he should repot his Dolichos now if not 
already done in a light rich soil, shaking only part of the old ball off, 
place it in an airy situation in the greenhouse, and when it begins to grow 
freely, often syringe it with clean water, and there is no doubt of its flower- 
ing freely. 

On the same page a ‘“ Sabscriber” inquires the best method of making 
Wistonia Sinensis bloom, I have a plant, which I think has been planted 
about four years, that grows very vigourously and blooms very abundantly ; 
(J think you saw and admired it much last year, we saw it, a most beautiful 
specimen EpiTror;) It grows in the open garden, has no protection, and in 
order to make it bloom I twisted it round the stake about nine feet high. 
I attribute its free flowering to the check it received by being twisted round 
the stake, just after the same manner as the Major Convolvolus twists ilself 
round said round any stick within its reach. If the above remarks are 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 141 


worthy your notice, and you think they will be acceptable to your very nu- 

merous readers, I shall feel glad, as 1 have received pleasure and profit 

from the pages of your widely circulated.work, 1 feel myself bound to con- 

tribute any hint I can. W. Barratt. 
St. John's Botanic Gardens, Wakefield, 


- 


REMARKS, 


LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY AT THE OFFICES REGENT 
STREET. 


Feb. 7th—Pianrs EXHIBITED. From Mrs. Lawrence, Biibergia iridifolia, 
Brucea maculata, Oncidium carthaginense, Pancratium speciosum, Phaius 
grandifolius. 

Mr. Guenny, Epacris campanulata alba, E impressa, E pungens, Camellias 
Poinsettia pulcherrima, Veiltheima viridiflora. ‘ 

Socieries’ GARDEN, Echeveria gibbiflora, Eutophia lurida, Helleborus 
odorus. A communication was read on the cultivation of Cinnamon in Eng- 
land by Mr. W. Buchan, gardener to Lord Bagot, A Banksian medal was 
awarded to Mr, Buchan for communicating the paper. 

A silver Knightian medal was awarded to Mr. Glenny, for his varieties 
of Epacris’s. 

Feb, 2lst,—Prants EXHIBITED. From the Rev. G, C. Rasuteicu, Tro- 
peeolum brachyceras, Sir G, Taunton, Lycum aggregatum. 

Mr, Grenny, Azalea indica alba. A pontica odurata. A new white-flow- 
ered Cyclamen. Euphorbia splendens, Grevillea sulphurea. Oncidium 
bifolium. Pa 

W. Bromtey, Esq. Epacris 1mpressa. 

Societies’ GARDEN.—Azalea indica alba. A indica pheenicea. Helle- 
borus odorus, oncidium ampliatum. 

A silver Knightian medal was presented to the Rev. G. C. Rashleigh for 
the Tropoloeum brachyceras. 

March 7th.—Mr, Guenny. Andromeda floribunda, Correa pulchello, Fu- 
chsia microphylla grandiflora, Hovea purpurea, Phaius grandifolius, Sty- 
phelia tubiflora. 

Mrs. Lawrence, Ardisia cremulata, Bransfelsia americana, E campanu- 
lata, E impressa, Dillwynia juniperina. Dendrobium pulchellum, Gloxinia 
caulescens, Gesneria Donglasii, Grevillea arenaria, Ipomea Horsfallii, Le- 
chenaultia formosa. 3 

Mr. Gatnes of theBattersea nursery, Rhododendron Russellianum. 

Messrs. Loppices, Dendrobium fimbratum. D. Pierardi, D. pulchellum. 

Mr. Prarr, gardener to W. Harrison, Esq. anew species of Calistemon. 

Societies’ GARDEN, Azalea indica pheenicea, Calistachys ovata, Euphor~ 
bia Myrsinitis, Sisyrinchium grandiflorum. 

MEDALS PRESENTED—Silver medal to Messrs. Loddiges, silver Knightian 
medal to Mrs. Lawrence, for Ipomea Horsfollia, one to Mr. Gaines for Rho- 
dodendron Russellianum, to Mr. Pratt for his new Calistemon, to Mr Glenny 
for his Andromeda floribunda. 


Horricunrura Soctety or-Lonpon.—The exhibition for the year 1837, 
willtake place, Saturday, May 13th, June 10th, and Saturday, July 8th. 

All persons, whether Fellows of the Society or not, are at liberty to send 
subjects for exhibition. 

Where it shall be required, the Society will defray all fair and reasonable 
sak pe actually incurred in conveying objects to and from the garden, pro- 
vided a detailed statement of such expenses is delivered at the fruit room 
in the garden between three or four o'clock, in the afternoon of the day of 


142 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 


exhibition; the statement to be signed by the exhibitor as a declaration of 
its correctness. 

Every exhibitor will be required to sign a printed assurance, that every 
article exhibited is bona fide his own growth. 

No subject for exhibition shall be admitted into tbe garden after half- 
past nine o’clock in the morning ; and if the owners of any locked-up boxes, 
or other cases already received, should not be in the exhibition tent at the 
said hour, such cases or boxes must be excluded from competition for the 
medals, 

All specimens whether of fruit or flowers will remain untouched until after 
six o'clock, when they will be delivered into the hands of the exhibitors, 
who are requested not to give away their cut flowers in the tents, as much 
confusion has occasionally been produced by that practice. 

Proyision will be made by the Society for placing on the table such speci- 
mens as may be furnished by the exhibitors; but as some flowers travel most 
securely when fixed permanently in boxes, and as many persons prefer their 
own stands, it has been determined that any exhibitors may use their own 
boxes or stands, under the following conditions : 

No box or stand shall exceed eight inches in height at the back, or eigh- 
teen inches in depth from front to back. The lids of all boxes must ates 
be loose, or made to unhinge, No box with a fixed lid will, on any pretence, 
be allowed to stand upon the tables. Ifa box not constructed of the di- 
mensions above given is sent in, it may be placed on the tables if there is 
room for it, but it is liable to exclusion, 


JUDGES. 

The Council being of opinion that, with reference to the Judges and to 
the manner of making the award, the regulations which have been adopted 
for the last two years, are upon the whole, the best that can be devised for 
securing a good and impartial decision, intend that they shall continue to 
be exactly observed. 

Two sets of Judges are appointed by the Council, and from their decision 
there is no appeal One set consists of practical gardeners, distinguished | 
both for their knowledge of their profession, and their high characters as in- 
dependent unbiassed men ; the other set consists of amateurs, all or part of 
whom may be members of the Council, The first set must, in all cases, 
constitute the majority of Judges, ; 

The judges have the power of increasing or diminishing the number of 
medals offered by the Society for particular objects, and also of conferring 
medals in cases not contemplated by these regulations, if they think it de- 
sirable to do so. 

The only absolute directions which the judges receive from the Council 
are, firstly, to bear in mind that the Society’s medals are offered, not onl 
for new and curious objects, but for remarkable objects of horticultural skill, 
the design of the Council in instituting these meetings, being not merely to 
encourage the collector, but rather to reward the success of the skilful gar- 
dener ; and secondly. not to make any award in cases where the objects ex- 
hibited do not appear worthy of a medal, otherwise a bad single exhibition 
may obtain a prize, merely because there is no better exhibition of the same 
class to oppose it. 

When the objects are arranged upon the table, every exhibition is marked 
with a letter and a number, which refer to a private list, and every possible 
precaution is taken to preyent the Judges knowing from whence the exhi- 
bitions come The Judges are introduced into the tents, and the proper 
officer explains to them the general nature of the exhibitions, confining him- 
selt. however, to the mere indication of the parts of the tents in which par- 
ticular classes of exhibitions are situated, or to matters of a similar nature, 

. The twe sets of Judges form their opinions independently of each other. 
When they have come to separate decisions they quit the tent, and adjourn © 
to the Council room, where they compare notes, and settle to what letter and 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 143 


numbers the awards shall be made. In cases of difference of opinion the 
majority decides. When their joint award is finally declared, the names of 
persons to whom the letters and numbers refer, are, for the first time, announ- 
ced to the judges, and as speedily after as practicable, to the exhibitors 
themselves. 

SUBJECTS OF EXHIBITION. 

These will be divided into two classes ; for the first class, nurserymen will 
compete with nurserymen ; and private individuals, with private individuals; 
and separate prizes will he awarded accordingly ; for the second class no 
distinction will be made between the nurserymen and _ private individuals. 

Crass I,—Azaleas, hardy, in collection, cut flowers; ditto, greenhouse, in 
varieties, number not to exceed twelve plants ; Carnations, not exceeding 30 
blooms ; Pinks, ditto; Piccotees, ditto ; Cacti, melon-shaped, whether in 
flower or not. No exhibitor is to show the same plant at more than one meet- 
ing during the season, otherwise the award to be yoid. Heartsease, in stands 
of 30 varieties ; Exotic Orchidee in collections of six species ; ditto for the 
best single specimens; Pelargoniums, in collections of twelve varieties ; 
Rhododendrons, cut flowers, not less than twenty varieties ; ditto in pots 
not fewer than twelve plants, in twelve varieties; Roses, Chinese and Noi-. 
sette, in collections of twenty varieties; Roses, Garden, in collections o 
fifty varieties; ditto, in Miscellaneous collections; Stove, or Greenhouse 
Plants, in collections of not more than sixty, nor less than twenty plants ; 
Stove or Greenhouse plants, in collections of six single ornamental specimens 
of different genera, 

Cass 1J].—Alstromerias, Anemones, Amaryllidacez in collections of six 
specimens ; Balsams, in sets of six ; Herbaceous Calceolarias, in collections 
of six pots; Shrubby Calceolarias, in collections of six pots ; Cucumbers, in 
braces, at the May meeting only ; no medal will be placed at the disposal of 
the Judges for June or July ; Cacti, the tall kinds in flower; Ericeze, Cape 
kinds, in collections; Figs, in dishes; Grapes ; Melons, single specimens; 
Pine Apples ; Peaches, in dishes of six specimens ; Nectarines, ditto; Suc- 
culent plants, not before enumerated, in collections of six specimens ; single 
specimens of new or ornamental plants.—The medals for these will be given 
entirely at the discretion of the Judges; Dahlias ; Miscellaneous subjects, 
not comprehended under any of the foregoing heads. —GarpDEnEr’s GazeTTr, 


On tHe Lavy Birp, &c.—A lady whose garden was enclosed by a hedge 
of rose trees, and which rose trees were covered by swarms of minute in- 
sects, saw a hen lead her flock of chickens into the garden ; her immediate 
intention was to have them driven out, but she soon perceived their eyes 
fixed upon the rose-tree, and watched them till they had satisfied their ap- 
petites and perfectly cleared some of the trees. 

Ii is a fact well known that throughout the order of creation every tribe 
of animated beings is preyed upon by another, and thus, it is supposed, each 
tribe is kept within the true bounds of space originally prescribed for its 
existence. The cause of this wonderful dispensation is probably hidden 
from the power of the human faculty to find out—but the fact remains in- 
dubitable ; and we see our trees and shrubs apparently preserved from the 
destructive voyages of these innumerable small flies, known under the 
denomination of Aphides, by the great variety of species of different orders 
and to which, in their larva or grub state, they serve as food. Amongst 
these devourers of the Aphis fly, the beautiful little beetle known com- 
monly under the name of Lady-bird, is pre-eminently serviceable, and in 
that amusing’ work ‘“ Kirkby’s Introduction to Entomology,” it is related that 
in the year 1807, the shores at Brighton and of all the watering places upon 
the south coast, were literally covered with them, after having, in the state 
of grubs devoured thousands and ten thousands of the Aphis which had in- 
fested the neighbouring hop-grounds. And the hop-growers are said now 
to be so sensible of their services, as to place boys to prevent the birds de- 
stroying them, Frorist’s MANNUAL, 


144 MISCELLANEOUS INTELIGENCE. 


Bruemansta AuRBA, &c.—On visiting the gardens of Mr. Barratt of Wake- 
field, we were very much pleased to find plants about two feet high in bloom 
of the true yellow flower seed Pomagamansia (see Advertisement in this 
month's Cabmet). The flower is about the size of the B. sanguinea, but of 
fine rich golden yellow colour. There is an inferior kind in the country, 
the flowers of which are of a dull buff colour, and which has been sold out 
for the true B aurea; this has led to the denial (by many persons) of their 
being areal golden yellow kind. The true one is a very desirable plant 
for any cultivation. We also saw im fine bloom, a plant, two feet high of the 
Epacris paludosa ; it has generally been considered a shy bloomer, but the 
plant we saw, was in profuse bloom. The flowers of the paludosa, we ob- 
served were produced in cymose clusters at the extremities of the lateral 
branches, whereas all other kinds we have seen in bloom, produce the 
flowers along the branches, they are of a pure white, and produce a very 
pretty appearance. 


Fucus1a Groom1ana was in full bloom, and is a valuable acquisition to 
this pretty tribe of plants. There was a fine collection of Ericas in bloom, 
some of the new species being very handsome. 


SOIL PROPER FOR PINK Prpincs.—Take one barrowful of light rich mould, 
add to it half of one of light loam, with half of one ef drift sand. When you 
plant the Pipings, sprinkle some water over them, and in an hour afterwards 
put the hand glass over them, which must remain on till they are struck, 
shading them from the mid-day sun. They must always be watered over the 
glass with the rose on, so that the water should go entirely round the glass. 
When the sun is off take the mat away, as they should have plenty of light. 


On Mrwosa Sensitiva.—A correspondent at page 108 Vol. 4, wishes to 
know how to raise the sensitiva Plant (mimosa sensitiva) the best method 
he can adopt is to sow the seeds in the latter end of March in 48 size pots, 
and when the seeds is up and showing the second leaf, they may be potted 
off. 


On pLAcine GREENHOUSE PLANTS IN THE OPEN AIR DURING SUMMER.— 
When the pots are exposed to the heat of the sun, and drying winds, the 
fibrous roots which are in quantity about the roots, are much injured by it, 
although the interior of the ball of earth be ina moist condition. The re- 
sult of the pots being so exposed during summer, is soon apparent by the 
edges of the leaves turning brown, or many of the leaves becoming wholly 
so. The plan I have adopted for four years has been the follwing, the plants 
have grown freely and been of a fine healthy green, blooming profusely, 
I made a bed of sifted gravel six inches deep, choosing the gravel that was 
about the size of horse-beans. This admitted the wet to draw away, at the 
substratum I had a few inches of coal ashes to prevent worms coming: 
through. The surface being levelled, I placed the pots and filled up the 
spaces between with moss, nearly to the rims of the pots. This method 
kept them cool but not wet, If this be inserted in the May Number of the 
Cabinet, it may be of service to some of those persons who turn out plants 
during summer. CLERICUS. 


On HERACLEUM ASPERUM.—I am much intérested ina plant, which al- 
thoueh possessing no beauty of flower, is distinguished by its size and stately 
appearance; Heracleum asperum, the Siberian cow parsnip, which in the 
open border, under favourable circumstances, will attain a height of ten 
feet, with leaves four to five feet long. It is a biennial, and should be sown 
where it is intended to stand, in a rich soil. When it shoots up the second 
year, it may be watered with liquid manure and warm water, which will 
greatly promote its rapid and vigorous growth. WC. 3. 


FE wi vase iit ale ys 
ee 
le Se frases OM 


PA | OD 


Va “ — wolf) 
Chibi =z GULL. 


os) 


THE 
FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


JULY 1st, 1887. 


PART I. 


ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE TI. 


ON STRIKING THE VERBENA MELINDRES. 
BY A. D. 

I pec to suggest, if you think it worth your attention a plan for 
striking the runners of the Verbena Melindres, which I have 
found more successful than any other. When the plants are put 
out in beds, sink in all directions at about a foot distant, and in 
all pots (say 60.8) filled with earth; as the plants incrase over 
the bed, place a joint over each pot, confining it down by a peg 
or stone, and let them remain till you are apprehensive of frost ; 
then divide at any length you like, the runner from the parent 
plant; take up the pots containing a strong well-established 
plant, and sink the pots again in baskets or boxes of mould, 
placing them in a cold frame or greenhouse. They will be fine 
plants for the next spring, and flower immediately on being 
put out; whereas cuttings or runners removed from the bed 
are often sickly and difficult to keep through the winter. 

IT have no doubt many other trailing plants would propagate 
well in the same way, but I have little opportunity of trying 
experiments, and a very thankless garden soil to work in; never- 
theless, I am fond of all common gardening, and have found your 
little Cabinet very useful. 

Respectfully yours, 


A. D. 
VOL. V. Q 


#46 _ ON THE TREE POHORY. 


ARTICLE II. 


ON THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE TREE PONY. 
BY AN ARDENT AMATEUR. 

Paony belongs to Polyandria, Digynia Lena: Ranunculacee. 
Nat. Ord. P. officialis, has been in this country ever since 1562. 
It is a native of Switzerland. P. cosallina is a native of this 
country, but the only place where to my knowledge it is founc 
coiled, is the Flat Holmes, a rocky island in the Bristol Channel, 
which by the bye, is noticed for its natural production. Pliny 
mentions, the Peony as one of the first known plants, that it was 
called after Pceon, a physician who is mentioned by Homer in his 
Iliad, 5th book, 900th line, when Mars had been wounded: 


“Thus he who shakes Olympus with his nod, 

‘Then give to Poeon’s care the bleeding god 

“ With gentle hand the balm he pour'd around, 

«‘ And heal’d the immortal flesh, and clos’d the wound.” 


Pliny also says that it was called Pentoboran, and Glycisides 
by some, but the name seems to have been dropped. Montan is 
a Chinese word for this particular variety of Poeony, which was 
introduced by Sir Joseph Banks, from China, in 1794, Although 
he introduced it first to me, it had been known by hear-say 
for a long time, its beauty extolled, its magnificence exaggerated: 
£100 at first was thought a fair price, and in China, plants of the 
choice sorts were sold at a high price. It is a most magnificent 
plant and valuable; as with the protection of a wall or hedge 
near the ground with wicker work, it will flower in April, May, 
and June, and stands our winters. ‘The difficulty of propagating 
it with success occasions it to be sold at a high price. P. papa- 
veracea generally costs from 15s. to 20s. the single plant: to 
those who are desirous of propagating this handsome plant, I re- 
commend the following operation, all of which I have tried and 
very generally with success. 

When the Pceonies are budding, that is to say about February, 


cea ring of bark about one-sixteenth of an inch wide should be cut 


‘out all round the stem, above and below each bud in the stem 
‘or stems of the plant to be operated upon: the sap being ob- 
structed in this manner, lay the branches, leaving the leading 
shoot at the end only above the gound. Five or six months after, 


LIST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 147 


the buds will be seen to have made vigorous shoots, the earth 
may then be removed and each bud with its fibres separated from 
the main layer, by taking the shoot off with half the stem attached 
to it, the whole length of the stem being still entire it may be 
replaced in the earth again, and a fresh set of young shoots more 
plentiful than the first may be expected. 

I have also tried grafting with success, the operation is the same 
as with Dahlias, namely, a portion of the stem is inserted into one 
of the tubers of the same or any other variety of Poeony. 

Cuttings would also strike in light rich soil in the shade without 
cover; but I have never been very successful in that mode of pro- 
pagating this plant; but if they are inserted into the soil about 
three inches below the surface, and plunged into a light hot-bed, 
they will soon shew themselves above the ground, and make fine 
plants, but it is always a practice with me to plant only one half 
of the stem, and placing it longitudinally. By these various ways 
this beautiful plant may be propagated abundantly, and will most 
likely be the means of lessening the expence which at present 
must prevent many from possessing it. 

An ARDENT AMATEUR, 


ARTICLE III. 


ON THE CULTURE, AND A LIST OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS WHICH 
WILL THRIVE IN THE AIR, AND SMOKE OF CITIES. 


EY WM, BOYCE, 


No person having given the information desired by “‘A would be 
Suburban Gardener” (Vol. viii. p. 721) I now attempt to do so 
and although I regret that the subject has not fallen into abler 
hands, still, I hope the motive, and not the value of the offering, 
may propitiate its acceptance. The two principal causes of the 
want of success attending the cultivation of plants in town gardens 
are, the want ofa proper soil, and a congenial air: the former is 
generally composed of too much lime and brick rubbish, which is 
any-thing but good for showy herbaceous plants. I would first 
ascertam if such were the nature of the soil. Should it prove to 
be of those materials, take it out of the clumps and borders to 
the depth of a foot, and fill them up with fresh loam, mixed with a 


$48 LIS? OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 


little rotten cow manure: in this soil will grow all a plants 
named in the accompanying list. 

T shall endeavour now toassist this Suburban Gardener in rend- 
ering the air which surrounds his plant department more healthful 
to them. Dr. Hunter observes, that air contains the life of vegeta- 
bles as well as animals: ‘‘ it isa compressible elastic fluid.” The 
smoke of populous towns and cities, where coal is the fuel, great- 
ly lessens it elasticity and fluidity, and consequently renders it 
incongenial to plants. The practice observed by town gardeners 
in general is to give an abundance of water to the roots of plants : 
this should be discontinued, or, at least, given much more 
sparingly and less frequently: it is by over watering, in such 
gardens, that plants are as it were, sureharged with crude juices, 
which the leaves, while they are covered with dust, cannot pass 
off. I would, therefore, instead of watering so much to their 
roots, give frequent syringing over stems and leaves, and keep 
them as free from dirt as possible. They will then be able to 
perform their proper functions, perspire during the day, and 
during the night fill themselves with fresh juices. Cleanliness is 
as necessary to plants as to animals. The syringing should be 
performed at the approach of evening in the summer months, and 
just before sun-rise in early spring ae autumn. Keep the mould 
in the clump and borders loose, by frequent stiring with a dutch 
_ hoe; water with a fine rose any vacant compartment. By this, 
_and the syringing, the air will be rendered more humid. The 
China Rose may be induced to grow two feet high, by giving it, in 
addition to the soil I have mentioned, a good supply of rich man- 
ure, and keeping its leaves clean. The Fuchsias, particularly 
Fuchsia gracilis, should be kept to one principal stem; the side 
should be shortened to an inch of the stem: they then flower 
more freely. A Suburban Gardener will do well to examine 
whether his Georginas (Dahlias) are not infested with earwigs : 
if they are, hang a few lobsters claws on the sticks they are tied 
to; in these they may be caught; ifhe has a bloom he particularly 
values; tie loosely tow, dipped in sweet oil, just below the flower 
bud. 

In the list below, I have confined myself to herbaceous plants, 
such as are showy, and will with the treatment I have described, 
not only grow, but thrive in town gardens. 


a 


List OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 


Achillia rosea 

Aconitum ochroletcum 

variegatum 
eeeees versicolor 

Actoea spicata 

Adonis vernalis 

Allium Moly 

Anchusa italica 

Antirrhinum majus bicolor 

Aquilegia sibirica 


eeeees glandulosa 

eeeeee atropurpurea 

seeees hybrida 
Asclepias 

veeeee pulchra 

‘esses. purpurascens 
Asphodelus 

soeeee ramosus 
Aster 

.e«. alpinus 


.»e. armellus 
ee. nova anglize ruber 
.»». sibiricus 
ee. mutabilis 
e+. spectabilis 
.e+. serotinus 
..+. pulcherrimus 
Baptisia exaltata 
-+eeee australis 
tinctoria 
Betonica grandiflora 
Campanula carpathica 
eeeceeee persiccefolio cce- 
rulea alba 
Letifolia coeru- 
lea alba 


trachelium bicolor 


eeeeeees speciosa 
oe seeses azurea 
eescuvce alliariafolia 


149 


Campanula sarmatica 
Catanauche ccerulia 
alba 
Chelom glabra 
obliqua 
lyoni 
Corupsis verticillata 
senifolia 
lauceslata | 
Coronilla iberica 
montana 
Corydalis nobilis 
Delphinium grandiflorum 
mesolencum 
Barlowii 
Dianthus latifolius 
eseece japonicus 
esecee Superbus 
Dictamnus fraxinella 
albus 
Digitalis micrantha 
lanata 
Dodecatheon meadia 
albiflora 
gigantra 
elegans 
Dracociphalum speciosum 


evneveeveee 
ecoesees Variegatunt 

altaiense 

Eranthis hyemalis 

Erigoror philodelphicus 
seeeee glabellus 

Erythronium deus cauis 

deus cauis album 

americanum 

Fritallaria imperialis 

Galanthus nivalis 

Gaillardia aristata 

Gentiana asclepiado 

eruciata 


eevee es 


150 ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. 


Gentiana acaulis Helenium autumnal 
Geum coccinum majus Helianthus decapitalus 
Gladialus lyzantinus Heleborus niger 
eeeeee communis Hemerocallis graminea 
Glaucium fulocum soseceee disticha 
Hedysarum observum ecseeses fulva 


I shall send you the remainder of the list at a future time, 
there being a great many more names. You may insert this or 
not, as you please. 


ARTICLE VI. 


ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. 
BY MR, D,. PEARCE, 
As several of your correspondents appear anxious to acquire 
a little knowledge on raising seedling Dahlias, I beg the insertion 
of the following : 

All the new and splendid varieties which now make so great 
show in our gardens, have been raised from seed. To insure 
success to the cultivator, the following remarks may be found 
advantageous; 

Imprecnation.—Artificial impregnation is certainly an advan- 
tage, and, if properly performed, will seldom fail to answer the 
intended purpose. 

Select as handsome and compact flowering plants for the pa- 
rents as possible. Having done so witha small pointed camel’s 
hair pencil, take the pollen dust from one flower to another. The 
design of this, however, would in a great measure be frustrated, 
if bees were not prevented having access to the flowers. To 
prevent any disappointment from bees, cover the flowers intend- 
ed to be the female parent, with a fine gauze bag, a two or 
three days before the florets expand. 

As soon as the florets open, impregnate them, but retain the 
gauze bag over them for another week, until all danger from im- 
pregnation of bees are over. In collecting the seed in autumn 
most cultivators collect from the outside tiers alone, because they 
they were usually much finer and better ripened. These out- 
side tiers, however, are probably inferior to the inside, for pro- 
ducing the greatest quantity of double flowers, the very finest 


ON RAISING SEEDLING DAHLIAS. 151 


seeds usually producing the greatest quantity of single flowers, 
therefore it is advisable to collect both inside and outside tiers. 

Sow1ne THE SEED.—February is the best time for sowing the 
seeds fill some pots or boxes with light sandy loam and. leaf 
mould, or leaf mould alone, and thinly scatter the seeds, lightly 
cover them with the same soil finely rubbed through the hands 
upon them, and place the pots in a gentle hot-bed, or other con- 
venient place where the seeds will receive warmth, and they will 
shortly be up. 

As soon as they come into rough leaf, which will be about the 
end of March, transplant them two inches apart, into other pots 
or boxes filled with the same compost in which they are sown. 
About the middle of April they will require again transplant- 
ing. 

In transplanting this second time, either place them in single 
pots filled with good rich loam, leaf mould, and rotten dung, or 
place them in a gentle hot-bed, in the same kind of soil. The 
former way is the best, although attended with most trouble, 
because the plants can remain inthe pots until turned out entire 
into the borders, when all danger of frost is over. Keep them 
still ina gentle heat, and gradually expose them to the open 
air till they will bear it regularly inthe day, but take them in 
when there is the least danger of frost at night. 

When all danger of frost is over, they maybe turned out 
with good balls into the situations where they are intended to 
flower. 

So1t.—They will grow well in any good garden soil, but if it 
be a good strong rich loam, they will flower earlier and better; 
also the colours will be more brilliant. 

Manure.—Much dung, however, must not be introduced into 
light soils for them, or they will make a great quantity of bran- 
ches, and probably not flower till late in the year, when the frosts 
are just commencing. But if the soil be suitable, they will 
flower about the end of July. 

And now, perhaps, some one or other of your correspondents 
will be kind enough to answer my query. 

A friend of mine lately gave me a flower which he had received 
in a nosegay, and on enquiring of Flallagan & Co. opposite the 
Mansion House, was informed it was an Hibiscus. The colour of | 
it was a beautiful kind of nankeen, with a beautiful scarlet at the 


152 ON DELPHINUM GRANDIFLORA, 


bottom of the petals, and the flower about the size of a Daffodil. 
I wish to know the soil, treatment, and method of propagating. 
Yours, &c. D. Pearce. 

P. S. I have planted a slip about five inches long, that was 
joined to the flower in a thumb pot, in sandy loam, and placed 
in a slight hot bed, it has been planted a week, and looks fresh 
at present. 


ARTICLE V. 


ON DELPHINUM GRANDIFLORA. 
BY LARKSPUR. 
A constant reader of your pleasing Cabinet feel somewhat sur- 
prised in never seeing any remarks made of that beautiful flower 
Delphinium Grandiflora, or the great flowered Siberian Lark 
spur. Two years ago come summer, I was at Coldingham, and 
in Mr. Martin’s nursery, where I saw a large square of that splen- 
did blue flower, in full bloom; there might be a thousand plants, 
they grew from two to three feet high, upon a low, wet, and in- 
clined to be a piece of boggy ground, where he propagates a 
great quantity every year. I purchased of him twelve plants, at 
6d each, took them home with me, with a ball of earth to each, 
and planted them upon a rich vine border; they continued flow- 
ering that summer and autumn. The year following they grew 
to the height of six feet, they flowered all the way up the 
stalk, and was very gay; when the blooming was over I cut 
them down; they again rose and flowered, and was splendid in 
the autumn; rich light soil suites them best. Should you con- 
sider this worth your notice, I may in future do better. 
LARKSPUR. 


ARTICLE VI. 
ON PELARGONIUMS. 


BY GERANIA. 
Berne a devoted admirer and cultivator of flowers, and residing 
in aremote part of the country where I have no opportunity of 
seeing the variety of new and beautiful plants, which are every 


ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 129 


year introduced to those florists who are more fortunately situ- 
ated. I rely upon the pages and illustrations of your valuable 
publication for information upon the subject, and more particu- 
larly for guidance in the choice of Pelargoniums, with which, to 
enrich my collection; it was with the utmost satifaction I perused 
the list given of them in the twenty-eighth number of the Flori- 
cultural Cabinet, by a correspondent, in answer to the enquiries 
of a Lady. It would confer a favour upon me Sir, and to my 
knowledge, also upon several others who take your work regu- 
larly, if you, or the same obliging person who sent the select list, 
would give one of the most choice Pelargoniums raised, or in the 
hands of the trade since June, 1835, to comprize names of the 
plants, by whom they were raised, where, and at what price they 
are to be bought in April next, with such description of the 
colours, &c. of the flowers, as will prevent mistakes, where, as in 
the case with Pelargonium called ‘‘ Queen .4delaide.” THREE flow- 
ers are known by the same name. If you could also give a print 
of three or more Geraniums, grouped in the same way in which 
the Chinese Chrysanthemums are so prettily shewn in number 
thirty-five of the Floricultural Cabinet, you would confer an 
obligation upon me, and many others who I have no doubt would 
be equally willing to pay double price for anumber so illustrated. 
Trusting you will take my request into your consideration, and 
grant them as speedily as your arrangements permit. 
GERANIA. 


ARTICLE VII. 


A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 
BY PENSEE, 
Continued from p. 111, 
BROOK’S FLORA’S GARLAND (pink flake. ) 

This, perhaps, is the best of the many this successful grower has 
been the fortunate raiser of. For shape it commands the same 
place among Carnations as Springfield Rival in Dahlias. Nature 
requiring but little assistance from the most skillful dresser to set 
it off. The colour is also very good, the pink and white being very 
regularly and nearly equally divided. It has at length found a 
place in Hogg’s Catalogue, and from thence will,I have no doubt 


into most collections, . 
VOL. V. R 


130 ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 


STONE’S VENUS, P. P. B. 

Found in the catalogues under the head of pink and purple ba- 
zarres, occasionally looses its pink, and settles down into a flake: in 
each character I haye seen it shewn in the same pan, in both it 
commands a first rate place as a bazarre, it is certainly most to 
be valued, there being so few pink and purples worthy of notice, 
or that can boast of both colours so distinctly marked as in the 
Venus. It has been out now many years, yet being difficult to 
strike, is still scarce, and fetches a high price, 15s. the pair, be- 
ing very generally demanded. 


YOUNG’S EARL GREY, C. B. 

With this flower in a collection, the grower may be pretty 
certain of being able in due season to cut a good crimson ba- 
zarre. I donot know a flower on which greater dependence can 
be placed; I have now grown it for several seasons, and have 
invariably shewn it with success; a better, but certainly, nota 
more useful flower can be grown. 


MARTIN'S PRESIDENT, P. F. 

I do not think I can recommend a better purple flake to notice 
than Martin’s President. Ihave bloomed it for five or six sea- 
sons, and it has never failed to produce me good show-flow- 
ers. I must allow I have occasionally seen blooms of other sorts 
superior, but I believe, as much dependence is to be placed on 
this as any flower extant, its fault is that of sometimes throw- 
ing the bloom high above the calyx, so that unless great care is 
taken in dressing (particularly if the flower is a little stale) it will 
not bear the removal of the artificial support, occasionally drop- 
ing a guard leaf after being placed for exhibition. 


WILMER’S CONQUERING HERO, S. B. 

Were it possible to combine the merits of two flowers, I should 
only desire to rob Fletcher’s Duke of Devonshire of its brilliancy 
in favour of this; and the Conquering Hero would be the best 
scarlet bazarre ever raised, it can boast of every good property 
in a flower, save being a little dull in colour, but yet so trifling is 
this defect, that is hardly perceptible except in close contact with 
sucha flower as the Duke of Devonshire. It is very large, dis- 
tinctly bazarred, and rose-leayed.—The next flower I shall call 
attention to is 


: 
1 
: 


ON A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. i3l 


HUFTON’S MAGNIFICENT, §. F. 

Which is in my opinion “ and others whose judgment cry in 
the top of mine,” an excellent flower. I saw it for the first time 
last year, but not having bloomed it myself, cannot describe its 
habit; I can only say that if it wasthe most uncertain flower 
ever raised, it should still have a place in my collection to be 
cherished with the hope of producing one bloom as good as it was 
shewn me last season. 


WOOD’S WILLIAM FOURTH, C. B. 

I don’t know either Carnation or Piccotees that bears this grow- 
ers name but may be admitted into the most select collection; 
but as I shall haye occasion to make honourable mention of 
Wood’s name in my list of Piccotees, I shall at present content 
myself by hoping he may have a continuance of the success which 
has attended his labours hitherto, and that he has yet to produce 
for the benefit of brother florists many such as that prince ‘of 
Piccotees ‘‘ Agrippina.” William IV. is a good bazarre, much 
resembling Earl Grey, but, perhaps, a little more brilliant in co- 
lour, though I think, not quite so perfect in shape. 


DALTON’S LANCASHIRE LASS S. F. 

As I bloomed this flower for the first time last year and re- 
ceived my plants late, I should, perhaps, by describing my 
blooms, which were small, and thin of leaves, condemn a flower 
which I am given to understand deserves to be well spoken of. 
I received it with a good character from a very good judge, and 
as my plants are looking well this season, I shall abstain from 
passing an opinion until after another blooming season, when I 
can do so with more satisfaction to myself and justice to the 
flowers. 


BROOK’S GLORIA FLORUM, S. B. 

Is a very large flower, much cultivated in the west of England, 
it is by no means equal to Willmer’s Conquering Hero, the 
defects in that flower being multiplied in this; in addition to the 
dullness of its colour, the white is far from good. Those flo- 
rists who esteem size the best of all properties, will consider the 
flower a great addition in their collection, 


132 ON A DESCRIPTION OF BINS, kc. 


JACQUES GEORGEANA, C. B. 

From being a late bloomer, is seldom seen exhibited, and 
therefore but little known. It is one of the very highest coloured 
flowers, beautifully bazarred, and possesses a property seldom found 
amongst such, of rarely running in colour: the difficulty of 
producing it in season is to be regretted, as it would be a fine 
variety ina stand; but being at least a fortnight later than the 
generality of Carnations, is in perfection only when others are 


fading. 


I have now spoken of some of the varieties of Carnations, but 
propose returning to the subject in some future paper if found 
interesting to your readers. I hope in your next Number to com- 
mence my list of Piccotees, a flower which has made most 
rapid strides within the last few years, and from the quantity of 
seed saved in 1836, aseason or two will, I expect, produce some 
splendid varieties. PENSEE. 


ARTICLE VIII. 


A DESCRIPTION, &c. OF BINS FOR HOLDING SOILS, &c. 
BY AN OLD SUBSCRIBER. 
Tux enclosed is very much at your service, and should you con- 
sider it of sufficient general interest, I shall be glad to see it in- 
serted in the Cabinet. Iam of opinion that it is one of the 
many conveniences still required for the purpose of facilitating 
the routine business of gardening : 


Fig. 1. In the plan, is a section endwise a set of Bins for hold- 
ing soils, manures, and composts. 


(orale iCame! 


1 


ei) 


ES ee ea ee 


ON A DESCRIPTION OF BINS, &c, 133 


Fig. 2. A ground plan of the low tier of Bins. 


A B a 


Peat Qf, gin 


Loam 


Fig: 2nd 5 
2ft. in. Leaf Mould 
ane oi, | ombaee | 
| ho n 
' Eouiti hot bed manure 


and hot-bed 


B 


|Manure equal} 


Lon) 
Ss 
= 
cp 
| parts | is | 


Cow Dung 


ke. een eee oe 


The capacity of the different Bins is such as may be required 
for the use of amateur gardeners, but the dimensions and num- 
ber may be increased so as to suit the purpose of any cultiva- 
tors of plants, however large the establishment. 

The object of this plan is to enable any person to arrange his 
materials for propagating plants in something like order, and in 
the least possible space (it is an excellent rule to have a place for 
every thing, and every thing in its place, it saves a world of 
trouble.) It is also an advantage to have such small quantities 
in compact masses, when once moistened they keep so for some 


154 ON A DESCRIPTION OF BINS, ke. 


time, and this state is essential to the perfect decomposition and 
commixture of the materials forming the compost. The Bins be- 
ing open, are fully exposed to allchanges of temperature, but 
the whole set should be covered with alight roof to protect them 
from excessive wet, and shade them from the heat of the sun. 
The bottom of the lower tier of Bins, is six inches below the 
surface of the ground, or level of the passage or gangway, (which 
should be a paved one) this is to prevent the draining into the 
gangway of a superfluous mixture from the soils kept in the 


Bins. The whole may be surrounded with an ornamental bank, 
hedge, &c. 


he 4. do, 020° B 4 
Paes Widow ean. amare tS 


WD do gush «De yack Wiehe ae 3. 
The 9 do. .... E 


The 2 Bins marked A hold 8 bushels each as Fig. 


es e-tee eeoree 


The most economical and also very durable construction would 
be that of bricks set in Roman cement in the partition walls or 
their edges. The bottoms of the Bins in the upper tier should 
be of stone, each Bin should be labelled (three inches by one 
broad) with white paint, and upon this may be written with a 
black lead pencil (BB) the name of the compost. The following 
is a list of the size and number of pots which a bushel of com- 
post will fill. The utility of this list consists in enabling a per- 
son to mix as much of any one kind of compost as will be requir- 
ed to fill a given number of pots, so that there will not be any 
waste of materials, which in situations where they are scarce, will 
be of no slight importance. 


A bushel fills 160 small 60s 80 large 60s 60small48s 40 large 48s 
26 small 323 20 large 328 14small24s 10 large 24s 


IT have been at some trouble in collecting for my own use, 
(principally from the pages of the Cabinet) a number of formula 
for preparing composts, they are arranged in a tabular form, 
which I find exceedingly convenient for reference. Will the list 
be acceptable? (Yes Connvucrtor) if so, I will send it. I really 
think it would be very useful to the readers of the Cabmet. I 
think gardeners need not be under any apprehension of making 
amateurs too wise, for yery few indeed will aim at more than 


ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE ROSE. 135 


cultivating plants, and the very circumstance of being able to do 
so, will induce many to become purchasers, and afterwards ex- 
cellent} customers to Nurserymen and Florists. This has been 
exactly my case, and entirely in consequence of taking in the 
Cabinet. Your own exertion and that of others engaged in 
similar publications will bid fair to turn the whole country into a 
flower garden, and will also have a vast influence in a moral 
point of view. Gardening generally induces a stimulus to indus- 
try and cleanliness, and no doubt soften the manners of the la- 
bouring class of persons. 
Pimlico, London. Aw Op SUBSCRIBER. 


ARTICLE IX 
ON THE GRAFTING OF THE ROSE. 
BY POMONA 


THE cultivation of the Rose has long been considered worthy of 
the notice of the lovers of Flora, and not only by those who are 
in exalted stations of life, but even by the humbler classes ; it 
is an ornamental shrub of great beauty, and the brilliancy of its 
colour, and the fragrance of its smell, is justly admired by all. 
Having seen an article in the last month’s Number of your va- 
luable work the Floricultural Cabinet, on the ‘‘ Culture of the 
Rose,” perhaps it may be gratifying to some of your readers 
to learn the method which I have pursued in grafting that 
flagrant flower. 

In the first place it is requisite that you should secure a supply 
of buds before the time they are wanted, either by having the 
plants from which they are to be taken in your own garden, or 
from a nurseryman on which you can rely ;_ if, however, you can- 
not obtain any by these means, nothing remains but to buy a few 
plants for the purpose. If the plants to give the buds be on their 
own natural roots, see that they are planted as soon as they 
have lost their leaves in autumn, in order that they may get well 
settled before the spring, but if you wish to secure a good supply 
of buds, purchase a strong stemmed standard Rose or two: see 
that they have plenty of wood, and are in health, taking care to 
remove any leaves on the trees previous to planting. 

The next thing to be looked after, is to secure good stocks, 


136 ON THE GRAFTING THE ROSE. 


November being the best month calculated for that purpose. When 
your preparations are made, nothing more is necessary than to 
send to the nearest wood-man and desire him to make a collec- 
tion for you, either from the woods, or save you a supply when 
he grubs up a hedge, 

The largest stocks are those which have an oval fruit, they 
are called, indiscriminately, dog roses, buckbriars, and hang- 
berries. Different roses want different stocks. A tree that of 
itself would make a yard of wood in a season, is confined and 
injured in its operations, by having, perhaps, a single bud 
upon it of some rare and delicate kind of. rose, which makes 
but feeble and delicate shoots. Again, if a free growing bud, 
such as the Noisette, Greville, &c. were put upon a small stock, 
the bud would entirely drink up the sap of the stock, and instead 
ofa fine bushy head, would either grow in one long shoot, or, at 
all events, make a small and mean head, in comparison to what 
it would have done upon alarger stem. Choose, therefore, about 
a third more stocks than you absolutely want, and let the others 
be laid in the ground as a reserve, you will find them service- 
able at some future period. 

The stocks are to be kept a short time out of the ground, as 
the air injures the root. This is very important, as the expected 
shoots depend upon it: but if they have been weakened by lying 
out of the ground, they regain a portion of their strength by 
being much shortened in the stem, for the roots of all trees are 
proportioned to the stem they have to maintain, it is therefore 
evident that an injury to the one must also injure the other. 

If you are desirous to keep your stocks some time before 
planting, they must, like all other trees, have their roots coyer- 
ed with mould, otherwise it will retard the future growth of the 
plant. When stocks are sent any distance, a puddle of clay and 
water should be made, and the stocks dipped in it, so as to 
form a coating to defend them from the wind ; and then, being 
packed up in an old bas mat, they will carry without injury. 

The trimming of the stocks ought to be carefully attended to, 
both as regards the mode and requisite height. Four feet, three 
feet, two feet six inches, two feet, one foot six inches, and one 
foot, are the heights most likely to succeed. Should any of your 
numerous readers derive any benefit from the above sketch, it 
will give great pleasure to , Pomona, 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 161 


PART IL 
LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last. 


t. GARDENIA PANNEA, Cloth-leaved, (Bot. Reg. 1952. 
CINCHONACE®, GARDENIEZ. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


The plant was introduced a few years back to the London Horticultural 
Societies Garden ; it is a stove shrub from South America. The flowers are 
single, two inches across, of a pale sulphur colour, not fragrant. Gardenia 
in compliment to Dr. A. Garden, a Physician in South Carolina, who was a 
correspondent of Linnaeus, 


2, GESNERIA SCEPTRUM, VAR IGNEA. Sceptre flowered. Pale flowered 
vai ietu, [ Bot, Mag. 3576. 


GASNERIACEEZ, DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 


Introduced into this country from Brazil, and has bloomed in the Glasgow 
Botanic Garden in 1836. The flowers are of a dull pale reddish-yellow, 
with a darker edge to the limb. Gesnera in compliment to the celebrated 
John Gesner. 


3. LINUM MONOGYNUM. Monogynous Flax. [Bot. Mag. 3574, 
LINEX. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


It is now well known in the country by nurserymen and florists, but we 
think it deserves extensive publicity, and therefore again bring it to the 
notice of our readers. It isa most desirable plant for the greenhouse, or 
if turned out into the open border in a warm situation in summer it will 
bloom profusely. The large corymbs of fine white blossoms being very 
showy, a bed of the plant makes a fine appearance, blooming all the summer 
season, 


4, MAXILLARIA STEELII, Mr. Steel’s. [ Bot. Mag. 3573. 
ORCHIDACE#, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 


A native of Demerara, from whence it was introduced last year by Matthew 
Steele, Esq. It has bloomed in the collection of John Moss, Esq., Otterspool, 
near Liverpool. The scape is short and single flowered ; the blossom rather 
large, near an inch and a half across, fragrant, of a dingy reddish-yellow 
colour. The perianth blotched with deep purple, Lip streaked with purple, 
red and yellow. It is a singular flowering species, and a valuable addition 
to this very interesting tribe of plants. Mazillaria from the“resemblance to 
the Maxillz of insects. 


5, MEGACLINIUM MAXIMUM, Largest. [Bot. Mag. 1959. 


ORCHIDACEX. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 


A native of Sierra Leone, which has been introduced by Messrs. Loddiges’s 
in whose collection it bloomed in 1836. The flowers are not very interesting, 
they are very small, produced along a sword shaped rachis, and are of a 
greenish yellow, spotted with red. Megaclinium from megas large, and kline 
a bed, in allusion to the broad sword-shaped bed or rachis of the blossoms. 


6. PERISTERIA CERINA, Waxen Dove Flower. [ Bot. Reg, 1953. 


OBCHIDACE®. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA, 


Mr. Knight of King’s Road, introduced this curious species from the Spa- 


7 Main, It has bloomed in Mr. Knight’s collection. The flowers are 
OL. V, S 


162 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


Jarge, produced upon a pendulous raceme. They are of a pale sulphar, 
intermixed with deep yellow ; and have a strong scent of juniper. Peristeria 
from peristeria a dove. The original kind Pelata has a column which resem- 
bles a dove hovering with expanded wings. 


7. PHILODENDRON CRASSINERVIUM. Thick-ribbed. [Bot. Reg. 1258. 
ARACE®., MONACIA TETANDRIA. 


A native of Brazil; and has bloomed in the collection of the Rey. Frede- 
rick Beadon, of North Stoneham. It is a climbing plant, which in its native 
country grows to a considerable extent, fixing itself to the trunks and limbs 
of trees, and the shoots hanging down like cords from tree to tree rendering 
the roads often impassable. The aram formed flowers are about four inches 
long, of yellowish-white colour. Philodendron from phileo to love, and dendron 
atree. Alluding to the habit of the plant. 


8. PHALANGIUM POMERIDIANUM. Afternoon flowering. [ Bot. Flow.Gard.38h 
ASPHODELE2, HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA, SYNONYMS, SCILLA POMERIDIANA, 
ANTHERICUM POMERIDIANUM. 


This plant is cultivated in the very celebrated collection of Mrs. Maryatt, 
Wimbledon. Its native country is probably the Cape of Good Hope. The 
bulbs are said to be an excellent substitute for soap. It is a half-hard 
bulbous plant. The flowers are produced upon a paniculated spike. Eac 
flower is about an inch and a half across, having narrow undulated petals, 
white. Phalangium trom Phalaggos, a venomous spider, the plant curing 
its bite. 


9. SARCANTHUS TERETIFOLIUS, Round leuved, [ Bot. Mug. 3571. 
ORCHIDES. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA, 


This Orchideous Epiphyte, was introduced some years since into this 
‘country by Mr. Brookes of Newington Green, It is a native of China. The 
flowers are produced upon a spike, seven or eight upon each. Sepals green, 
‘streaked with reddish lines. Lip, white. Each flower is about three 
quarters of an inch across. Sareanthus from sarkos flesh, and anthus a flower ; 
in consequence of the fleshy nature of the blossom. 


40. SPARAXIS STELLARIS, Starry flowered. (Brit. Flow. Gard. 
IRIDEX. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


‘The flower is of a rich purple colour, the ends of the petals are a little 
lighter, as is the outside of the petals. The present kind is cultivated by 
Allen and Rogers at Battersea. 


11. STRANVAESIA GLAUCESCENS, Grey leaved. [ Bot, Reg. 1956. 
ROSEACEHZ. ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. 


A very pretty evergreen shrub from Nepal, from whence it was introduced 
to the garden of the London Horticultural Society, about ten years since. 
It is about as hardy as a Myrtle, growing well, and blooming in June, if 
trained against a wall, The plant has been sold out under the name of 
Crategus glauca. The blossoms are produced in a largish corymb, white. 
They are succeeded by small orange coloured berries The habit of the 
plant is to shoot early in spring, and in consequence the ends of the shoots 
are very liable to be damaged. Stranvesia so named in compliment to the 
Honourable W, F. Strangways. F. R. S. of Abbotsbury Castle, Dorsetshire, 
a yery great patron of Floriculture, and Botany, 


eee 


REVIEW. i623 


’ 


f2, SYMPHORICARPOS MONTANUS, Mountain St. Peter's Wort. [Botanist, 
CAPRIFOLIACER. PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


A hardy shrub, much branched, growing from five to six feet high, and 
almost evergreen. It is a native of Mexico, found at the height of seven or 
eight thousand feet. Symphoricarpos from Sumphoreo ta collect, and karpos 
a fruit, from the berries being clesely crowded together. 


; REVIEW. 


A history and description of the different varieties of the Pansey, oF 
Heartsease now in cultivation in the British Gardens, illustrated with twenty- 
four coloured figures of the choicest sorts, by I. Sinclair and J. Freeman. 
London, May, 1837. Thirteen numbers of this neat little work have pre- 
viously come out; the fourteenth for May, 1887 contains a figure of the 
Tyor Hero Pansey. The engravings are on stone, and the colouring well 
executed. The number contains four pages of letter presss. The work is 
very neatly executed, and well worth procuring. This very lovely tribe of 
flowers demands the . attention ef every person possessing a flower garden. 
We grow at the Downham nursery, more than five hundred kinds, including 
all the first rate flowers that are in the trade, and we are so enthusiastically 
partial to the Pansey as to induce us to procure every superior kind that it 
isin our power todo. We have drawings taken of several most splendid 
seedlings, will which appear in subsequent numbers of the Cabinet, The 
following judicious observations on raising seedlings are extracted from 
the work under review : 

“As the season for raising seedlings is now approaching, we hope those 
who wish to excel in this pleasing and interesting pursuit, and have a few 
leisure hours to bestow upon it, will attend to the suggestions which we pre= 
sume to offer. Their chances of success would be greatly increased, if they 
would take the trouble to fertilize the flowers by an artificial process. And 
this is properly the business of the amateur; for a nurseryman, whose at- 
tention is distracted by so many occupations, has no time for such a pur- 
pose, but must be content to leave it to nature to perform her own oflices, or 
trust to the insect tribe to carry the farina accidentally from one flower to 
another, The stock of the amateur indeed, is better suited to this work, than 
that of the nurseryman ; for though inferior in quantity, it is, or ought to be, 
much more choice in quality, such as grow flowers for sale being obliged to 
keep many sorts contrary to their own judgment, in order to gratify the taste, 
or the want of it, of those who deal with them, 

We are not ignorant, however, that the task we recommend is both diffi- 
cult and tedious. The plants are so low in their habit of growth, that a 
person cannot work upon them without continual stooping, or even going 
down upon his knees. We would advise those, who wish to try the experi- 
ment, and to know the result of their practice, first to select six or eight of 
the largest and best shaped flowers, and to put them into pots, in which 
they could be removed into any convenient situation, and brought close to 
the eye of the operator. Mark the flowers you intend to fertilize witha 
small piece of matting or thread, tied loosely round each, so as not to inter- 
fere with the flow of its juices, and keep a record of the different sorts with 
which you have crossed them, Ifthe operation is new to you, it will be as 
well, previously, to dissect a few common flowers in different stages of their 
growth, in order to become acquainted with their parts, and the different 
symptoms of their maturity, When the flower begins to expand, you must 
of course divest it of its male organs, or it would impregnate itself, and all 
would be lost. This you would soon learn to do, if you would cut open 
a few flowers when they are partially blown, and observe the five anthers, 


164 REVIEW: 


which, whenripe, shed their powder, called the polien, on the sligiaa, atid 1 
fertilize the flower. These anthers therefore must be carefully extracted be~ 
fore maturity, sos not to injure the stigma, which is tobe powdered with 
the fertilizing dust of another flower. A small pair of tweezers will be use- 
ful for the first operation, and a soft brush of Camel’s hair for the other. 
Soon after the farina has been put upon the stigma, you will perceive the 
seed yessel begin te swell gradually, and in the course of a fortnight you 
will be in fresh danger of having your labour thrown away, for in hot 
weather the pods will often burst very suddenly, and scatter the seed in 
all directions, In order to prevent this, tie a small piece of tape or gauze 
about the pod, leaving it loose enough to allow room for the vessel to swell, 
but making sure of catching the seed'whenever it is ejected. Sow the seed in 
a separate pot, with a distinct mark to it, that you may learn by the union, 
of what plants to produce the finest flowers. Put them, when strong enough, 
into a shady situation, and some of them will show bloom im the ensuing 
autumn so as to enable you to forma judgment of their merits. And when 
you have acquired more experience, forget not to furnish us with any useful 
remarks that may occur to you, for the benefit of others.” 


SCIENCE OF BOTANY. 
Continued from Page 189. 


‘In exogenous plants, the new matter being added externally, a bark or 
covering is necessary to protect it, when young and tender, from the action of 
the atmosphere, and from external injury from other causes: hence an im- 
portant office of the bark. In endogenous plants, the new matter, being 
added internally, is provided with an excellent covering, formed of the main 
substance of the plant, and has no need of a separate protecting integument. 

‘In spring there is found between the bark and the alburnum a _ viscid 
gelatinous fluid called cambium, which, it is supposed, is the principal agent 
in forming the new layers of wood and of bark. This fluid is composed of 
the residue of the cambium of the preceding season, enriched and renewed 
by the descending sap, and mixed with some of the secretions of the ye- 

etable. 
ee M. Mirbel and others are of opinion that the cambium annually forms a 
new layer of alburnum and a new layer of bark. This is the most simple 
mode of formation, and probably that which takes place. We know that the 
cambium can repair the bark when it has been injured; and, as the new 
layers of wood and bark are formed where this fluid is found, it is not un- 
reasonable to suppose that it acts an important part in this process. 

““M. Du Petit-Thouars advanced a singular theory, namely, that the sue- 
cessive formation of woody layers is caused by the development of buds, frem 
which, in spring, issue numerous fibres, which descend in the cambium be- 
tween the liber and the alburnum. In gliding downwards they meet the fibres 
which descend from other buds, and form a layer of greater or less thickness, 
which soon becomes solid, and forms a layer of wood. 

“Each bud is regarded as a separate system of vegetation. The buds are 
considered so many individuals placed upon a common stock, and elongat- 
ing in two different ways—upwards, forming new stems and branches, leaves, 
&c.—and downwards, forming roots; the descending fibres being the roots 
which the buds put forth, and the cambium bearing the same relation to the 
roots of the bud as the soil does to a germinating seed. M. Thouars con- 
siders buds as analogous in structure and mode of development to the embryo 
of the seed, which in germinating produces a young stem analogous to the 
scion produced hy the growth of abud. He calls the latter, a fixed or ad- 


REVIEW, 166 


_ herent enibryo, while he denominates that within the seed a free embryo. 


Thus the wood and bark are considered as formed of the roots of the buds 
which are annually developed on the surface of the vegetable. 

“ Whatever may be the mode in which the formation of the new layers 
takes place, itis known that the matter which forms them descends from the 
leaf-buds or leayes, either in the innermost layers of the bark, or between 
it and the alburnum. 

“Tf all the buds or leaves be removed from the upper part of a branch, no 
increase in diameter will take place above those that are left. If a ring of 
bark be removed from a tree, the part below will not imcrease in thickness, 
and the upper lip of the wound will heal quickly, while the lower lip will 
not. This operation has been recommended for improving the fruit of trees ; 
the descending sap or proper juice, confined to the upper part, increases 
the size of, and enriches the flowers and fruit developed above the place from 
which the ring has been removed. ‘This is called ringing: care must be 
taken to make the ring very narrow, in order that the parts may easily 
re-unite. 

“If a ligature be placed tightly round the bark of a tree, the part above 
the ligature will swell, but not the part below; and it has been observed 
that the rate of increase of the diameter of any part of a branch or tree is in 
proportion to the number of leaf-buds developed above that part. 

‘*From their peculiar structure, Exogenous stems readily throw out 
branches, and hence the form of the trees in this country is so diflerent from 
that of the Palms. Figure 5 shows the general outline of an oak tree. The 

art of the tree where vegetation is active being near the outer surface, the 
feds easily penetrate and grow into shoots, from the sides of which also buds 
are developed, and thus the tree is branched and subdivided to a great ex- 
tent, and froma short distance above the ground. 

‘‘From the same cause, such trees attain a great thickness and live toa 
great age. The new matter being added externally, has little resistance to 
overcome (only that of a thin bark, which is easily distended and pushed 
out) and thus there is hardly any limit to its increase in diameter, while, 
becoming only more securely fixed as it grows, and the growth going on 
between the bark and the wood almost independent of the imner parts, there 
is as little limit to the duration of the tree. In fact each annual layer of 
alburnum or bark seems to have an independent existence—hence trees are 
often found flourishing, though quite decayed and hollow within, 


PROPAGATION OF PLANTS, 


“There is a very large assemblage of plants which produce their seeds by 
stamens and pistils, and they are called flowering or pheenogamic plants In 
most cases the stamen and pistil are together (in the same flower), the fewer 
being then cailed perfect. 

“In some plants the stamen and pistil, though on one plant, are not to- 
gether, as on the oak and the nettle. ‘the flowers are then said to be mono- 
ecious (par. 216), and in these cases the pollen either, falls on the stigma, or 
is conveyed to it by the wind. or by insects. 

“Tn other plants, as the willow, the hop, one plant has stamens only, while 
another has pistils only. The flowers in this case are called Dioecious, and 
the same means serve to convey the pollen as in the last case. A flower 
with pistils only is called Pistilliferous; one with stamens only is called 
Anteriferous, 

“In the following tribe of plants the pollen must reach the stigma in order 
that the ovules’ may ripen and become seeds, and there are many different 
ways in which this is brought about. 

“Tn a great number of cases the flower is erect, the stamens are longer 
than the style, so that the anthers are aboye the level of the stigma; and 
when the cells of the anther open, the ripe pollen necessarily falls upon the 
stigma, In other cases, where the pisti] is longer than the stamens, the 


166 RRVIEW. 


flower is inveried or drooping, so that the pollen stil] falls upon the aligin® 
(as in the Fuschia), In other cases of this kind, where the flower is not 
drooping but erect, there is a nectary (a heney store) at the bottom otf the 
flower, which attracts insects: these, agitating the stamens as they enter, and 
receiving a quantity of the pollen on their bodies, necessarily deposit a 
portion of it on the stigma as they fly out. In many plants, as im rue, bar- 
berry, rock-rose, pellitory of the wall, kalmia, grass of parnassus, the sta- 
mens are formed with an elastic spring, by which they throw the pollen on 
the stigma, or have a moving power by which they approach the stigma 
and deposit the pollen upon it. In monoecious plants, the antheriferous 
flower generally occupy the upper part, so that the pollen falls upon the 
other flowers. In these, in dioecious, and indeed in all plants, the wind 
is a leading agent in bringing the pollen (which is a very light powder) to 
the stigma. In a dioecious plant which grows under water ( Valisneria spiral - 
is), the (antheriferous flowers become detached, rise to the surface, and float 
about, while the pistilliferous flower, which retains its connection with the 
plant, has a spiral stalk, which unfolds and lengthens out so as to elevate 
the flower above the surface of the water—there the two kinds of flowers 
meet, and insects or the wind apply the pollen to the stigma, an operation 
which does not go on effectively under water. Then the stalk of the pistilli- 
ferous flower resumes its spiral form and draws the flower under water, there 
tc perfect the seeds. The Urticaria, a plant which grows under water, and 
has perfect flowers, (par. 170), has bladders attached to its roots, which 
become filled with gaceous matter, so as to cause the plant to ascend to the 
surface when the pollen is ripe, and effect the application of the pollen in the 
air. When this is done, the bladders loose their ariel fluid, and the plant 
again becoming specifically heavier, descends to ripen the seeds. 

“The polen of the stamens, which falls upon the stigma, being conveyed 
through the style of the ovules in the germen, vivifies them, causes in them 
a new and more vigorous growth, so that they enlarge and grow into seeds, 
aang which are capable of becoming plants similar to those that produced 
them. 

‘« When the seeds are ripe, the seed-case, or pericarp opens (dehisces) to 
let them escape. They fall to the ground, and, under the influence of heat, 
air, and moisture, take root, grow, produce the same kinds of organs, and 
pass through their various stages of existence in the same way as the plants 
which prodaced them. 

‘“‘ The dehisence of the pericarp is beautifully seen in willow-herb, violet, 
broom, and many other well-known plants. 

‘Most plants produce a considerable number of seeds, and in many cases 
there is some peculiar construction in the pericarp or seed, by which the 
seeds are not allowed to fall down and accumulate on the spot where they 
grew, but are scattered and conveyed toa distance (disseminated) from the 
parent plant, In most plants that do not drop their seeds around themselves, 
the wind is the leading agent in dispersing the seeds, being often assisted 
by the great lightness of the seed, by some appendage, such as wings or 
feathers (as in willow-herb, in dandellion, and thistle, and the rest of the 
syngenesious tribe) which the wind in wafting the seed to a distance, or by 
the pericarp dehiscing at the upper part and sides, so that the seeds do not 
fall out, but are shaken or blown out by the wind. In other cases as in the 
broom (Cystius), the balsam (Impatiens), the Oxalis, there is a mechanical 
contrivance in the pericarp or seed, which has the effect of a spring, in pre- 
jecting the seed when ripe, to a distance from the parent plant. = 


Te be continrecd. 


Fee ee rrr ree 


a 


? j MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 167 


PART UL 
MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES, 


On THE Daut1a.—“ To a Star in the East,” I was much pleased with an 
article on the Dahlia, contributed bya Star in the East, who promised to 
continue it, but has not kept his word, I trust, however, he has not yet 
gone to bed, but that he will still shine for a month or two longer. 

June 11th 1837 Timoruy, 

My compliments to Pensee, and I am obliged for his excellent observations, 


On Bone Manure.—It was mentioned in ‘your April Number that the re- 
marks of your correspondent T. was too late for that Nnmber. They re- 
lated, as you perhaps know, if you have not forgotten the circumstance, to 
an enquiry as to the persons who were able to furnish the article on Bone 
Manure. Ihave looked in vain in your last or May Number for any infor- 
mation on the subject. Were the remarks in question, or rather the renew- 
ed enquiry, too late for the May Number also ?—(It had escaped our notice, 
but shall be attended to—Conp.) 

May 6th, 1837. T, 


ON THE HEIGHT OF THE SWEET SCENTED CnInA ROSE WHEN TRAINED 
AGAINST A WaLL.—To what height has the sweet scented China Rose, train- 
ed against a wall, been known to grow? An early answer to this, in the 
Cabinet, will much oblige an; 

OLD SUBSCRIBER. 


REMARKS, 


Narcissus Minor ET PumiLa, &c,—Not having read in any Numbers of 
the Floricultural Cabinet any observations on the culture of Narcissus, I beg 
to call the attention of the readers of the Cabinet to that beautiful family of 
plants, whose merits, if better known, would be more extensively culti- 
vated, flowering in the early part of spring, makes them desirable plants, 
and when planted in beds in sorts or single patches, strikingly beautiful. 

N. minor, pumila, cernicus, tenuifolius, and triandrus are well adapted for 

planting in beds near walks, growing from six to eighteen inches in height, 
the othér sorts, amounting to fifty species and varieties, are desirable plants, 
and I hope, will shortly become better know to the Florist in general, and 
more extensively cultivated ; and instead of seeing them in botanical col- 
lections, they will find a place in every flower garden. J. W.D. 


Mrvosa prostrata,—A very pretty trailing plant, which blooms profusely, 
the flowers are of a delicate pink colour. It is admirably adapted for train- 
ing up a wire trellis pillar, &c. The plant grows very freely. It will grow 
either in the greenhouse or open air; it deserves a place in either, We 
have seen it most beautiful, and have procured a quantity of plants, 


Monopwira INSIGNIS MAJOR. RuopanrHe Mancresu, &c.—I have had a 
number of Plants of Nemophila insignis major and Rhodanthe Manglesii in 
bloom in pots in my greenhouse for a month, and will doubtles continue for 
several months. Each kind is allowed a very rich soil, and plenty of pot- 
‘room ; one plant, however, will soon cover a tolerably sized pot. Both the 
Kinds deserve extensive cultivation, CLERICUS. 


168 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


Verpena Trocepiana, &c.—This lovely plant is now blooming profusely 
with us, and fully equals all that has been said on it, when first noticed it 
in the Cabinet. It isa most valuable addition to this neat and beautiful 
flowering genus. We have also obtained a white flowering kind which is 
highly spoken of, and a fine species with blush lilac flowers, producing large 
clusters of blossoms. Clematis azarea grandiflora is also in bloom with us, 
and is certainly one of the most charming climbing greenhouse plants yet 
introduced. lis fine blue flowers produced in profusion, renders it a most 
desirable plant. It ought to be in every conservatory or greenhouse, 


Petunias.—The very striking hybrids we gave drawings of last month, 
now show their fine and striking blossoms with us in profusion, they richly 
merit a place in every greenhouse or flower garden, 


Snows FIXED FoR Juty.—Horticultural Society, Regent-street, three 
o'clock, Tuesday the 4th. 

Metropolitan Society, Crown and Anchor, seven o'clock, ditto. 

Wolverhampton and Staffordshire Floral Society, Tuesday the 4th. 

Tamworth Horticultural Society, Wednesday the 5th. 

Horticultural Society, Chiswick Saturday the 8th. 

Ditto ditto Regent-street, three o’clock, Tuesday the 18th. 
Metropolitan Society, Crown and Anchor Tayern, seven o’clock, ditto 
Wiltshire Horticultural Society, ditto. 

Ditto ditto Show Carnations, Members only, Thursday the 20th. 
Bath Royal Horticultural and Floricultural Society, ditto. 
North London, Dablias, ditto, 
South Essex Horticultural and Floricultural Society Stratford, ditto 
Bristol Royal Horticultural and Botanical Society, Tuesday the 25th. 
Huddersfield Horticultural Society, Thursday the 27th. 
Wingham, Kent, Horticultural and Floricultural Society, ditto 
Bedford Horticultural Society. open Show. Friday the 28th. 


MerTrRopo.itan Society oF FLORISTS AND AMATEURS—The Committee have 
determined that the prizes should consist of medals only, which the Committe 
have had prepared, and which they wish to see received by the persons to 
whom they may be awarded ; and for this:reason, they reduce the value of the 
prize one-third to persons who receive them in money. the medals are ; . 

The small Adelaide medal, value 153. The large ditto ditto, value £1 
10s. The King William medal £3. The small gold Adelaide medal, £7 10s. . 
The large gold Adelaide medal, value £15. The gold King William medal, 
value £30. | 

Persons to whom any of these may be awarded will have the option of 
taking two-thirds of the value in money, or the medals themselves ;¥ and 
these may be received as awarded, or allowed to accumulate, and be re- 
ceived in a more expensive medal. 

FOURTH EXHIBITION SHOW JULY 20, (members only) 

Carnations.—Best stand of twelve, large medal, Adelaide medal, and 

small ditto. 

Piccoters.—Best stand of twelve ditto, ditto, ditto. 

¢ Entrance, Is. each stand, first Tuesday in Jnly. 


REFERENCE TO THE PLATE. 


These very striking Panzies are seedlings in our possession, as soon as plants 
are ready for sale, notice will be given. 


THE 
FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


AUGUST Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 


ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 
ON THE CULTURE OF HEATHS, &c. 


BY MR, JOHN FYFFE, GARDENER TO THE REV. W. MANSFIELD, MILTON 
BRYANT, WOBURN, BEDFORDSHIRE, 

Iy the number of your Magazine for February, there is a query 
on the management of‘ Ericeas,’ by W. P. Hamelton, in which 
he complains of being unsuccessful in the cultivation of that in- 
teresting tribe of plants, he seems to be anxious for any informa- 
tion on the subject, and from the experience which I have had in 
their cultivation, I hope to be able to point out a few of the er- 
rors which that writer may have fallen into in his management. 

Your Correspondent in the first place complains of his Heaths 
getting naked, or more properly speaking, rusty; this I should 
say is from the effects of drought, being crowded close together, 
on the pots being exposed to the powerful rays of the sun; if the 
pots are placed in the open air as is the practice with the most 
of our hardy G. H. plants (this is always the case with the more 
tender sorts of the Ericaze; the sun acts so powerfully on the 
pots when exposed for any period of time, as to dry the ball com- 
pletely, and allowing the plant to be watered with the greatest 
care, the substance of peat soil being of a peculiar drying 
nature, the water often runs off, if the plants are potted high, 
without penetrating to the centre of the ball; this is the cause 
of heaths going off so suddenly. When once allowed to get 

VOL. V. T 


170 ON THE CULTURE OF HEATHS. 


completely dried up, you may water them and go away, fan- 
cying that all is right, when, perhaps, if you were to turn out the 
plant the water has not penetrated one inch, the next day comes 
a hot and burning sun, your plant stands exposed as usual, and by 
the action of the sun the pot has succeeded in completely drying 
up the ball by mid-day, the plant stands so until night, and for 
six hours it is actually dying for moisture. 

To remedy this defect I would recommend your correspondent 
to observe the following rule—if he is in the habit of placing his 
Heaths in the open air, never to do so without plunging the 
pots to the brims in cinder ashes or sand, the former being the 
best, not being liable to be infested with worms, keeping the ashes 
in a moist state by watering, as also giving each plant a regular 
supply every night, according to its state of dryness. Heaths 
are much benefited by being partially shaded, when set in the 
open air, by canvas or any light substance, as the sun acts so 
powerfully on the foliage, when first taken out of the house, but if 
your correspondent has a house principally for Heaths, I would 
say,do not take them out at all, except a few, so as the rest may 
not be over crowded, leaving air at all times, except in very se- 
vere weather, or when cutting winds may occur, if the stage 
of the house stands high or much exposed to drying winds. 
When air is admitted to the house, I should recommend the pots 
to be protected by placing a "quantity of (Hypnum) among the 
pots, keeping it moist by watering. 

In potting his Heaths, he cannot follow a more successful plan 
than that practised by Mr. Macnab of the Edinburgh Royal Bo- 
tanic Garden, which I should say has fully answered the object 
of that most scientific floriculturist, which is this, keep the ball 
or centre of the plant when shifting higher than the margins of 
each pot, and introducing small pieces of free stone round 
the ball, these pieces are very useful, as they retain the moisture 
in hot weather, as also absorb it if the plants be over watered, 
keeping a regular moisture in the ball; each pot should be filled 
with broken pieces of pot to the thickness of two or three inches, 
according to the size of the pots, to carry off the excess of mois- 
ture, which is injurious in very hot weather; placing some sift- 
tings .of peat soil next to the drainage, before placing the plant 
into the pot or tub. Ifyour Correspondent is not so fortunate 
as to havea supply of free stone, it may not be amiss to say, 


.” Ee 
hs 
he Be 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE BALSAM. 171 


that I have used broken pieces of pots in the manner recommend- 

ed with the stones, with almost equal success, only care must 

be taken that the pot is soft, or what gardeners call a good pot, 

not over burnt. J.F, 
June 19th, 1827. 


LAA es: amine af 
ARTICLE II. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE BALSAM. 


BY SCRUTATOR. 


ALTHOUGH several papers have been written on the cultivation 
of the Balsam, yet ‘they are so very complicated, that I am in- 
duced after a long experience, to forward to you a method of 
treatment, which I have found to be very successful and simple. 
The seeds (which should at least be from four to ten years old) 
must be sown in ahot bed about the middle [or latter end of 
March, ina soil taken from a cucumber bed, in quanties of half 
sandy loam and rotten dung, which has been turned over two or 
three times during the winter. I suffer the plants in the seed- 
pots to be drawn up about three inches when they are planted 
off singly into very small pots, filled with the same soil, they 
must remain until the roots are seen shooting through the hole 
at the bottom of the pot, when they must be repotted into the 
next size, and so on continually till they fill pots of the largest 
size. Care should be taken to keep the plants as near to the 
glass as possible, and particularly remember to take off the first 
buds, which strengthens the plant amazingly, and make them 
blossom more double though later. I generally shade the plants 
whenever the sun shines very hot upon them, to prevent scorch- 
ing the leaves. I also use clear pond water after it has been in 
the frame six hours, By pursuing this course I have been sin- 
gularly successful in raising Balsams go as to astonish every per- 
son in this neighbourhood, and I hope other persons will be as 
fortunate as myself, after they have read my method. 
SCRUTATOR, 


P.S. Should the above communication be approved of, I shal] 
with great pleasure inform you of the course of treatment I have 


172 ON A LIST OF NEW CAMELLIAS. 


adopted with the Ipomopsis elegans; my plants are looking very 
fine, and are showing for blossom. 

In return, I should like to see alist of greenhouse plants of 
the greatest beauty, stating their colours, the time of blowing, 
and also the method of propagating them. I should also like to 
know how to impregnate the Thunbergia alata alba, as I havea 
fine plant, and wish to propagate more from it.* 

June 19th 1837. 


[* Very readily by cuttings of young shoots being inserted in sand. We 
__ should be greatly obliged by the Article on the Ipomopsis at an early op- 
 portunity—Conpucror.] 


ARTICLE III. 
AN ADDITIONAL LIST OF NEW CAMELLIAS. 
BY MR, GEORGE JOSEPH KAMEL. 


My two former communications being favourably received, and 
by you inserted in Vol. III. and IV. of the Cabinet, I forward you 
an additional list of new varieties. On page 200 of Vol. IV. 
it is stated that Camellias are two years coming up from seed, an 
assertion I can contradict, ‘having plants six inches high in six 
months, by sowing the seed as soon as ripe, and placing it in the 
stove. 


BRITISH AND CONTINENTAL HY- Graya 
BRID VARIETIES WITH DOUBLE lepida 


WHITE FLOWERS. princeps 
. Allnuttia Rives 
roseeflora 
SINGLE WHITE FLOWERS. 
Palmerii PALE OR LIGHT RED FLOWERS. 
Bealeii 
VARIEGATED FLOWERS. foliosa 
Adonida Spofforthia 
Cloweana superba 
Kingii Roalina 
DARK RED FLOWERS. SIMPLE RED FLOWERS. 
Allnuttia superba amplissima simplex 
amoena Helvola 
Berleziana incomparabilis 
cruenta paradoxa 


On page 154 Vol, 1V. for Flosackia Hosackia. 


LIST OF FOREIGN EERNS. 173 


ARTICLE IV. 


A LIST OF FOREIGN FERNS WHICH HAVE STOOD THE OPEN AIR 
OF THIS COUNTRY IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DURING THE 
WINTER OF 1856 and 1837. 


BY J. R. 


AGREEABLE to my promise of last year I forward youa list of 
Foreign Ferns which having stood the winter of 1836-7 out of 
doors may lay some claim to be considered hardy—they having 
had only the protection of fallen leaves, and to prevent the 
blowing away, of which a few spruce fir boughs were pricked in 
the ground around the plants. 

If others of your correspondents have made similar trials, I 
hope they will favour your readers with the result, and indeed 
any remarks on Ferns, from them will be acceptable, especially 
as I am aware that with some of your readers in the south and 
west of England, Ferns are cultivated. 


June 15th 1837. J.R. 
Adiantum pedatum Pteris falcata 
Allantodia australis ” arguta 
Aspidium tuberosum ”  caudata 

”  auriculatum ”  serrulata 

” — atomarium Polypodium elatum 

” marginale Physematium molle 

” - bulbiferum Woodwardia radicans 
Blechnum gracile Woodsia perrenniana 
Doodia caudata Asphidium acrostichoides 
Dickinsonia pilosius cula Struthiopteris germanica 
Osmunda interrupta 8 Pensylvanica 
Onoclea sensibilis Aspidium cemulum 
Pteris hastata Pteris longifolia 

ARTICLE V. 


ON STIKING CUTTINGS OR SLIPS OF PLANTS IN WATER. 
BY AN OPERATIVE, 
I TROUBLE you with these few remarks, but hope they will not 
exclude valuable matter; haying acted upon the'suggestion of one 


174 ON STRIKING SLIPS IN WATER. 


of your Correspondents regarding striking cuttings in water, I 


have tried a great many Dahlia roots this spring in water, and 
every shoot has struck freely, excepting where I lightly fasten- 
ed a bit of brass round the stem to keep the lower leaves close, 
that the shoot might go into the phial, the lower leaves of 
which rotted. I cut the shoots in the usual way, close under a 
joint, and then hang the bottles, which ought to be wide-mouthed, 
some green, some white glass, against a wall, under the sky- 
light of a warm work-shop in London, in the full glare of the 
sun, from the first moment of putting them in the water. A 
shoot of an old root, the Springfield Rival, I put in the latter 
end of May, I noticed particularly on the 12th day after putting 
it in had emitted one root, and on the fifteenth, it had four fibres 
or small lobes, an inch long, the growth being so rapid after it 
starts. 

Fuschia gracilis Iam trying the same way, and find them 
strike in the same time, this way may be slower than the ordi- 
nary way of hot-bed strikings, but I think it will suit those, 
who like me, have a hot-bed at the beginning of the season, but 
cannot command one whenever occasion may require it. 

AN OPERATIVE. 


ARTICLE VI. 


METHOD OF OBTAINING FLOWERS OF DIFFERENT COLOURS 
FROM THE SAME STEM. 
BY AN AMATEUR. 


Ihave tried the following process with great success; and if 
you think it worthy a place in the Ploricultural Cabinet, it is at 
your service. Split a small twig of elder-bush lengthways, and 
having scooped out the pith, fill each of the compartments with 
seeds of flowers of different sorts, but which blossom about the 
same time; surround them with mould, and then tying together 
the two halves of the twig, plant the whole in a pot filled with 
earth properly prepared. The stems of the different flowers will 
then be so incorporated as to exhibit to the eye only one stem, 
throwing out branches covered with flowers analagous to the 
seed which produced them, 


An AMATEUR. 


Eee eer lee 


REVIEW. 75 


PART IL. 
REVIEW. 


Tue FLOWER GARDEN, tucluding Directions for the Arrange- 


ment and Cultivation of all Garden Flowers, §c. London, 
Orr & Co. 


We have received the first part of this publication, June, 1837, 
and find it contain some useful and interesting remarks. The 
following extract on Rock Work, is a specimen, of its style. 

We recommend the Work to our readers. The Author has 
not stated whether the parts in future, are to come out monthly, 
quarterly, or annually. 


“The Chinese, who are partial to imitations of the grander features of na- 
ture, in minature, frequently in the smallest area of a town court-yard, have 
rough shapeless stones thrown together in heaps, to represent rocks, with 
plants growing in the crevices. It is by no means wnusual, in our own 
suburban gardens, to see similar fanciful, and incongruous, heaps of stones, 
chiefly irregularly formed flints, the sorize of forges, and large bits of coke 
from the gas works, covered with sedums, house-leek, and other plants which 
may be made to grow in such situations. Most of these are planted, and 
executed in the worst taste. 

“ The finest specimen of this kind of work which was ever, perhaps, ex- | 
ecuted, was laid out ,by Mr. Forrest, now of the Kensington Nursery, for his 
Grace the Duke of Northumberland, at Sion House, The imitation is, indeed, 
so complete, that when the back of the visitor is turned to the superb con- 
servatory, he might almost fancy himself at the entrance of a Highland glen. 
The turf on the edge cf this rock-work is in parts studded with moss, while 
little knolls, which nobody would doubt being real ant-hills, are covered 
with wild thyme and hare-bells, The expense of this, however, must be 
enormous, as there are blocks of granite of several tons weight; and few 
amateurs, we think, would attempt to rival this. But when tastefully 
planned, and well executed, rock-work may be made a very interesting 
feature of a flower-garden. The following remarks on the subject from 
“‘Chambers’ Edinburgh Journal,” will give the reader some good hints, 
which he may adapt to circumstances and situation, should he be inclined to 
construct rock-work for flowers. : 

**«The rocky ravine, the mountain’s brow, and the sea-beach, are the 
most fertile sources of materials for a rockery; and it is necessary, in se- 
lecting them, to pay minute attention to the manner in which the various — 
rock are deposited in their several beds, and also to the mosses, heaths, and 
ferns, which are congenial to them; for, in proportion as the selector shall 
succeed in ‘imitating nature, will he please his own eye, and gratify his 
friends. Having fixed on a quarter whence materials are to be procured, 
the next object is to find out an intelligent workman, who may execute the 
charge entrusted to him with care. On this a good deal depends ; and some 
pains should be taken to make him understand thoroughly what is wanted. 
The size of the stones should always be varied, but proportioned upon the 
whole to the intended size of the rock-work. A number of detached erec- 
tions never look well; they are stiff and artificial. The whole should show 
an evident and well-defined connection; and, with regard to the stones, 
the greatest possible yariety in form and size shonld be studied, The 


& 
- 


176 , REVIEW. 


foundation should consist of mounds of earth, which answer the purpose as 
well as any more solid erection, and will make the stones go farther. Rocks 
of the same kind and colour should be placed together ; if intermixed they 
seldom wear a natural appearance. A dark cave, penetrating into the 
thickest part of the erection, is not very difficult to construct, and, when 
encircled with ivy, and inhabited with a pair of horned owls, which may be 
easily procured, it will form a most interesting object. Rock plants of every 
description should be profusely stuck around, and, in one short twelvemonth, 
the whole scene will exhibit an impress of antiquity far beyond anticipation. 
The whole should be enclosed with forest-trees of large foliage, that the 
visitor to the scene may step upon it unexpectedly. Water in all cases adds 
greatly to the general effect, and a small pond permits the construction of a 
rocky island, which should be formed with jutting points, for the sake of the 
reflection in the water. By asimple expedient, streams of water may be 
made to issue from the rocks, or spout into the air, and fall in beautiful 
cascades. This is done by placing a cask in an elevated spot at a little 
distance, and leading under ground, pipes to the spot required, where, by 
service pipes, anything wished by the erector may be easily managed. A 
cask holding thirty-five gallons might keep such falls playing for an_ hour, 
and might be kept out of sight. A pond, also, would permit the cultivation 
of native and foreign succulent plants; and gold fish and perch might be 
introduced, with a water-hen or two, and a few of the ducker species of sea- 
fowl, In absence ofa pond, or any similar supply of water, a pump-well 
might still be made, without much labour, to enliven the reckery with water 
falls. 

“«¢The whole undertaking, when completed, will present a field of varied 
and interesting study, and more than compensate for all the attention and 
outlay bestowed upon it. The aquatic and rock plants which formerly were 
‘far to seek and ill to find,’ will thus be brought within the range of every- 
day observation ; the wagtail, oxeye, and stonechatter, will be attracted to 
the spot, not, perhaps, because they are lovers of the picturesque, but be- 
cause they find everything here suited to their nature; and colonies of the 
wild bee will soon be seen, and heard humming on their winged instruments 
around the interstices of the rocks, and heavily laden with their winter store. 
These are all objects which not only please the eye, but from which man 
may derive grave lessons, that, well digested, may make him a better and 
a wiser man.’ 

“On the steep edges of woods where the falling down of a brow has ex- 
posed the more massive roots of large trees, and more in forests where trees 
have been torn up by the roots, moss frequently accumulates, annually dies 
and soon forms soil, where we may sometimes meet with pretty native flowers, 
such as wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), 
elegant St. John’s wort (Hypericum pulchrum, ) and the like. This accidental 
feature of natural woods has been imitated in gardens, by collecting, in some 
border or compartment, old stumps and roots of trees, and throwing, on 
such parts of them as will permit it to lie, compost fitted for the growth of 
the plants intended to be cultivated there. It is necessary to remark, how- 
ever, that as the soil will be necessarily shallow, it will require plants that 
will thrive without much water. 

“ The authoress of the Florist’s Manual says that ‘“‘ fragments of stone may 
be made use of, planted with such roots as flourish among rocks, and to 
which it might not be difficult to give a natural appearance, by suiting the 
kind of stone to the plant which grows naturally among its debris. The pre- 
sent fashion of introducing into gardens this kind of rock-work, requires 
the hand of taste to aaninilats it to our flower borders, the massive fabric of 
the rock being liable to render the lighter assemblage of the borders di- 
minutive and meagre. On this point caution only can be given, the execu- 
tion must be left to the elegant eye of taste, which, thus warned, will quickly 
perceive such deformity. I wust venture to disapprove of the extended 
manner in which this mixture of stones and plants is sometimes introduced 


——— 


REVIEW. 177 


—nét haying been able to reconcile my eye, even in gardens planned and 
cultivated with every advantage which elegant ingenuity can give them, to 
the unnatural appearance of artificial crags of reck and other stones inter 
spersed with delicate plants, to the culture of which the fertile and shelteret 
border is evidently necessary,—being decided that nothing of the kind should 
be admitted into the simple parterre, that is not manifestly of use to the 
growth of some of the species therein exhibited.’ 


FLOWERING PLANTS SUITABLE FOR ORNAMENTAL 
ROCK-WORKS, 


‘The compost used for rock-work, should be prepared according to the 
nature of the soils particularised in this list. 


HARDY ANNUALS. 


Calyxea Madwort. Alyssum calyci- 
num Flowers July and August, 
in sandy peat soil. 

Hairy Madwort. Alyssum hirsutum. 
Flowers June and July, in common 
garden soil. 

Nail-wort-leayed Bell flower. Cam- 
panula drabefolia. Flowers July 
and August, in sandy loam. 

Violet Thlaspi Treacle Mustard. Cly- 
peola I’on Thlaspi. Flowers May 
and July, in common garden soil, 

Musk Heron’s Bill. Erodium moscha- 
tum. Flowers May and July, in 
sandy loam. 

Prostrate’Toadflax. Linaria prostra- 
ta. Flowers in June and July, in 
common garden soil, 

Tangier Pieridium. Pieridium Tingi- 
tanum. Flowers in June, in com- 
mon garden soil, 

Mignonette. Resedaodorata. Flow- 


ers from June till October, in rich 
mould, 

Atocion Catchfly. Silene Atocion. 
Flowers May and July, in sandy 
loam 

Small red Catchfly. Silene rubella. 
Flowers May and June in common 
garden mould, 

Prickly Trefoil. Trifolium echinatum. 
Flowers June and July, in common 
garden mould. 

Banatian Violet. Viola Banatica. 
Flowers in April and September, in 
rich garden soil. 

Shore Violet, Violalittoralis. Flow- 
ers in June and July, in peat and 
loam, 

Heartsease. Violatricolor. Ylow- 
ers all the summer, in common 
garden soil. 

Tenore’s Candy Tuft. Iberis Teno- 
reana, Flowers in June and July, 
in common soil, 


BIENNIALS. 


Rock Githionema. Cthionema saxa- 
tile. Flowers in June and July, in 
common garden mould, 

Throatwort-like Bell-flower. Campa- 
nuia cervicaria, Flowers in July 
in sandy peat: 

Thrysoid Bell-flower, 
thrysoidea. Flowers from June till 
August in sandy peat. 

Common Carline Thistle. Carlina vul- 
garis. Flowers from June till Sep- 
tember, in common soil. 

Wallflower. Cheiranthus cheiri. Flow- 
ers in April and July, in rich 
mould. 

Vou. V. 


HoaryStock. Mathiolaincana. Flow- 
ers in May and November, m loam 
and peat. 

English Scurvy grass. Cochlearia 
Anglica. Flowers‘in May, in com- 
mon garden mould, 


Campanula | Danish Scurvy grass, Cochlearia Da- 


nica, Flowers in May and June, 
in common mould. 

Long flowered Viper’s Bugloss. Echi- 
um macranthum, [lowers in July 
and August, in common garden 
mould. 

Violet-coloured Viper’s Bugloss. E- 
chium yiolaceum, Flowers in July 


178 


and August, in common garden| Alyssum Horehound. 


mould, 

Common Viper’s Bugloss. Echium 
vulgare. Flowers in July and Au- 
gust, in loamy peat. 

Garland Hedysarum. Hedysarum 
coronarium. Flowers in July and 
August, in common gar den mould. 

Pale Hedysarum. Hedysarum palli- 
dum. Flowers in June and July, 
in sandy loam. 


REVIEW. 


Marrubium 
alyssum, Flowers in July and Au- 
gust, in sandy loam. 

Dwarf Mountain Germander. Teu- 
crium montanum. Flowers in July 
and October, in common garden 
mould. 

Lambert’s Vervain. Verbena Lam- 
berti. Flowers in July, in common 
garden soil. 


PERENNIALS. 


Clavenna’s Milfoil. Achillea Claven- 
ne. Flowers in June and July, in 
loamy peat. 

Mountain Milfoil. Achillea montana. 
Flowers from June till August, in 
common mould, 

Roseate Milfoil. Achillea rosea. 
Flowers from June till August, in 
common mould. 

Tomentose Milfoil. Achillea tomen- 
tosa. Flowers in May and October, 
in common mould, 

Alpine Bugle Ajuga Alpina. Flow- 
ers in July and August, in common 
mould. 

Pyramidal Bugle. Ajuga pyramida- 
lis. Flowers in May and June, in 
sandy peat. 

Alpine Ladies’ Mantle. Alchemilla 
Alpina. Flowers in July, in com- 
mon garden mould. 

Smooth Ladies’ Mantle. Alchemilla 
glabra. Flowers in July and Au- 
gust, in common mould. 

Five-leaved Ladies’ Mantle. Alche- 
milla pentaphylla. Flowers in July, 
in common garden mould. 

Mountain Madwort, Alyssum mon- 
tanum. Flowers in July and Au- 
gust, in sandy loam. 

Alpine Madwort. Alyssum Alpestre. 
Flowers in July and August, in 
common mould. 

Rock Madwort. Alyssum saxatile. 
Flowers in April and May, in sandy 
loam. 

Wall Madwort. Alyssum murale. 
Flowers in April and May, in com- 
mom mould, 

Meadow Anemone. Anemone praten- 


sis. Flowers in May, in sandy peat. 


Alpine Anemone. Anemone Alpina, 
Flowers in July in sandy peat. 

Siherian Anemone. Anemone Sibiri- 
ca, Flowers in June in sandy peat. 


Mount Baldo Anemone, 
Baldensis. 
sandy peat. 

Rock Chamomile. Anthemis saxati- 
lis. Flowers in July and August, 
in common mould. 

Mountain Kidney Vetch. Anthyllis 
montana. Flowers in June and 
July, in sandy loam. 

White Mountain Kidney Vetch. An- 
thyllis montana alba, Flowers in 
June and July, in sandy loam. 

Alpine Columbine. Aquilegia Alpina. 
Flowers in May and June, in com- 
mon mould, 

Siberian Columbine. Aquilegia Sibi- 
rica. Flowers in May and July, in 
common garden soil, 

Canadian Columbine. Aquilegia Ca- 
nadensis. Flowers in April and 
May, in sandy peat. 

Pyrenean Columbine. Aquilegia Py- 
renaica. Flowersin May and July, 
in sandy peat. 

Alpine Wall-cress. Arabis Alpina. 
Flowers in March and May, in peat 
and loam. 

Stone Wall-cress, Arabis saxatilis. 
Flowers in May, in common garden 
mould. 

Murale Wall-cress. Arabis muralis, 
Flowers in May and July, in com- 
mon mould. 

Rock Wall-cress. Arabis petra. 
Flowers in May and July, in com- 
mon mould. 

Daisy-leayed Wall-cress, Arabis be- 
lidifolia. Flowers in May and 
June, in peaty loam. 

Mountain Sandwort. Arenaria mon- 
tana. Flowers im April and July, 
in sandy peat. 

Rock Sandwort, Arenaria saxatilis. 
Flowers in July and August, in 
sandy peat, 


Anemone 
Flowers in May, in 


REVIEW. 


Motntain Arnica, 
Flowers in July and August, in peat 
and loam. 

Icy Arnica. Arnica glacialis. Flow- 
ers in July and August, in peat and 
loam. 

Swiss Arnica. Arnica Helvetica. 
Flowers in June and July, in rich 
mould. 

Greenland Wormwood. Artemisia 
Greenlandica. Flowersin June,July, 
and August, in sandy loam. 

Canadian Milk Vetch. Astragalus 
Canadensis. Flowers in June and 
July, in sandy loam. 

Lapland Diapensia. Diapensia Lap- 
ponica. Flowers in April, in sandy 
veat. 

Deltoid Aubrietia. Aubrietia deltoi- 
dea. Flowers in March till May, 
in peaty loam. 

Purple Aubrietia. Aubrietia purpu- 
rea. Flowers in May and June, in 
common mould. 

Foxtail Betony. Betonica alopecurus 
Flowers in July, in common garden 
mould, 

Alpine Braya. Braya Alpina. Flow- 
ers in June, in peaty loam—a curi- 
ous and interesting plant. 

Carpathian Bell-fower. Campanula 
Carpatica. Flowers in July and 
August, in peat and loam. 

Hill Bell-flower., Campanula collina. 
Flowers in June and July, in peat 
and loam. 

Russet Bell-Aower. Campanula pulla. 
Flowers in June and July, in com- 
mon mould. 

Dwarf Bell-flower. Campanula pu- 
mila. Flowers in June, in peaty 
mould. 

Garganian Bell flower. Campanula 
garganica. Flowers in June, in 
peaty mould. 

Round-leaved Bell-flower. Campa- 
nula rotundifolia. Flowers in July, 
in common garden mould. 

Rock Bell-flower. Campanula saxa- 
tilis. Flowers iv May and August, 
in peaty loam. 

Alpine Bell-flower. Campanula Alpi- 
na, Flowers July, in peat and loam. 

Asarum-leayed Cardamine. Carda- 
mine Asarifolia. Flowers in July 
and August, in peaty loam. 

Broad-leayed Mouse-ear. Cerastium 
latifolium. Flowers in June and 

July in common mould, 


179 


Arnica montana. | Alpine Mouse-ear. Cerastium Alpin- 


um. Flowers in July, in peaty loam. 

Spring Phlox. Phlox vyernalis. Flow- 
ers in February, in common mould. 

Sedum-like Cherleria. Cherleria se- 
doides. Flowers in June and July, 
in common mould. 

Dark-leayed Golden-flower. Chry- 
santhemum atralum. 

RockScurvy-grass. Cochlearia saxa- 
tilis, Flowers in June and July, 
in sandy loam. 

Hill Pink: Dianthus collinus. Flow- 
ers in July and September, in sandy 
loam. 

Hyssop-leaved Pink. Dianthus hys- 
sopifolius. Flowers in June and 
October in common mould. 

Alpine Pink. Dianthus Alpinus. 
Flowers in June and July, in sandy 
loam. 

Mountain Pink. Dianthus montanus 
Flowers in June and September, in 
sandy loam, 

Rock Piz. Dianthus petre. Flow- 
ers in July and August, in sandy 
loam. 

Feathered Pink. Dianthus plumarius. 
Flowers in June and August, in 
sandy loam. 

Aizoon.like Draba. Draba aizoides. 
Flowers in February and April, in 
sandy loam. 

Ciliate-leaved Draba. Draba ciliaris. 
Flowers in February and April, in 
sandy loam. 

Cuspidate Draba. Draba cuspidata. 
Flowers in February and April, in 
sandy loam. 

Alpine Draba. Draba Alpina. Flow- 
ers in April and May in common 
mould. 

Rock Draba. Draba rupestris. klow- 
ers in May and July, in sandy loam. 

Alpine Willow-herb. Epilobium Al- 
pinum. Fjowers in June, in sandy 
loam. 

Mountain Willow-Herb. Epilobium 
montanum. Flowers in June and . 
July, in common mould. 

Alpine Barren-wort. Epimedium.al- 
pinum. Flowers in May and June, 
in peaty loam. 

Alpine Hedge Mustard. Erysimum 
Alpinum. Flowers in May and 
June, in sandy loam. 

Lancaster Crane’s-bill. Geranium 
Lancastriense. Flowers from June 
till September in common mould. 


180 


Crimson Crane’s-bilt Geranium san- 
guineum, Flowers_from June till 
September, in sandy loam. 

Scarlet Avens. Geum Coccineum, 
Flowers in July and August, in peat 
and loam. 

Pyrenean Avens. Geum Pyrenaicum 
Flowers in June and July, in peaty 
loam, 

Radiated Avens. Geum Radiatum., 
Flowers in June and July, in com- 
mon mould, 

Obscure Hedysarum, Hedysarum 
obscurum. Flowers in July and 
August, in sandy loam, 

Alpine Hedysarum. Hedysarum Al- 
pinum, Flowers in July and Au- 
gust, in sandy Joam. 

Sand Cudweed. Helichrysum arena- 
rium, Flowers in July and Septem- 
Der, in sandy peat. This genus was 
formerly, GNAPHALIUM, and is 
known in many gardens by that 
name, : 

Fair St. John's wort. Hypericum pul- 
chrum. Flowers in July, in peat 
and loam. 

Mountain St. John’s-wort. Hyperi- 
cum montanum. Flowers in July 
and August, in common mould. 

Alpine Toadflax. Linaria Alpina. 
Flowers in June and July, in sandy 
loam. 

Rock Toadflax, Linaria saxatilis, 
Flowers from June till September, 
in sandy loam, 

Pyrenean Petrocallis. Petrocallis Py- 
renaica, Flowers in May and June, 
in peaty loam. 

Beautiful Cinquefoil. Potentilla formo- 
sa of Don, P. Nepalensis of Hooker. 
Flowers in June and July, in com- 
mon garden mould. 

Rock Cinquefoil, Potentilla rupes- 
tris. Flowers in May and June, in 
common mould. 

Rock Cinquefoil. Potentilla petre. 
Flowers from May till July, in com- 
mon mould, 

Arctic Bramble. Rubus arcticus. 
Flowers in May and August, in 
peaty loam. 


Rock Bramble. Rubus saxatilis. 


REVIEW. 


Flowers in June, in common mould 
but should be reserved for large 
ageregations of Rock Work, as 
should R. arcticus. 

Aizoon Saxifrage. Saxifraga aizoi- 
des. Flowers in June and July, in 
sandy peat. 

Snowy Saxifrage, Saxifraga nivalis. 
Flowers in June and July, in sandy 
Joam. 

Opposite-leaved Saxifrage. Saxifra- 
ga oppositifolia. Flowers in March 
and April, im sandy peat and loam. 
A more suitable and beautiful plant 
cannot be appointed to adorn the 
brow, and enliven the bosom of 
artificial rock- work. 

Rock Saxifrage. Saxifraga petra. 
Flowers in April and May, in sandy 
loam. 

Moss-like Saxifrage. Saxifraga hyp- 
noides. Flowers in April and June, 
in decayed stone or sand, with peat. 

Podolian Schivereckia. Schiyereckia 
podolica. Flowersin June and July, 
Tn sandy peat. 

English Stone Crop, Sedum Angli- 
cum, Flowers in July and August, 
in common mould, 

Corsican Hedge Nettle. Stachys Cor- 
sica. Flowers July and August, in 
common mould, 

Imperato’s Orpine. Telephium Impe- 
rati. Flowers in June and August, 
im sandy loam. 

Rock Valerian. Valeriana saxatilis. 
Flowers in July, in common mould. 

Mountain Valerian. Valeriana mon- 
tana. Flowers in June and July, in 
common mould. 

Rock Veronica. Veronica saxatilis. 
Flowers in June in common mould. 

Scarlet Vervain. Verbena melindris, 
Flowers all the summer, in light rich 
mould. 

Common Indian Fig. Opuntia yulga- 
ris. Flowers in August, in sandy 
loam. 

Large-flowered Violet, Viola grandi- 
flora, Flowers in May and August, 
in peaty loam. 

Rock Violet. Viola lutea. Flowers 
in May and July, in peaty loam. 


BULBS. 


TwistedGarlic, Allium flexum. Flow- 
ers in July, in common mould. 


naica. Flowers in May and June, 
in common mould. 


Pyrenean Fritiliary, Fritillaria Pyre- | Pyrenean Star of Bethlehem. Ornitho 


vie 


REVIEW. 181 
polum Pyrenaicum. Flowers in| Violet-coloured Wood-sorrel. Oxalis 
June and July, in common mould. violacea. Flowers in May and June, 

Little Wood-sorrel, Oxalis acetosel- in sandy peat.” 


la. Flowers in April and May, in 
common mould, 


SCIENCE OF BOTANY. 


Continued from page 166. 


“Tn most plants which do not drop their seeds around themselves, the 
wind is the leading agent in dispersing the seeds, befng often assisted by the 
great lightness of the seed, by some appendage, such as wings or feathers 
(as in willow-herb, in dandelion, and in thistle, and the rest of the syngene- 
sious tribe, which aid the wind in wafting the seed to a distance, or by the 
pericarp dehiscing at the upper part and sides, so that the seeds do not fall 
out, but are shaken or blown out by the wind. In other cases as in the 
broom (Cystisus,) the balsam, (Impatiens,) the Oxalis, there is a mechanical 
contrivance in the pericarp or seed which has the effect of a spring, in pro- 
jecting the seed, when ripe, a distance from the parent plant. 

“The use of these contrivances for dispersing seeds is obvious. They 
would choke each other in germinating close together, if they simply fell ,to 
the ground, and be thus lost or wasted. When the parent plant remains, 
(as in trees), they would be superfluous at the spot where there is already a 
plant of the same kind ; but being dispersed, the seeds are carried abroad 
and get room to germinate—They grow up and fertilize other places, 
and thus perpetuate the species, and increase the useful products which the 
plant may yield to the animal creation. 

“Animals are frequently the means of the dispersion of seeds. Rivers 
and even seas also aid in spreading seeds, 

“‘ New plants arise from three sources, 1st. from seeds, which when pla- 
ced in a fit situation, become new plants, of the same species as that which 
produced them, though frequently of a different variety. Plants are divided 
into Genera, Species, and Varieties.Each genus includes many species, and, 
each species many varieties. The varieties of any species differ in parti- 
culars which are not deemed of much importance, such as colour, size, éc. 
and a seed always produces a plant of the same genus and species as that of 
the parent, but frequently of a different variety. The commencement of the 
growth of the seed is called germination. 2nd, From buds, which are also 
capable of producing new plants, In this case, it is always the same variety 
that is produced. 3d, From slips or branches, which, when treated in a 
particular manner, are capable of becoming entire and independent plants, 
when separated from the parent. This is called propagation by slips or 
layers; and in this case also, we always obtain the same variety. This 
latter mode might be included along with the second, thus making two prin- 
cipal sources of yvegetation—seeds and buds. 


GERMINATION. 


* A perfectly formed seed may be considered a young plant, the vital 
energies of which are in a dormant or latent state, but ready to be excited 
to action when the proper stimuli are applied ; and containing a quantity of 
matter in a state to be easily formed into proper nutriment, and applied to 
its support before it is able to provide for itself. 

** Seeds possess a great quantity of carbon. This substance, by its anti- 
putrescent qualities and hardness, prevents the seeds from undergoing pu- 
trefaction, and thus preserves il for a great length of time. Ali that is neces- 
sary for preserving seeds is, to prevent germination and putrefaction, For 


182 REVIEW. 


this purpose, they must be carefully excluded from the action of heat and 
moisture, and other chemical agents, Seeds retain their vitality for a very 
long period—for hundreds, or even thousands of years. Seeds which have 
been proved to have been not less than one thousand eight hundred years old, 
have germinated and produced thriving plants! and plants have appeared, 
on turning up the ground in some situations—the seeds of which are con- 
jectured to have been buried a much longer period. 

“ Four conditions are necessary for the process of germination, the pre- 
sence of water, of heat, and of air, and the exclusion of light. 

“‘ Water softens the integuments, and renders them capable of being burst 
by the swollen embryo; dissolves the nutritive matter contained in the seed 
thus reducing it to a fit state to be absorbed for the nutrition of the em- 
bryo; conveys in solution nutritive particles from other sources; and fur- 
nishes two important ingredients in the composition of vegetables. 

“ The air, by means of the oxygen which it contains, effects a chemical 
change on the farina of the seed. The oxygen combines with the carbon, 
and forms carbonic acid, which escapes ; and thus the proportion of oxygen 
and hydrogen being increased by the expulsion of the carbon, the farina is 
converted into a semi-fluid substance, of a saccharine or mucilaginous na- 
ture, consisting of starch, gum, and sugar, well adapted for the nutrition 
of the plant in its infant state. 

“ Heat always promotes chemical combination and decomposition, and 
thus assists the action of the water in dissolving the hard parts of the seed, 
and that of the air in its part of the process. Most probably heat acts as a 
general stimulus to the absorbents in the seed. Seeds cannot be made to 
germinate in very cold weather, except by the application of artificial heat. 
Too great heat also checks germination, because it destroys the vitality of the 
seed. . 

‘* Light is unfavourable to germination, because it disposes to an accu- 
mulation of carbon in the seed, and a consequent hardening of the parts, 
or rather prevents the expulsion of carbon, and consequent softening of the 
parts, which if necessary they should be taken up and appiied to the use of 
the plant. The seeds of red poppy and charlock remain in the ground and 
retain their vitality for a long period; hence they are frequent on new banks 
or newly upturned ground. 

“From the operation of these causes, it will be seen why secds planted 
too deeply in the earth do not germinate, The air has not access to them, 
and therefore, from the want of that important stimulus, they remain torpid. 
Hence it is that earth newly dug up frequently becomes covered with weeds, 
the seeds of which soon germinate when exposed to the air. 

*« Placing seeds at a certain depth in the earth excludes them from the ac- 
cess of light which is so injurious to germination; insures a supply of mois- 
ture, which would not remain with them were they placed at the surface ; 
protects them from the wind, and from the attacks of animals, and enables 
the roots to take a firm footing in the soil. 

‘When the germination has commenced, the seeds become soft, and 
swells, oxygen is absorbed, and carbonic acid disengaged ; the particles of 
the covering of the seed loose their cohesion, and it bursts to make way for 
the elongation of the embryo; the radicle elongates and descends, often 
attaining a considerable length before the gemmule has made any progress, 
and soon exercises its function of absorbing food; the cotyledons expand 
and become seminal leaves, which afford nourishment to the young plant 
in the first stage of its existence, by elaborating the sap, and wither when 
the proper leaves of the plant have unfolded, or remain under the surface, 
are gradually absorbed, and disappear; the gemmule or first bud gradually 
unfolds and enlarges; the leaves and stem appear, and we now haye a 
young plant, a living being, able to provide its own sustenance, and to ap- 
ply it to its increase, and to the formation of seeds to perpetuate the spe- 
cies, 

“In the operation of malting, the object is to convert, the farina of the 


REVIEW. 183 


seed into sugar. For this purpose the seed is made to germinate, and this 
process is stopped (by heating) at that point at which it has been found there 
is the greatest quantity of saccharine matter in the seed Were germination 
allowed to proceed further, the saccharine matter would be taken up for the 
nutrition of the young plants, and its nature completely altered. 


PROPAGATION BY BUDS. 


‘‘ Plants are propagated by buds, in four different ways. Ist, By means 
of the bulbs which grow at the base of the scales in the bulbous root, as in 
the Snowdrop or Lilly ; these bulbs are soon detached from the parent bulb, 
and become independent plants. 2. By means of the bubils which grow 
upon the stem in the axilla of the leaves, as in the Corral-root (Dentaria 
bulbiflora), and in the Orange Lilly (Lilium bulbiferum), or in the place of 
the flowers, as in the Mountain Garlic (Allium Carinatum) ; these become 
detached, and form new plants. 3. By means of the buds or small bulbs 
which grow at the margins of the leaves in the Bryopbyllum, and the bog 
Orchis (Malaxis paludosa); and 4. By means of the minute buds or eyes 
found in the tubercles of various plants as the potato (Solanum Tubero- 
sum). 

‘‘In viparous Alpine Bistart (Polygonum Viviparum) the pistil of the 
lowermost flowers generally become a bulb (bud) which begins to grow and 
throw out leaves before it falls off, and being detached, strikes root and 
forms a new plant. The seeds in this plant are seldom ripened. Sheep’s 
Fescue Grass (Festuca ovina) frequently produces in place of flowers, buds, 
as fall off as bulbs, and vegetate ; this is also the case with Alpine Meadow- 
grass (Poa alpina) and Sand Garlic (Allium arenarium). Plants which form 
buds or bulbs which they throw off, and which then vegetate independently, 
are called viviparous. 

‘* All these resemble seeds in this, that when detached from the parent 
and placed in the earth, they produce new plants. They differ from seeds 
in not being formed by flowers; in not being able to preserve their vitality 
for such a length of time ; in not having distinct parts such as radicule, 
gemmule, and cotyledons, being merely extensions of the substance of the 
parent ; and in always producing the same variety. Hence one advantage of 
propagating the Potato by buds ; we have found a variety well adapted for 
use as an article of food, and we can ensure its reproduction. If grown 
from a seed, a very different variety might be produced, which would not 
have the same nutricious properties. In fact, plants arising from buds, are 
regarded asa continuation of the same individual—hence they in time be- 
come exhausted and deteriorated. 


PROPAGATION BY SLIPS AND LAYERS, 


“ Propagation by layers consists in surrounding a young branch with moist 
earth, in which case it throws out roots, and very soon becomes an inde- 
pendent plant. It is customary to make a small incision at the part placed 
in the earth, or to passa ligature round it. This intercepts the descending 
sap, which, by being accumulated, excites the latent buds, and these heing 
developed in the earth, become roots. 

“ Sometimes the branch is bent downwards and fastened in the earth, as 
in the Vine, which is always propagated in this way ; and many plants pro- 
pagate themselves naturally in this way, the stems or branches lying on the 
earth, and taking root where they come immediately in contact with it, as the 
Currant bush and Laurel. At other times the branches are surrounded with 
earth in its natural position. and detached when it has taken root. 

‘« Propagation by Slips much resembles the preceding mode. The only 
difference is, that the branch or slip is detached from the parent before being 
made to put out roots. The slips or cuttings of most trees that have a light 
white wood, as the Willow, the Ash, or the Poplar, easily take root when 
placed in the earth; and indeed the Willow is reproduced chiefly in this 


184 REVIEW. 


way. It is dificult to propagate by slips, woods which are very dense and 
contain much resin, as the Fir and Oak, 

“ These processes for the propagation of plants are, in many cases prefer- 
red to multiplying by seed. Propagation by slips or layers always pro- 
duces the same variety, as that from which the slip is taken, so that we 
have a plant that produces good fruit by propagation in either of these modes, 
several may® be raised bearing fruit equally good. The tree is always 
more speedy in bearing fruit when formed in this way, than when grown 
from a seed. 

“It is an interesting fact, and which is turned to good account in the 
cultivation of fruit trees, that, when the tree is raised in this way, the number 
of seeds in the fruit is almost always less than when produced from a seed, so 
that more of the juices and strength of the plant are expended in perfecting 
this fruit, The Vine when raised from seed, has four seeds in each grape ; 
but frequently only two when propagated by layers. 

‘* The Sugar-cane, which is propagated nearly in a similar manner, bears 
no seed at all, but the other parts of the plant are richly developed. Thus 
also, the seeds of the plants mentioned before are rarely ripened; and in com- 
mon Solomon’s Seal (Conyallaria multiflora), the berries are seldom rip- 
ened, the plant increasing much by root.” 


<= 


Outlines of Human Physiology. By Hrersrrt Mayo. - 


In lately perusing this new work, we found the following in- 
teresting account of an experiment to determine why the roots 
of plants shoot downwards, by the ingenious Mr. Young :— 


‘Tt is impossible not to be struck with the close analogy which holds 
between the phenomena of the irratibility and movements of the sensitive 
plants and many of the instinctive motions of animals. The discrimination 
evinced by plants is a subject no less curious. Climbing plants stretch to- 
wards objects calculated to support them; a shrub when growing upon a 
wall, when it has exhausted the nourishment which its situation afforded, 
has been known to drop a long root tothe soil below. The daisy, in rank 
grass, bears a flower upon a long stalk; ona close shaven lawn, its flower is 
sessile. These and similar instances have been occasionally ascribed to an 
instinct in plants; it is much more philosophical to suppose, that the growth 
of plants is determined by physical impressions alone, such as variations of 
moisture or temperature, and exposure to or deprivation of light: and that 
nature, instead of imparting perception to plants as their guiding principles, 
has attained her purpose by another method, having so framed and endowed 
the vegetable economy in accordance with the circumstances in which it is 
placed, that the common accidents of the elements and of the seasons are 
likely to bring it to perfection. Several remarkable examples go to prove 
the correctness of the preceding views, out of which it may be proper to 
adduce the following: it is well known that, in whatever position a seed 
is laid in the ground, the plumule invariably rises towards the surface 
of the soil, while the radicle, on the contrary, shoots downwards. Upon the 
hypothesis that physical impressions determine the growth of plants, we 
should expect to find that gravitation is in this instance the influential cause, 
or that the growth of the radicle necessarily follows the direction of a me~ 
chanical force or tendency to motion, while that of the plumule goes against 
it. Mr, Knight ascertained this solution to be just, by experiments, in which 
another force was made to supersede, or to co-operate with, that of gravity. 
Seeds of the garden bean, which had been previously soaked in water, were 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 185 


attached at short distances along the circumference of a vertical wheel, 
which was made to perform more than one hundred and fifty revolutions in 
aminute. In a few days the seeds began to germinate. In their growth, 
the plumule of each tended towards the axis of the wheel, the radicle in the 
contrary direction. In this case, owing to the vertical rotation of the wheel, 
the influence of gravity is neutralised ; in its place « centrifugal force was 
substituted, by which the growing seed was influenced exactly as before by 
ravity. 

5 In Siother experiment, beans similarly prepared were attached to the cir- 
cumference of an horizontal wheel, which was then set in rapid motion ; the 
result was not less conclusive thanin the former instance; the plumule of 
each seed was observed to grow in a direction upwards and inwards, which 
the radicle tended downwards and outwards, that is to say, in the diagonal 
the two forces, by both of which, according to the hypothesis, it should have 
been blindly influenced. From these and similar instances, it appears rea- 
sonable to conclude, that the vital endowments are limited to two; namely 
irritability, and some modification of chemical affinity. What an innume- 
rable interval between their mode of existence and that of animals! 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last. 


1, BOLBOPHYLLUM COCOINUM. The Cocoa nut Bulbophyllum. 
[ Bot, Reg. 1964. 


ORCHIDACEA. G@YNANDRIA MONOANDRIA. 


This species of Orchidez was introduced into this country from Sierra 
Leone by Messrs, Lodiges. It was discovered upon the Cocoa-nut Palm, 
It has bloomed in the collections of Messrs. Lodiges, and Mr. Bateman at 
Knypersley. The petals are very narrow, serrated, of a pale flesh colour. 
The flowers are produced on aspike about six inches long. 


2. CHRYSOSTEMA TRIPTERIS. Three-leaved, [ Bot. Mag. 3583. 
SYNOMONYM- COREOPSIS TRIPTERIS. COMPOSITZ. SYNGENESIA FRUSTRANEA. 


This plant is an old inhabitant of this country, but not generally to be 
met with. It is nevertheless very ornamental for the flower border. It 
oe to about two feet high, blooms profusely. The flowers are of a light 
ively golden colour, having a purple disk, They continue in bloom from 
July to the end of the season. The plant may be procured at the public 
nursery and floral establishmets. Chrysostema, from chrusos gold; and stemma, 
a crown; referring to the colour of the flowers. 


8. EPIDENDRUM NOCTURNUM ; war, latifolium [ Bot. Reg. 1961 
BROAD-LEAVED NIGHT SMELLING EPIDENDRUM, ORCHIDACEA. GYNANDRIA 
MONANDRIA, 


The present variety has larger flowers than the original species, as well 
as the general habit of the plant being more robust. It has bloomed in the 
collection of the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth. The blossoms are 
highly fragrant at night. The sepals are of a greenish yellow, and the la- 
bellum of a yellowish white. 


4. ENCHARDIUM CONCINNUM. Neat. [Bot. Reg. 1962. 


ONOGRARIA. TETRANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 


This annual plant bears some resemblance to the Clarkia pulchella, but 
not so handsome. It is, however, a "neat and pretty flowering plant. The 
Vou. Y. x 


186 NEW AND RARE PLANTS 


flowers are not quite so large as the Clarkia, of a rosy-purple colour. It is 
a native of New California. Euchardium from eucharis in the sense of agree- 
able, in allusion to the appearance of the plant. 


5. PAVETTIA CAFFRA. South African. Pavetta. [Bot, Mag. 3580. 
RUBIACE. TETRANDRIA, MONOGYNIA SYNONYM. LXORA CAFFRA 
9 


A native of South Africa. The plants blooms very profusely. The flowers 
are white, produced similar to the well known Ixora coccinea. It deserves 
a place in every collection of hot-house plants, Pavetta, the name of the 
plant in the Malabar language. 


6. PLATYSTEMON CALIFORNICUM. The Californian (Bot. Mag, 3579 
PAPAVERACEZ. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA, 


This neat Jittle annual was sent from California by the late Mr. Douglas. 
The plant grows six or eight inches high, producing a profusion of flowers 
a good deal like the Wild Wood Anemone of this country, they are of a 
yellowish-white, Platustemoa, from platus broad, and stemon a stamen, allud- 
ing to the breadth of the filaments. 


7. REHMANNIA CHINENSIS, The Chinese. [ Bot. Reg. 1960. 


SCROPHULARIACEZ. DIDYNAMIA, ANGIOSPERMIA. SYNONYM. DIGITALIS 
GLUTINOSA. GERARDIA GLUTINOSA, 


The plant is nearly hardy, but succeeds best if kept in a cool greenhouse. 
It is a native of North China, The flowers resemble the Foxglove, but not 
so large. The limb is a dingy orange-yellow, and the tubular part is of a 
brown-purple. 


8. RHODODENDRON PHCENICEUM, vartety Splendens. 
(Brit. Flow. Gard. 385. 


This very fine variety has been raised by the impregnation of Rhododen- 
dron phcemiceum, with R. Catawbiense. Mr. Wood, Gardener to Mrs. May, 
of Sydenham, has been the successful raiser of this splendid flowering plant. 
It blooms profusely, and the flowers being very large are showy; they are 
of arich red-purple, spotted with darker colour. It will be a very orna- 
mental plant for the greenhouse or conservatory, and deseryes a place in 
every collection. 


9. SCHIZOPETALON WALKERIL. Mr. Walker's. [Brit. Flow. Gard. 887, 
CRUSIFERA. TETRADYNAMIA SILIQUOSA. 


A very singular flowering hardy annual, growing nearly a foot high, each 
branch terminating with white fragrant blossoms of a very curious cut form, 
producing a striking appearance. The pure white of the flowers, their sin- 
gular form, and powerful fragrance at night, strongly recommend the plant 
to every flower garden. It is better to raise the plants in pots and trans- 
plant them, than sow in the open ground. Seeds may be obtained of the 
London Seedsmen. See the lists advertised in the Cabinet during the past 
spring months. Schizapetalon from schizo, to cut ; and petalon, a petal, refer- 
ring to the flowers. 


10. WIGANEIA’ CARACASANA. Coraceus Wigandia. (Bot. Reg. 1966. 
HYDROLEACE® PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 

A very neat and handsome flowering hot-house shrub, growing six feet 

high. It has bloomed in the collection at the Duke of Northumberland’s ; 


the flowers are produced in profusion, in branching terminal clusters of three 
on each, the blossoms resemble some of the handsome Solanums, of a delicate 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 187 


iilac colour, which continue for a long time. It Iishly merits a place in every 
stove collection. Wiganda in compliment to John Wigand, a Bishop of Po- 
merania. 


11. SISYRINCHIUM GRANDIFLORUM, Large flowered. (Brit, Flow.Gard, 388, 
IRIDEX. MONADELPHIA TRIANDRIA. 


The late Mr. Douglas sent this plant from the North West of America, near 
Columbia. It very far surpasses any other of the genus, in the size, as well 
as colour of its blossoms, which are of a rich purple colour, and produced 
in vast profusion. The flower stems grow to about nine inches high. It is 
cultivated in the rich collection of Mrs. Marryatt, at Wimbledon. The name 
of the plant originated from pigs being fond of the roots. From rus, a pig 5 
and rugchos, a snout. 


12, AZALEA SEYMOURI. Seymour’s Azalea. [ Bot. Reg. 1975. 


This variety was raised some years since at the Hon. and Rey. W. Her- 
berts, Spofforth, near Wetherby, Yorkshire. It had been raised from the 
seed of Rhodora Canadensis, the flowers of which had been impregnated 
with those of Azalea Pontica. The habit of the Rhodora is, that, the blos- 
soms expand long before any foliage is produced, but the hybrid here noticed 
first pushed forth its foliage long before the flowers appeared. They are of 
a pale yellow colour, in form like the azalea Pontica but much less in size. 


23. BOLBOPHYLLUM SALTATORIUM, Dancing Bolbophyllum. 
[Bot. Reg. 1970, 
GYNANDRBIA MONANDRIA. OQRCHIDACES. 
Messrs Loddiges’s imported this species from Sierra Leone, and the plant 
has bloomed in their collection at Hackney. 


14, CALLIPRORA LUTEA, Yellew Flowered. [ Bot. Mag. 3588 
ASPHODELEXZ. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


The late Mr, Douglas found this pretty flowering bulbous plant in Northern 
California. It is found to flourish freely in the open border, in the warmer 
parts of this country. The flowers are produced in a scape upon a stalk six 
incheshigh. The blossoms are of a pretty yellow colour, which appear from 
June to August. Calliprona from Calliprora, pretty face ; alluding to the 
beauty of the flowers. 


15, COREAPSIS LONGIPES, Long Stalked. [ Bot, Mag. 3586. 


2 COMPOSITS. SYNGENESIA FRUSTRANBA, 


Mr. Drummond discovered this showy species in Texas, North America, 
It appears to be intermediate between C. verticillata, and C. tinctoria. It 
appears to be annual or biennial. The flowers are a fine yellow colour, not 
dark in the centre: each blossom is full two inches across. 


16. SPARTIUM ACUTIFOLIUM, Sharp-leaved Spanish Lrown.[ Bot.Reg. 1974 


LEGUMINOSZ, DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA, 


A probable variety of Spanish broom, the flowers are rather more lax than 
the original species. Seeds of it were sent from Turkey to the London 
Horticultural Society, It is a hardy shrub. 


188 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


PART IIL. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES, 


On THE CuLTure oF Primutus, &c.—Will some of your obliging Con - 
tributors favour me with the best mode of cultivation, and soil, and treat- 
ment for the Primula farinosa, longifolia, verticulata, cortusoides, minima, 
and integrifolia. 

Also, will you inform me where I can purchase Convolvyulus pentanthus, 
and Ipomcea Horsfollii, good strong plants at a reasonable price. 

Stratford, 10th May 1887. 
[We have the latter plant at Downham Nursery, at alow price.—Conp.]} 


REMARKS, 


_ Grtiarpia picta.—This very beantiful flowering plant, deserves a place 
in every flower garden, or greenhouse. Its very showy blossoms, produced 
in such profnsion, render it a valuable acquisition. 


Mimutus Hopsonut, a fine flowering variety, has been raised between M. 
roseas ; and M. cardinalis. It has the habit of the latter, and the blossom 
of the former, being of a fine rose colour, but a superior shape to the 
flower ofthe original roses. 1t has been named M., Hodsonii in compliment 
to the superabundant of the Bury St. Edmund Botanic Garden. It has 
bloomed in the garden at that place. 


Mimutus Crapronia.—A new variety raised by Mr. Law of the Clapton 
Nursery, between M. variegatus and M. cardinalis. The plant has the ha- 
bit of the laster, and the flowers of the former, but of a deeper colour. 


CxiantHus PuNIcEUS.—We have seen many of this beautiful flowering 
plant, succeed admirably, trained against a south aspected wall, and against 
a trellis on a south border. In both situations the plants bloomed freely, 
and are protected by matts or reeds in winter. 1fturned in the open ground 
in summer, and be taken up for winter, it does well—Use a rich soil. 


Sotanum Herpertia.—This hothouse species now blooms; its fine blue 
flowers produce a beautiful appearance. It is the handsomest of the species 
we have seen, and well deserves a place in the plant stove. Mr. Young of 
Epsom has plants of it in bloom. 


Devurzia scaBra.—This handsome shrubby plant has produced its lovely 
white blossoms so profusely, as to strike the attention of all who have seen it 
in bloom. The racemes of blossoms being much like a syringe in winiature, 
or resembling the andromeda pulverleata, or floribunda. The beauty of 
a large bush of it, is beyond description; the plant being so cheap, of eas 
culture, and growing very freely, well deserves a place in every Fess 
border or greenhouse. It blooms admirably well when placed in a room. 


Mimosa prostrata.—This plant is admirably adapted for training around 
a wire trellis, Such as we noticed early this year in the Cabinet. Its long 
branches throwing out a great number of lateral shoots, which hang pendant 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 18 


and produce a profusion of delicate lilac pink blossom, hanging in clusters. 
Being cheap on of easy culture, it deserves a place in every greenhouse, or 
to stand upon a lawn, or to train up a pillar, or against a trellis, &c. 


On THE Coxcuicum, Orcnii, &c.—The single and the double Colchicums 
are beautiful, and give variety to our gardens at alate season. The popu- 
lar belief, that the fruit or seed of Colchicum is produced previously to the 
flower, is wholly unfounded; and, as the peculiarity in the appearance of 
fructification of this plant, generally excite the curiosity of Florists. The 
orchis m4scula, which from the rich purple of its petals, and dark-spotted 
leaves, merits aplace among our cultivated flowers are rarely seen in gar- 
dens, it being generally supposed that there is some peculiar difficulty in 
removing the roots of this curious tribe of plants from their native situations 
of growth. I have in a former work hazarded the conjecture, that the Orchis, 
in removal, did not require different treatment from that necessary to be 
given to all bulbous plants under the same circumstances ; and I have since 
confirmed the justness of this conjecture by experiment. 

{tis requisite that the leaves of all bulbous plants should be wholly 
decayed before their roots are transplanted, as, until the change has taken 
place, the process ef growth in the annual renewal of the bulb continues in 
progress, and the growth of this new bulb is checked by any injury which 
the leaves of the old bulb may sustain. Nevertheless, as it is frequently 
expedient to remove bulbous plants while their leaves are green, and even 
during the time in which they are in flower, ‘this may be safely effected, if 
done with proper precaution, and also the root may be preserved in a 
healthy state, although it will certainly be weakened. All bulbs, if trans- 
planted while their leaves are in vigour, should be removed with as much 
soil as will adhere to the bulbs, and great care must be taken not to cut or 
bruise the root, or the root-fibres. When transplanted, their leaves should 
be carefully tied to a stick, and suffered to remain until they naturally 
fall from the plant. If bulbous plants, during their state of vigorous foliage, 
are sent to a distance, they should have the same attention given them, and 
the soil should be closely pressed round the bulbs, and their leaves nicely 
tied together, and the whole wrapped in sheet lead, which, hy keeping them 
from the air, will prevent the evaporation of their juices, and preserve 
them for a week or ten days nearly as well as if they were placed in soil for 
that period. 

We find the Orchis kind characterised as bearing two distinct bulbs, and 
the difficulty of removing any of the species from the fields into our gar- 
dens ascribed to some peculiarity in the plant. Also the rare circumstance 
of the autumnal Colchicum not ripening its seeds until the spring after their 
formation in the preceding autumn, has given rise to an unwarranted opi- 
nion that the fruit is produced previously to the expansion of the flower, 
and which, from want of a little farther investigation, has become an esta- 
blished popular belief. 

Iam desirous to rouse my sister florists to the exertion of seeing for 
themselves; and by shewing with how little trouble the errors mentioned 
above may be confuted, I hope to excite them not to acquiescence in the 
belief of any extraordinary fact, until they have examined the foundation 
on which it rests.» I have annexed some representations of the bulb of the 
large purple Orchis mascula, which will fully refute the belief which obtains 
of that order of plants bearing double bulbs, and will also exhibit the ex- 
traordinary change which takes place in the form of the bulb from its early 
state of growth to the time it has attained perfect maturity ; and respecting 
the difficulty of removal, I can aver from experience, that there will not be 
found any circumstance necessary to be regarded, but what occurs in the 
transplantation of all other bulbous flowers during the periods of their 
growth; and as the large purple Orchis will be found peculiarly ornamental 


in the borders of the mingled fl : ivndtle’ an Bitoni it 
thither will be well repaid.” eet garden, war: woubie in | OMDEe 


L90 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


As this Orchis is usually found growing in hay meadows, and the leaves: 
haying generally disappeared before the grass is cut, it is commonly expe- 
dient that it should be transplanted in a state of active growth, and I should 
recommend the removal of the plant to take place as early in the spring as 
its beautifully spotted leaves have attained about half their size ; when, if 
it be taken up with a clod of earth completely enveloping the root, and care~ 
fully shaded, and occasionally watered, it will rarely fail of producing a 
vigorous flowering bulb the ensuing year, and might probably bloom the 
year of removal; but inorder to strengthen the root, it will be better to 
pinch off the flower-stem as soon as it appears, as during the time of flower- 
ing alarge portion of nourishment is drawn by the fructification from the 
old root, and consequently the newly forming bulb is robbed of its due share 
of sustenance. Fiorist’s Manual. 


LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 


EXHIBITED AT THE ROOMS IN REGENT STREET. 

July 4.—H. M. Dyer, Esq. V. P. in the chair. Several presents were 
announced, but none were of particular importance. No papers were read, 
and the attendance was not numerous. 

Mrs- Lawrence exhibited an extensive collection of plants. The most 
prominent object was Brugamansia bicolor lutea, a. yellow variety, like the 
old Datura arborea, and narcoti, being used by the Mexican priests of Guata- 
mala in the religious rites. The other plants was a beautiful specimen of 
Gesneria facialis; a superb tray of Geraniums; Polygala cordifolia, Cam- 
phylia ériclor and anew species ; anew whitte Agapanthus, Pimelia decu- 
sata, Gesneria splendens, Lechenaltia oblata , two species of Polygalla Brac- 
lata, Pimella Rosea, and a tray of heartsease. The large silver medal was 
awarded for the collection. 

Mr. Leveson Gower exhibited several double yellow Roses of great 
beauty, The growth of this rose is very uncertain, and its cultivation very 
difficult, as there is no plan to make the flower grow, it appearing as it could 
only be developed in certain places. The silyer Banksian medal was award- 
ed for the same. Mr. Slater exhibited a collection of Irises and Roses, Mr. 
Hooker, of Brenchley, a very extensive variety of roses, and Messrs, Colley 
and Hilla very handsome collection of Pelargoniums. $ 

Mr. Fairbairn exhibited five varieties of Erica Ventricosas named as fol- 
lows:— E, V. fragrans cocinea, E, V. superba, E. V. coccinea, E. V. fragrans, 
and E stellata, as also a curious plant Erica Giraphaloides. A silver Knight- 
jan medal was awarded. Mr. Bateman exhibited Cychnoches ventricosum, a 
curious orchideous plant, the flowers growing naturally pendant in a swan- 
like form, and Stanhopea oculata, the flowers of which were curved like the 
horn of an ox, having marks on the lips resembling eyes. The odour was 
somewhat that of concentrated Vanilla, which in a hothouse was very op- 
pressive. For these the Knightian medal was awarded. Mrs. Marryatt ex- 
hibited a new Cape Bulb, grown under the protection of a frame, and a cut 
specimen of a new solanum. 

Mr. Charlwood exhibited a part of an interesting and extensive collection 
of Cactaceous and Orchideous plants, collected by M. Deschamps, during a 
residence of seventeen years in Mexico. The appearance of many were ex- 
tremely unlike any that had heen previously seen, and they exhibited the 
effect of cultivation, it being a matter of taste which were most to be admir- 
ed. 

The flowers from the gardens of the society were Clinton elegans, a pale 
flower, and better than the C. pulchella, the flowers being in better perfec- 
tion about a fortmight ago. Penstemon yenustus, a hardy plant, brought by 
Mr. Douglas from north west America, easily cultivated, and one of the most 
beautiful of the species; /thionema Membranacea, a plant well suited for 
arock or dry places; Ceanothus azureus albus, a graceful white flower ; Euto 
viscida, a plant just heginning to be known, bearing beautiful blue flowers 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 19] 


ouly to be rivalled by the Larsspur, hardy in the gardens, and easy of cul- 
tivation, and possessing the quality of living longer in water than any other 
cut flower ; Lychnis bungeana, a hardy plant growing in the open air, from 
Russia, and the north of China, and Antholyza grandiflora, a beautiful buib 
but not sufficiently known, the plant having grown in an open pit for several 
years without heat, and merely protected by a frame. The remaining flowers 
consisted of garden and China Roses; Solanum asperolanatum; Crinum 
Amabile, Quisqualis Indica, Combretum purpureum, Alstromeria pulchelia, 
Fuchsia discolor, Lupinus nanus, Collisimia bicolor, Oxyum Chrysanthe- 
moides, Gilia Achilizfolia, Hocksakia Sp., Eriophyllum ccespitosum, and 
Sedum azureum. 


FIFTH EXHIBITION(PUBLIC) OF THE METROPOLITAN SOCIETY OF FLORISTS AND 
AMATEURS.— August 24th. 

Dau ias.—Best collection with name attached, no limit and open to all 
classes, gold Adelaide Medal, value 71. 10s, Best fifty dissimilar blooms, 
by nurserymen and others, King William and Adelaide Medal, and small 
medals to all others the judges may think worthy, not exceeding one half of 
the stands exhibited. Best twenty-four in stands of the society similar 
prizes. 

Best twenty-four amateur members, dilto. Best twelve amateur membere 
growing under two hundred plants, ditto, 

No amateur to exhibit in both classes. 

Seepiincs-—As the amateurs appoint judges from the dealers, and the 
dealers appoint judges from the amateurs, the Committee will instruct such 
judges to select from the seedlings exhibited all flowers of first-rate quality 
without limit, and none other, for prizes, which will, insuch cases, be the 
small Adelaide medal. The Committee will afterwards appoint competent 
persons to report to them whether any one or more of such flowers shall de- 
serve a higher distinction, which the Committee hold themselves in readiness 
to award, even up to the gold medals, should they seem worthy of such dis- 
tinction. 

Roses.—Collections of fifty bunches, for all classes, and twelve bunches 
for amateurs. Prizes and entries as in April. 

FLowerine PLants.—The best collection of any kind without limit. Large 
King William Medal, Adelaide Medal, and small ditto. 

Entrance—Stands of Dahlias or seedlings, each 1s.; non-member’s stands, 
5s.; seedlings, 5s. 

Notice of showing to be given on before the first Tuesday in August. 


GRAND SALT-HILL ANNIVERSARY, SEPT. 2. 


Dantias.—One hundred blooms. dealers, gold medal, value £7. 10s, ; 
one large medal, £3.; one Adelaide Medal, 30s.; small medals, 15s. to 
make up two-thirds of the number exhibited. Twenty-four blooms, dealers, 
similar prizes. Fifty blooms, amateurs or their gardeners, similar prizes. 
Twenty-four blooms, ditto similar prizes. Twelve blooms, amateurs growing 
under two-hundred plants, large medal, Adelaide Medal, and small medals 
to make up the number to two-thirds of the stands exhibited. 

SEEDLINGS AS IN AUGUST. 
Entrance—Members, 5s. ; non-members, 10s, SeedJings— Members, 2s. 6d.; 
non-members, 5s. 

Notice to be given on or before the first Tuesday in September. 

Persons who win several medals in one day, or during the season, may 
add their value together, and have the amount in larger medals, or either of 
the gold medals, 

At the conclusion of every show, an order for the medals, or the stipulated 
reduced sum of money, is to be delivered to the winners. 

Circulars to the above effect were ordered to be forwarded to the members 


192 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


It was determined that, at their sidan meetings, on the Ist and 8d Tuea~ 
day in every month, the Committee would distribute prizes for any produc- 
tion of extraordinary rarity or merit which shall be exhibited ; such produc- 
tions to be placed in the room before six o'clock; and such members of the 
Committee, as may be assembled within the committee-roow, should after 
viewing the productions, retire again to their room to decide if any, and 
what rewards should be given. The chair to be taken, at the evenings meet- 
ings, at seven o’clock, when the prizes awarded should be delivered. 


FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR AUGUST. 


Greennouse Prants.—All exotic trees and shrubs belonging to this de- 
partment, that are in want of large pots, or refreshment of new soil, should 
(if not performed last month) be immediately dope. ‘This is the proper time 
to propagate Aloes Sedums, and all others of a succulent nature, by means 
of suckers or bottom offsets ; when detached from the parent, they should be 
potted singly into small pots, using light dry compost, and watering sparingly 
till they have taken root. Azaleas, the greenhouse kinds, will have firm 
young wood, insert them firmly in sand, and cover with a bell-glass. In 
the first or second week at farthest, inoculation may be performed on any 
kinds of the Citrus genus. Camellias to bloom early, should be put ina 
warm stove or greenhouse. 


Frower Garpen.—Due care must be taken respecting watering any kinds 
of annual, biennial, or perennial plants, that may be in pots. Propagate by 
means of slips, and parting the roots, of any double-flowered and other de- 
sirable fibrous-rooted perennial plants done flowering. Likewise increase 
by offsets the different kinds of Saxifrage. Auriculas should be cleared of 
ail dead leaves, and shifted into fresh pots ; prick out of the seed-bed seed- 
ling Auriculas and Polyanthuses, in a shady situation: seeds of both kinds 
may also be sown in boxes or pans. Carnations may still be layered, also 
Sweet-williams, the earlier in the month the better. Also plant out pink 
pipings, which were put in June. Sow seeds of all kinds of bulbous rooted 
plants in pans or boxes, such as spring Cyclamen, Anemonies, Ranunculuses, 
&c. &c. Those kind of bulbs wanted to increase should be taken up, if the 
leaves be decayed, and the offsets taken off. Transplant into nursery beds 
seedling, perennial, and biennial plants sown in spring. In dry weather 
gather those flower-seeds that are ripe of any desired kinds of autumn -flow- 
ering bulbs that yet remain unplanted. 

Mignonette to stand the winter in pots, should be sown early in the month, 
have no fresh dung in the soil. Rose trees may still be budded. Double 
Rockets out of flower, should have the stems cut down, to cause new shoots 
to push, or the shoots in general, die. Calceolarias intended for late bloom- 
ing should have the branches cut down, ‘and be re-potted, or take off and 
pot offsets. 


REFERENCE TO PLATE, 


The very beautiful Ranunculus we give in this month’s plate are seedlings 
raised by Messrs. Tyso and son, Wallingford, Yorkshire, and cannot be but 
much admired for their superior properties, we hope Messrs, Tyso and Son 
will be amply rewarded for their trouble. 


No. 1. DIADEM. No. 3. ADOLPHUS. 
No, 2. GOVENOR. No.4. VICTORIA. 


aes 


= vee nse | o 
nnn Wilk : 
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THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


SEPTEMBER 1st, 1837. 


PART LI. 


ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


FURTHER REMARKS ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 
BY ROSA. 


Tuer increasing number of splendid varieties of the much es- 
teemed family of Roses, and their admission into every flower 
garden, and pleasure ground, being a desideratum, induces me 
again to resume the subject of their culture as standards. During 
the present summer I have been much struck with the increasing 
taste for their culture on lawns, and to exhibit their splendid 
heads in the centre of a flower bed, or back part of a border. 

In remarking on the growth of a tree rose, I must observe that 
the rings round the bottom of both stem and branches are the de- 
positaries of a dormant bud, which will not be called into action 
unless the buds above be injured, or unless the sap arise so pro- 
fusely as to be unable to expend itself by the upper parts, in 
which case the buds below break out; though, indeed, they will 
occasionally do so, as the natural act of the tree in preference to 
rising higher. This is more observable in the wild rose than al- 
most any other plant, and perhaps may, in some degree, explain 
the reason why budded roses are shorter lived than those on 
their own bottom ; for any one who has at all observed the growth 
of wild stocks, must have noticed that the original head is scen 

VOL. V. ¥ 


tad “| ; & b 
794 ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 


generally on hedges in much worse plight than the shoots whicl: 
have been subsequently formed at its base. This tendency of 
the dog-rose to break out below, must be checked in two ways; 
the first, by destroying every sucker and shoot as it starts, and 
the second, by finding full work for the sap above, and by giving 
it a free passage. 

If then, in cutting the top ofa tree at pruning time, you leave a 
couple of buds on every shoot of last year’s growth, or three at 
most upon a very strong one, there will be quite enough to oc- 
cupy the sap, keep the tree within bounds, make it much hand- 
somer, save the sap the expence of maintaining old wood, and 
give it a free course. If there be more sap than enough, a fresh 
shoot will likely enough start from the crown of the graft, or the 
rings upon the first year’s shoot, and increase the head of the 
tree, as wellas bring you back with new wood nearer home— 
a matter always desirable as tending to keep the head from 
straggling. ; 

Cutting to the lowest buds always leaves the sap with but a 
short channel to pass through, strengthens the branch below the 
buds, and is every way beneficial, if care be taken that a suffi- 
ciency be left to oecupy the sap. 

Ifthe tree be’not pruned at all, it will Iose its shape entirely in 
a single year, afford little or no bloom the next, and eventually 
straggle to death. 

Trimming the shoots has nothing essentially different in the 
manner of execution to trimming the stock; in trimming to a bud, 
barely the thickness of a sixpence should be left above the bud, 
and.the excision should form a slant about equal to that caused 
by dividing a square from angle to angle: if more were left 
above the bud, it would die down to the bud, and prevent the 
bark from healing over the wound; im general, the line of the 
bud is the slant the knife should make it its passage through the 
shoot. 

Cutting out old wood should always take place where it can ; 
the desirable point being to keep near home, as it is called; 
when, therefore, your tree throws out a fresh and vigorous shoot, 
close to the base of an old branch which has straggled too far from 
the graft, cut out the old wood in March, close to its base, leaving 
the young shoot to supply its place, and receive its nourishment. 
This principle well applied, will always keep the trees in bounds ; 
but as this requires judgment, and cannot well be explained in 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 198 


writing, take a lesson upon the subject, the first convenient op- 
portunity, from a scientific gardener. 

A tree well formed, with a promising head, and im health, 
ought, the spring succeeding the budding, to have a clean straight 
stem, no lumps or knots, one shoot quite at the summit, and two, 
or at all events, one other shoot as near as possible also to the 
top; if there are two shoots only, at opposite sides to each other; 
if three, forming a triangle, if more as nearly equidistant from 
-each other, in the diameter of the stock as possible, (and here be: 
it observed, that the more shoots, at the top of the tree, the hand-. 
somer and quicker is the head formed,) each with a bud inserted 
in it, close to the stem: and at the cross cut, where the bark of 
the bud usurps the place of the original bark of the stock, a 
sufficiency of sap ought to have exuded, not only to have joined 
the bark of the bud with the unmoved part of the bark above it, 
but also to have joined the separated part of the bark of the 
stock to the same place, and thus linked the. two barks of bud 
_ and stock to the single bark of the stock above them. 

The edges of the vertical slit in the bark do not heal .by at- 
taching themselves to each other, but the bark of the bud under- 
neath them forms a connecting link, and the edges: above men- 
tioned perish insensibly away, leaving little or no scar behind. 
The second spring, the tree becomes more perfect, the extra- 
neous parts of the stock, if any remain, are cut off, as well as 
those of the shoots, and the head so arranged as to throw its 
buds where they are wanted to make it round, even, and hand- 
some. If, however some shoot be obstinately bent on growing in 
- any direction, spoiling the appearance, and crossing the others, 
by no means remove it on that account alcne, but place a little 
twig across from it to any other convenient branch, and confine it 
for the season as you wish it to be, removing, the ligature in the 
succeeding spring, or even in the same autumn when the sap is 
down. 

Lastly, the third spring the tree should show itself with all its 
wounds nearly closed, its buds strong, full, and healthy, and it 
should look perfectly natural, tltose parts ofthe shoots upon 
which the buds were placed more incorporated with the stock. 
The bark clean, no dead wood; and wherever a shoot has been 
shortened, the place so grown over as to leave no dis-sight, which 
will be the case for some time wherever any wood more than 
one season old is eut away, and a thin shoot of a single year 


196° ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 


springs at the end of it. This is the reason why forest trees look 
so ill when shortened as old ones, viz. that the taper appearance 
is destroyed, and wood of five or six years’ growth is continued 
by the shoot of a single spring, and thus a piece of wood, of the 
diameter of half a dozen inches, has a little mean looking shoot, 
or in all probability half a dozen, not thicker than horsewhips, at 
the end of it. 

Whatever it is worth while to do, it is worth while to do well ; 
work properly commenced does not require that constant super- 
intendance which a bad beginning is certain to render necessary, 
and which eventually involves a much greater expenditure of 
time than any labour bestowed at the outset could have demand- 
ed. 

Having thus brought our subject to a Close, as to the operative 
part, in preparing and perfecting the tree, it may not be amiss to 
spend a few moments in the consideration of the effect expected 
to be produced by it when planted out. 

There are three causes of beauty in a tree, shape, foliage, and 
flowers. Shape (to a certain degree) we artificially gain, foliage 
and flowers must depend upon the sort; the foliage is the more 
permanent, the flower the more striking. Planting out, then, 
must depend entirely upon the effect desired, and the taste of 
the party planting, as to variety of foliage, height, flower, its 
colour and continuity; a tree with rambling shoots suits one place, 
and with a cauliflower head another. The tree roses never look 
well in around clump; they must have asingle appearance, or 
be in some sort of line. 

If your roses are to look, when finished, like a sloping bank, 
plant your heights in succession, viz. each under each; but if they 
are to have aless forced and regular appearance, and a more 
single and light look, leave out an intermediate height, as thus: 
a two-feet in front of a three-feet, &c. 

Be it observed, that a three to four foot standard is most 
in keeping with the head it carries, and being nearer the ground, 
has a very natural and steady effect, and in confined places, it is 
unquestionably best in its appearance; but if the tree is to be 
distant from the eye, or the shrubbery, or walk be large and 
increasing indistance, a four-foot standard is certainly more dis- 
tinguishable, and has a much greater effect. 

A foot standard is of little or no use, except it be intended to 
approach the edge of a border, or is grafted for the conveni- 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE TREE ROSE. 197 


ence of affording nosegays or increasing the quantity of the plant 
placed upon it. 

The heights most in use having been shown, it may be re- 
marked, that for a weeping rose to stand singly, (perhaps sur- 
rounded with a wire guard and creepers upon it to have a more 
marked effect,) you cannot find a stem too high, if it be pro- 
portionally strong. A fine plant of this sort, six, seven, or even 
eight feet high, budded with a noisette, or boursalt, looks beau- 
tiful, and its long free branches, covered with clusters of roses, 
have a wild and luxuriant appearance, which give a distinct cha- 
racter to a tree budded in this way. 

Thus having arranged where the plants are to be, and having 
made the earth good all around, stake up each tree with a neat, 
clean hazel stake, (unless the stock beso strong as not to re- 
quire it,) saw off the top level with the top of the wild stem ex- 
actly, a matter that conveys a great air of neatness, and with a 


piece of bass, or better a small strip of pitched rope, attach your 
tree to the stake. 


ARTICLE II. 


A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS, 


BY PENSEE, 


(Continued from p. 132.) 
PICCOTEES. 


WOOD'S AGRIPPINA. (purple.) 

I Berone alluded to this flower, which I designated ‘‘ The Prince 
of Piccotees, I therefore give it first place inmy remarks. It 
is amodel by which I would recommend judgment to be formed. 
The leaf, a beautiful white, is perfectly round, or what is term- 
ed rose-leafed, is delicately edged with a brilliant purple, so 
equally distributed, that Nature's best artist seems to have been 
employed on the work, and so wellhas he performed it, that I 
trust he is at the present time most busily employed ona seed 
bed of mine, now coming into bloom; though I imagine, from the 
number and goodness of the flowers raised by Wood, that he 
keeps this first rate artist in his constant employ. 


198 A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 
JEEVES’s MOON RAKER ( purple.) 


Is ratTuur heavily edged, without being termed in the least de- 
gree pouncy, a fault often found in flowers of a similar character. 
The richest purple on a very clear and sparkling ground, gives 
a brilliancy rarely met with, but when found, should be prized as 
I know this flower must be by all who have grown it. 


ROSALIC DE ROHAN. (yellow.) 


‘Like chastity, which it is said, wipes off many sins, or imper- 
fections in our nature; so does the strikingly beautiful colour in 
this flower, make amends for a most defective ragged petal ; 
another property (and one most desirable to exhibitors) must 
be also thrown into the scale against the imperfect leaf, that of 
remaining in bloom for many days longer than any variety I am 
acquainted with. The colour is a bright pink, on a beautiful 
yellow ground; the plant throws plenty of grass and a good 


shaped pod. It requires but little protection in the winter, be-. 


ing hardier than most of the yellows. 


PRINZ VON oRANIUN. (yellow) 

I remember some time ago asking Hogg to name the best Pic- 
cotee, he without hesitation replied, “‘ The Prince of Orange.” 
but as many new an@ fine varieties must have come under his 
observation since that time, I cannot say ifhe continues in the 
same opinion, not having had any conversation with the Veteran 
for some two years ormore. Ihave thus lost much information 
which mixed up with these remarks, would have, perhaps, 
made them valuable to your readers. Notwithstanding the 
danger of offering an opinion against so good a judge; I cannot 
but say that I think the numerous small petals in the flower, to 
say nothing of the soundness of the pod (always so difficult to 
bloom) must place it far beneath the enviable situation given it 
by Hogg. I admit that the colour is very beautiful, and I think 
unique, and that the petal is perfect in shape. I recommend 
each plant to be allowed to bloom two pods, or difficulty will be 
found in preventing it from bursting. 


WOOD’s CHAMPION. (red) 


Should be in every collection, and it is certainly no fault of 
the plant that it is not, for it, cogently throws as much’ grass, 


= 
r 


4 A LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF CARNATIONS. 199 


‘as ought to intimidate every monopolizer of hay in these dear 
times. The plant is dwarf, the pod well formed, requiring 
but little attention to bloom it, the shape of the flower is 
excellent, the white very fine, but the red rather dull, yet 
eyen with this imperfection I think it would be difficult to find 
a better red Piccotee. 


Woop’s coMET. (red.) 

To describe this flower, would be repeating all I have said 
of the Champion, they resemble each other so much, I doubt if 
Wood himself can find a difference. One may be said to be the 
Dromio of Ephesus, the other Dromio of Syracuse resembling 
each other so much, that one often got bastinadoed for the 


other’s faults. PENSEE. 
To be continued. 


ARTICLE III. 


ON THE PROPAGATION OF HALF HARDY AND SOFT WOODED 
GREENHOUSE PLANTS. 


BY MR, W. H. ST. CLAIR, OAK PARK, GALLOWAY. 


Ina former paper I detailed the method practised by Mr. M. 
Phail, in propagating pinks. At that time I did not wish to oc- 
cupy too much of your pages in one article, I beg now to subjoin 
a few more remarks on the method in question; for some years 
past I have entirely discontinued the use of hand glasses in pro- 
-pagating any soft wooded greenhouse, or half hardy plants, that 
have fallen under my charge, and, except when I have occasion 
to propagate early in the spring, I find Mr. Phail’s method isa far 
surer mode of propagating, than by using hand glasses, or giving 
cuttings the “gentle bottom heat” so highly recommended by 
some. In propagating cuttings under a hand glass, a shady situ- 
ation is generally selected, and great care is taken to keep off 
the sun’s rays from affording the least heat to them; this is easily 
done, for a more unfit form for raising heat; than a hand glass has, 
cannot be well imagined; it never occurs to the person who uses 
them in propagating soft wooded plants, that a volume of cold 
moist air is not as good for raising cuttings as one fourth the same 
quantity of moist heated air, is; in like manner, in propagating 
under frames, the sun’s services are almost entirely dispensed 


200 ON PROPAGATING HALF HARDY AND SOFT WOODED PLANTS. 
- 


with, a bottom heat substituted, in place of them; in Mr. Phail’s 
method, cuttings are forced in a comparatively short time to send 
out roots, and though a few cloudy days together may seem to 
argue against it, no bad effect, from such a cause, has ever fallen 
under my notice. In selecting cuttings for this mode of culture, 
I use only young, or at most half ripened cuttings, detaching 
them with the hand from the parent plant when practicable, and 
after trimming off a few of the large leaves, I insert the heel, or 
lower joint of the cutting; I give the frame a full south aspect, 
and raise it a few inches as directed for pinks; I allow only two 
or three inches between the top of the cuttings and the glass, and 
give them no air till they have given evident proofs of their 
having struck root, I shade the sash with several folds of net, 
pieces of paper, or a thin mat, removing it between four or five 
in the afternoon ; on giving a good watering at planting I. find 
very little more suffices them for the first fortnight, owing to 
the sash being kept close down ; when rooted, I increase the air 
gradually. I have used frames of all sizes, from one of six inches 
by nine, to one of six feetin length, and except that I find it 
more difficult to equalize the temperature in a small frame, I 
find little difference in the success of the cuttings. I must add, 
however, that a large sash requires the shading to be a little 
closer than a small one. Ifa mixed collection of cuttings is to 
be put into the same frame, they should consist of such as re- 
quire about the same time to strike root, and by mixing up a 
compost of light loam, vegetable mould, or peat and sand, under 
the treatment detailed above, a good many kinds may be propa- 
gated in the same frame. 2 

Before concluding, I beg leave to enumerate a few of such 
sorts as yield most readily to this mode of treatment, and such as 
I have propagated for the last three years. Pinks, Carnations, 
Geraniums, (tricolor included,) Sollyas, Myrtles, Cistuses, Calce- 
olarias shrubby and herbaceous, Fuchsias, Pansies, Salvias, 
Verbenas, Lophospermums, Petunias, &c., from the certainty 
and facility, with which the above and many other plants of si- 
milar habits may be propagated, I have no hesitation in recom- 
mending the method to any of your readers who may feel in- 
clined to try it, and I have every reason to think, if they try it 
once with cuttings, and subject those cuttings when potted, to 
similar treatment for about ten days, they will be induced to try 
the same method again. 


Ww. Sr. Crain, aii, 


“J 


— a 


¢ 


ON PROPAGATING LAURELS. 201 


ON STRIKING AND SUBSEQUENT CULTURE OF THE ORANGE, 

AND CITRON. 
BY MR. W. WHALE, ELCOT PARK, NEWSBURY, BERKSHIRE, 
I BEG leave to communicate to you my mode of cultivating the 
Orange and Citron, which I have practised for many years with 
great success, which may be of service to some of your sub- 
scribers—that is from single eyes with a leaf attached to it; I 
immure the eye in the mould about half an inch deep, and they 
begin to make roots very soon, sending up a strong shoot at the 
same time. I have stuck fifty to a hundred in a large sized pot, 
and scarce one of them failed, and of course a plant on its own 
bottom is preferable toa plant introduced on another stock. 
When potted, they should be watered liberally, and introduced 
into dung heat and shaded. I find they strike most readily 
ina cucumber bed, the pots plunged to their rims. The com- 
post I generally use is rich loam and rotten dung, the pots 
well-drained, and about three inches of soot at the bottom of the 
pot, ifa little old mortar, so much the better. I also find the 
Dahlia strike very freely from single eyes, and much the best 
mode for summer propagation when you wish to propagate va- 
luable seedlings, as they make strong plants by autumn. [ also 
find Bigonias strike freely by the same method. If you thmk 
this worthy of a place in your Cabinet, you are at liberty to pub-’ 
lish it. 


W. WHate. 


ARTICLE V. 
ON PROPAGATING EVERGREENS, 
BY PRIMULUS SCOTICA. 


I wave lately observed amethod most successfully practised by 
a friend of mine in Argyleshire, which is not, I think, suflicient- 
ly known. He plants in an oval or circular space, prepared as 
usual, as many shoots of the year’s growth as it will hold closely 
placed; he fences the plot with brushwood, and never thins 
them. In three or four years the shoots unite into an extended . 
and beautiful bush, and in two years they are an ornament to the 
woods and shrubberies, 


My friend has some fine old Laurels, with bare and unsightly 
»,VOL, V. U7 | 


202 A DESCRIPTION OF MIMULUS CARDINALIS COCCINEA. 


stems, ho has planted round them, atthe distance of a foot or 
more, a number of these shoots, and the effect is extremely good, 
as they soon unite with the old bush, and continue its dark fo- 
liage down to the ground. This plan answers best with the 
Laurel and Laurestinus. 

PRIMULA ScoTica, 


ARTICLE VI. 


A DESCRIPTION OF THE MIMULUS CARDINALIS COCCINEA, &c. 
BY MR. BARRATT. 
Wuen the above plant figured in your interesting Work, it was 
an object of universal admiration, consequently it was much in 
demand, but when the plants thus purchased flowered, there was 
a general disappointment, it proved a dingy bad spotted red, and 
thus the plant fell into great disrepute, indeed the very mention 
of the name, seemed to excite disgust. However, happen- 
ing last year somewhere to see a plant in bloom which very 
nearly answered the colour (not exactly the shape) of the one 
you figured, I purchased it under the name of Mimulus Cardi- 
nalis coccinea, it is now in full bloom, several stems near six feet 
high, covered with splendid scarlet blossoms, six or seven hun- 
dred at least; it has been greatly admired, and I think, has re- 
moved the existing disgust, from the minds of all who have seen 
it. Ithink I never saw a more splendid plant, and at the same 
time emitting a most delightful musky fragrance, and appears to 
me to be a very desirable plant. Since purchasing the above 
plant Ihave got another variety which I call M. Car. picta, the 
ground colour is the same as the M. C, coccinea, with a large 
dark spot in the centre of the flower, about the size of a shilling ; 
this also promises to be a very desirable plant, either for early 
forcing in a greenhouse, or for flower borders in summer. [ 
should not have ventured to trouble you with this account, but I 
really think, such showy plants so cheap(see Advertisement in the 
‘Cabinet for June 1837), and so easy of cultivation, that is, grow 
it ina rich soil, and supply it with plenty of water, in rather a 
shady situation: it would really be a matter of deep regret 
should such plants not be grown in almost every garden in the 


kingdom. 
W. Barratt. 


=e 


om, 
f 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 203 


ARTICLE VIL. 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS, 
EXTRACTED FROM AN OLD AUTHOR BY CLERICUS. 

Tu subject of water, or watering plants has not been as suffi- 
ciently examined into as it merits. I am convinced that a great 
deal of ignorance is displayed in the practice of giving water to 
plants, both as to its quality and quantity. I have recently met 
with some useful observations on these matters in a Gardening 
Book, near two hundred years old, and confident that they 
would be serviceable to the readers of the Cabinet, I have trans- 
cribed them for insertion therein. The Author observes, 

‘‘Water is one of the most considerable requisites belonging 
toa garden: if a garden be without it, it brings a certain mor- 
tality upon whatsoever is planted. By waterings the great 
droughts in summer are allayed, which would infallibly burn up 
most plants, had we not the help of water to qualify those exces- 
sive heats. Besides as to noble seats, the beauty that water will 
add, in making Jet d’eaux, canals and cascades, which are some 
of the noblest ornaments of a garden.” 

‘- Sir Isaac Newton defines water (when pure) to be a very fluid 
salt; volatile and void of all savour or taste; and it seems to 
consist of small, hard, porous, spherical particles, of equal diam- 
eters, and equal specific gravities; and also that there are be- 
tween them, spaces so large, and ranged in such a manner, as 
to be pervious on all sides,” / 

‘Their smoothness accounts for their sliding easily over the 
surfaces of one another.” 

“Their sphericity keeps them from touching one another in 
more points than one; and by both these, their frictions in sli- 
ding over one another, is rendered the least possible.” 

“The hardness of them accounts for the incompressibility of 
water, when it is free from the intermixture of air.” 

“The porosity of water is so very great, that there is at least 
forty times as much space as matter in it; for water is nineteen 
times specifically lighter than gold, and of consequence rarer in 
the same proportion. But gold will (by pressure) let water pass 
through its pores; and therefore may be supposed to have (at 
least) more pores than solid parts.” - 

“Mons. L’Clerk says, there are these things observable in wa- 
ter, which naturalists study to know and account for.” 


“It is transparent ; because as some are of opinion, it consists 
~~ 


204 OX WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


of flexible particles like ropes, which are not so close as to leave 
no Pores ; nor so entangled but that there are right lines enough 
to transmit the light.” 

“For since the particles are not joined close together, and 
are ia perpetual motion, the very fine particles of light do easily 
pass through their right lines; unless the water be very deep, or 
be put into motion, by some outward cause. Then indeed the 
transparency of water is very much obstructed, and it looks of a 
cloudy obscure colour, as it is obvious to sight in a rough sea: 
For at such a time, the vehement agitation of the water disturbs 
their pores, and spoils their straightness.” 

2. “* Water is liquid, but capable of being fixed: water seems to 
be liquid for the same reason as other bodies are so. For since 
the particles of it are flexible, like ropes, and leave pores be- 
tween one another, which are filled with finer matter, when 
this matter is put into a vehement commotion, the particles are 
easily tossed about every way: yet when the motion of this rest- 
less matter is restrained as it is in winter, then the water 
congeals into ice ; whether this comes of cold only, or there be 
besides nitrous particles, which fall out of the air at that time, 
and with their rigidness fix the watery particles.” 

3. “Tt may be made hot orcold. The particles of water being, 
as has before been said, ice, is soon dissolved by the motion of the 
particles of fire: for the particles of fire, getting into the pores of 
the ice do mightily shake the fine, flexible particles of ice, and 
restore them to their former motion in a little time. 

‘‘ But if this water be set in cold air, the fiery particles will 
quickly vanish, and the water will become as cold as before. 

‘**4,. Water easily evaporates by the heat of fire or air. This 
is because its particles are quickly separated, and got into mo- 
tion; so that the airy particles easily carry those,of the water 
about with them. 

“5. It is heavy if compared with air and other bodies, but 
much heavier than air. It has been shown by various experi- 
ments that the gravity of the air, in the place where we live is to 
that of water, as one to eight hundred, or something more ; so 
that water is about eight hundred times heavier than air. And 
for this reason, and for no other a bladder, or other thing fil- 
led with air, can hardly be sunk under water; and indeed, to 
make air sink, there must be a weight added to it, that shall ex- 
ceed the weight of the water, as much, and something more, than 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 205 


that of the water exceeds that of the air. Hence it comes to 
pass, that water easily supports wood, and vast ships fraught 
with the heaviest cargo; for the weight alone will never sink 
them, unless the goods and the vessel should make up a weight 
which exceeds that of the water ; and as salt water is heavier than 
fresh, so it bears greater weight. 

“Those things which are heavier than water, as stones, metals, 
&c. when they are thrown into it, go straight down to the bottom : 
and as their weight is greater, by so much the quicker: while 
other bodies which are the same weight with the water, do nei- 
ther float on the surface, nor sink quite down, but remain sus- 
pended between the top and bottom, as is seen in the carcases of 
animals. 

“6, Water is insipid and without smell. The reason is, because 
its flexible parts slip gently over the tongue, and are not sharp 
enough to prick the nerves and affect the taste: but this is to be 
understood of pure water, void of all kind of salt ; suchas dis- 
tilled water is, and next that of rain; for the most wholsome 
fountain water commonly derives a saltness from the earth; 
though in this place is not meant medicinal fountain water, the 
taste of which is more acute, but such water as is usually drank. 

“ And that it is without smell. The purer any water is, the less 
smell it has; for the reason why the particles do not prick the 
tongue is likewise the reason why they dont affect the smell ; the 
flexibility and smoothness of water, is such, that they cannot pe- 
netrate the olfactory nerves; fountain water has indeed some 
smell, but then it is a sign that such water is not pure. 

7. “ Water is subject to putrify according as the place is 
where itis kept. Water will grow thick and stinking, by heat 
and rest as we find it does in ponds and marshes, and in close 
vessels. But here it ought to be remembered, that this was 
what was spoken of before, as such, water is not pure, for un- 
mixed water cannot putrify. This is proved by distilled water, 
which may be kept very long without putrefaction. 

“ Rain water which is caught in clean vessels and presently 
stopped up close and buried under ground, which is kept many 
years in countries where they want fountains, This shews that 
the cause of putrefaction is not in the water itself, but in other 
things that are mingled with it; because pure water, such as is 
distilled or comes out of the clouds, keeps swect for a vast while. 
But then those vessels, in which such water is kept, must be so 


> 


206 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


well stopped, that the least fly may not get into them, and they 
must be made of such stuff as will not corrupt, such as glass or 
clay. 

‘* But for standiug water in ponds or marshes, that is corrupt- 
ed two ways. 

‘« By the nature of the soil, which often abounds with noisom 
sulphur, whereby the water is impregnated and comes to smell 
in warm weather; as it docs at Amsterdam, not only in the 
trenches, but wherever the ground is opened for the foundation 
of houses. This putrefaction is owing to the soil, and not to the 
water, 

‘« By the nasty things that are thrown into it, or bodies of in- 
sects which die in it; as also by the eggs of flies, which are drop- 
ped about wherever they go, and breed worms. Water is cor- 
rupted in wooden vessels, especially at sea, by the sulphureous 
parts of the wood, and by uncleanly things, as flies, eggs, ke. 

‘“‘ Water penetrates the pores of those bodies, whose pores 
are wide enough to receive its particles. Thus it enters the pores 
of sugar and salts, so as to separate and quite dissolve their par- 
ticles; but it cannot get into the pores of stones, or but a very 
little way; so that it only wets the surface, without diluting 
them; hangs on the outside of them because they are rough, and 
because the extremities of their pores are open a little way. But 
such bodies when they are wet are soon dried in the air, because 
the motion of the airy particles, carries off the soft and smooth 
particles of the water. 

It is observable that if bodies rubbed over with oil or fat be 
dipt in water, they get very little wet, because the roughness of 
their surface wherein the water should hang is smoothed and 
made even by the fat, and the mouths of the pores are closed up, 
so that there is nothing left for the watery particles to hold by, 
and therefore they must necds slide off. 

‘‘ Dr. Cheyne observes, that the quantity of water on this side 
of our globe does daily decrease ; some part thereof being every 
day turned into animals, metalline, mineral and vegetable sub- 
stances, which are not easily dissolved again into their compon- 
ent parts ; for if you separate a few particles of any fluid, and fas- 
ten them into a solid body, or keep them asunder one from an- 
other, then they are no more fluid: for a considerable number 
of such particles are required to produce fluidity. 

“ Most liquors are formed by the cohesion of particles of dif- 


a 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTs, 207 


ferent figures, magnitudes, gravities and attractive powers, swim- 
ming in pure water, or an aqueous fluid; which seems to be the 
common basis of all. 

“And the only reason why there are so many sorts of water 
differing from one another by different properties is, that the 
corpuscles of salts and minerals, with which that element is im- 
pregnated, are equally various. 

** Wine is only impregnated with particles of grapes, and beer 
is water impregnated with particles of Barley, &c. All spirits 
seem water saturated with saline or sulphureous particles, 

“And all liquors are more or less fluid, according to the 
greater or smaller cohesion of the particles, which swim inthe 
aqueous fluid; and there is scarcely any fluid without this cohe- 
sion of particles, not even pure water itself, as will appear from 
the bubbles that will sometimes stand on the surface of it, as 
well as on that of spirits and other liquors. 

‘“‘ Water adds much to the growth of bodies, in that it both 
renders and keeps the active principle fluid; so that they are 
capable of being conveyed by circulation into the pores, 

The learned Mr. Halley has demonstrated, that if an atom of 
water be expanded into a shell or bubble, whose diameter shall 
be ten times as great as before, such an atom would be super- 
ficially lighter than air, and will rise so long as that flatus, or 
warm spirit which at first separated it from the mass of water, 
shall continue to distend it to the same degree, but when that 
warmth declines, and the air grows cooler and withal specifically 
lighter, these vapours will stop at a certain region of the air, or 
else descend. 

“Therefore, if it should be supposed that the whole earth 
were covered with water, and that the sun should make his di- 
urnal course round it as now he does, he is of opinion, that the air 
would be impregnated with a certain quantity of aqueous va- 
pours, which it would retain in it, like salts dissolved in water, 
and that the sun in the day time warming the air, that part of the 
atmosphere would sustain a greater proportion of vapours (as 
warm water will hold more salt in it dissolved than cold) which 
by the absence of the vapours at night would be discharged into 
dews. 

‘* And in this case he concludes there could not be any diver- 
sity of weather other than periodically every year alike; the 
mixture of all terrestrious, saline, and heterogeneous vapours 


208 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS 


here being excluded, which he judges to be, when variously com- 
pounded and driven by winds, which are the causes of these 
various seasons, and changes of weather which we now find. 

“‘ But instead of supposing an earth covered all over with wa- 
ter, you suppose the sea interspersed about wide and spacious 
tracts of land, and also divided by high ridges of mountains, such 
as the Alps, the Appenine, and the Pyrenean in Europe ; the 
Caucausus, the Imaus, and the Taurus in Asia; the mount Atlas 
of the Moon in Africa; the Andes and Apalatean mountains in 
America; each of which surpasses the usual height to which the 
aqueous vapours do of themselves ascend; andon the tops of 
which the air is so cold and rarified, as to retain but a small 
portion of these vapours, which are brought hither by the 

winds, 

“Then the vapours thus raised from the sea, and carried by 
the winds over the low lands to those ridges of mountains, are 
there compelled by the streams of the air to mount with it up to 
their tops, where the water presently precipitates, gleeting down 
by the cranies of the stones; and part of the vapours entering 
into the caverns of the hills, the waters thereof gathers, as in an 
alembic in the basons of stones; and these being once full, the 
overplus water runs down at the lowest place of the bason, 


and breaking out by the sides of the hills, forms single springs ;— 


many of which running down by the vallies or guts, between 
the ridges of the hills, and after uniting, form little rivulets and 
brooks, and many of these meeting again form large rivers. 

‘“< Dr, Woodhouse has.made these useful experiments of water 
following : ' 

‘* He tells us, that he chose several glass phials, which were 
allas near as possible of the same shape and bigness; that he 
put water into every one of them, as much as he thought fit, and 
took an account of the weight of it, then strained and tied a 
piece of parchment over the surface of each phial, and made 
a hole in the middle of it large enough to admit the stem of the 
plant he designed to set in the phial, without confining and 
straitening it so as to hinder its growth. This design was to hin- 
der the enclosed water from evaporating or ascending any other 
way, than only through the plant that was in it. 


To be continued. 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS 209 


PART HU. 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last 


}, DELPHINIUM INTERMEDIUM Var. PALLADIUM. Pale blue variable 
Larkspur. 
, RANUNCULACEZ, POLYANDRIA TRIGYNIA. 

This very neat and handsome flowering variety, well deserves a place in 
every flower border, where plants growing seven feet high can be admitted. The 
foliage is smoother than the original species, of a delicate glaucous green. 
The flowers are produced in long spikes, of a fine light skye-blue colour, 
which produce a charming appearance. We have had plants of it blooming 
eight feet high, with racemes of flowers nearly five feet long. Delphinium 
from delphin a dolphin, the resemblance of the nectary. 


2, EUCHARDIUM CONCINNUM. Pretty flowered. [ Bot. Mag. 3589. 
ONOGRARIZ, TENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


This neat and pretty flowering annual, isa native of Ross in New Cali- 
fornia. It appears to be allied to Epilobium and Clarkia. The stems rise 
abont eight inches high, each terminating by several flowers of a fine rose- 
colour, with deeper spots and paler yeins. Each flower is an inch across, 
It blooms freely in the open border from July to the end of summer. Euchar- 
dium, from eu, bene; and charis gaudium, alluding to the lively appearance of 
the flowers. 


3. EULOPHIA MACROSLACHYA. Long spiked. [ Bot, Reg. 1972, 
ORCHIDACE#, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA,. 


This species is an inhabitant of Ceylon, growing and flowering profusely in 
shady woods, similar to the orchis of our meadows in this country. In the 
hothouse it blooms freely towards the end of the year, even up to Christmas. 
The flowers are produced in long racemes, of a green and yellow colour 
spotted with red, Eulophia, from eulophos, well crested, surface of middle: 
lobe of lip. " , 


4, GESNERIA ELONGATA. Elongated. [The Botanist. 
? GESNERACE®. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA. 


It has been stated by Humbolt that this species is a native of Quito, in 
South America. It was introduced into this country in 1835. Messrs. 
Pope of Handsworth Nursery, near Birmingham, have had it in bloom 
in their collection, and it was very much admired. The flowers are of a 
bright crimson colour, each near an inch long, produced in umbels of four or 


five on each, Gesneria, in compliment to Conrad Gesner of Zurich, who 
died in 1565. 


5. IMPATIENS SCAPIFLORA, Stemless Bulsam. ‘[ Bot. Mag. 3857. 
BALSAMINEX PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYMS I. ACANIS, I. BULBOSA. 


This very interesting and pretty flowering species was sent from Bombay 
to the Glasgow Botanic Garden, William Nimmo, Esq. having transmitted 
some tubers of it. The plant has bloomed beautifully in the stove. The 
plant has a very striking resemblauce to a Begonia. The flowers are pro- 
duced in scapes, each of which are about ten inches long. The blossoms 
VOL. VY. AA 


210 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


are of a delicate rosy purple colour. Impatiens, so called on account of the 
elastic nature of the valves or capsule, which throw out the seeds with con- 
siderable force. : 


6. PLEUROTHALLIS SAUROCEPHALA. Lizard-headed. -{ Bot. Reg. 1968. 


4 ; ORCHIDEX, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 

This species has been in a few collections of Orchidez for some years 
but still remains scarce. It has bloomed in the collection of Sir Charles 
Lemon, Bart, M. P. Carclew, Cornwall. The flowers are small, of a mixture 
of brown purple, and greenish yellow, 


7. PSORALEA ORBICULARIS. Round-leaved. [Bot. Reg. 1971, 
LEGUMINOS&., DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA, 


The late Mr, Douglas sent seeds of this species from California to the 
garden of the Horticultural Society. It is a hardy Herbaceous plant, 
blooming in June and July. The flower stems rise to about eight inches 
high, producing the blossoms in a conical head, They are of a deep rose 
colour, with a pale blue keel, producing a pretty effect, Psoralea, from psor- 
aleas, scurfy ; the appearance of the calyx. 


8. RHIXIA MARIANA. Maryland Rhezia. [ Botanist 
MELASTOMACE®. OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA, 


A native of new Jersey. It was introduced many years ago, but was lost 
in this country. It has recently been sent to the garden of the Birmingham 
Botanical Society, and bloomed in the greenhouse at that place. It will 
flourish in the open border in summer, and be preserved in a cold frame in 
winter. -The flowers are of a lilac purple colour, each rather more than 
an inch across. Rhexia, from rheais, a protrusion or swelling, to which some 
plants of this order were applied as a cure. 


9. SIPHOCAMPYLUS BICOLOR. Two coloured. [ Brit. Flow, Gard. 889. 
LOBELIACE®, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNITA, 


This is a very showy and interesting flowering plant. It is a hardy per- 
rennial. Mr. A. Gordon collected seeds of it m Georgia, and sent them to 
Mr. Lowe, of the Clapton nursery, where it has bloomed. The stems rise to 
about three feet high, producing flowers very freely. Each corolla is more 
than aninch long. The tube is scarlet, the three parted limb is yellow. It 
is a neat and pretty plant, well deserving a place in every flower garden. 
Siphocampylus from sipion a tube, and kampu/os curyed, alluding to the curved 
tube of the corolla. 


10. ZYGOPETALAM COCHLEARE. Shell lipped. Bot, Mag. 3535. 


This species is probably a native of Trinidad, it has bloomed in the Glas- 
gow Botanic Garden. Flowers—Sepals of a pale greenish-white, lip hay- 
ing purple lines and a great purple blotch in the upper half. The scape 
rises about three inches high, producing a single flower. The flower is 
more than two inches across. Zygopetalum, trom evgos. yoke, and petalon a 
petal, alluding to their being joined at the base. 


11. BAERTA CHRYSOSTOMA. Golden anthered. { Brit, Flow, Gard. 
COMPOSITH. SYNGENESLA POLYGAMIA SUPEFLUA. 

A hardy annual, growing a foot high. The plant has very much the ap- 
pearance of Talinum ciliatum ; but the flowers are of a bright yellow, about 
an inch across. It is a native of New California; seeds of the plant were 
sent from the Imperial Botanic Garden at St. Petersburgh to this country. 
The plant has bloomed in the collection of Mr. Janson, Stoke Newington, 


London. Baeria, in compliment to Professor de Baer of the university of 
Dorfat, 


i 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 24 


PART UL. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.. 


QUERIES, 


On a List OF BULBOUS AND EARLY SPRING FLOWERING PLants.—Will you 
zllow me to thank your Correspondent, ‘‘ An Old Subscriber,” for the useful 
fist of annual, biennial, and perennial flowers in your number for March 
1835, and to remind him at the same time that a promise of a similar list of 
the best bulbous and early spring plants haye not yet appeared. The intro- 
duction into my garden of most of the flowers contained in his former list 
has given so gay, nay, [may say, splendid appearance to it during the 
summer and antumn months, that 1 am extremely anxious to obtain a similar 
display of beauty for those of the spring, which I have no doubt the kind- 
ness of your correspondent will enable me to procure, Puito Fos. 


Can you or any of your correspondents inform me if saw dust can by any 
process be rendered a fit manure for flowers. I two years ago top dressed 
my beds with oak saw dust, one year old, and nearly rotten, but it killed 
many, and much injured most of the annuals that happened to have been 
planted out about a fortnight before. Perhaps the tanning contained in the 
oak may be prejudicial to flowers? Would a mixture of lime neutralise it 2 

Pui.o FLos. 

Ow Detpuintum CHINENSIS ALBIFLORA, &c.—A Subscriber to the Flori- 
cultural Cabinet would be glad to be informed where Delphinium Chi- 
nensis albiflora, figured in the (Cabinet of November 1834) is to be obtained. 
He has bought several purporting to be the sort mentioned but they have 
invariably turned out the single blue species, a trick he is sorry to say of 
very common occurence with some nurserymen. An early answer will ob- 
lige, —He would also be glad to know where Gnorthera anesiloba is to be 


had, 


On THe Best Season FoR sowiNG Pansey Scep—I have collected during 
the three first weeks of August a quantity of pansey seed, but am at a loss 
to know whether to sow it this season, or defer it till spring. I was afraid 
to sow it now, lest the plants should be too weakly to endure the winter, 
yet I thought if I could secure the plants through winter, 1 should have 
strong plants for blooming early next season, L should he glad if some 
reader of the Cabinet, who has had experience in this particular, would 
give a paper upon it, saying. how late, if this season, seed may be sown, and 
the plants treated so as to abide through winter, And if not till spring, how 
to treat them the successive period of the year. An early compliance with 
his request will much oblige, A Lapy. 


ANSWERS. 

On pestroyine THe GREEN FLy INSECT INFESTING THE ROSE, &c.—In a 
former Cabinet “* Rosa” wishes to know how to destroy the green fly insects, 
on rose trees, in the cheapest, easiest, and most effectual manner. I would re- 
commend him to throw with great force, handfuls of fine sand (sea sand, 
if he is near the coast, as I am, is cheap enough ) and he will find his trees 
very soon clean and healthy. Probably coal ashes reduced very fine, 
might answer as well as sand, but I have never tried it. CALCEOLARIA. 
4 : 


22 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


REMARKS, 


PLANTS IN BLOOM AT THE NuRSERY OF Messrs. RoOLLESON, Toorinc.— 


Hardy. 

Lonicera hispidula 
Lilium atrosanguinum 
C£nothera Drummondii 
Flox Omniflora. 
Delphinum Hulmi 

i Barlow 
Dianthus versicolor 


Greenhonse.—Azalea lateritia. 
Azalea lateritia alba both quite new 
from China. 
Spirea japonica 
Lilium lancelolia rubra 
” eximia 
Erica Cavendishii a yery splendid 
new yellow 


Hothouse. 
Roadeletea speciosa 
Ixora purpurea. 


Linum, new species from fhili. 
Potentilla tormentilla Tonguii 


DesTRUCTION OF INSECTS AND VERMIN.—It has long been known, that the 
leaves of the Elder when put into the subterraneous paths of moles, will drive 
them away ; when the same in a green state are rubbed over fruit trees and 
flowering shrubs, or when strewed among corn or garden vegetables, insects 
will not attach to them. An infusion of these leaves in warm water is good 
for sprinkling over rose-buds and flowers subject to blight ; also to prevent 
the devastation of the caterpillar. 

A Pensylvanian farmer states, ina late American journal, that the water 
in which potatoes have been boiled, sprinkled over grain or garden plants 
completely destroys all insects, in every stage of existence, from the egg to 
the full grown fly. 

Ammoniacal liquor, produced in the manufacture of gas from coal, and to 
be procured for the trouble of carrying, at any gas work, will eventually de- 


stroy the grub and other worms, which so often defeat the hopes of the gar-- 


dener ; more particularly as regards his early crops. So far is this liquid 
from having the property of injuring even the tenderest plant, that it seems 
rather to invigorate than otherwise. 

A paste of charcoal powder, or soot and train oil, laid on the trunks 
of trees, in rings or circles, by means of a brush, a few inches from the 
ground, will form a barrier over which snails or grubs, &c. cannot pass. 

Cabbages, &c. may be easily guarded against the depredations of cater- 
pillars, by sowing a belt of hemp seed around the borders of the ground 
where they are planted; for itis a well known fact, that none of these ver- 
win will approach the place so enclosed. 

Destruction by the fly in turnips may be prevented by dividing the seed 
intended for one day’s sowing into two equal parts, and putting one part to 
steep in a vessel containing soft pond, or ditch water, the night previous to 
its being used. Next morning mix the whole together, and add to each 
pound of seed two ounces of flour of sulphur. It has been adopted with 
success for many years by the intelligent farmers of the south west of Scot- 
land. 

By the following method an eminent horticulturist near Derby, never lost 
a seed by vermin, although they sometimes burrowed ina direct line with 
almost every row of peas, beans, &c. that he sowed: it consisted merely in 
steeping the grain or seed for three or four hours, or during a suflicient time 
to penetrate the husk, in a strong solution of the sulphuret of potash, com- 
monly known by the name of liver of sulphur. _ : 

The American farmers effectually prevent the blight or mildew from in- 
juring their orchards, by rubbing tar well into the bark of the apple trees in 
the spring season: this is done about four or six inches wide round each 
tree, and at about a foot from the ground. Abundant crops generally fol- 
lew this treatment ’ 

The gumming of fruit trees is to be prevented by forming a compost of 
horse-dung, clay sand, and tar. This applied to the trunk and stems of fruit 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 213 


trees, after being properly cleansed, will prevent that spontaneous exuda- 
tion, called gumming, which is so injurious to their growth. 

The growth of weeds around fruit trees recently transplanted does the 
latter much injury, and diminishes the fruit both in size and quality. So- 
nini, in his Bibliotheque Physico Economique, states, that io preyeut this 
the German horticulturists and farmers spread on the ground, around the 
fresh transplanted trees, as far as their roots are supposed to extend, the 
refuse stalks of flax, after the fibrous parts have been separated. This 
treatment gives them surprising vigour, as no weed will grow under flax 
alter the fibrous part haye been thoroughly separated and the earth remains 
fresh and loose. Old trees treated in the same manner, when languishing in 
an orchard, will recover and push out vigorous shoots. In place of flax 
stalks, the leaves which fall from trees in autumn may be substituted ; but 
these must be covered with waste twigs, or other more weighty materials, to 
prevent the wind from blowing them away. 

Mr. Macdonald, of Scalpa, in the Hebrides, having had his corn, &c, con- 
siderably injured by mice, and other vermin, put at the bottom, near the 
centre and at the top of each stack or mow, as it was raised, a handful of 
the stalks of wild mint, gathered near a brook in a neighbouring field : 
he never afterwards had his gram consumed. He tried the same experiment 
with his cheese and other articles kept in his dairy, viz. by laying{a few leaves 
green or dry on the articles to be preserved from their attacks, and with 
equal success. 

To prevent hares, rabbits, and rats from barking young trees and plan- 
tations, take any quantity of tar, and six or seven times as much grease, 
stirring and mixing them well together; with this composition brush the 
young trees, as high as hares, &cjcan reach. This will so effectually prevent 
them from being barked, that if an ash plantation were made ina rabbit 
warren, the samewould remain untouched.—GArDENER’s GAZETTE. 


_ THURLASTON FLORAL AND HorricuttuRAL Soctery.—Principally set on 
foot for the encouragement of industrious cottagers.—The second exhibition 
of this interesting society took place on Tuesday, the 27th of June last at 
the National School-room, Thurlaston, and was attended by a very numer- 
ous and respectable company. The weather was particularly fine through- 
out the day, and the scene was greatly enlivened by an excellent band of 
music. The productions shewn by amateurs were of a superior description ; 
more particularly the Ranunculuses of Mr. Smalley, the Pelargoniums of 
Captain Puckford, a beautiful pyramid of various pelargonium blooms by 
Mrs. Sheldon Craddock, and an ornamental basket of flowers by John Clarke, 
gardener to John Wilson, Esq.—The cottagers’ tables were literally crowd - 
ed with well grown flowers, prettily arranged nosegays, and vegetables of 
the finest quality: their rewards were as well deserved as they were grate- 
fully received. The judges on this occasion were Mr. Cooper, gardener to 
the Lady de Clifford; Mr. Hobley, gardener to Sir fF, Fowke; and Mr. 
Holland, florist, Narborough, who gave general satisfaction to the compe- 
titors. ) 
List of prizes to the Subscribers. 

Ranunculuses, the best pot of five flowers of different names, Dark, light, 
striped and mottled, Mr. Smalley, Oadby; mixtures, Mr. Oliver, Earl 
Shelton. 

Pansies, the best collection of twelve varieties; named, the Rev. R. Wil- 
son Taylor, Thurlaston ; the best collection of twelve seedlings, ditto; extra 
prize, Mrs. Bridges Narborough. 

Pelargoniums.—Light, Imogene ; red, Perfection; dark, Lucassii, Cap- 
tain Puckford. 

* Greenhouse plants, the best collection of six different varieties, J. Wilson, 
Sq. 
Brompton Stocks.—The Rey. J. Sankey, Stony Stanton, 
Ornamental basket of flowers.—J. Wilson, Esq. 


™~ 


214 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


Ornamental stand of flowers.—Mrs. S. Craddock 
Bouquet of flowers.—Mr. Oliver. 


Bouquet of hardy perennials, fifty-one varieties —Rey. R. Wilson Taylor. 


SHEFFIELD BOTANIC soctETY.—The exhibition of plants, flowers and yege- 
tables for the season lately took place. The tent for the display of vege- 
tables was fixed in the lower part of the gardens, conveniently arranged, 
with a table, eiyht feet in width down the centre, and having a space on 
each side for the accommodation of visitors. In this tent numerous articles 
were exhibited of very great beauty and excellence. Mr. Paxton’s Clero- 
dendrum with rich scarlet flowers, although a good deal injured by its long 
carriage from Chatsworth, was nevertheless much admired. Mr. Braide’s 
Elichrysum venusta, and Erica ordonata, were pronounced by competent 
judges to be the finest in the kingdom. There were many other plants 
which displayed much skill and attention in their cultivation; such as 
Fuchsias, Geraniums, Calceolarias, Pinks, Ranunculuses, Roses, Annuals, 
$c. On the first day the gardens were visited by a large number of the 
proprietors and subscribers. On the second day the number of visitors was 
larger than on the first. The cavalry band was in attendance both days, 
and the weather being fine, many strangers from a distance, as well as per- 
sons in the town and its surrounding neighbourhood, availed themselves of 
this opportunity of testifying their love for the beauties of Flora, and the 
rich treat which such exhibitions are calculated to supply, collected, as many 
of the specimens not unfrequently are, by obtaining a few seeds or roots 
from the remotest parts of the globe, but yet seldom visited by civilized 
men. 

The judges were for the plants—Mr. H. Shepherd, Botanic Garden, Liver- 

ool; Mr. Rider, nurseryman, Leeds ; Mr. Parkin, gardener to Mr. Stan- 
geen Cannon Hall; and Mr. Wiison, gardener to the earl of Surrey. 

Pranrs.-—Stove Plants, 1, Clerodendrum speciosissismus. Mr. Paxton, 
2. Brunsfelsia Americana, Mr. Appleby, Gardener to J. Young, Esq. 8. 
Siningia guttata, Mr. Waters, gardener to Mrs. Shore, Meersbrook. 

Orchideous plants, 1. Oncidium Lanceanum, Mr. Menzies, gardener to 
C. Rawson, Esq. Halifax. 2. Egidendrum Oncidioides. 3. Maxillaria cris- 
tata, Mr. Paxton. 

Balbs, or Scitamineous, 1. Wurmbea purpurea. 2. Lapeyrousia corym- 
bosa. 3. Babiana rubo-cyanea, Mr. Appleby. 

Succulents in flower, 1. Epiphyllum splendidum. 2. Epiphyllum Jenkin - 
soni, Mr. Appleby. 

Succulents not in flower, 1. Cactus senilis, Mr. Paxton, 

Collection of Ferns, 1. Blechnum Cayidense, Adiantum trapeziforme, and 
a species from Mexico. 2. Blechnum angustifolium, Lygodium Scandens 
Gymnogramma, Mr. Waters. 

“Green-house Plants, 1. Elichrysum yenusta, Mr. Braide, gardener to H. 
Wilson, Esq. Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley. 2.Pimelia decusata, Mr. Paxton. 
8. Lachenaultia formosa. 

Ericas, 1. E. odorata, Mr. Braide. 2. E. ventricosa superba, Mr. Apple- 
by. 
Ys Geraniums, 1. Angustissima, Mr. R. Turner, of Sheffield, florist. 
2 Lord Nelson, Mr. Appleby. 

Rose Geraniums, 1. Statvia, Mr. Hall, Doncaster. 2. Tam O'Shanter, 
Mr. R. Turner. 

White Geraniums. 1. Hilleanum. 2. Cleopatra superba, Mr. Appleby. 

Collection of three shrubby Calceolarias, 1. Captain Ross. 2. Sessi- 
folia, Mr. Appleby. 

Collection of Herbaceous Calceolarias, 1, Guttata, Mr. Barron. 2, Coun- 
tess of Shrewsbury, Mr. Appleby. 

Greenhouse succulents in flower, 1. Mesembryanthemum species, Mr. 
Appleby. 2 Ditto, Mr. Menzies. 

Annuals in Pots; 1. Collinsea bicolor, Mr, Paxton, 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 215 


Fuchsias, 1. Fuchsia globosa, Mr. Braide. 2. Globosa, and 3. Grandi- 
flora, Mr. Menzies. 

Herbaceous Plants, 1. Cypripedium spectabile. 2. Penstemon digitalis, 
Mr. Menzies. 

Hardy Shrub, 1. Deutzia scabra. 2. Azalea Recentissima, Mr. Menzies. 

Display of cut Flowers, 1. The crown, with the word‘ Victoria,” round 
the bottom, Mr. Paxton. 2. Splendid pyramid, Mr. Appleby. 

Roses, Hybrid or China, | and 2, cut flowers, Mr Hall. 

Roses, Province or Garden varieties, 1 and 2 cut Flowers, Mr, Hall. 

Moss Roses, 1 and 2 cut Flowers, Mr. Hall. 

Extra Prize for Hardy Ferns—Asplenium fon.anum Marinum, Woodsia 
Ilvensis, Asplenium lanceolatum, Polypodium calcareum, Mr. Waters. 

Extra Prize for the South American Pitcher Plant—Cephalotus folicularis, 
Mr. Paxton. 

FLowers.—First pan of 10 Ranuncluses, Mr. William Archer; 2d ditto 
of 10 Ranunculuses, Mr. Birley, Earl Street, Sheffield. First Pan of 6 Ran- 
unculuses. Mr. Smith, Ecclesall, New Road; second ditto of 6 Ranuncu- 
luses, Mr. Birley. Collection of less than 12 varieties of Panzies, Mr. Tur- 
ner, florist, Sheffield. Best Pan of 12 Pinks, Mr. Smith, Ecclesall, New Road ; 
Second ditto of 12 Pinas, Mr. Simonite, Sheffield Park. : 

Piants.—Mr. Appleby being the competitor who had obtained the great- 
est amount in money Prizes, in the different classes of plants, received, in 
addition to his prize money, an elegant fowling piece, presented by Joseph 
Shore, Esq. of Birmingham, value £ 15. 

Mr. Paxton having obtained the second greatest amount, received, in 
addition to his prize money, a silver cup, value £5. 

Fruits.—The greatest amount in money prizes having been obtained by 
Mr. Paxton, he received in addition to the money prizes, a silver cup, value 
£ 10. 

The second greatest amount having been obtained by Mr. Batley, of 
Wentworth Castle, he received in addition a silver cup, value £5.” 

VeGETABLES.—A silver cup. value £10. was received by Mr, Abraham, 
South street, who had obtained the greatest amount in money prizes. 

Mr. Waterhouse, having obtained the second greatest amount, received 
a prize, value £2 10s, 

Corracers’ Crass.—Mr. Marsden Little Sheffield, received one sovereign 
aie having obtained the greatest amount of money prizes for vege- 
tubles, 


Mr. Machon, Little Sheffield, received 10s. for having obtained the second 
greatest amount. _ 


Mr. Fielding, Sheffield, received 5s. for having obtained the third greatest 
amount, 


A Cuaprer or FLrowers.—Flowers of all created things are the most in- 
nocent and simple, and most superbly complex ; playthings for childhood, 
ornaments of the grave, and the companion of the cold corpse in the coffin, 
Flowers, beloved by the wandering idiot, and studied by the deep thinking 
man of science! Flowers that of perishing things are most perishing, yet of 
all earthly things, are the most heavenly. Flowers, that unceasingly expand 
to heaven their grateful and to man their cheerful looks—partners of human 

‘joy, Ssmoothers of human sorrow; fit emblems of the victor’s triumphs, of the 
young bride’s blushes ; welcome to crowded halls, and graceful upon soli- 
tary graves !,.....F lowers are in the volume of nature, what the expression 
‘God is love,” is inthe volume of revelation,..... What a dreary desolate 
place would be a world without a flower! It would be aface Without a 
smile—a feast without a welcome......Are not flowers the stars of the 
earth, and are not flowers the stars of heaven? One cannot look closely: 
at the structure of a flower without loving it. They are emblems and ma- 
nifestations of God's love to the creation, and they are the means and mini- 
trations of man's love to his fellow creatures; for they first awaken in his 


i 


: 
, 


216 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 


mind a sense of the beautiful and the good...... The very inutility of flowers 
is their excellence and great beauty; for they lead us to thoughts of gene- 
rosity and moral beauty, detached from, and superior to all selfishness; so 
that they are pretty lessons in nature's book of instruction, teaching man that 
he liveth not by bread or from bread alone, but that he hath another than an 
animal life, 

ON OBTAINING LARGE FLoweER$ OF THE Dantra.—I have been given to 
understand that nurserymen who exhibit Dahlias at the shows, and produce 
flowers of such immense size, are accustomed to prune away the greater 
part of a plant, as well as the flower buds at an early stage. I wish some 
person who has practised these operations, would give a few instructions, at 
what stage of growth this may be effected, and how performed, &c. 

CLerIcus. 


On Iromea AND ConvoLvuLus.—The genera Ipomea and Convolvulus are 
so similar, that many unite them into one, but the best botanists keep them 
separate. In convelinites the calyx sometimes has two small bracts. In 
Ipomea itis always naked. In Convolvulus the stamens are shorter than the 
limb of the corolla. Ovary is two, seldom three celled; and the stigmata 
are two, filiform, not capitate, BoranistT. 


FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER. 


Annual flower seeds, as Clarkia, Collinsia, Schizanthuses, Ten-Week 
Stocks, &c. now sown in pots and kept in acool frame or greenhouse during 
winter, will be suitable for planting outin open borders next April, Such 
plants bloom early and fine, and their flowerimg season is generally closing 
when spring-sown plants are coming into bloom. 

Carnation layers, if struck root, should immediately be potted off 

China Rose cuttings now strike very freely ; buds may still be put in suc- 
cessfully. 

Mizagietes may now be sown in pots to bloom in winter. 

Pelargoniums, cuttings of, may now be put off; plants of which will bloom 
in May. 

Pinks pipings of, if struck, may be taken off and planted in the situations 
intended for bloomiug in next season, 

Plants of Herbaceous Calceolarias should now be divided, taking off offsets 
and planting them in small pots. 

Verbena Melindris (chamzedrifolia.) Runners of this plant should now be 
taken off, planting them in small pots and placing them in a shady situation. 
It should be attended to as early in the month as convenient. 

Plants of Chinese Chrysanthemus should be repotted if necessary ; for if 
done later, the blossoms will be small. Use the richest soil. 

When Petunias, Heliotropium, Salvias, Pelargoniums (Geraniums), &c. 
have been grown in open borders, and it is desirable to have bushy plants 
for the same purpose the next year, it 1s now the proper time to take off 
slips, and insert a number in a pot; afterwards place them in a hot-bed 
frame, or other situation having the command of heat, When struck root, 
they may be placed ina greenhouse or cool frame to preserve them from 
frost during winter. Whea divided and planted out in the ensuing May in 
open borders of rich soil, the plants will be stocky, and bloom profusely. 

Tigridia pavonia roots may generally be taken up about the end of the 
month. 

Greenhouse plants will generally require to be taken in by the end of the 
month, If allowed to remain out much longer, the foliage will often turn 
brown from the effect of cold air, &c. 

Plants of Pentstemons should be divided by taking off offsets or increased 
by striking slips. They should be struck in heat. 2 

The tops and slips of Pansies should now be cut off, and be inserted under 
a hand glass, or where they can be shaded alittle. They willroot very freely 


and be good plants for next season. 
Pa 


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THE. 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


OCTOBER Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 


ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


ON THE CULTURE OF PHLOX DRUMMONDII. 
BY A 
CLERGYMAN’S DAUGHTER, IN SURREY. 


Tux flowers of the whole tribe of Phloxes are beautiful, and in 
general admiration, they are highly ornamental to a flower garden, 
and merit a place in every one. Nearly every species is of a 
desirable height for it, growing from one to two feet and a half 
high. The plants are of easy culture, and to be obtained ata 
trifling price. These facts induce me to offer some observations 
upon the culture, &c. of the whole genus, having in my possession 
every species and variety I have hitherto heard of. 

During the present summer I have been quite delighted with 
that most charming, newly introduced kind, Phlox Drummondii, 
and its varieties. In 1836 I procured a plant of the original kind 
and kept it in a pot through winter; early in May I procured 
small plants, eight or ten inches high, of several hybrids, and 
immediately turned them out intoabed. The hybrid varieties 
were venustum, a most beautiful rose colour, having a dark cen- 
tre; formosum, lilac, dark red eye, very large, round flower ; 
pulchellum, very dark velvet crimson, black centre, round flower; 
bellissima, lilac with very large, crimson eye ; speciosa, very dark 
velvet crimson, rather star shaped, darker centre ; carnescens, a 
light rosy-pink. The original kind is of a rosy-red with a small 

Von. v. BB 


218 ON THE CULTURE OF PHLOX BRUMMONDI1. 


eye. These seven kinds I had sufficient of to plant a small cir- 
eular bed, a yard in diameter, of each in my flower garden, seven 
plants ina bed. The beds were at a distance of about ten yards 
from each other, with intervening beds planted with other plants. 
I had each bed raised high at the centre, so that when. the plants 
were in bloom, the bed had the appearance of a cone of splendid 
flowers, beautiful in appearance, and producing a neat and 
striking effect. 

My soil is a sandy-loam what I enriched moderately with some 
rotten manure. I have already gathered some seeds from each 
kind, and I observe there is an appearance of obtaining a good 
supply ; a paper of each I inclose for the Conductor of the Ca- 
binet. In 1836 I had the original kind but not early enough to 
afford me an opportunity of obtaining any seed, but having plenty 
of young shoots upon the plant about four or five inches long, I 
took a quantity off early in September, inserted them in sandy 
loam, and placed them on a gentle hot-bed, within a frame, and in 
three weeks they had struck root. I removed the pots of cuttings 
at the end of October into acool part of a greenhouse, where I 
kept them healthy through winter, and at the end of March I 
potted them off, singly, into small pots, and in May turned those 
I wanted for the purpose into the bed in the flower garden, and 
removed a few into larger pots to adorn the greenhouse, where 
they have flowered most profusely. The same mode of propaga- 
tion will, of course, equally succeed with my hybrid varieties, so 
that I shall be able to keep up each kind permanently. 

The seeds I shall obtain from the plants I possess this year 
will be sown next spring, and doubtless the produce will afford 
me many handsome varieties. Whether the plants be grown in 
the greenhouse, on beds of a sort, or singly in the general mass 
of a flower bed, in each, and in all nothing can be more neat and 
striking as a flower. : 

My plants, in the open border, came into bloom early in June, 
and have been in profusion up to the present time, September, 
and will continue to bloom as long as the season admits. 

The tallest of my plants grow about two feet high, and have 
spreading heads proceeding from a single stem, more than half 
a yard across, 


(To be Continued. ) 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE PANSY. 219 
ARTICLE Ii. 


ON THE CULTURE OF THE PANSY. 
BY S. C. COOK, COVENTRY, 


‘Segrne several subjects in your Floricultural Cabinet on the 
culture of the Pansy, I herewith send you my mode of cultivating 
this beautiful tribe of plants. The aspects I prefer is a south-east 
one, the blossoms are soon shaded from the intense heat of the 
‘sun, and screened from strong winds; I always prefer growing 
them in beds, which beds are four feet wide, and in length ac- 
cording to the number cultivated. The bed is supported at the 
edges with iron work of a low form, as fig. 1. Fig. 1. 

The compost I use is one fourth maiden loam, MINT NN 
two fourths black garden mould, and one fourth rotten dung. 
When the bed is prepared, I draw lines longitudinally from one 
end of the bed to the other, by which lines I set the plants in‘rows, 
A bed four feet wide will allow of four longitudinal rows of 
plants; there should be one foot allotted to each plant in the rows, 
I always choose short strong plants, which are small in circum- 
ference. When I have finished planting, I procure some hoops 
and mats, for the purpose of shading the plants for a few days, 
until they have fully established themselves. As soon as the 
season of propagating commences, which I consider about the 
first of July, or if a late season it may be delayed till the first of 
August ; I proceed cutting off the strongest shoots, observing to 
cut them off at a joimt, and then putting the different varieties 
into separate vessels of soft water, for a few hours, which I find 
greatly to promote their striking. The cutting bed is composed 
of about one-third pit or river sand, to insure a closeness round 
the cuttings; then the cuttings of each variety are planted sepa- 
rately and numbered, and are allowed to remain in that situation 
antil the following spring, when they are taken up and planted in 
beds. It greatly improves the flowers, if the plants are watered 
with liquid manure, twice, or three times a week; it is necessary 
to keep a watchful eye upon the plants that are left for seed, for 
it will disperse itself in a few minutes after it is matured. I would 
here mention the utility of impregnating the flowers of different 
varieties, by impregnating the best formed kinds, and those 
having flowers of the finest, most clear and distinct, as the re- 
motest in colour from each other. The produce will be kinds 
elmost certainly to be depended upon as good, and in colour what 


220 DIALOGUE, &e. 


may naturally be depended upon by a comixture of any two 
principal colours in the flowers. It is a most interesting attention 
to be paid to this charming, sweet, flower, to raise the plants, 
watch their progress, and to daily, in the season, see the first 
opening flowers of new varieties. It far more than compensates” 
for any attention bestowed. 


ARTICLE III. 


DIALOGUE BETWEEN BLOOMWELL, AN OLD FLORIST ; AND 
WOULDKNOW, A NEW BEGINNER. 


BY BIZARRE, 


Wovtpxnow. Good morning to you, Mr. Bloomwell, you see 
Iam come again to admire your carnations. 

Bioomwetu. I assure you, Sir, I am very glad that my flow- 
ers have sufficient beauty to attract your notice; allow me to 
introduce you to no less a personage than the Queen of Sheba. 

Woutpxnow. You mean Lasselles’ Queen of Sheba, purple 
flaked, I suppose ? I have heard much talk about it. 

BLooMweELL. Now, you see it, what do you think of it. ? 

Wovxpxnow. I think it a most beautiful flower, and an in- 
dispensable one in every good collection. 

BLoomweELL. You are right, it has high colour, good white, 
and sufficient size. These are very desirable properties, but it 
is apt to throw the petals too much out of the calyx, and by that 
circumstance soon becomes loose. 

Wovtpxnow. I heard Mr. M., lay a wager the other day atS. 
Show, that he had paid particular attention to it, and was con- 
vinced that Turner’s Princess Charlotte and it, were one andthe 
same flower, do you agree with him in that opinion? 

BLoomMwELL. Certainly not, there may be, and is, a great 
similarity, but the Queen of Sheba was raised by a gentleman, who 
could notfor a moment be suspected of such a gross deception, as 
to give out as a seedling of his own, an old and well known flower. 
A scientific botanist would perhaps sooner point out the difference 
than a florist, I think Mr. M. could not have paid a greater com- 
pliment to the Queen of Sheba than by indentifying her with the 
Princess Charlotte, a flower which has stood at the head of its 
class for many years. 


DIALOGUE, &c. 221 


- Wovutpxnow. Pray what beautiful scarlet Flake is that, at 
the end of the stage ? 

Bitoomwety. An old favourite of mine, Pearson’s Madam 
Mara, which when well blown, is surpassed by no flower of its 
class that Ihave seen. Perhaps no flower is more universally 
grown, and I believe no flower has taken more prizes. The 
scarlet is good, the white at first has a pink shade, but bleaches 
as the flower expands. The petals are very apt to cup, and from 
that circumstance often crack at the edge which spoils the 
bloom. 

Wovtpxrnow. Pray is not Steame’s Dr. Barnes, said to be 
the same flower with this ? 

BLoomwELy. It has been so said, and no doubt as there is a 
great likeness, the old flower has been frequently sold for the 
new one by unprincipled persons, and this has caused the two to 
be confounded. Ihave never had Dr. Barnes from the raiser 
which is the surest way of comp&ring the flowers, and I cannot 
believe any true Frorist would be guilty of such an imposition, 
without the clearest evidence; another reason for doubting the 
indentity of the two flowers in question is, from my own experi- 
ence. A few years ago I raised a seedling scarlet Bizarre, from 
Wild’s perfection, so much like the parent, that it might easily 
have passed for it without much danger of the cheat being dis- 
coverec. This being my case, why may not others have had the 
same thing happen to them? The whole mystery seems to me to 
be thus easily accounted for. A new flower of uncommon at- 
traction is announced, some old stager of more cunning and sa- 
gacity than honesty, finds out that it is very much like some old 
and cheap sort, and instigated by the love of gain, immediately 
substitutes the one for the other, so that in a year or two the 
confusion becomes complete. 

Wovutpxnow. Are there many flowers in this perdicament ? 

BiLoomweLy. Perhaps there may, in the Florist’s Gazette for 
1832, I find Leightons’ Miss Foote, and Sir George Crewe, rose 
flakes, classed as one flower. Also in the same class Faulkner’s 
Eliza, and Smalleys’ Wonderful. With respect to the former of 
these, I can say nothing, having grown Sir George Crewe only, 
but for the latter, I affirm there are not in the whole class perhaps 
two flowers more unlike. Ihad ‘ Wonderful’ from a person who 
had it from the raiser, and ‘Eliza’ from a gentleman amateur, who 
is very careful in his selection of plants, and in all probability had 


a 24 DIALOGUE, &c. 


it direct from the raiser. ‘Eliza’ is a Pink flake of low growth, a 
shy breeder, and bad striker; ‘Wonderful,’ on the contrary, is a 
high Rose flake, of taller and freer growth, a larger bloom, and in 
all respects a wonderful deal the best flower. How they came 
to be confounded, whether by accident or design I cannot tell, 
but I believe ‘Wonderful’ is generally sold for both. What I 
consider the true ‘Eliza’ being comparatively scarce. 

Wovutpknow. What pale coloured flower is this, it seems to 
be a crimson or purple Bizarre, but the quantity of dark colour 
is very small 2 

BioomwEtL, That flower should be acaution to you not al- 
ways to expect the highest priced flowers to be the best, it is 
called Huggin’s Brilliant. But in what its brilliancy consists 
I have yet to learn. I have grown it these three years, and 
the bloom you now see on it, is the best in colour I have 
had. In Mr. Hogg’s Catalogue for 1830, it is offered at twen- 
ty shillmgs per pair. If it neVer blooms better than I have 
seen it, it would be too dear at twenty pairs for a shilling; 
for to my fancy, a flower that is short of colour has the great- 
est fault possible. I would sooner have a rough edge, or a 
deficiency of size, or any other single defect, where the co- 
louring was splendid, than this defect of pale colouring, though 
the flower was as large as a Dahlia. 

Wovtpxnow. What a fine high coloured rose flake the 
next is, this will not loose your favour for want of colour. 

Biroomwett. True, but it sometimes looses it by having 
too much, being rather subject to run, it is called Fletcher’s 
Duchess of Devonshire, and is said to be a sport from Greg- 
ory’s King Alfred, that fine old-crimson Bazarre, in the next 
pot. | 

Wov.tpxknow. Is it possible that this can be the case. 

BLoomweELL. It certainly is possible, but the probabilities are 
ten to one against it. 

(To be continued.) 


ARTICLE IV. 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 
(Continued from p. 208.) 
“Then he made choice of several sprigs of Mint, and other 
Plants, that were, as near as he could judge, alike fresh, sound, 


a 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 223 


and lively ; and having taken the weight of each, he placed it in 
a phial, ordered as above ; and as the plant imbibed and drew off 
the water, he added more from time to time, keeping an account 
of the weight of all he added. 

“Each of the glasses were, for the better distinction and the 
more easy keeping a register noted with a different mark or letter 
as A, B, C, &e. and all set in a row in the same window, that 
they might all partake alike of the air, light and sun. 

Thus they continued from July the twentieth, to October the 
fifth, which was just seventy seven days; then he took them out 
and weighed the water in each phial, and the plant also, adding 
to its weight that of all the leaves which had fallen off during the 
time it stood thus. And lastly, he computed how much every 
plant had gained, and how much water was spent upon it. The 
particulars are as follows. 

‘A. a common spear mint set in spring water. 

‘“‘ When the plant was put in, in July the twentieth, it weighed 
just twenty-four grains; when taken out, October the fifth, it 
weighed forty two grains; so that in the space of seventy seven 
days, it had gained in weight fifteen grains. 

“The whole quantity of water expended during the seventy 
seven days amounted to two-thousand-five-hundred and fifty- 
eight grains; and consequently, the weight of the water taken up 
was one-hundred and seventy and three-thirteens times as much 
as the plant had got in weight. 

‘** B, common spear mint set in rain water, the mint weighed 
when put in, twenty eight grains and a half, and when it was 
taken out forty five grains four thirds, having gained in seventy 
seven days seventeen grains and an half. 

“The whole quantity of water expended was three thousand 
and four grains which was an hundred and seventy one twenty- 
three thirty-fives times as much as the plant had received in 
weight. 

‘“*C, common spear mint set ir Thames water. The plant when 
put in weighed twenty eight grains, when taken out fifty four 
grains, so that in seventy seven.days it had gained twenty six 
grains. 

“The whole of the water expended, amounting to two 
thousand four hundred ninety three grains which was ninety 
five, twenty-three twenty-six times as much as the additional 
weight of the mint. 


7 
224 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


‘‘D, The common solanum or nightshade set in spring water. 
The plant weighed when put in, forty nine grains, and when 
taken out one hundred and six grains, having gained in seventy 
seven days-fifty seven grains. 

“The water expended during the seventy seven days was 
three thousand seven hundred and eight grains, which was sixty 
five three fifty seven as much as the augment of the plant. 

‘The spearmint D had several buds upon it, when first set in 
water ; these in some days became fair flowers, which were at 
length succeeded with berries. 

‘* Several other plants were tried that did not thrive in water, 
or succeed better than the cataputia. 

F, lathyris or cataputia gerb, set in spring water; it weighed 
when set in, ninety eight grains, when taken out one hundred 
and one grains and an half. The additional weight for the seven- 
ty seven days being but three grains and an half. 

“The quantity of water, spent upon it during that time, was 
two thousand five hundred and one grains, which is seven hun- 
dred fourteen times four thirds as much as the plant was aug- 
mented. 

“<P, G, those two phials so marked, were filled, the former 
with rain, and the latter with spring water, at the same time that 
the other before mentioned were, and stood as long as they did, 
but had neither of them any plant, his design in this being only to 
inform himself, whether any water exhaled out of the glasses, 
otherwise than through the bodies of the plants. The orifices of 
these glasses were covered with parchment, each piece being 
perforated with a hole of the same bigness with the other. And 
he suspended a bit of stick, about the thickness of the stem of 
one of the aforesaid plants, but not reaching down to the surface 
of the included water. These he put in thus, that the water in 
these might not have more scope to evaporate, than that in the 
other phials. 

‘** Thus they stood the whole seventy seven days in the same 
window with the rest; when, upon examination, he found none 
of the water in these wasted or gone off. Though he observed, 
both in these and the rest, especially after hot weather, small 
drops of water adhering to the insides of the glasses; that part 
of them that was above the surface of the inclosed waters. 

‘The water in these two glasses that had no plants in them, at 
the end of the experiment, exhibited a larger quantity of terres- 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 225 


ivial matter, than that in any of those that had the plants in them 
did. The sediment in the bottoms of the phials was greater 
and the nubecule diffused through the body of the water, was 
thicker.” 

“ And of that which was in the others, some of it proceeded 
from certain small leaves that had fallen from that part of the 
stems of the plants, that was within the water, wherein they rot- 
ted and dissolved. The terrestrial matter in the rain water was 
finer than that in the spring water: 

“In the year 1692, he made the following experiments with 
Hyde Park conduit water. The glasses, he made use of in this, 
were of the same sort with those of the former, and covered 
over with parchments, in like manner. The plants were all 
spear mint, the most kindly, fresh, sprightly shoots he could 
chuse. The water and the plants were weighed as before, and 
the phials set ina line ina south window; where they stood from 
June the second to July the twenty-eighth, which was just fifty 
six days. 

““H. Hyde Park conduit water alone. The mint weighed 
when put in, one hundred and twenty seven grains; when taken 
out, two hundred and fifty five grains: the whole quantity of 
water expended upon this plant, amounted to fourteen thousand 
one hundred and ninety grains. This was all alonga very kindly 
plant, and had run up above two feet in height, It had shot but 
one considerable branch, but had sent forth many and long roots 
from whence sprung very numerous and short fibres. These 
lesser came out of the larger, on two opposite sides for the most; 
so that each root with its fibrilla appeared not unlike a small 
feather. To these fibrillae pretty much terrestrial matter ad- 
hered. There was a green substance in the water, resembling a 
fine, thin conserva, which was at last thick and turbid. 

“The plant I. The same water alone. The mint weighed 
when put in, one hundred and ten grains; and when taken out, 
two hundred and forty nine: the water expended was thirteen 
thousand one hundred and forty grains. 

_ “This was as kindly as the former; but had shot no collateral 
branches. The roots of it, the water, and the green substance, 
all much as in the former. 

“The plant K. The mint was set in Hyde Park conduit 
water, in which was dissolved an ounce and a half of common 


garden earth. It weighed, when put it, seventy six grains ; whew 
VOL, Y. cc 


ak 


226 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


taken out, two hundred and forty four grains: water expended 
ten thousand seven hundred and thirty one grains. Though this 
plant had the misfortune to be annoyed with very small insects, 
that happened to fix upon it, yet had shot very considerable col- 
lateral branches, and at least as many roots as either in H or I, 
which had a much greater quantity of terrestrial matter adhering 
to the extremities of them. The same green substance here 
that was. in the two preceeding. 

‘‘L, was set in Hyde Park conduit water, with the same quan- 
tity of garden mould as in the former. The mint weighed, when 
put in, ninety two grains; when taken out, three hundred and 
seventy six grains. And the water which was expended, was 
fourteen thousand nine hundred and fifty grains. 

‘** This plant was more flourishing than any of the preceedent, 
had several considerable collateral branches, and very numerous 
roots, to which terrestrial matter adhered very copiously. 

‘* The earth in both these glasses was. very sensibly and con- 
siderably wasted, and less than when first put in, The same 
sort of green substance here as in those above.” 

““The plant M was set in Hyde Park water, distilled off witl 
a gentle still. It weighed when put in, one hundred and four- 
teen grains; when taken out, one hundred fifty five: the 
water expended was three thousand eight hundred and three 
grains, 

‘This plant was pretty kindly, had two small collateral bran- 
ches, and several roots, though not so many as that in H or I; 
but as much terrestrial matter adhering to them, as those had. 
The water was pretty thick, having very numerous, small ter- 
restrial particles swimming in it, and some sediment at the bot- 
tom of the glass. This glass had none of the green matter above 
mentioned in it. 

‘“N was set’in the residue of the water, which remained in the 
still after that in M was distilled off. It was very turbid, and as 
high coloured (reddish) as ordinary beer. The mint weighed, 
when put in, eighty one grains; when taken out, one hundred 
seventy five grains. The water expended was four thousand 
three hundred forty four grains. 

“This plant was very lively, and had sent out six collateral 
branches, and several roots. 

“The glass O, had Hyde Park conduit water, in which was @ 
dram of dissolved nitre. 


a i an 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 227 


“The mint, set in this, suddenly began to wither and decay, 
and in a few days died; as likewise did two more sprigs that were 
set in it successively. 

“Tn another glass he dissolved an ounce of good garden mould 
and a dram of nitre. 

‘And ina third, half an ounce of wood-ashes, and a dram of 
nitre; but the plants in these succeeded no better than the 


former. 
(Lo be continued.) 


ARTICLE V. 
‘ON IMPREGNATING CALCEOLARIAS, &c. 
BY AN ENQUIRER 


I wave just been told that Calceolarias can be successfully im- 
pregnated with blossoms of different genera, and the result is, 
that Calceolarias are produced from the seed, of a vast variety of 
colour. If my information be correct I should be glad if some 
person, or persons, who have tried it, would give a list in the Ca- 
binet of the sorts of plants which have succeeded, in impregnating 
successfully the Calceclarias. Also when to sow the seed ; how 
to treat the young plants, &c, so as to get them into bloom as 
early as possible. An article to be inserted in the November 
number would much oblige, 
Aw ENQUIRER. 


ARTICLE VI. 


ON RAISING CARNATIONS AND PICOTEES FROM SEED. 
BY AN OLD FLORIST. 


Tue culture of the Carnation, though elaborately written upon by 
many with ability and experience, has in one point, and that a very 
material one, been either totally neglected or slightly or discou~ 
ragingly mentioned, I mean the progressive improvement of the 
flower and its subvariety the Picotee, by raising new plants from 
seed. Hitherto we have been taught that the production of new 
and fine varieties of either Carnation or Picotee, is an extremely 
dificult and even arduous undertaking — the proportion being 


228 ON RAISING CARNATIONS FROM SEED. 


from one to two good flowers to one hundred inferior and worth. 
less plants. With this I perfectly agree, provided that the 
ordinary mode of obtaining the seed be pursued. We are told 
that it is a plant that never produces seed in considerable quanti- 
ty, nor even any at all, unless in very dry and warm summers and 
under peculiar treatment, and even then with difficulty, arising 
as it is stated ‘‘ from the extreme doubleness of the flower,” a 
mistake originating either from ignorance of the natural structure 
of the flower and its physiology, or from want of sufficient expe- 
yience in the writer. The Carnation is one of nature’s most 
brilliant offerings to the flower garden, and although almost uni- 
versally cultivated and admired for the symmetry and fine colour- 
ing of its blossoms, and for its delicate and grateful perfume, it is 
rarely seen in its fine varieties, some of which are really splendid 
and admirable, eclipsing all the flowers of its season, and making 
it as the pre-eminent ornament of the summer, as the Dahlia is of 
the antumnal months. 

The scarcity of those fine flowers arises from two causes —first, 
from the jealousy of the few florists possessing them, who think 
them worthy of being exhibited and distributed to the initiated 
only ; and secondly, from the neglect of raising plants from the 
seed of the best flowers, and from such only. Any florist who 
has sufficient energy and who wishes to derive more gratification 
from the culture of his Carnations, than he has yet enjoyed, may, 
by attending to the following directions obtain ample amusement 
and an abundant repayment for his time and trouble, in the pro- 
duction of many valuable and magnificent new flowers. 

It is true that nearly all the blossoms of Double Carnations, if 
unaided by the hand of the gardener, will be unproductive of seed, 
but they are in very many cases capable of being made fertile. 
The organs of reproduction are in almost every instance fully de- 
veloped, from the crowded state of the petals the operations of 
nature for production are defeated. 

Every gardener and florist should know that plants are anala- 
gous to animals in their power of multiplying their kind, and re- 
quire the co-operation of the sexes, In the Carnation, though ever 
so double, the male part of the flower or stamen is generally 
found, as is also the pietil of the female portion, together with the 
ovary, containing the embryo seeds, which may be observed by 
examining the blossoms of any double Carnations. The sexual 
distinctions are most easily distinguished. The florist, to be suc- 


ON RAISING CARNATIONS FROM SEED. 229 


cessful in obtaining seed, has but to imitate nature, and by render- 
ing his double flower as similar as possible to the single one faci- 
litate her operations. This is done by extracting with a double 
pointed scissars the supernumerary petals, leaving only the outer 
guard leaves, taking care, however, not to injure the stamens or 
ovarium. ‘This should be done before the anthers burst and shed 
their pollen, in order that the petals may not prevent its falling 
on, and being received by the stigmas, which is the usual cause 
of abortion in the double blossoms of the Carnation; or the flo- 
rist, ifhe pleases, may cut away the stamens, and apply the pollen 
of some other admired variety to the stigmas of the flower, thus 
deprived of its male organs, and so fertilize the embryo seed, 
which is the most advantageous way of proceeding, as the variety 
among the seedling plants will be more marked and beautiful; 
and curious to say, more like the father plant, or that from which 
the fertilizing pollen was taken, than the mother parent, or that 
which produced the seed. Semi-double flowers are more easily 
managed this way, and may be made fruitful with the pollen of 
your ‘best double flowers. The production of flowers is often 
effected through the instrumentality of bees and other insects, 
when collecting either honey or pollen from the flowers ; in such 
cases the seed is frequently lost by neglecting to protect the blos- 
soms from too much wet, and to extract the decaying petals, 
quickly lose their beauty and brilliant colouring, and being no 
longer needed, wither and die ; they should then be cut away, lest 
by retaining moisture, they should communicate disease to the 
base of the ovarium (where the petals had been attached) which 
is of a spongy and light structure, and very liable to rot, if not 
preserved in a dry state. The stems should now be loosed from 
the stakes to which they were fastened, and the plants given as 
much air as possible. When the pericarpium has attained to 
half its size, it will be necessary to remove as much of the calyx 
or cup that contained the flower as can be done without injuring 
the seed-pods. The plants will now, need little further care 
until the maturing of the seed, when they must be carefully look- 
ed over every day, lest the pods should burst and loose their seed. 
When ripe, the pods should be carefully gathered and preserved 
unopened, until the following May, which is the most proper time 
for sowing, or the seeds extracted may be preserved in small well 
corked bottles, which is the mode usually adopted. 

It has been stated, that layering Carnations prevents their 


230 ON RAISING CARNATIONS FROM SEED. 


Howering as well as if it had not been done, and also prevents 
their producing seed. This I have found is not the case, if the 
plants are layered sufficiently early, the bloom will be stronger, 
and without doubt they will give more seed in consequence of the 
increased resources of the plant, each layer becoming rooted, and 
enabled to support itself, as well as contribute to the strength of 
the parent plant: they ought not, however, to be detached until 
the seed is gathered, else a failure of your crop will be the con- 
sequence. ‘The seeds that have ripened in the early part of the 
season may be sown as soon as gathered, ina sheltered part of 
the garden, and the young plants placed out on a well manured 
south border, where (with slight protection during the very severe 
weather of winter) they will become strong blooming plants for 
the ensuing summer, thus gaining a year, as by the usual culture 
of the plants never show their flowers until the second year from 
sowing. ‘The late saved seed is to be sown, and the plants treat- 
ed in the usual way. This process may seem a little troublesome, 
but itis really not so; and the gratification arising from the pro- 
duction of very many beautiful flowers, will, I am sure, amply 
repay the person who pursues it. 


ARTICLE VII. - 
ON PLANTING EVERGREEN SHRUBS, 


BY THE FOREMAN OF A LONDON NURSERY: 
THE season generally taken advantage of for transplanting ever- 
greens, are spring and autumn ; that is, about the month of May, 
after the spring frosts are supposed to be over, or the month of 
August, before the frosts set in, I have invariably found, that 
such plants as were removed in April and May, had a very 
great advantage over those transplanted during the preced- 
ing autumn. The reasons for this circumstance are, that 
such plants as are lifted in August cannot be supposed to have 
their young wood so well ripened off as plants that remain un- 
disturbed at that season of the year; if the plants be checked by 
being transplanted at that season of the year, when the young 
wood is imperfectly ripened, generally in place of their pushing 
away vigorously in spring, the young wood is apt to die back, the 
leaves assume a sickly yellow appearance, and the whole plant 
is rendered an eye-sore. The adyantage of moist weather for re- 


ON PLANTING EVERGREEN SHRUBS. 231 


moving the plants, and having fixed on the various situations 
where they are to be placed, cause the pits to be made before the 
plants are lifted, then take them up with good roots and balls as 
entire as possible ; the plant, if large, should be put into a hand- 
barrow, made for the purpose, and carried to its destination 
by two or four men, according to its size or weight; let it care- 
fully down into the pit, then adjust the roots and cover them with 
fine mould, then gently press the mould down with the foot, and 
give a slight watering through the rose of a watering pot, after- 
wards fill up the pit and level off; gentle waterings should 
occasionally be given in the course of the season, in ordinary 
seasons two or three waterings will be sufficient. On stiff soils, 
or under large trees, the plants are much benefitted by trench- 
ing and loosening the earth a few feet all around them the follow- 
ing winter or spring, after being transplanted. On dry soils and 
sheltered situations, evergreens may be transplanted during the 
winter months with success; but on low lying retentive soils, it 
is advisable to defer the transplanting of large evergreens till at 
Jeast the beginning or middle of April. 
ie 


ARTICLE VIII. 
ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES, &c. 
AN EXTRACT FROM LOWE’S ELEMENTS, &c. BY CLERICUS. 

I am aware that the subject of pruning a timber tree is not 
strictly Floricultural, yet their being usually found in the plea- 
sure ground as matters of ornament, shelter, &e. will justify the 
insertion of some remarks on pruning them. The pruning away 
branches to make room from the sucessful growth of shrubs, is 
often required in the belts which form the exterior parts of the 
ground, as well as to give trees a proper form to make the best 
timber. A great deal of mismangement often occurs by per- 
sons performing it in a most injudicious manner, and in or- 
der to afford the readers of the Cabinet an opportunity of know- 
ing how to perform the required particulars, I have extracted the 
following excellent observations from Professor Low’s Elements, 
&e. for insertion therein. 

The natural tendency of many trees is to rise with a conical 
stem shooting forth lateral branches from the base upwards. 
Some species of trees, as most of the resinous and some of the 
willow and poplar kind do not tend to deyiate from this form, the 

5 


232 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 


main trunk rising erect, surrounded from the summit to the base 
by smaller horizontal branches. But other trees, and these may 
be said to comprehend the greater part of the hard wood, do not 
rise with the same regularity. Instead of one leading upright 
trunk, they send out many large boughs, which rival in size the 
principal trunk: such trees become forked near the baze, and 
the principal trunk below is short, while the top is largely 
branched, 

Now this is a form of atree which, however conducive to 
beauty, is not so to utility. The main object for cultivating wood 
is for the timber, and the greater part of the useful timber of 
trees is contained in the trunk before it begins to shoot out into 
boughs. In the artificial cultivation of wood, therefore, it is im- 
portant to produce as great alength of trunk, in proportion to 
the branched top, as a due attention to the natural habits of the 
tree will allow. 

Further, it is important for the obtaining of useful timber for 
the purposes of the carpenter, that the trunk shall be what is 
termed clean for as great a space upwards as possible. To un- 
derstand the meaning of this term, when a branch shoots out 
from the side of atrunk of. tree, a part of the vegetable circula- 
tion is carried on through that branch; and hence there is at 
this place an interruption of the continuity of the circulation 
and thus alters its course. The fibres of the branch lie in a 
different direction from these of the main stem, and this, when 
carried to a certain extent, is injurious to the texture of the wood. 
These twisted fibres frequently constitute as it were a distinct 
mass of wood within the the body of the trunk, They often form 
what are called knots, which greatly take from the usefulness of 
the timber for the purposes of carpentry. 

For these reasons, it is important that as great a part of the 
lower trunk as possible, be freed from the lateral shoots. 

Nature in part performs this process. As the tree rises in 
height, the lower branches decay and fall off, so that there are 
few trees in which, even if left to themselves, there will not be 
a certain portion of the lower stems, cleared of lateral branches, 
When trees are close together, this natural falling off of the lower 
branches takes place more quickly, and to a greater extent, than 
when they are distant from each other. 


(To be continued.) 
iv 


SEW AND RARE PLANTS 233 
PART IL. 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last. 


1. BEGONIA PLATINIFOLIA. Plane leaved. (Bet. Mag. 359}. 
BEGCONIACE®. MONEZCIA POLYANDRIA. 


This very large and handsome species was received in 1834 into the Edin- 
burgh botanic garden from Berlin. 1t is a hothouse plant, growing to six 
feet high. The leaves are about teninches across. The flowers are pro- 
duced in cymes, each blossom being two inches or more across, nearly white. 
Begonia, in compliment to M. Begon. 


2. BOLBOPHYLLUM COCOINUM. The cocoa-nut Bolbophyllum. 
[ Bot. Reg. 1624. 


ORCHIDER®. GYNANDRIA MGNANDRIA. 


A native of.Sierra Leone, and introduced into the country by Messrs. 
Loddiges, with whom it has bloomed, and the cocoa-nut scent is so power- 
ful as strongly to perfume a whole house. The plant has also bloomed at 
J. Bateman’s, Esq. Knypersly. Staffordshire. The blossoms are ofa pale 
fiesh colour. 


8. CLARKIA RHOMBOIDEA. Entire petalled 
ONAGRACEA. OCTANDRIA, MONOGYNIA. SYNONYM. C. GAUROIDES. 


Seeds of this plant were sent from North West America by Mr. Douglas, 
and sown in the London Horticultural Society’s Garden where the rlant has 
bloomed. It is an annual, rowing about two feet high. The flowers are 
an inch across, purple, aii white near the bottom of each petal, spotted 
with purple. It much more resembles Clarkia elegans, than C. pulchella. 
Mr. Douglas has left some remarks on another species im California, closely 
allied to C. rhombvidea, viz. C. unguiculata. 


4. CLEMATUS FLORIDA; var. SIEBALDI. Siebald’s Virgin’s Bouer. 
(Brit. Flower Gard. 396. 


RANUNCULACEX, POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 


This handsome flowering plant is a native of Japan, from whence: it was 
introduced into this country by Dr. Siebald. 1t had been considered a dis- 
tinct species, from that highly ornamental species, long known in the gar- 
dens of this country, viz. Clematis florida ; but on a careful comparison, it is 
found to be a variety of it. The present kind deseryesa place in every 
flower garden, oragainst a trellis, verandah, or wall. Itisa free. growing 
sort, producing a profusion of blossoms, of considerable beauty. The petals 
are ofa pale cream colour, suffused with arich purple, having the appear - 
ance of a dark eyed centre ; if the plant be grown on a dry subsoil, and in 
equal parts of peat and loam, it will flourish freely. It is easily propagated 
by layers. 


5. CYMBIDIUM ENSIFOLIUM ; var, ESTR 1ATUM. Sword-lea d strcakless 
tariety. (Bor. Reg. 1976. 


ORCHIDACE®. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA SYNONYMIS, EPIDENDRUM ENSIFO- 
LIUM, LIMJODORUM ENSATUM, CYMBIDIUM STRIATUM. 
The present plant grows freely in the greenhouse, where it produces « 
rofusion of pretty, fragrant, blossoms. The petals are whitish, sepals greea- 
wh white, the labellum is spotted and marked with crimson, 
YOL. y. DD 


234 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


6. DELPHINIUM VIMINEUM. | Slender upright Luskspur. (Bot. Mug. 3593. 
RANUNCULACEX, POLYANDRIA TRIGNYIA. 


The late Mr. Drummond sent seeds of this plant from the Texas to the 
Glasgow Botanic Garden, where it has bloomed. Itis a hardy perennial spe- 
cies growing about a yard high. The stems are slightly branching. ‘ihe 
flowers are produced in rich racemes, and are of a bright azure blue co~ 
lour. It deserves a place in every flower garden, being highly ornamental 
from July to September. , 


7. DELPHINIUM TENUISSIMUM. Short slender Larkspur, [Botanist. 


A hardy annual plant, introduced into this country in 1836, seeds of it 
were gathered by Dr. Sebthorp, near Athens. It has bloomed in the Liyer- 
pool Botanic Garden, producing a profusion of flowers and seeds. The 
plant grows to about a foot high, producing its lowers in loose panicles, 
they are of a violet blue colour, 


8. DIPODIUM PUNCTATUM. ~ Dotted flowsved. [Bot. Reg. 1980. 
ORCHIDACEX. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA4, SYNONYM, DENDROBIUM PUNCTATUM, 


This terrestrial species of Orchidez has been found in Van Dieman’s 
land, as well as in New Holland, but more plentiful in the latter country. 
Mr. Jackson found it there flowering in December. It has bloomed in the 
collection of Messrs. Loddiges’s, The stem is of a dark purple colour, ris- 
ing from eigteen inehes to two feet high. The flowers are numerously pro- 
duced on a cylindrical raceme. Each blossom is of a dark purple, spotted 
with blood colour, «nd are about an inch across, producing a very pretty 
effect. Dipodium, from dis two; and pons podos, a foot; alluding to the two 
stalks of the pollen maki = 


9, EPIDENDRUM CORIACEUM. Leathery leaved (Bot. Mag. 3595 
i ORCHIDACER, GYNANDRIA MONAYDRIA. 


Charles, Parker, Esq. sent this species from Demerara to the Liverpool Bo- 
tanic Garden, where it has bloomed. It had heen considered by Mr. Shep- 
herd to be a variety of E, variegatum but it appears now to be a distinct 
species ; the leaves are more coriaceous, more lanceolate, shorter and less 
striated and acute; the spotting of the flowers are also very different. The 
flowers are produced ina spixe, and the raceme contains from eight to ten. 
Each blossom is about an inch across, whitish, beautifully spotted with red. 
Epidendium, from epi upon, and dendron, a tree; referring to its native si- 
tuation, - 


10, HABRANTHUS ANDERSONI var. TEXAMUS. Bot. Mag. 3596. 
AMARYLLIDE£, HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


Grows in a_natiye state in Monte Video, andin Buenos Ayres. The 
scape is one flower. The flower is an inch and a half across, of a golden 
yellow colour, with the outside of the petals, striped with redish brown. 
Habranthus, from ubras delicate, and anthos a flower. _ 


41. HOSACKIA STOLONIFERA. Creeping rooted [Bot. Reg. 1977 
LEGUMINOS®. DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 


The late Mr. Douglas sent seeds of this plant from California. It is a 
hardy herbaceous plant, forming a bush of a yard high, and has much the 
appearance of a shrub during summer. The flowers are produced in nod- 
ding: umbels. Each blossom is small greenish, with chocolate coloured 
middles. The plant blooms in June and growing rapidly and bushy, is 
found to be valuable, has an under shrub, filling up vacancies between 
shrubs, It increases rapidly by its creeping roots, 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 235 


12. LUPINUS VERSICOLOR. Party coloured Lupine. [ Bot. Rez. 
LEGUMINOSE. DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 


A hardy perennial species, a native of California, and has bloomed in the 
garden of the London Horticultural Society. The stems grows about two 
feet high, much branched. The flowers are produced in terminal spikes; 
the blossoms are variable between rose-colour, pale blue, violet, pink, and 
greenish white on the same raceme, but the lighter jcolours are generally 
towards the top of the raceme, It is a beautiful flowering species, and well 
deserves a place in every flower garden, The flowers are fragrant, some- 
thing like the perfume of the field bean. It blooms from May to July, and 
produces abundance of seeds. 


18. PLATYSTEMON CALIFORNICUS, Californian. [By it. Flow, Gard .394: 
PAPAVERACE®. POYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 


An hardy annual introduced into this country by the late Mr. Douglas. 
The plant grows about eight or ten inches high, branches terminating with 
pale straw coloured blossoms, each about an inch across. The flowers 
much resemble the wild wood Anemone of Britain, only differing in colour. 
Platystemon from plutus broad,and stemon a stamen, alluding to the broad 
filaments. ' 


14, RHODENDRON ARBOREUM var. CINNAMOMEUM. Cinnamon eo. 
lourred tree Rhodedendron, [ Bot, Reg. 


ERICACEZ, DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA, 


In 1822 Dr. Wallich sent to this country, from India, a quantity of seeds 
of this plant, one of which has bloomed in the nursery of Messrs. Rollison 
at Tooting, Surrey. The present variety is very like the white sort which has 
previously been noticed and been cultiyated in our gardens for ten or twelve 
years, bnt the cluSters of flowers are more compact, and the purple spots on 
the white petals are larger, darker and more numerous, The white of the 
flower is not quite so clear asin the old kind. The present kind deserves 
a place in every shrub border. 


15. BLUMENBACHIA MULTIFIDA. Multified-leaved. [Bot. Mag. 3599. 
LOAS®. POLYDELPHIA POLYANDRIA. 


A native of Buenos Ayres, and discovered there by the fate Dr. Gillies. 
It has since been discovered by the late Mr. Tweedie, and by him seeds 
were sent to the Glasgow Botanic Garden. This species is very distinct 
from B. insignis, being a much stronger growing plant, more compact, ard 
more hisped with strings. It is perfect hardy. The leaves are much larger, 
but like B insivnis, they are much lobed. The flowers are about an inch 
across, white, with a yellow, and red centre. 


16. BRODIZEA GRANDIFLORA. Luge flowered. [ Botanist. 
LILIACIA, TRIANDRIA, MONOGYNIA, 


A bulbous rooting plant, a native of Georgia, on the north-west of Ameri- 
ea. Bulbs were sent by the late!Mr. Douglas, to the London Horticeltural 
Society. The flower stem rises to eight or ten inches high, terminating 
with an umbel of about six flowers ; each flower is campanulate, about an 
inch across, of a pretty blue colour. It is quite hardy and flourishes freely 
if grown in a shady situation, and planted in’peat soil. Brodiaa, named in 
compliment to James Brodie, Esq of North Britain, ; 


(7, SILENE CHLORAEVOLIA.  A-menian cotchfly. [Bo'. Reg. 1929, 
SILENAC® DECANDRIA TRIGYNIA,. 

A hardy perennial plant, producing numerous pretty flowers, of a pure 

white, delightfully fragrant. Each flower is rather more (ban an inch across, 

tis a most desivable plant for either the flower border or a rock work 


236 MISCELLANEOUS IXTELL?GENCE- 


PART Hl. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES 


On THE Corours oF Dauxias.—The difficulty which occurs in ascertain- 
mz the real colours of Dabhlias, causes very considerable confusion, and 
anpleasantness between exhibitors have frequently arisen in consequence. — 
Would it not effect the desired object if each Floricultural Society were to 
aye aspecimen card of colours, and for each exhibitor to purchase ene, 
or have them gratis, at the time each exhibitor enters for competition. 

If such cards of colours were obtained by every society from one source, 
a general correct understanding of each colour would prevail. 

Middlesex, Aug. 18th. j Wan Wie 


On Pruninc Reopoprnprons.—What should be done with respect to 
Rhododendrons when they grow straggling, as I am afraid of cutting 
them, lest I should injure the bloom for next spring. Jf some reader of the 
Cabinet, who has had practical instruction, would favour me with a reply, I 
should be greatly obliged. Kabmra. 
[We have frequently cut in straggling growing Rhodedendrons, and they 

have made fine showy plants by the second summer. The time we 

have cut in the: branches was early in April. Several young shoots 
were generally produced upon each branch, and lest they should be too 
close we thinned out a portion, and left not more than three or four. 

By cutting in the branches at this early season, the plants were not 

only more certain to push shoots than if cut late, but the young shoots 

had time before the autumn to grow vigorously, and be sufliciently rip- 
ened to. withstand the effects of severe frosts without injury ; whereas, 
if cut late in summer, the young shoots would be so tender as to be 
very liable to suffer by frost. ‘ 
The young shoots produced by cutting in the branches, has never pro- 
duced bloom till ‘the second season. Where a plant has a few short 
branches, and a number of straggling ones, thelatter may be cut and 
the former left, which, if they have flower buds upon them, will produce 
a bloom, and the branches cut in push new shoots.—Conpvucror. | 


REMARKS. 


New Prants, &c.—Calchortus venustus and C. splendens, these are now in 
bloom, and are highly deserving a place in every flower garden, we gave 
figures of them soon after their introduction into this couutry. 

Spirea Japonicu. This new species, producing white flowers, is very neat 
and handsome, and well deserves cultivation. It is ahardy herbaceous plant, 
flowering very profanely. 3 

Anagallis Phitlipsii, We gave a figure of this plant some time ago. It is 
a most profuse bloomer, of a splendid blue colour, and the flowers of a large 
size. lt is a charming plant for the greenhouse or open border. A bed of 
it is splendid. 

Penstemon Murryamus, is a most splendid flowering plant, producing when 
grown in the open border in summer, spikes of flowers six feet highi We 
Rave seen some even higher. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 237 


On vur Sensitive PLANT.—The movement of the leaves of the Mimosa 
Pudica have their origin in certain enlargements, situated at the articulation 
of the leafets with the petiole, and of the petiole with the stem. Those only 
which are situated in the last articulation are of sufficient size to be sub- 
mitted to experiment. If, by a longitudinal section, the lower half of this 
swelling be removed, the petiole will remain depressed, having lost the 
power of elevating itself:—if the superior half be removed, the petiole will 
remain constantly elevated, having lost the power of depressing itself. These 
facts prove that the motions of the petiole depend on the alternate tur- 
gescence of the upper and lower half of the enlargment, situated at the 
point of articulation: and that contractibility is not the principle of these 
motions. 

If one part of the plant be irritated, the others will soon sympathise, or bear 
witness, by the successive falling of their leaves, that they have successively 
felt the irritation.—thus, if a leaflet be burnt slightly by a lens, the interior 
moyement which is produced will be propagated successively to the other 
leaflets of the leaf, and thence to'the other leaves on the same stalk. A very 
clever French experimentalist, Mons. Dutrochet, found. a 

ist—That this interior movement is transmitted equally well, either as- 
cending or descending. ; 

2nd—That it is equally well transmitted, even though a ring of bark has 
been removed. 

3rd—That it is transmissible, even though the bark and pith be removed 
so that nothing remain to communicate between the two parts of the skin: 
except the woody fibres and vessels. : 

4th—That it is transmissible, even when the two parts communicate merely 
by a shred of bark. 

5th—That it may be transmitted, even when the communication exists hy 
the pith only, 

6th—But that it is not transmissilLle, when the communication exists merely 
by the cortical parenchyma. 

From these very interesting experiments, it results that the interior move- 
ee mad by irritation, is propagated by the ligneous fibres and the 
vessels, 

The propagation is more rapid in the petioles than in the body of the stem: 
—in the former it moves through a distance of from three to six tenths of an 
inch in a second; in the latter, through from, eight to twelve hundredths of 
an inch, during the same portion of time. External temperature does not 
appear to exert any influence on the rapidity of the movement, but very 
sensibly effects its extent. 7] 

Absence from light, during a certain time, completely destroys the irri- 
tability of the plant. Such change takes place more rapidly when the tem- 
perature is elevated, than when itis low. The return of the sun's influence 
readily restores the plant to its irritable state. It appears, therefore, that it 
is by the action of light, that the vital properties of vegetables are sup- 
ported, asit is by the action of oxygen that those of animals are preserved, 
consequently, etiolation is to the former what asphyxia is to the latter. 

Gardener's Gazette. C, Mackenzie. 


THE CAUSES OF THE VARIETY AND VIVIDNESS OF COLOURS IN FLOWERS — 
The petals of flowers do not owe their beauty to the colour that paints 
them; for that, when drawn off, is dull and dead; neither do they owe 
their brilliant tints to the skin that covers them, Their lovely appearance 
is derived chiefly from the bubbles of water which compose their pabulum, 
Receiving the sun’s rays, they are enlivened and brightened by reflection 
and refraction from those drops ofwater; and from that spot or point of 
light being seen in every bubble, and striking to the focus underneath. 
By these means the whole flower would at times be one blaze of light had 
not nature to soften the same, covered the petal with an upper and an 
under skin which curtails their diamond-like rays, and leaves them, in- 


stead, a lightness and beauty unequalled by the most exquisite art of the 
painter, 


a 


238 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


in order to prove that bubbles of water are the true cause of the beauty 
which flowers transmit, either in vivid flashes or tender tints, to the human 
retina; we have only to take the dullest colour that was ever mixed or 
painted, and filling a small glass bubble with water, let the rays of the sun 
fall through it on the said colour, it will become the brightest and most 
beautiful imaginable, and exactly resemble the tint of flowers. The moist 
peta! is so filled with water, that it only excites our astonishment how such a 
thin gauze like matter can contain such a quantity of liquor, and yet the 
flower reposes on the hand without wetting it. 

To shew, however, that some of our flowers may owe their beauty to 
other contrivances besides pabula filled with water, we may instance a com- 
mon one which adorns our fields. viz. the ranunculus or butter cup. The 
petals of this very pretty wild flower appear to be varnished. but, on exa- 
mination. we find that this is owing to a white powder resembling magnesia 
which lies between the pablum and the upper skin. ‘‘ To try the effect.’ 
says Mrs. Ibbetson, whose experiments on the physiology of plants have 
placed her in the first rank of natural philosophers, ‘‘ I got a quantity of 
extremely small glass bubbles containing water blown for me, and I placed 
them in a petal, in rows: although infinitely larger, yet they appeared to 
be a petal greatly magnified. I covered them with a piece of gauze, painted 
so as to resemble a dower, and truly did it imitate the sort of brightness 
and brilliancy which it was intended to represent.” 

GarpDeEneEr’s GAZETTE. 


LonDON HorTICULTURAL Society. August {st.—Dr. Lindley read a paper 
from Mr. J. Ingram, gardener at Southampton, on a simple and effective 
mode of killing the red spider, thrip, scale, and green fly, without injury to 
the plants. 1t merely consisted in putting the pots into aframe well closed, 
and then putting laurel leaves well bruised between them, when in the course 
of one hour, the whole of the red spiders and green flies would be destroyed 
by the odour: the plants were then to be removed into a hot place. Fora 
house twenty feet by twelve, the quantity of two bushels of leaves would be 
amply sufficient, which might be bruised in the place which was to be 
covered and surrounded by matting, so as to prevent the escape of the odour. 
For the destruction of thrips and scales about eight hours was suflicient, and 
the experiment succeeded best at night; the plants afterwards to be remoy- 
ed toa hot place, when the insects would soon die and drop off. 

Dr. Lindley read the following address {from the Council of the Society to 
her Majesty, which had been presented on the throne by the Duke of De- 
yonshire, requesting her to become the patroness of the society. , 


TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
Most gracious Sovereign: 


We your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the president, vice 
presidents, and council of the Horticultural Society of London, beg leave 
most respectfully to approach your royal presence, and in the name of the 
Society to offer our sincere condolence on the decease of his late Majesty our 
gracious patron. 

Yet whilst in common with all classes of his Majesty’s subjects we deplore 
the loss which the nation has sustained, by the removal of so munificent a 
patron of science, we are not the less sensible of the gratitude we owe to 
Divine Providence, for having blessed usin the person of your Majesty, 
with a successor, whose accomplished mind and exlightened views, are the 
theme of universal applause, and eminently calculated to adorn the throne 
of akingdom, now jastly celebrated above all others for the splendour of 
its gardens, and the devotion of ils inhabitants to the peaceful occupation of 
horticulture. . 

While we humbly presume to take credit to our society for the improve- 
ment in public feeling, which has taken place in this respect, we gratefully 
acknowledce the service which we have derived from the royal counte- 
nance; and as the love of natural beauty, and the cultivation of the fine 


<>, e 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE 235 


arls are especially innate in the female breast, we confidently anticipate that 

& pursuit which is so completely identified with the advance of civilization, 

pea flourish with renewed vigour, under the fostering auspices of your 
ajesty. 

We — beg to offer our most heartfelt congratulations on your Ma- 
jesty’s accession to the throne of your ancestors. and venture humbly to.so- 
licit your Majesty’s renewal of that patronage which has been accorded to 
this society by your royal predecessors since ihe period of its institution, 
and earnestly pray that your majesty’s reign may become illustrious by the 
general cultivation of all those arts of peace which areso eminently condu- 
cive to the wealth and beanty of the country, and the enjoyment of all clas- 
ses of your Majesty’s subjects. 

Given under our corporate seal, at the rooms of ihe Horticultural Society, 
Regent Street, London, 22nd day of July, 1837. 

Signed on behalf of the council, Devonsuire. 


A letter was read from his Grace, addressed to the secretary intimating 
that her Majesty has signified her intention to be the patroness of the s0- 
clety. 

The first objects pointed out to the meeting were several orchideous plants 
contained in different collections in the room. The most interesting of these- 
were Zygopetalum rostratum, from Mrs. Lawrence, a specimen of the same 
from Mr. Bateman, as also of Acropera Lo@éigesii, Stanhopea insignis, and 
Gongora atropurpurea. Mr. Pratt, of Cheshunt, exhibited a strange and in- 
teresting variety of Stanhopea insignis. and Mrs. Marryat, a new variety of 
Oncidium Carthaginensis, a little modified in the formation of the flowers. 
The most remarkable specimen was, however, Cattlea crispa, from Mr. Pax- 
ton, than which it wonld be difficult to find anything displaying more skill 
or beauty in cultivation, whether in shape. form or flower. It had been pre- 
viously never seen with more than three, four or five flowers. hut the present 
specimen contained seven, in which the interesting characters of the plant 
were all apparent. Accompanying this were three specimens of Stanhpoea 
insignis, the cultivation of which had never before been so perfect but in the 
hands of Messrs. Loddiges, and these with the former specimen. exhibited 
the display of no ordinary skill. 

Mr. Cox, of Cranford exhibited a beautiful tray of Carnations and 
Picotees; Mr. Hogg, a tray of Carnations ; Mr. Salter, of Shepherd's bush, 
several Dahlias which were very good for the season. Mrs. Marriot exhi- 
hited a tray of Verbenas, of almost every variety and colour, Tasconia pin- 
natispula, and Campanula fragrans, a plant which has lately come a great 
deal into cultivation in the neighbourhood of London, although it was thought 
it would be unsuccessful. It grows wild in Naples, and other parts of Italy 
on rocks and other wild places, having a magnificent appearance, covering 
the crevices of the former with its large and beautiful blue flowers. Mr. 
Hooker exhibited a large collection of roses. Mr. Moore, gardener to Miss 
Garnier of Wickham, Hants, exhibited a new Orchidea from South America , 
a variety of Petunia from P. Nyctaginifiora ; and a variety of Dianthus from 
D. Superbus. 

From Mr. Lawrence were 13 Heaths, many new and interesting varieties, 
particularly Erica viridiflora bearing a small and neat green flower. 


REFERENCE TO PLATE. 


Loseria Propinqua, a most splendid flowering species quite hardy. it 
likes a deep rich soil, and as all the other Lobelias of its section do, plenty 
of water in the growing season. If thus attended ,to, it will produce numer-~ 
ous spikes of flowers rising to the height of four or five feet. It deserves a 
place in every flower garden or greenhouse. 

Loserra CenuLea Granpircora, this fine Hybrid variety, is quite hardy, 
producing numerous flower epikes, which rtse from two to three feet high, 
and make a very striking contrast when placed near to the Propingua ful. 


a Ma. 


240 MISCELLANEOUS INFELLIGENCE. 


gens, &c. Like those kinds, the present is free of production, and easy te 
cultivate, : 
Kennepia Marryatti, Mrs. Marryatt’s Kennedia, a most beautiful flow~ 
ering greevhouse climber, well meriting a situation in every collection of 
this tribe of plants. It flourishes well in sandy peat, having a good drain- 


age. 


FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER, 

Pranr Stove.—Plants of Cactuses that have been kept in the open air or 
greenhouse, now put into the stove, will bloom immediately. 

GREENHOUSE PLants—Those plants that were removed into the green- 
house last month, should have plenty of air given them every mild day ; 
but the lights should be close shut up at night, also when cold, damp, wet, or 
other bad weather prevails, excepting a little at the doors, about the middle 
of the day. The plants should not be watered in the “ broad-cast" manner 
as it is termed ; but should be attended to singly, so that no plant may be 
watered but what is actually dry. Water should not be given in the eyen- 
ing but in the early part of the day, so that damps may be dried up before 
the house is closed. If wateredin the evening, the damp arising dur- 
ing the night will cause the leaves to decay, and encourage moss, li- . 
chens, $c. upon the soil. This will invariably be the consequence, unless 
fire heat be applied to counteract the effect. _ The soil in the pots should 
frequently be loosened at the surface, to prevent its forming a mossy or very 
compact state.—Camelias, if wanted to flower early, should be placed in a 
stove. 

Frowsr Garpen,—&c. Auriculas must now be removed to their winter 
habitation, all dead leaves must be pickvd off as they appear, or the plants 
will be liable to injury from rotting, &c. Carnation layers potted off should 
be placed for protection during winter. Offsets of the herbaceous kinds of 
Calceolarias in beds or borders, should now be potted off, having well-drain- 
ed pots and a light soil. The plants should be kept in acool frame, ora 
cool greenhouse ; very little water must be given them, or they will damp 
off. Cuttings of all kinds of greenhouse plants that have been grown in the 
cpen border, in beds, &c., such as Heliotropes, Geraniums, shrubby Calce- 
- olarias, &c. should be taken of as early as possible in the month, and be 
stuck in heat, in order to have a supply of beds, &c. the next year If frost 
is likely to cut off the tops by the end of the month, the plants should be 
taken up, and placed very closely in boxes, large pots, &c. for preserving 
during winter. Water freely after potting off, but little afterwards at the 
roots till the plants have struck root, they may occasionally be sprinkled over 
the tops. Do not place the plants in heat, to cause them to strike, for if 
this be done, most of the plants will fail, a cool frame or greenhouse is suit- 
able. Hyacinths and other bulbs, should be potted early in the month, for 
forcing, &c Seeds of Schizanthus, Stocks, Salpiglossis and similar kinds 
of plants, desired to have in flower early next season, should be sown the 
first week in the month in pots, and be kept from frost during winter. Seeds 
of Pansies may be sown early in the month, in pots, and be protected ina 
cool frame, also plants taken up and to be protected unless they be grown 
in a Sheltered dry situation. Pinks, if not already planted off should be done 
early. Perennial and biennial flowers, may be divided, and planted off 
where intended to bloom next year. Flower beds, borders, &c. should be 
dug, and an addition of fresh soil be laid in them so as to raise the surface, 
and the roots of all plants may be covered, to be a protection during win- 
ter ; this should be attended to by the end of the month. Any tender kinds 
of border plants that are liable to injury during winter, should be potted 
and placed for protection. ‘To Dahlias, a cover of soil round the roots should 
be given, lest a sudden frost coming should injure the crown buds; seeds 
should be collected before damaged by frost. Seeds of all kinds of flowers 
not yet gathered, should be collected early in the month, or they will be 
liable to injury by frost, 


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THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET, 


NOVEMBER Ist, 1837. 


PART I. 


ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 


ARTICLE I. 


ON PRUNING, THINNING, &c. OF TREES IN PLANTATIONS, WITH 
OTHER REMARKS UPON THEM. 


BY MR. JOSHUA MAJOR, LANDSCAPE AND ARCHITECTURAL GARDENER, 

KNOSTHORPE, NEAR LEEDS. 
{ nave taken the liberty of sending you a few remarks on the 
very defective manner in which plantations are generally man- 
aged, as far as regards ornament, hiding disagreeable objects and 
effecting convenient and secure places of retirement; trusting 
through the medium of your widely cirgulated Cabinet, should 
_ you deem them worthy of insertion, that my remarks may have 
ome tendency towards abolishing the evil I have to complain 
of. 

I find wherever I travel, and in whatever country my profes= 
sion calls me, very great and glaring defects in plantations, 
arising in nine cases out of ten from the want of judicious and 
early thinning. Now, could we but persuade gentlemen, and 
persons who have the management of such plantations to com- 
mence thinning a few years after planting, and to continue to do 
so, at least once in two or three years, asit is necessary, the de- 
fects I complain of would be prevented, and the objects IT have 
in view would be effectually attained. 

Vor. v. ERE 


242 ON THINING AND PRUNNING TREES. 


The method I would recommend to be pursued, is as follows < 

Ist, Make choice of such trees, as are likely to remain where 
they are planted, and at each successive thinning, clear off a few 
of their lower branches, Wych, Elm, Birch, Lime, &c. should be 
trimmed to the lowest stem; and the formal upright kinds, such 
as the Horse-chesnut, Sycamore, Mountain-ash, &c. to the short- 
est stem. 

2nd, Cut down from time to time, as occasion requires, such 
other trees as appear to crowd these, by this means the adopted. 
plants will have room to bestir themselves, and they will be 
found severally to form extensive and massy branches, calculated 
at once for ornament and use, and one single tree, will eventu- 
ally afford a screen equal to a hundred of these neglected skele- 
tons we are at present confronted by wherever we turn oursel- 
ves. I do not mean that plantations should be always equally 
thinned: let the trees be occasionally at various distances; 
for instance, two, three, four, five, or more may stand in a group, 
set from three to five yards from each other; which, although 
near together, may still become fine ornamental trees, provided 
sufficient room be left all round to allow their branches to ex- 
tend with freedom ; and indeed, in order to produce a proper 
effect, and to have groups and masses of different sizes, different 
distances must be adopted ; instead of which, we generally find 
plantations almost totally neglected for the space of fifteen or 
twenty years, and sometimes even longer, and that too, although 
the trees were planted at first at no greater distance than three 
or four feet from each other. Such mismanagement must ne- 
cessarily cause the branches to decay and fall off; and conse- 
quently leave the trees little better than mere naked poles, but 
miserably ill calculated to form a screen, and ornament the sur- 
rounding landscape. 

The other day on a journey into Derbyshire, I was forcibly 
struck with the necessity of something being immediately said 
on a subject so important. 

I noticed on each side of the high road plantations that have 
stood at least thirty years; the trees were from three to four 
feet distant; in consequence of which they had long been di- 
vested of their principal branches, which rendered them entirely 
useless as a screen, for which purpose they appeared originally 
to have been planted. I am not sure whether they did not be- 
long to some nobleman, but, however, it is no uncommon thing 


ON THINNING AND PRUNING TREES. 243 


“for similar defects to present themselves in large domains, even 
where woodmen are kept, which certainly reflects no credit on 
the owners. 

I frequently find it a difficult matter to persuade gentlemen to 
allow their plantations to be thinned, and their trees to be cut 
down; but wherever I have prevailed, the alterations have never 
failed to give entire satisfaction. I was called in some few years 
ago, to alter the grounds of a baronet; who, while I was in- 
specting, directed my attention in particular to a plantation of at 
least fifteen years standing, formed for the purpose of conceal- 
ing the kitchen garden. This partly from want of thinning, and 
partly owing to the prevalence of that odious tree (the black 
Italian Poplar), appeared to be a complete wilderness. I im- 
mediately directed the gardener to mark with white paint at 
least one half of them to be cut down. The baronet expressed 
his surprise at the number, and said he was sure Lady 
would be distressed at the idea of so many being removed ; 
however, it was agreed upon that they should be taken down 
before her ladyship took her morning walk. I left before the 
operation was performed ; and to my great surprise, although 
all my other plans had met with their unqualified approbation, 
in the course of a few days I received a letter stating, that only 
one half of the number I had caused to be marked, had been cut 
down, and that the rest were to remain till I had paid another 
visit ; and hoping that I should consider that sufficient, so re- 
luctant was my kind employer to cut down histrees. Notwith- 
standing which, I still persevered in recommending the rest 
to come down, which was very reluctantly agreed to, and down 
they came, and undergrowths of common Laurels, Hollis, Yews, 
Dogwoods, to be introduced in their room; for it may natu- 
rally be supposed that their having been suffered to crowd 
each other so long, would entirely prevent them from ever as- 
suming the form and beauty they would otherwise have done, 
had early pruning been attended to. My advice was followed 
and the nobleman has since called upon mé, and expressed him- 
self highly gratified with the improvements produced. On these 
grounds were several masses of silver firs, which would certainly 
have been the finest of the kind I ever saw, had they been pro- 
perly managed; they were seventy or eighty feet high, but I am 
sorry to say it, destitute of branches to within ten or twelve feet 
of the top, instead of being furnished nearly to the ground, as 


244 ON PRUNING AND THINNING TREES. 


they might have been, had they been planted at a Prep ea dis~- 
tance at first, and judiciously thinned afterwards. 

A similar feeling prevailed with another baronet a year or two 
ago, who) although he professed to know a good deal about 
Landscape Gardening, had not acquired sufficient of the art to 
enable him to preserve either the form, or grandeur in the 
growth of his trees; for many old ones about the house were 
crowded to excess, and drawn to an immense height nearly des- 
titute of branches; and there they remain to this day, as if to re- 
proach him for his obstinacy. 

Iam employed at present in laying out a park and pleasure 
grounds, and the only obstacle that has occurred to frus- 
trate the whole of my designs, is that of cutting down trees, 
The opposition rose on the part of the lady of the house, who, 
I must confess, possesses considerable taste, though in this par- 
ticular case she was decidedly wrong. I was twoyears in ob- 
taining her consent to remove two trees standing in a large mass, 
in order to open out a narrow vista. At last, on alate visit, I 
so far prevailed, by the aid of another gentleman, who happen- 
ed to be dining with us, as to be allowed to remove one first in 
order tosee the effect ; and although this shewed a good deal of 
‘my object, I was not allowed to take down the other. However, 
we hit upon another expedient, we contrived to cut the top off 
the other, sos not to disfigure the tree, and this entirely answer- 
ed the end I had in view, and opened one of the prettiest vistas 
Tever beheld: in short we were all highly delighted with it. I 
have adduced these instances which have come under my obser- 
vation, to shew the necessity of drawing the attention of gen- 
tlemen towards the management of their trees, as far as regards 
efféct and ornament, and to encourage them to dash away their 
fears, and not to allow them to predominate to the injury of the 
landscape. 

These are not fanciful speculations, they are the result of much 
practice and careful observation. Before I conclude, allow me 
to remark that the general practice of introducing nurse plants, 
as they are termed, into plantations, seldom proves to answer 
the purpose intended, resulting in a great measure from the 
want of early attention. The Italian Poplar and the Larch, for 
instance, are of such rapid growth, that in four or five years they 
will overpower, and. materially injure the Oak, the Beech, and 
in short, nearly every other kind of tree ; consequently, at that 


ON PRUNING AND THINNING TREES. 245 


period care should be taken to relieve such by lopping off the 
branches of the nurse plants, and cutting down others as may be 
required. 

I am decidedly against the introduction of the black Italian 
Poplar, either as a nurse plant for shelter, or any other purpose, 
unless it is quite certain that the whole are to be removed in 
due time : as it is at no period of its growth to be admired, but 
generally exclusively ugly. When young it never harmonizes 
with other trees, and as it advances in growth, it soon becomes 
disproportionate, top heavy, and in the end so over-balanced 
as invariably to bear on one side, and frequently to become 
nearly prostrate. Indeed I am opposed to the family of Poplars 
generally, except the Lombardy, which I should be sorry to 
condemn; on the contrary, when judiciously planted in groups, 
of from three to fifteen, in Ceep vallies, in dense masses of 
trees, or woods, and in connexion with churches or other build- 
ings, especially those ofthe Gothic and Elizabethian style, a 
happy effect will be produced: but the country generally has 
become barbarously disfigured, by the introduction of most of 
the other kinds, (but more especially the black Italian) that 
could Iraise a hue and cry against them, so as to have them 
_ totally banished from the country I should consider I had done 
justice to my own feelings, and to those of every one possessing 
true taste to Landscape scenery; but am I not speaking too 
hastily? Is not the Poplar the darling of a Professor of Land- 
scape Gardening, who has scarcely known how to say enough 
in its praise? Ought he not to possess a taste for Landscape 
Gardening, he ought, and does, but what kind of taste is 
it, such a one it is hoped he now heartily repents of, let him 
look round and see what frightful objects he has reared in many 
parts of the country; and surely his conscience will tell him he 
has done mischief enough already, and the only way in which he 
can redeem his credit with the country, is to recommend the axe 
instantly to be laid to their roots, and at one fell sweep, exter- 
minate them all. P 

I will now conclude with a hope that my early remarks on 
thinning, &c. may be of service, if not to those who have plan- 
tations of long standing, at least to those who are forming 
new ones—and advising that they will above all things keep 
out that frightful objeot, the black Italian Poplar. 

J. Mason. 


246 COMPOSTS FOR PLANTS. 
ARTICLE II. 


A LIST AND PROPORTIONS |OF COMPOST SUITED TO THE SUC- 
CESFUL GROWTH OF THE PLANTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE 
FOLLOWING LIST 


BY AN OLD SUBSCRIBER, PIMLICO. 
AGREEABLY to my promise I now send you a list of composts for 
plants, which I have selected from the excellert practical obser- 
vations given upon each, in various papers that have been inserted 
in the Cabinet; and I doubt not but bringing the subject into this 
condensed form, will be a ready reference, and prove useful to 
the readers of the Cabinet. 


COMPOSTS FOR PLANTS. 


J -bed|Vegetable 

Name. Loam. gat Mace Sand 
RCA G1Biis.0 ie 000 peel cia bios \avaie fe 1 1 0) #) 1-half 
PAMAZ AUIS.» 5:00.01 02,0, six Srebilcisis 2 1 0 l-half |1-4th. 
PAGTERIGNIE As «cieis o:s's noche ae 0 - 1 0 1 1 1-3rd 
AMMAN ccs ee ec gat pe< 2 0 1 0 0 
Ametotist seca Cy ae 1 1 0 0 0 
DSSUCUB Nee saa. are vs, veo gears 1 0 ne l-sixth| 0 
maibeifldeeth st. a0, saa cid 1 o \CowD) 4 |1e4th 

1 each. 

SAUIRSIAS  cisler sis a eee ss . 1 1 0 0 1 
Bouvardias ...... Ba eae 2) 1 | 1-half| 1-half |1-4th. 
Bulbs, Cape..... toh Lgerate bts 1 1 0 1 1 
iD, 2M Del Oe ene ee 2 go |1C.D.} 1-half | 2 
Brugmansia .......-. Sosintalt crak 0 1 1 0 
PTCPOMINS oboe sesstcestecs 1 1 0 0 0 
Calceolarias....... Lat ark ] 1 [1 fourth} 0 0 
Cemapannlas . tein. dell ve deel OL 1 1 0 0 
tate Tyas te so retetwie oi ole eras 1 ] 1 half | 1-half |l-half 
Carnations, Pinks & Picotees 2 0 1 QO j1-4th. 
Chrysanthemums .......... 1 0 1 0 0 
(Ohi) Ruck + 5 eee Sak 1 1 0 0 0 
Comme\linas* 28% 3402 Bi l 1 0 0 0 
Correa, speciosa. ....-... <j 1 0 O {l-4th. 
ReipeageatiD OG 5s is psn sheinyn pp r 1 1 0 0 {1-4th. 
Cyrilla, ye nelle ereichotena ces 1 1 0 1 | lebalt 
a aSe = «5 \° « a2) waie%e 5 + ee 0 1 @) 1-3rd 
SPAINIES 2's. Gate chmareeet 2 0 1 1 0 
Eccremocarpus, scabre.... 2 0 1 1 0 
Hpacris® sss ad Pe edeizis « « 0 2 0 0 |1-half 
sR castigated Sey. ee Cee 0 2 0 0) 1 
POS cr 54a D 1 O° | l-half }1-4th. 
LES ryt UR at MI 1 1 1 0 
Prete Mids 5 a coasts cos 1 2 0 2 0 


COMPOSTS FOR PLANTS. 24:7 


f Vegetabic| 
Mauuse| Mould. | 88d 
0) 
1 
1-half 


ine 
SNE ONO SC COmOOCO-K oC 8 


Name. 


ial 
° 
2 
=} 


—" Pt ee a OD eT 9 el cll OE OE OE de 


GGloxinias’-- . ce csce leodeoc 
Green-house Perennials.... 
Heliotropes ....+0-2sse0e: 
Hydrangeas......- x a 
Lobelia ...0c seeeeeeeeees 
Lophospermum, scandens.. 
Maurandia ......eecce- oe 
Mesembryanthemums ..... 
Mignionette.....+-+-.+-- oe 
> gi ean 
hot-bed dung rot- 
Myrtles } ted to rotid: 
Nierembergias ..++.e+e-.. 
Oxalis e@eeteoeseesaeeee ee ees 
Oranges:..cesecses. eiatisipls 
0 ee ee ane 
Pelargonium ....sesesce.. 
SEMIN, tan/aaaicn wn oo 52. 6 
Polyanthus’..s..cscssves 
Primula sinensis ...........| 1- 
Ditto. common ........ 
MEMHUIGUIGS 7 a oe pines 00.60 
Roses, Climbers.,........ 
Ditto. Noisette .......... 
Ditto, Perpetual ......... 
Pato; Odorsia 45. cee. 
Ditto, Standard .......... 
Salpiglossises -.... 2... 
SI wine ws éa cess. 
Senecio, elegans .....e0s... 


ee} turfy, & I-part 


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mmm SOZOm MONO So =-CcCOCOHKROY 


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MOK OR COOP Rem OHOHOM Se owe 
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Lime Rubbish 
» Plants from old buildns, 
MMEIESTGORES 5 a:s'0's °s e/ate e'a/e.crs 
maps in pots ....7...... | 
Ditto, in Borders ......... | 


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copes o-oo 
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——+ jot 
. 


ARTICLE 4 


ON THE CULTIVATION OF ALSTROMERIAS. 
BY MR. W. SCOTT, GARDENER TO CHARLES BARCLAY, ESQ. M.P., F.H.S. 
As the Alstromerias exhibited by Mr. Barclay, on the 7th of June, ” 
1834, at the Gardens at Chiswick, were so generally admired that 


248 ON THE CULTIVATION OF ALSTROMERIAS. 


the Society’s large silver medal was awarded for them, we trust a 
description of his mode of treating them may not be unacceptable 
to our readers. ‘‘ When I first came to Bury Hill,” he says, “‘in 
April, 1831, I found several varieties in small pots of the size 
generally termed sixties, which were suffering from being kept 
too moist, and Alstromeria tricolor or Flos Martinia, and pulchella 
or Simsii, were planted in the border in front of the stove. Being 
very partial to the genus, although I had never seen any of the 
varieties before, except ligtu and peregrina, I began immediately 
to turn my attention towards them, Being well aware, from what 
I had seen of the two kinds with which I was acquainted, that 
they require rest for a few months in the course of the season, I. 
removed all the plants I could find, (which, as well as I can re- 
collect, were Hookeri, pulchella, pallida,. peregrina, acutifolia, 
peregrina alba, psittacina, edulis, ligtu, and a variety from Mr. 
Nuttall, raised by him from Peruvian seeds, and which had never 
flowered here,) to a small pit in front of the pine stove, giving 
them no water till the earth about their roots got quite dry; as 
soon as they began to recover, I potted them in the size called 
forty-eights, and kept them on a shelf against the back wall of the 
greenhouse, about three feet from the top lights; and although I 
lost, hookeri, peregrina alba, and edulis, I had the satisfaction of 
seeing the others thrive much better than they had done the 
previous year. I also took up from the border in front of the 
stove, tricolor and pulchella, and gave them the same treatment. 
When the leaves began to decay, at the end of July or beginning 
of August, I withheld water, and allowed the plants to rest till the 
beginning of November, 1832, when they again began to vege- 
tate: I then repotted them, and gave them every encouragement, 
in rich mould composed of loam, rotten dung, and leaf mould, 
with a little sand ; this I find to be the best compost for growing 
them in. As they filled their pots with roots I shifted them pro- 
gressively to a larger size : and had in June, 1833, the pleasure of 
flowering the species from Mr. Nuttall and pallida, for the first 
time since they had been at Bury Hill; and I succeeded in grow- 
ing tricolor to the height of two feet three inches, well covered 
with flowers: none of my pots that season were larger than what 
are termed sixteens. When the flowering was over and the 
leaves beginning to decay, I then resorted to the plan of drying, 
Bor resting, the plants till the following November; I afterwards 
gaye them the same course of treatment as before; but as the 


ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES,’ &c. 249 


roots had attained a greater degree of strength, the size of the 
pots was enlarged, until some of the stronger varieties were 
planted in the size No. 6, in which they arrived at the state in 
which they were exhibited at the Society’s garden in June, 1834. 
During the time of growing, I keep them on a shelf, or trellis, in 
front of the greenhouse, having upright lights about five feet fie 
and I gave them plenty of air, carefully atone the least Ae 
cation of heat, which would a aw them up weak, cause the flow- 
ers to be much smaller, and very much injure their colours. By 
these means I have had them continue in bloom for full four 
weeks.” — Read before London Horticultural Society. 


ARTICLE IV. 


ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES, &c. 
(Continued from page 240.) 

In natural forests the trees rise with very tall upright stems, 
and are gradually divested of all their branches below to a vast 
height. Itis from natural forests accordingly that our finest, 
tallest, and most valuable timber is derived. 

But in the artificial culture of wood we cannot imitate the na- 
tural process, and allow the lateral branches to fall off by them- 
selves. In the culture of wood we must admit the air to the trees, 
by keeping them at a distance from each other: and under these 
circumstances, the tree tends greatly to shoot out into branches, 
and thus to produce a smaller growth of upright stems, as well 
to have a smaller extent cleared of branches towards the base. 

In the cultivation of wood, then, we must generally resort to 
artificial means to form the tree to what we wish it to possess, 
We must then endeavour to promote the upright in place of the 
lateral extension, and then to have a sufficient portion cleared 
of lateral branches. 

Further, the later branches should be taken off at as early a 
stage in the growth of the tree as is consistent with its health; 
for it is to be observed, that when a branch shoots froma tree, 
the twisting of the fibres begins at the point where the branch 
had originated, and not, as from a cursory inspection might be 
supposed, from the surface of the stem. 

Thus, in a following section of a portion of the stem, a lateral 
branch having firet appeared onthe surface, continues to increase 


250 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 


in thickness as the main stem inercases, and in the same manner, 
namely, by the adding each year of a layer of wood all round. 
It does not therefore commence at the surface of the*tree, but 
in the interior, and each year increase in diameter. The sooner, 
therefore ,that this branch is removed, the less will be the twisting 
of the main stem at this part. 

As in the practice of pruning there are two distinct purposes to 
be aimed at; first, giving the vertical tendency to the tree ; and, 
second, obtainingas great a portion as possible of clean stem ; 
so there are two periods in the growth of the tree at which these 
objects are to be attended to. The first in the order of time, is 
giving the vertical tendency to the tree, and the second, the de- 
nuding it of its lower branches. 

Until the tree has attained the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, 
the only object that need to be attended to is to give it the up- 
right tendency in question, and to prevent its becoming forked. 

The pruning for this purpose consists in merely shortening 
such branches as may be rivalling the leading shoot, or stretch- 
ing out laterally with a growth disproportioned to that of the 
others. Frequently the mere nipping off of the terminal bud will 
be completely effected by shortening the shoot, making it about 
half the length of the shoot above; this is the sole purpose of 
pruning during the first period of the growth of the tree; and it 
is to be observed, that if a tree be of itself tending to grow up- 
right and without forking, no pruning, even of this simple kind, 
is required. For of all pruning it is observed, that it is a vio- 
lence done to the plant, and is to be avoided as much as possi- 
ble. By cutting off branches and leaves, we cut off organs of 
nutrition, We do not prune that we may increase the quantity of 
wood, for the operation has quite a different tendency and effect ; 
‘but we prune that we may give to the tree that form which is 
calculated to produce the greatest quantity of timber in the pro- 
per place. 

The other branch of pruning, and next in the order of time, 
consists in denuding the lower part of the trunk of branches, so 
that there may be obtained a sufficient extent of clean wood. 
Although, for the reasons given, it is important that the taking 
off these branches be at as early period as possible, yet this must 
be done always under the conditions necessary to preserve the 
health of the tree. The tree should, in the first place, have at- 
tained sufficient strength and age to bear the being deprived of 


ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 251 


its branches; and in the next place, the process should be car- 
ried on so slowly as not to effect the healthy growth of the plant, 
and so gradually, that it may have vigour to cicatrize, or cover 
with bark, the wounds that have been made upon its surface. The 
period when we may safely commence this process of denuda- 
tion, is when the tree has attained the height of fifteen or sixteen 
feet. 

Now, every tree adds to the length of its leading shoots and 
branches from buds which grow on the end of the shoots. Every 
year a new shoot is made from the end of the buds, of a length 
proportioned to the vigour of growth of the plant. The shoots 
thus formed in one year, produce each a bud, which, in like man- 
ner produce shoots in the following year ; and thus while the tree 
is growing, there is a continued increase of the length of its lead- 
ing shoots and branches. Further, when the annual shoot of 
any branch is produced, there is usually sent forth at the place 
where it originates one or more lateral shoots, so that there is a 
succession of branches, or tier of branches from the base to the 
summit. Were these lateral branches not to fall off, we could, 
by means of them, ascertainthe age ofthe tree, and in the case 
of many of the Coniferze, we can frequently ascertain the number 
of years which they have lived, or that each individual branch 
has taken to grow, from the number of these annual shoots 
alone. A knowledge of this mode of growth will conduct us toa 
simple rule in practice for removing, without violence, the lower 
branches of the trunk. 

When we commence this process of pruning off the branches 
of the stem, let us cut off the lowermost branch or tier of branch- 
es, that is, the branch or branches of one year’s growth, and no 
more: in the second year let us cut off a second tier, in the 
third year a third tier, and so on. In this manner, while the tree 
in each year makes one shoot vertically, the lateral shoots of an- 
other year is cut off below. Thus, a tree having made fifteen 
shoots, and having risen, we will suppose, to the height of fifteen 
feet, we commence the process of pruning by cutting off the 
lowermost set or tier of branches. The tree then makes a shoot 
at the top, so that while we have cut off the lateral shoots of one 
year, another year’s vertical shoot will be made. The next year 
we prune away the branch or tier of branches, and again the 
tree makes a shoot at the top. Inthe third year we cut off as 
before, and again the tree makes a shoot upwards; and s0 we 


252 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 


take off each year the lateral shoots of one year, and never any 
more. 

By this method we shall gradually denude the stem of its late- 
ral branches from below upwards, while it is increasing in verti- 
cal growth. The extent of clear trunk will thus gradually become 
larger in proportion to the uncleared portion or top. Thus, sup- 
pose we begin to prune when the tree has made fifteen years’ 
shoots, then when it has made thirty years’ shoots, we shall have 
cleared off fifteen; that is, half the height of the tree. 

Now, when we have cleared half the height of the tree, or a 
very little more, we should pause in our further operations, and 
mark its state of growth. If it continue to grow vigorously, we 
may resume our operation of close pruning, but at longer inter- 
vals than before, so as never in any case to have cleared away 
more than one half, or at the utmost three-fifths, of the height of 
the tree, and never taking off more than one years’ lateral growth 
of branches in a season. 

Every tree, it is observed, must possess a sufficient top; that 
is, it must extend horizontally as well as vertically, so as to bear 
branches and leaves. The leaves are organs of nutrition of the 
plant, essential to the healthy exercise of the vegetable functions, 
and we must be careful to deprive it ofno more of these organs 
than consists with our purpose of pruning. Now, by proceed- 
ing slowly in this gradual manner, never taking off more in 
any one year, than the growth of one year’s lateral branches, 
we shall not usually interfere with the healthy growth of the 
tree, but shall always leave it a sufficient power of expansion at 
top, as to afford it the means of nutrition and growth. Further, 
by never cutting off more at a time than the growth of one year, 
the tree will generally have vigour to cicatrize the wounds that 
have been made upon its trunk; whereas, were we to lop off 
many branches at a time, according to the practice too prevalent, 
the tree might not have vigour to cover them with fresh growth 
of bark, and thus the wounds might remain, to the lasting in- 
jury and frequent destruction of the tree, 

In pruning in this manner the branches are to be cut off quite 
close to the stem, so that the bark may quickly cover the wound; 
and although trees may be pruned in summer, the fittest period 
for pruning, as of all operations upon the living plant, when ve- 
getation is inert: that is, from the fall of the leaf, to the period 
ef the ascent of the sap in spring. 


Va 


ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 253 


Thus, then, the operation of pruning may be said to be begun 
in the nursery, but at that time with an extreme degree of temp- 
erance, all the object of pruning at that early period being to 
prevent the plant becoming forked. When the trees are trans- 
planted to their ultimate situation, we may examine them in the 
third, or at latest, the fourth year afterwards, and then, if more 
than one leading shoot is formed on any tree, we are to select the 
best, and shorten the others to about half the length of that 
which had been selected. And in like manner, when any branch 
orset of branches is seen to be extending laterally, with a growth 
disproportioned to that of the others, then, by merely shortening 
them, the tendency to the lateral extension will be sufficiently 
checked to allow the other branches to extend in an equal de- 
gree. And should we find that all the branches ofa tree are 
tending to extend too much laterally, by merely shortening them 
in a slight degree, we shall give the ascendency to one leading 
shoot, and so promote the upward tendency ; and this is all the 
pruning required until the tree has attained, as has been said, 
the height of fifteen or sixteen feet, when the process of pruning 
the lower branches is to be begun and carried on by the slow 
process described. But even after we have begun the process 
of close pruning, we may still observe that the tree is ascend- 
ing vertically, and, ifrequired, give this tendency from time to 
time by shortening of any of the lateral branches. 

It is not essential to the success of this method of pruning, 
that it be carried on every year. It will be sufficient to ap- 
proach as near to the perfect practice as circumstances will al- 
low, observing merely the general rule that not more than the 
growth of one year shall be taken off at a time, and that the pro- 
cess shall not be carried further than to the clearing off three 
fifths of the height of the tree. 

The method of pruning by the shortening of the lateral bran- 
ches, was brought into notice in England by the writings of 
Mr. Billington, who had charge ofa portion of the royal forests : 
and it was further developed and explained, with the addition of 
the gradual denudation of the lower branches, by Mr. Cree, in 
Scotland. To these most deserving individuals is due the merit 
of having introduced, and to the latter that of having perfected, a 
system of pruning very greatly superior to that which had been 
before in use, 


Pruning as it is commonly practised can scarcely be said to be 


254 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREGS, 


found on any principle. Branches are loped off without limit ov 
caution, and thus the growth of the tree is injured, and wounds 
formed upon its surface, which are never afterwards cicatrized. 
Often in the case of the young trees, we see the entire branches of 
successive years’ growth loped off ina season, and nothing left 
but a bush at the top. _ By this system of mutilation, millions of 
trees are sacrificed. A great proportion indeed of the whole 
cultivated wood of the country is annually destroyed, and it 
were better that the pruning knife were never used at all than thus 
misapplied. The practice so common has probably been derived 
from that of the garden; but it is to be observed, that, in the 
garden, the object of pruning is to repress the growth of the wood 
and produce that of fruit; and the principle therefore, is in no 
degree applicable to the pruning required in the forest. 

The principal instruments to be employed in pruning are a 
sharp knife, chisels with handles for reaching the higher branches, 
and sometimes a small saw for the larger branches. The hatchet 
is on no occasion to be used in pruning. The Indian saw ought 
to be used, which is made to act by being pulled towards the ope- 
rapor, in place of being pushed away from him like the common 
saw of Europe. By being fixed to a long handle, this instru- 
ment is adapted to the cutting off the higher branches. 

When the proper direction has been given to the growth of 
the tree, and the lower branches have been pruned to the height 
to which it has been thought expedient to carry the operation, 
art has done all that it can do to render the tree useful. The 
natural growth of the tree must effect the rest. The trunk will 
increase in diameter by the addition of concentric layers of wood, 
yearly formed between the bark and the stem. The longer a 
tree stands while in a growing state, the thicker will its trunk 
become, and the more valuable. It makes wood rapidly to use 
a familiar expression, when the trunk has become of a good size : 
and it is an error, therefore, to fell wood which is intended for 
timber too soon. 

In the pruning of forest trees, one of the most frequent errors 
committed is to delay the process till too late. By this delay the 
form of the tree is rendered such that it cannot be restored; and 
the loping off of large branches in the manner often practised, in 
order to give the tree a better shape, is for the most part at- 
tended with the evil of disfiguring it more, and enfeebling its 
growth, We constantly see those mistaken attempts to repair 


ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 255 


past neglect, by the lopping off of large limbs, the places of which 
the tree now wants vigour to heal. Vast number of trees are 
destroyed by this system of mutilation, when all further object 
in pruning is at an end. Sometimes alarge branch may be loped 
off a tree top heavy, or when a branch is likely to be split, or 
for some other good reason. But it is an error which must end 
in disappointment, to begin this system of lopping a full grown 
tree, with the design of compelling it to resume its process of 
increase when it has naturally ceased. 

When a tree has naturally been neglected, but is not yet so far 
advanced, but that we may hope to restore it, we have merely 
to apply the principle of pruning explained to the case of the par- 
ticular tree. We have to shorten the lateral branches which are 
forming forks, so as gradually to produce the upright tendency 
of the leading stem required. The rule is to proceed with the 
greatest temperance, taking care never to do too much in one 
season, lest, by depriving the tree of its branches, we enfeeble 
its vigour and impede its growth. 


ARTICLE V. 
ON THE CLIMATE OF HOT HOUSES. 


BY PROFESSOR DANIELL, KING’S COLLEGE, LONDON. 


Tue principal considerations which generally guide the manage- 
ment of gardeners in this delicate department, are those of 
temperature ; but there are others, regarding moisture, which are, 
I conceive, of at least equal importance. The inhabitants of the 
hot-house are all natives of the torrid zone, and the climate of 
that region is not only distinguished by an unvarying high degree 
of heat, but also by a very vaporous atmosphere. Captain Sabine, 
inhis Meteorological Researches between the tropics, rarely 
found, at the hottest period of the day, so great a difference as 
ten degrees between the temperature of the air and the dew- 
point; making the degree of saturation about 730, but most fre- 
quently 50, or 850; and the mean saturation of the air could not 
have been below 910. Now, I believe, that if the hygrometer 
were consulted, it would be no uncommon thing to find in hot- 
houses, as at present managed, a difference of 200 between the 
point of condensation and the air, or a degree of moisture falling 


256 ON PRUNING TIMBER TREES. 


short off 500. The danger of ovyer-watering most of the plants 
especially at particular periods of their growth, is in general very 
justly appreciated ; and, in consequence, the earth at their roots 
is kept in a state comparatively dry, the only supply of moisture 
being commonly derived from the pots; the exhalations of the 
leaves is not enough to saturate the air, and the consequence is a 
prodigious power of evaporation. This is injurious to the plants 
in two ways; inthe first place, if the pots be at all moist, and not 
protected by tan or other litter, it produces a considerable degree 
of cold upon their surface, and communicates a chill to the tender 
fibres with which they are lined. The danger of such a chill is 
carefully guarded against in the case of watering, for it is one of 
the commonest precautions not to use any water of a temperature 
at all inferior to that of the air of the house; inattention to this 
point is quickly followed by disasterous consequences. The 
danger is quite as great from a moist flower-pot placed in a very 
dry atmosphere. 

The custom of lowering the temperature of fluids in hot cli- 
mates, by placing them in coolers of wet porous earthenware, is 
well known; and the common garden pot is as good a cooler for 
this purpose as can be made. Under the common circumstances 
of the atmosphere of a hot-house, a depression of temperature 
amounting to 15 or 20 degrees, may easily be produced upon 
such an evaporating surface. But the greatest mischief will arise 
from the increased exhalations of the plants so circumstanced, 
and the consequent exhaustion of the powers of vegetation. The 
flowers of the torrid zone are, many of them, of a very succulent 
nature, largely supplied with cuticular pores, and their tender 
buds are unprovided with those nteguments and other wonderful 
provisions by which nature guards her first embryo productions 
in more uncertain climates. Comparatively speaking, they shoot 
naked into the world, and are suited only to that enchanting 
mildness of the atmosphere for which the whole system of their 
organization is adapted. In the tropical climates the sap never 
eeases to flow, and sudden checks or accelerations of its progress 
are as injurious to its healthy functions, as they are necessary in 
the plants of more variable climates to the formation of those 
hybernacula which are provided for the preservation of the shoots 
in the winter season. 


(To be continued.) 


ae 


SS rl er 


REVIEW. 257 


REVIEW. 


The Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion; —By J. C. Lon- 
pon, F.1.S., H.S., &c.; | London: Longman, & Co, 


In Montaty Numpers. The fifth number, for October 1837 
48 pages, has been sent us, on looking it over, we find it contains 
many useful observations, and as the present number is doubtless 
a fair specimen of the entire work, we have no hesitation in re- 
commending it to our readers. The following is an extract from 
the number now before us. 


On Planting Flower beds with fibrous-rooted Perennials and 
Bulbs alternately. 


“Tu advantage of introducing bulbs in flower-gardens is, that their flowers 
make a greater show than those of fibrous rooted plants generally do in spring; 
and as, in small suburban residences, it seems more desirable that the gard- 
ens should look well in spring than in summer (because at the latter season 
many families go out of town for a few months), the use of bulbs appears very 
desirable. The manner of introducing them may either be in beds by them- 
selves, to be succeeded by fibrous-rooted plants when they go out of flower ; 
or intermixed with fibrous-rooted perennials, by using only half the number 
of the latter, and those of larger growth; and by placing the bulbs and the 
perennials alternately. As the bulbs come all into flower in March, April or 
May, they will have faded before the perennials have come to their full 
yowth; and hence, netwithstanding the increased size of the perennials, the 
ied will not appear crowded. In the selection of hoth perennials and bulbs, 
we shall give, as far as practicable, only one species of a genus, in order to 
produce as much botanical variety as possible within the given space. 


The perennials for the beda may be; The bulbs may be the 8 following:— 
the 8 following kinds; none of 
which come into flower earlier 
than June and which are all about 
1 ft., or from that to 1 ft. 6 in., in 

cus, March. 


height :— A H ; 
: nemone payonia, the peacock’s eye 
Betonica grandiflora, large flowered| anemone, red, April. 


Scilla bifolia, blue two-leayed squill, 
March. ; 
Crocus albiflorus, white-flowered cro- 


betony ; red, June. Hyacinthus orientalis, white hyacinth, 
Campanula arizfolia, the beam+tree-| April. 

leaved bell flower ; white, June. _| Narcissus minor, small narcissus, yel- 
‘Enothera undulata, the waved-leaf| Jow, April. 

evening primrose, yellow, July. Fritillaria tenella, slender fritillary, 
Delphinium elegans, perennial lark-| purple, May. 

spur, blue, July. Erythronium Dens canis, the dog tooth 
Dianthus carthusianorum, Carthusian| violet, reddish lilac, May, 

pink, red, August. Muscaria pallens, pale-blue musk hy- 


Scutellaria peregrina, white helmet-| acinth, May. 
flowered, August. : 
Gentiana Saponaria, the soapwort-| The bed 6 may be planted with the 
leayed Gentiana, blue, September 3 following perennials :— 


and October. ; nie 
Aster diffusus, white Michaelmas daisy | Ononis rotundifolia, the round-leayed 


September and October. restharrow, red, June, 
VOL, V. dal 


258 REVIEW. 


Silene chlorzefolia the Armerian catch- 
fly, white, July. 

Commelina erecta, the upright comme- 
lina, blue, August. 


Baptisia tinctoria, the dyer’s baptisia, 
yellow, August. 


The bulbs are — 


Allium Chamzemoly, the dwarf moly, 
white, March. 

Muscaria botryoides, the grape hya- 
cinth, blue, April. 

Tulipa precox, early tulip, red, April. 

Narcissus Bulbocodium, the hoop-pet- 
ticoat narcissus, yellow, May. 


The bulbs may be :— 


Tulipa suaveolens, the sweet-scented 
wild tulip, variegated, March. 

Galanthus nivalis, the common snow- 
drop, white, March. 

Allium amoenum, the red flowered 
allium, April. 

Narcissus tenuifolius, the slender- 


The perennials for the bed f may 
leaved narcissus, yellow, May. 


be the 6 following :— 


Clinopodium vulgare, common wild 
basil, red, June. 

Lychnis neglecta, white lychnis, June. 

Hypericum pulchrum, yellow St. 
John’s wort, July. 

Campanula carpatica, the Carpathina 
bell-flower, blue, July. 

Phlox suaveolens, the sweet scented 
phlox, white, August. 

Malva moschata, musk-scented mal. 
low, red, August. 


The perennials for the bed c may 
be:— 

Valeriana dioica, the dicecious vale- 
riana, red, June. 

Gypsophila arenaria, the sand gypso- 
phila, white, July. 

Tagetes lucida, French marigold, yel- 
low, shining, perennial, August. 


The bulbs may be :— 


Corydalis albiflora, the white-flower- 
ed fumitory, March. 

Iris tuberosa, the tuberous reoted iris, 
variegated, March. 

Gagea bracteolarias, the yellow star 
of Bethlehem, April. 

Lilium concolor, the self: coloured lily, 
red, May. 


The bulbs may be the 5 following: — 


Scilla italica, Italian squill, blue, 
March. 

Fritallaria lutea, yellow fritillary, 
March. 

Ornithogalum umbellatum, the umbel- 


April. 
Narcissus JonquiJla, common jonquil, 
Lilium aurantium, the orange lily, 
May. 


The perennials for the bed g may 
be the 5 following :-— 


Anthyllis coccinea, the scarlet kidney 
vetch, June. 

Dianthus cesius, the grey pink, white 
June, 

Geranium ibericum, Spanish crane’s 
bill, blue, July. 

GEnothera serotina, late evening prim- 

rose, yellow, August. 

Pentstemon diflusus, spreading pents- 

temon, purple, September and Oc- 

tober. 


The perennials for the bed d may 
be: 


Papaver orientale, the scarlet poppy, 
June. 

Campanula persicifolia, the peach- 
leaved bell-flower, white, July. 
Veronica candida, the white-leaved 
speedwell, blue, August. 


The bulbs may be :— 


Leucojum vernum, the snow-flake, 
white, March. 

Eranthis hyemalis, the winter aconite, 
yellow, March. 

Oxalis floribunda, the abundant flow- 
ering wood sorrel, red, April. 

Scilla peruyiana, the Peruyian squill, 
Purple, May. The bulbs may be :— 


on ‘illari “il 
The perennials for the bed ¢ are :— Boas nuke coy ee 


Lychnis sibirica, Siberian lychnis,| Allium incarnatum, flesh coloured 
white, June. moly, red, April. 

Potentilla Russelliana, Russell's po-|Tulipa sylvestris, wood tulip, yellow, 
tentilla, scarlet, July. April 


flowered star of Bethlehem, white _ 


~ab 


- 


REVIEW. 2a9 


Scilla .campanulata, bell flowered Scabiosa australis, the southern sca- 
squill, purple, May. bious, blue, September and Octo- 
Narcissus poeticus, the poet's narcis-| ber. 
sus, white, May. 
The bulbs may be as follows :— 
The perennials for the bed h may! Bulbocodiam vernum, spring bulbo- 
be:— codium, purple, March. 
Dianthus deltoides, the deltoid pink,| Leucojum zstivum, summer snow- 
red, June. flake, white, April. 
Yerbena sulphurea, the yeliow ver-| Gladiolus communis, common corn- 
bena, July. flag, red, May. 
Erigeron bellidifolins, the daisy-leav- | Fritillaria imperialis, crown imperial 
ed erigeron, purple, July. yellow, May. 
Aster conyzoides, the fleabane-like 
aster, white, August. 


By this mode of planting we have 36 species of perennials, and 88 bulbs ; 
and the advantage that it has over the preceding mode is, that a much 
greater show will be made in the months of March, April, and May ; be- 
cause, as already mentioned, the flowers of bulbous-rooted plants are much 
larger in proportion to the foliage than those of fbrous-rooted plants, The 
flowers are also much more conspicuous; because, in general, they expand 
before the leaves have attained their full size. On the whole, however, the 
culture of bulbs in mixture with perennials is inconvenient ; except when 
florist’s bulbs only are employed, that come into flower and fade all about 
the same time, and the roots of which may be taken up annually in June or 
July, and replanted in November or December. This admits of taking up 
the perennials every year, or every other year, stirring, refreshing or renew- 
ing the soil, and pruning or otherwise reducing the plants, and then replant- 
ing them. On the other hand, if what may be called botanical bulbs were 
introduced, as these are best allowed to remain in the soil for several years, 
the perennials cannot be so conveniently taken up, reduced, replanted, when 
they get too large. Another reason against intermixing permanent bulbs 
with perennials is, that, the moisture required during summer to keep the 
fibrous rooted plants in vigorous growth, has a tendency to rot the bulbs, 
they being at that time in a dormant state, and, in their native habitats, com- 
paratively dry,; almost all bulbs being natives of countries which have 
alternate seasons of drought and moisture, and flowering only in the latter. 
The best florist’s bulbs to intermix with perennials are the different varieties 
of the common hyacinth, the crocus, the tulip, and the narcissus. 


On Planting flower beds with showy Perennials, which are 
common and cheap. 


The following list consists of showy species and varieties, quite hardy, 
that will grow with ordinary care, in any common soil, and may be pro- 
cured in any good nursery, at prices varying from 3d. to 1s. each, when 
purchased by the single plant ; or from 2s. 6d. to 10s. per dozen, as will be 
seen by the priced lists at the end of this work. Those who wish to know 
something more of any particular kind than what has been here stated, may 
refer to our descriptive catalogue, in which they will also find short direc- 
tions for their culture ; and to the priced lists for their prices. 


February and March. f 
Viola tricolor, different varieties of 
heartsease. : 
Viola odorata, the sweet-scented vio- 
let, 
Bellis perennis, the double red, dou- 


ble white, vaiiegated, and hen and 
chickens, daises, 


Gentiana acaulis, the dwarf gentian, 


purple. 


Hepatica triloba, the double red, 


double white, and double blue, he- 
paticas. , 
(Tu be Continued) 


260: NEW AND RARE PLANTS 


PART HU. 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last. 


1, CEREUS AKERMANNI}. Akermann’s Mexican Cereus. [ Bot. Mag. 8598. 
CACTE. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 


This splendid flowering plant has generally been considered an hybrid 
between C speciosa and speciosissimus, but seeds of the original plant were 
first sent to this country from Mexico. ‘The flowers are as large as specio- 
cissimus, of a fine reddish-scarlet colour, but destitute of the fine azure 
colour which tinges the flower of that. species, 


3. COWANIA PLICATA, Plaited-leaved. [ Brit. Flower Gard. 4001. 
ROSACIA ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 


An hardy evergreen, much branched shrub, a native of the uplands of 
Mexico. The blossoms are about an inch and a half across, of a rich rosy 
lilac colour. The flower in form very much resembles a single rose, of the 
size stated: They are produced numerously, and make a showy appearance. 
The plant is a valuable acquisition to our dwarf shrub; the plant was raised 
from seeds by Mr. Thomas Blair, Gardener to Mr. Clay, Stamford Hill. Cow- 
ania, in commemoration of the late Mr. James Cowan, who introduced into 
this Country a number of interesting plants from Mexico and Peru. 


8. CYPRIPEDIUM PURPURATUM. Purple stained Lady’s slipper, 
{ Bot. Peg. 1991, 


ORCHIDACEZ, GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA. 


This new species has been recently introduced into this country by Mr. 
Knight, of King’s Road, Chelsea, from the Malayan Archipelago. It has 
bloomed in the collection of Messrs. Loddiges’s of Hackney Nursery. Its 
purple flower has a very pretty appearance. The foliage is very much like 
» that of C. venustum. 


4. GESNERIA LATERITIA, Brisk-coloured flowered. [Botanist. 
GESNERIACER®. DIDYNAMIA, ANGIOSPERMIA. 


This species is a native of Brazil, received from that country to the London 
Horticultural Society’s Garden, in 1832, and has bloomed in the plant stove 
at that place. The flower stem rises about two feet high, producing a number 
of brick-red flowers, each about an inch a half long. This species has, till 
very recently, been considered to be Gesnera Sellowii, but it is now ascer- 
tained not to belong to the section of Gesnera, to which G. Sellowii belongs, 
but to that of G. bulbosa. Gesneria, so named ‘in compliment to Conrad 
Gesner of Zurich, who died in 1565. 


5. GESNERIA LINDLEYI, Dr. Lindley’s Gesneria. (Bot, Mug. 3602 
SYNONYM, G, RUTILA, VaY ATROSANGUINEA. 


This handsome flowering species is a native of Brazil. It differs from G, 
rutila in many particulars That species has oxillary, solitary, flowers, and 
has a wider mouth. The hypogynous glands are only two, whereas in G. 
Lindleyii they are corstently five. The Howers of this latter species are of 
a bright scarlet colour, each about an inch and a quarter long ; they are 
produced numerous on a raceme of near two feet long. The flower stem 
rises from three to four feet high. 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 261 


6, GRABOWSKIA BOEHAAVIZFOLIA, Boerhaavia-kaved. [Bot. Reg. 1985 


;, SOLANACEZ, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYMS. LYCIUM, BOERHAAYVI- 
7 FOLIA, LYCIUM HETERPHYLLUM, EHRETIA HALIMIFOLIA. 


A spinous shrubby plant, introduced to the London Horticultural Society's 
Garden, from Brazil,where it is a common shrub in the woods and fields, and 
eo to the height of eight or ten feet. It has been found hardy enough to 

ear the open air of this country, when trained against a south aspected wall. 
It is a very branching shrub, with leaves much resembling those of Psidium 
Catleyanum. Each flower is about half an inch across, of a pale-violet blue. 


They are produced in small brancing panicles. Grabowskia in compliment 
‘ to Mr. N. Grabowsky, an Apothecary at Oblaf, an author of a work on 
flowers, 

“ 7. LOBELIA CAVANILLESII. Cavanilles’s Lobelia. {Bot. Mag. 8600. 
a CAMPANULACEX, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYM, LOBELIA PERSICIFOLIA. 


A native of New Spain, and requires to be grown in the stove in this coun- 
try. It blooms in August and September. It is an herbaceous plant, having 
a flower stem about a yard high, with scarcely any branches. The flowers 
. are produced numerously, upon long foot-stalks. Each flower is about an 
, inch and a half Jong of an orange-red colour. The stamens are united their 

whole length, and forms a long red tube, which adds to the beauty of the 
flower. The plant has bloomed in the Glasgow Botanic Garden. Lobelia in 
compliment to Mr. Lobel, 


8. LOBELIA SIPHILITICA, var MILLERII, Miller’s Blue American Lobelia. 
[Bot. Mag. 3604. 
LOBELIACE®, PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 

This beautiful flowering hybrid has been raised from seed, between L, 
siphilitica ; and L. fulgens ; or L. splendens, or some fine scarlet flower. 
The colour of the flower is the blue of the former, with the fine scarlet or 
crimson of one of the others. It is quite hardy, and produces numerous 
flower stems rising to the height of two feet, which continue in bloom from 
July to the end of summer, The plant deserves a place in every flower gar- 
den, We have twelve other fine varieties, 


9. MAXILLARIA STEELI, Mr. Steel's, [Bot. Reg. 1986. 
ORCHIDACE#. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA,. SYNONYM. MAXILtL ARIA FLAGELLIFERA. 


It is a native of Demerara, from whence it was introduced in 1835, The 
plant is of very singular growth; the stems are pendulous, and the leaves are 
very long, extending three or four feet. They are like so many very strong 
rushes. The flowers are produced solitary, each rather more than two 

. inches and a half across. ‘They are yellow, irregularly spotted and striped 
with large spots, and stripes of dark purple. The labellum is of a sulphur 
colour with dark purple veins, altogether singularly handsome. The plant 
has bloomed in the collection of Messrs Loddiges’s of Hackney. 

In the Botanical Register, Dr. Lindley has noticed the following new 
species of Maxillaria,viz. 1, Maxillaria Rollissoni, in Messrs . Rollisson’s 
collection, at Tooting Nursery. The flowers are of ‘a pale Lemon colour, 
with the Labellum dotted in the middle with fine purple. 

2. M. acicularis ; a native of Brazil, in the collection of the Honourable 
and Reverend W. Herbert. The flowers are of a purplish chocolate colour. 

3. M. uncata ; a native of Demerara, in Messrs. Loddiges’s collection. 

4.M. chlorantha ; a native of Demerara; in Messrs, Loddiges’s collection. 

. The flowers are of a yellowish green, small they are sweet scented, 

5. M. variabilis ; a native of Mexico. The flowers are small of a deep 
purple colour. This species has been known by the following nawes M. 
atropurpurea, M. concinna. 

6, M. tenuifolia; a native of Mexico. The flowers are of a rich purple, 
spotted, and broken into small yellow patches, 


262 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


PART Il. 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES 


On Srenactis Speciosa.—I have raised from seed a number of plants of 
the Stenactis Speciosa. I can find no such name in Sweet's catalogue, or 
any other book of reference in my profession, will you have the kindness to 
inform mefin your November number, whether they are worth keeping, and if 
they are hardy, or will live through the winter in the open ground. TI cannot 
recollect from whence 1 had the seeds unless it was Chiswick Gardens. 

Sep. 6th, 1837. Ss. W. 

{The plant is quite hardy, herbaceous perennial. When raised from seed 

the first season it usually produces a large proportion of foliage, but 
in successive seasons, less foliage and more bloom, and the large bluish 
purple aster like flowers are very showy.—Conpvcror. 


ON PRESERVING GERANIUMS THROUGH WinTeR.—Can you advise me of 
any plan to save through the winter, geraniums turned out of pots into bor- 
ders early in September, and are grown so large as to,become doubtful if they 
can again be got into pots with a hope of preserving their lives?—can you 
or any of your readers inform me if the plant of the Rey. Mr. Williamson, 
by cutting off the leaves, and fibres, and preserving them in sand in a cellar 
or dry place has been found to answer? any information you can afford me 
(early) on this subject, will greatly oblige your sincere well wisher. 

PEepRO. 

If the plants be taken up with as many of the fibrous roots as can be got, 

and they are placed in pots, boxes, or baskets, with good soil, .well 
watered at the time of planting, and then put where they can be pro- 
tected during winter, in a greenhouse, frame, or room, they will survive 
well. Care must be taken after the first watering, not to repeat it fre- 
quently at the roots, till the shoots begin to push, or the tender fibres 
would most tikely perish. If the heads be too large, they may be cut 
in at the time of replanting in the boxes, &c., only allow a shoot, or 
shoots to remain uron the plants which has foliage, this materially con- 
tributes to their rooting. A sprinkling of water occasionally over the 
foliage after planting in the boxes, &c., will be beneficial. We have 
kept a hundred plants in a small box, in this way, and not one died. 
Early in April we usually took off a lot of new shoots and struck them 
for turning out in May, the larger old plants, for the middle of a bed, 
and the younger (new struck ones) forthe sides. These made uniformity 
of appearance in the bed, being highest at the centre, and gradually 
declining to the side. We have not tried the plan of the Reverend 
Mr. Williamson.—Conoucror. 


ANSWERS. 

On Deveuinum Crinensis arpa.—Jolin Young begs to say to the En- 
quirer for Delphinum chinensis alba, that he will be happy to supply it at 
list prices sent to the Editor, (!s. 6d. each) and if the order amounts te 
twenty shillings, he will pay carriage to London Nursery, Taunton, Somer 
setohire. 


MiSCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 263 


REMARKS. 


New Puants, &c:-—Lilium atrosanguineum. This fine flowering species 
has been most abundantly and splendidly in bloom, in the Nursery-grounds 
of Mr. Groom, Walworth, London. The flower scape rises about a foot 
high. The plant is perfectly hardy, and on this, as well as its splendour, 
deserves a place in every flower garden. 

Duranta Flesii, This has recently been introduced, and the character 
sent with it, was, ‘‘it is a most superb flowering plant,’’ We saw fine plants 
of it growing in the open ground in the beautiful Nursery of Mr. Young of 
Epsom. If the present new species has the habit of its flowers, and bear a 
resemblance to the Duranta Plumierii, it certainly deserves a place in every 
collection, 1t is most likely to require the protection of a greenhouse 
during winter, and probably to bloom it well in its proper season. 

Gesneria Sellowii. This very fine species we saw in the exhibition at the 
Egyptian Hall, London, and in some of the London nurseries. It is the 
finest flowering species we have seen. The flowering stems rises about four 
feet high, producing an immense number of flowers, each about three inches 
long, of a most brilliant scarlet colour. It deserves a place in every stove. 

Fuchsia Fulgens This new and most striking species has been introduced 
from Mexico, by Mr. Lee of Hammersmith Nursery. The leaves are about 
five inches long and four broad of a bright green, tinged near the middle, and 
at the underside with!purple. The flowers are very different in appearance 
from any other species, approaching the nearest to 'excorticata in torm, but 
are much larger. Each flower is about three inches and a half long, The 
calyx (outer portion of the flower) is a light scarlet-red, having the curved 
seoments green, The corolla (inner portion of the flower) of a deep scarlet- 
red. The flowers are produced at the extremities of the shoots, hanging 
most gracefully pendant, in clusters of from ten to thirty, or even more, 
The plant deserves a place in every greenhouse, and, as we suppose, it will 
do as well in the open border as any other kind, it deserves a place in every 
border or flower garden. Itis a most desirable plant, having noble foliage, 
and most beautiful bloom. 

Correa Milnerii, The flowers are larger than C. speciosa, of a fine rose 
colour. The plant well merits a place in every greenhouse. We saw fine 
plants of it at Mr. Grooms, Walworth. 

Chorizema, A new species introduced to Mr. Lowes of the Clapton 
Nursery. The species appears most extraordinary. The leaves are as large 
as Hovea Cellsii, and we are informed the flowers are of a size proportioned 
to the foliage, and produced in very long spikes. This, in addition to its 
fine foliage, renders it a most valuable acquisition, and worthy a place in 
every greenhouse. It will certainly very far exceed any other of its species 
yet introduced into this country. It was sent from the Swan River. 

Naeturtium tuberosum. This very fine species we have seen in most pro- 
fuse bloom, at Mr. Young’s Nursery. The flowers ere, calyx, of a fine deep 
orange red: corolla of a light fine yellow, striped in the inside with dark 
crimson. Each floweris an inch and ea half long, and an inch across the 
mouth of its corolla. It is a very valuable acquisition, growing and bloom- 
ing profusely in the open ground in summer, The large roots, six inches 
across, are said to be very agreeable when eaten. 

Verbena Drummondii lilaeinia. We have seen plants of this fine large lilac 
variety, that had been pegged down for a bed, one mass of bloom, and 
growing in contrast with a bed of each of the following, viz. Tweediana, V. 
melindris, and Valbiflora. The effect was very striking. The V. Tweediana 
was pegged down as the Drummondi. and both kinds had taken root, si- 
milar to the V. melindres. 

Nuttallia grandiflora. This is the finest of this showy genus. The flowers 
are of a deep rosy purple, very large, and renders it very valuable for the 
flower garden, It continues to bloom till the end of the season, 


Dee ae 
5 ad gta 4 


264 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE 


REFERENCE TO PLATE. 


Loperra azurpa. A nowly introduced species by Mr. Groom of Walworth 4 
it is a hardy annual of great beauty, well deserving a place in every flower 
border, or aS an ornament in summer, in the greenhouse. It grows about 
two feet high, branching profusely. 

Cures sitenoiDes. A very pretty flowering hardy annual, in the col- 
lection of Mr. Groom. it grows about a foot high, and is very neat and 
beautiful. 

PENTSTEMON GENTIANOIDES. This very fine species grows four or five 
feet high, producing a very extended spike of numerous flowers, rendering it 
one of the most splendid plants that can be introduced into the flower garden, 
(it ought to be in every one.) We saw fine specimens at Mr. Groom’s, and 
at Mr. Young’s. We repeat, no flower garden should be without it. 

NutTaLtia Granpirtora. A hardy, border plant which we saw in most 
prefuse bloom at Mr. Grooms, in pots, The flower stems rise from two to 
four feet hight. It is a most desirable plant, its blossoms being produced 
profusely, and are very neat and showy. No flower garden should be with- 
out it. Itis very ornamental too in the greenhouse, as a summer and au- 
tumn ornament, 


FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER, 


Greennouse Pranrs.—If any are not yet housed, they should now be with- 
out delay. All possible air should be admitted to the greenhouse, except- 
ing when frosty. The plants should not be watered in the ‘‘ broad cast” 
manner, as it is termed ; but should be attended to singly, so that no plant 
may be watered but what is actually dry. Water should not be giveninthe ~ 
evening, but in the early part of the day, so that damps may be dried up 
before the house is closed. If watered in the evening, the damp arising 
during the night will cause the leaves to decay, and encourage moss, lichens, 
&c. upon the soil. This will invariably be the consequence, unless fire heat 
be applied to counteract the effect. The soil in the pots should frequently 
be loosened at the surface, to prevent its forming a mossy or very compact 
state. 

Frower Garven.—All decayed stalks should be cleared away. Seeds of 
all kinds of flowering plants should be collected, if neglected hitherto. The 
borders should be dug over, and additional fresh soil be added where re- 
quired. All kinds of perennial border flowers should be planted. If any plant 
has become too large, it should now be reduced in size, and vacancies filled : 
up. Bulbous roots, Ranunculuses, Anemones, &c,, should he planted without 
delay, For Auriculas, Carnations, &c., see last month’s Calendar, where 
suitable directions are given. Evergreen and deciduous shrubs may be 
planted this month. Protect beds of bulbous flowering plants in unfayour- 
able weather, Newly planted shrubs, in exposed situations, should be se- 
cured to stakes. All kinds of border flowers kept in pots for winter protec- 
tion, &c., should be remoyed to winter quarters, either in pots, frames, or 
some warm dry situation. Composts for foricultural purposes should be 
turned, &c. Calceolarias that have been in borders should be taken up, and 
kept in pots, in a cool, dry situation, either in the greenhouse, frame, or pit. 
Let the plants of Chrysanthemums in-doors have abundance of air. In 
taking up dahlia roots, be careful not to twist or injure the tubers near to 
the crown: this attention is particularly necessary with small roots; never 
cut down the stems till the roots are to be taken up, for the stem being hol- 
low holds rain, and half the lost Dahlias may be traced to this. Care should 
be taken to have the names or numbers well secured to the root by means 
of copper-wire fastenings : it often happens that the stalk perishes before 
spring, and names attached thereto are liable to be removed, and to cause 
confusion. Tubers of Commellina, and bulbs of Tigridias, should be taken 
up and preserved dry through winter, 


THE 


FLORICULTURAL CABINET 


DECEMBER Ist, 1837. 


p) 


PART I. 


ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS, 


ARTICLE I. | 
ON THE BEST SEASON FOR PLANTING EVERGREEN SHRUBS, &c. 


BY A CONSTANT READER. 
Tuere is an article in the last Number of the Cabinet, by a 
London Nurseryman upon planting Evergreens, which, after 
having read attentively, I am inclined to believe may be the 
cause of misleading some of your readers. 

I am neither a nurseryman or gardener, but having, during my 
leisure hours, had some experience in horticulture, it may not 
be presumption in me, to give my reasons for dissenting from 
the observations contained in your Correspondent’s communica- 
tion. He recommends removing Evergreens in April or May, 
giving as a reason that the young wood cannot be ripened suffi- 
ciently in autumn without suffering (I suppose from frost) Now 
here we are at issue, I admit that a few of the extremities of our 
shrubs, many perish, but that evil I have always prevented by 
heading down, say from twelve to eighteen inches, according to 
the size of the shrub. Nothing would induce me to plant in May 
unless my ground was of a wet clayey consistence, if so, no mat- 
ter when. Evergreens grow nearly all the year; plant them 
in September or October, take one up at Christmas, and you will 
find an immense number of new fibres pushed from the old roots 3 

VOL, v. GG 


266 _ ON THE CULTURE OF IXIAS. 


establish a good bottom and then there is no fear of a good 
bushy head. On the other hand, plant in April or May, sup- 
pose in a light sandy soil, the spring and summer may be ex- 
tremely dry as they have been for three years past, what becomes 
of your Evergreens ? Why, the whole head is withered before the 
autumn, with the exception, perhaps, of a pale weakly shoot, pro- 
ceeding from the extremity of the root, which, with great diffi- 
culty is able to endure the trials of the following winter. I have 
now many hundreds of shrubs growing luxuriantly which have 
been planted during the last and previous autumns, which I am 
quite sure would have gone to the tomb of the Capulets, had they 
been planted according to the recommendation of a London Nur 
seryman. I have been induced to offer these observations, be- 
cause I am quite confident that the best and surest way to elicit 
truth, is to excite discussion upon any given subject. 
A Constant READER. 


ARTICLE II. 
ON THE CULTURE OF IXIAS. 


BY FORTUNATUS. 
Messrs. Locxnart, Seedsmen, London, having most success- 
fully cultivated Ixias in the open air in this country. I solicited 
a few remarks as to the plan pursued, and the following particu- 
lars are what Messrs. Lockhart favoured me with. Believing the 
remarks would be serviceable to the readers of the Cabinet, L 
forward them for insertion therein :—they say, 

Take a frame, such as is used for cucumbers, and fill it within 
three inches of the glass with a compost consisting of one-third 
of river sand, one-third of leaf-mould, and one-third of decom- 
posed cow manure. 

The bulbs are planted by the middle of October, or beginning 
of November, two orthree inches deep. During the winter, care 
must be taken to keep out the frost, giving them, however, as 
much air as possible on fine days. 

About the beginning of March, the glass ought to be taken off 
entirely during the day when the weather is fine, but it must be 
replaced again at night. 

In April, the glass may be taken off for good, both by day and 


Ea 


DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CAMELLIAS. 267 


night, and a fine bloom may thus be obtained by the end of 
May. 

If required to bloom in pots, sink them on a level with the sur- 
face of the mould in the frame, and treat them as above. Ixias 
should be watered slightly if the mould becomes dry. 

Brixton Hill, Sept. 26th. 


“ 


ARTICLE II. 
A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CAMELLIAS. 


BY CAMELLIA. 

Havine derived both amusement and instruction from your use- 
ful and interesting publication, the Floricultural Cabinet, and 
feeling desirous of promoting the object, for which it is intend- 
ed, I herewith send you a descriptive list of fifty-two varieties of 
the Camellia japoniea. 

Donkelaarii, semi-double, dark red with white spot or stripe. 

Mutabilis, double rich crimson, red, very good. 

Chandelerii, double dark red, with white stripe. 

Picturata, very large double white with pink or hlush stripe. 

‘Rosea pleno, very double rose, beautiful form. 

Lefeveriana, double fine red, beautiful shape. 

Variegata, double light red, white stripe. 

Eclipse Pressis, double white, with pink spot or stripe. 

Alba pleno, double pure white, beautiful shape 

Nobilisima, double white, very beautiful. 

Altheeflora, double dark red, with white spot, fine. 

Insignis, single large red, with white spot, fine. 

Colvilea, Double white blush spot or stripe, fine. 

Rubro pieno, double rich red, large flower. 
Coralina. semi double dark crimson red, white spot, very 
fine. 

Striata, simplex, single white, blush spot or stripe. 

Hendersonii, double light rose, beautiful form, 

Lepida, double light rose good. 

Venusta, Cunningham’s double dark red, large and fine. 

Tricolor, Double white with blush and red spots or stripes. 

Speciosa, very double dark red. 

Myrtifolia, double light red, beautiful form, 

Florida, double light red, large flower, good. 


© 


268 DESCRIPTIV ELIST OF CAMELLIAS. 


Spatulata, single blood red, white spot or stripe. 
Pressii, single red large flower. 

- Miltonia, double red with white stripe. 
Timbreata, double white fringed, beautiful. 
Woodsii, double dark rose, good. 
<ictonia, single light red, large flower. 
Puncetaia, very double white, blush spot or stripe, large 

flower.. 
Simboldii, single rose, large and fine. 
Bedfordii, double dark red, very good. 
Welbankii, double pale white,.large flower. 
Dorsettit double dark red, white spot or stripe, fine. 
Elphinstonii, very double dark red, fine. 
Candidissima, double white, fine form, good: 
Triumphanus, double rose, good. 
Anemonefiora rubra, double dark red, good. 
Rosa Mundii, double white with red spot or stripe: 
Cliveana, double dark red, very good. 
Lankmwanii, single rose, large flower. 
Conspicua, double light rose, good. 
Campbellii, double white, with pink spot or stripe, fine. 
Flavescens, double buff, beautiful shape. 
Elegantissima, semi double, dark rose, good. 
Carswelleana, double red, white stripe, fine form. 
Hetropetta alba, double white very good. 
Hetropetta rubra, double dark red, very fine. 
Juliana, double white with pink stripe, very beautiful 
Herbertia, single red, large flower. 
Semiduplex alba, senu;, double white. 

(To be continued.) 


ARTICLE IV. 


CONVERSATION BETWEEN BLOOMWELL AND WOULDKNOW. 
(Continued from page 222.) 
Wovtpxnow. Do you think so, 

BLoomweE.u. Yes, in the course of my experience, I have 
frequently had bizarres of this class lose the pink stripe, and be- 
eome purple or crimson flakes, but never met with an instance 
either in my own garden, or elsewhere, of a bizarre which had. 
softened down toa rose flake; Huggin's Brilliant, indeed is. 


ar? 


DIALOGUE, &c. 269 


sometimes little more, but there is always enough of the dark 
colour to denote the class it belongs to. 

Wovuxpxnow. I should think, if it were really a sport, it 
would sometimes return to its original state, under so many dif- 
ferent methods of culture. 

Buoomwertt. That might or might not happen, run flowers 
rarely return to their original state, though there are some in- 
stances in which they do, so Cartwright’s Rainbow, C. B. is said 
frequently to return, and I have had Waterhouse’s Summit of 
Perfection, return to the bizarred state, after being a flake 
three or four years, but I never heard of Fletcher’s Duchess 
changing toabizarre. The person who first sent it out, if liv- 
ing, could certainly set the question at rest, unless it was a 
sport or raised from seed. 

Wovuxpxyow. Is not this generally said to be the best rose 
flake grown ? 

BLoomweELy. That is perhaps but matter of fancy, it has de- 
servedly many admirers on account of its high colour, and when 
in a fine state is almost invincible, for my own part, I have seen 
no rose flake yet that I can prefer to Tyso’s Victoria, when you 
can get it clean (which by the bye is not so often as might be 
wished) the beautiful flaking of this flower, its fine form, good 
size, and free growth, render it a valuable acquisition to any 
collection, it is a pity the white should be so seldom free from 
speckles. But come Sir, the day is very warm, let us sit down 
in the arbor and chat awhile and moisten our throats with a glass 
of ale. 

Wovxrpxnow. With all my heart. (they sit down). Youmen- 
tioned of raising a seedling like Wild’s Perfection; Have you 
been the raiser of many good seedlings, Mr. Bloomwell ? 

Bioomwrtt. Why, yes, I have no reason to complain, I have 
succeeded in raising above a score of as good flowers as most. 

Wovutpvxnow. You must have been very fortunate then, as 
Mr. Hogg declares the man that raises six in his life-time, has 
had his endeavours crowned with success. 

Broomwety. I suppose Mr. Hogg means six such, as would 
set all competition at defiance, for there are many persons, and 
(Mr. Hogg no doubt, among the number) who have raised four 
or five times half a dozen flowers of as good properties as at 
deast half those enumerated by Mr, Hogg in his book, but this 

anay be partly owing to the improved state of the collection, now 


270 DIALOGUE, &c. 


kept for several years. On my first attempt to raise seedlings I 
got none worth keeping, but as my stock of flowers increased, 
both in quantity and quality, I found my seedlings began to be 
better, and I at length saved seed from first-rate flowers only, 
sometimes resorting to artificial means of impregnation, and 
sometimes trusting entirely to nature, the former is decidedly 
the surest means of procuring seed, but is by no means the 
surest way of raising fine flowers, the seed raised naturally pro- 
ducing, as often as the other superior flowers. 

Wovutpknow. The odds then against raising good seedlings 
are not quite so great as I thought them ? 

Btoomwexy. Perseverance will do much; some people hav- 
ing had no success for a year or two give up the raising seedlings 
as auseles pursuit; but I would impress upon the mind of the 
young Florist, that if he wishes to succeed I have no doubt but 
there are many novelties yet to be raised, and new ones to be 
added to our present stock. In 18351 raised ascarlet and pink 
bizarre, which is a variety I had not seen before ; I have seen 
several Piccotees slightly bizarred, as pink and crimson, lilac 
and deep purple. I had one seedling this season beautifully 
laced with pink and purple, but unfortunately it was single. A 
friend of mine has a heavy edged red Piccotee, curiously shaded 
with black: these variegations, I have no doubt, will be in 
time more fully developed, as many others which have never 
met my notice. There is such a pleasure in raising seedlings, so 
much to anticipate, so much to exult in, when you see one of 
your own productions at the head of its class, triumphing, per- 
haps, over some of the most renowned veterans of the day ; that 
I would never be without a bed of seedlings if I could help it. 

(To be continued. ) 


Whatin the name of Mr. Thomas Hogg, can an ‘ Old Flo- 
rist,’ (page 229) mean by advising us to fertilize some double - 
flowers with the pollen of our best double ones which in many 
cases is not to be found; the reverse of the method is much 
more rational and likely to succeed. Semi-double generally 
having the male organs in abundance, these should be hand- 
some coloured flowers, the hybrids generally partaking most of 
the colour of the male parent, and the form and habit of the 


female. 
BIZARRE. 


ON THE CLIMATE OF HOTHOUSES. 271 


ARTICLE V. 


ON THE CLIMATE OF HOTHOUSES. 


(Continued from page 256.) 


Somz idea may be formed of the prodigiously increased drain 
upon the functions of a plant, arising from an increase of dryness 
in the air, from the following consideration. If we suppose the 
amount of its perspiration, in a given time, to be 57 grains, the 
temperature of the air being 750, and the dew-point 70, or the 
saturation of the air being 849, the amount would be increased 
to 120 grains in the same time, if the dew-point were to re- 
main stationary, and the temperature were to rise to 800; or, 
in other words, if the saturation of the air were to fall to 726. 

Besides this power of transpiration, the leaves of vegetables 
exercise also an absorbent function, which must be no less dis- 
arranged by any deficiency of moisture. Some plants derive the 
greatest portion of their nutriment from the vaporous atmosphere, 
and all are more or less dependant upon the same source. The 
Nepenthes Distillatoria lays up a store of water in the cup formed 
at the end of its leaves, which is probably secreted from the air, 
and applied to the exigencies of the plant when exposed to 
drought; and the quantity which is known to vary in the hot- 
house, is no doubt connected with the state of moisture of the 
atmosphere. 

These considerations must be sufficient, I imagine, to place in 
a strong light the necessity of a strict attention to the atmos- 
phere of vapour in our artificial climates, and to enforce as 
absolute an imitation as possible of the example of nature. The 
means of effecting this is the next object of our inquiry. 

Tropical plants require to be watered at the root with great 
caution, and it is impossible that a sufficient supply of moisture 
can be kept up from this source alone. There can, however, be 
no difficulty in keeping the floor of the house and flues constantly 
wet, and an atmosphere of great elasticity may thus be main- 
tained in a way perfectly analogous to natural process. Where 
steam is employed as the means of communicating heat, an occa- 
sional injection of it into the air may also be had recourse to ; 
but this method would require much attention on the part of the 


272 ON THE CLIMATE OF HOTHOUSES. 


superintendant, whereas the first cannot easily be carried to 
excess. 

It is true that damp air, or floating moisture of long continu- 
ance, would also be detrimental to the health of the plants, for 
it is absolutely necessary that the process of transpiration should 
proceed ; but their is no danger that the high temperature of the 
hot-house should ever attain the point of saturation by sponta- 
neous evaporation. The temperature of the external air will 
always keep down the force of the vapour; for as in the natural 
atmosphere the dew-point at the surface of the earth is regulated 
by the cold of the upper regions, so in a house the point of de- 
position is governed by the temperature of the glass with which 
it is in contact. In a well ventilated hot-house, by watering the 
floor in summer, we may bring the dew-point within four or 
five degrees of the temperature of the air, and the glass will be 
perfectly free from moisture ; by closing the ventilators, we shall 
probably raise the heat 10 or 15 degrees, but the degree of satu- 
ration will remain nearly the same, and a copious dew will quickly 
form upon the glass, and will shortly run down in streams. A 
process of distillation is thus established, which prevents the 
vapour from attaining the full elasticity of the temperature. 

The action is beneficial within certain limits, and at particular 
seasons of the year; but when the external air is very cold, or 
radiation proceeds very rapidly, it may become excessive and 
prejudicial. It is a well known fact, but one which, I believe, 
hag never yet been properly explained, that by attempting to 
keep up in a hot-house the same degree of heat at night as during 
the day, the plants become scorched. From what has been pre- 
mised, it will be evident that this is owing to the low temperature 
of the glass, and the consequent low dew-point in the house, 
which occasions a degree of dryness which quickly exhausts the 
juices. 

Much of this evil might be prevented by such simple and 
cheap means as an external coveringiof mats or canvass. 

The heat of the glass of a hot-house at night, does not prob- 
ably exceed the mean of the external and internal air; and ta- 
king these at 80° and 40°, 20° of dryness are kept up in the in- 
terior, or a degree of saturation not exceeding 528°. To this in 
a clear night, we may add at least 6° for the effects of radiation, 
to which the glass is particularly exposed, which would reduce 
tbe saturation to 434°, and this is a degree of drought which 


ON THE CLIMATE OF HOTHOUSES. 273 


must be nearly destructive. It will be allowed that the case 
which I have selected is by no means extreme, anc it is one 
which is liable to occur even in the summer months. Now, by 
an external covering of mats, &c., the effects of radiation would 
be at once annihilated, and a thin stratum of air would be kept 
in contact with the glass, which would become warmed, and con- 
sequently tend to prevent the dissipation of the heat. But no 
means would of course be so effective as double glass, including 
a stratum of air; indeed, such a precaution in winter seems al- 
most essential to any great degree of perfection in this branch of 
horticulture. When it is considered that a temperature at night 
of 20° is no very unfrequent occurrence in this country, the sat- 
uration of the air may, upon such occasions, fall to 120°, and such 
an evil can only at present be guarded against by diminishing the 
interior heat in proportion. 

By materially lowering the temperature, we communicate a 
check which is totally inconsistent with the welfare of tropical 
vegetation. The chill which is instantaneously communicated to 
the glass by a fall of rain or snow, and the consequent evapora- 
tion from its surface, must also precipitate the internal vapour, 
and dry the included air to a very considerable amount, and the 
effect should be closely’ watched. I do not conceive that the 
diminution of light which would be occasioned by the double 
panes, would be suflicient to occasion any serious objection to the 
plan. The difference would not probably amount to as much as 
that between hot-houses with wooden rafters and lights, and those 
constructed with curvilinear iron bars, two of which have been 
erected in the garden of the Horticultural Society. It might 
also possibly occasion a greater expansion of the foliage ; for it is 
known, that in houses with a northern aspect, the leaves grow to 
a larger size than in houses which front the south. Nature thus 
makes an effort to counteract the deficiency of light, by increas- 
ing the surface upon which it is destined to act. 

The present method of ventilating hot-houses is also objection- 
able, upon the same principles which I have been endeavouring 
to explain. A communication is at once opened with the exter- 
nal air, while the hot and vaporous atmosphere is allowed to es- 
cape at the roof; the consequence is, that the dry external air 
rushes in with considerable velocity, and becoming heated in its 
course, rapidly abstracts the moisture from the pots and foliage. 
This is the more dangerous inasmuch as it acts with a rapidity 


274 ON THE CLIMATE OF HOTHOUSES. 


proportioned in a very high degree to its motion. I would sug- 
gest, as a matter of easy experiment, whether great benefit might 
not arise from warming the air to a certain extent, and making 
it traverse a wet surface before it is allowed to enter the house. 

There is one practice universally adopted by gardeners, which 
is confirmatory of these theoretical speculations ; namely, that of 
planting tender cuttings of plants in a hot bed, and covering them 
with a double glass. Experience has shown them that many 
kinds will not succeed under any other treatment. The end of 
this, is obviously to preserve a saturated atmosphere ; and it af- 
fords a parallel case to that of Dr. Wells, of the anticipation of 
theory by practice. 

The effect of keeping the floor of the hot-house continually wet, 
has been already tried at the Society’s garden, at my suggestion, 
and it has been found that the plants have grown with unpre- 
cedented vigour ; indeed their luxuriance must strike the most 
superficial observer. 

To the human feelings, the impression of an atmosphere so sa- 
turated with moisture is very different from one heated to the 
same degree without this precaution; and any one coming out of 
a house heated in the common way, into one well charged with 
vapour, cannot fail to be struck with the difference. Those who 
are used to hot climates, have declared that the feel and smell of 
the latter exactly assimilate to those of the tropical regions. 

But there is a danger attending the very success of this expe- 
riment, which cannot be too carefully guarded against. The trial 
has been made in the summer months, when the temperature of 
the external air has not been low, nor the change from day to 
night very great. In proportion to the luxuriance of the vege- 
tation, will be the danger of any sudden check; and it is much 
to be feared, that unless proper precautions are adopted, the cold 
long nights of winter may produce irreparable mischief. 

I am aware that a great objection attaches to my plan of the 
double glass, on account of the expense; but I think that'this 
may appear greater at first sight than it may afterwards be found 
to be in practice. It is, however, at all events, I submit, a point 
worthy of the Horticultural Society to determine ; and if the sug- 
gestion should be found to be effective, the lights of many frames 
which are not commonly in use in winter, might, without much 
trouble, be fitted to slide over the hot-houses during the severe 
season ; and in the spring, when they are wanted for other pur- 


ON THE CLIMATE OF HOTHOUSES. 275 


poses, their places might be supplied at night by mats or canvas. 

The principles which I have been endeavouring to illustrate 
should be, doubtless extended to the pinery and the melon frame, 
in the latter of which a saturated atmosphere might be maintained 
by shallow pans of water. An increase in the size of the fruit 
might be anticipated from this treatment, without that loss of 
flavour which would attend the communication of water to the 
roots of the plants. 

I have but few additional observations to offer upon the arti- 
ficial climate of a green-house. The remarks which have been 
made upon the atmosphere of the hot-house are applicable to it, 
though not to the same extent. The plants which are subject to 
this culture seldom require an artificial temperature greater than 
45° or 50°, and few of them would receive injury from a tempera- 
ture so low as 35°. When in the house, they are effecttally 
sheltered from the effects of direct radiation, which cannot take 


place through glass; but the glass itself radiates very freely, and 


thus communicates a chill to the air, which might effectually be 
prevented by rolling mats. With this precaution, fire would be 
but rarely wanted in a good situation to communicate warmth ; 
but in this damp climate it may be required to dissipate moist- 
ure. The state of the air should be as carefully watched with 
this view, as where a high temperature is necessary to guard. 
against the contrary extreme. Free transpiration, as I have be- 
fore remarked, is necessary to the healthy progress of vegetation; 
and when any mouldiness or damp appears upon the plants, the 
temperature of the air should be moderately raised, and free ven- 
filation allowed. When the pots, in the proper season, ate 
moved into the open air, it would contribute greatly to their 
health, and preserve them from the effects of too great evapora- 
tion, to imbed them well in moss or litter: as a substitute for 
this precaution, the plants are generally exposed to a northern 
or eastern aspect, where the influence of the sun but rarely 
reaches them, but which, would be very beneficial if their roots 
were properly protected. The advantage of such a protection 
may be seen when the pots are plunged into the soil, a method 
which communicates the greatest luxuriance to the plants, but 
unfits them to resume their winter stations. 

When a green-house is made use of, as it often is after the re- 
moval of the pots, to force the vine, the same precautions should 
be attended to as in the management of the hot-house, and the 


276 ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 


elasticity of the vapour should be maintained by wetting the 
floor but after a certain period, a great degree of dryness should 
be allowed to prevail, to enable the tree to ripen its wood, and 
form the winter productions for its buds. In this its treatment 
differs from that of the tropical plants, which require no such 
change, and to which, on the contrary, it would be highly detri- 
mental. The same observation applies to forcing-houses for 
peaches, and other similar kind of trees. As soonas the fruit is 
all matured, they should be freely exposed to the changes of the 
weather. 
Horr. Transactions. 


ARTICLE VI. 


ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. 


BY J. STUART MENTEITH, ESQ. OF CLOSEEURN. 
Havine perused the following article with great satisfaction, we 
have been induced to insert it in the Cabinet from the belief that 
it will be both interesting and beneficial to our readers: — 

A taste for improvement of this kind has, no doubt, already 
commenced amongst us; but it might be greatly promoted by 
calling the attention of the public more frequently to the beau- 
ties and advantages of this species of ornament. 

The few following hints are offered for the purpose of awaken- 
ing a taste for this elegant pursuit. 

Though there are not many ornamental plants natives of Scot- 
land, yet nature has furnished not a few which may be readily na- 
turalized to our climate. 

Of these there are various kinds and varieties; and to select 
from among them what will best answer particular soils and sit- 
uations, must be left to the skill of individuals. Those which we 
are about to enumerate, with few or no exceptions, thrive in 
most ordinary situations, or in any soil. 

The following, denominated the tree-evergreens, deserve the 
first attention, viz., the Scotch, the silver, and the spruce firs. 
The Jast is by far the handsomest of the fir tribe, having its 
branches long and tapering, beautifully curved or bended up- 
wards, and with its tall elegant stem rising like a lofty pyramid, 
towers over all the trees of the grove. 


ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING, yy i | 


The cedars require a more sheltered situation, and with that 
indulgence, there are few places in Scotland in which they would 
not grow. 

A great number of the evergreen shrubs may be easily and 
quickly raised in Scotland. The spurge laurel, the common or 
bay laurel, the Portugal laurel, and sweet scented bay laurel, 
from which the poet gathers his wreath, will thrive in most sit- 
uations. The last is more delicate ; but with a little care in se- 
vere winters, it may be reared. The laurustinus grows almost 
any where, and has the peculiar quality that it will, if the winter 
be mild, be in bloom at that season. A variety with shining 
leaves, lately introduced, will be found preferable. The straw- 
berry tree, or arbutus fluedo; the holly, and the evergreen thorn, 
or mespilus pyracantha, with their deep blood-red berries, are 
strikingly beautiful. Of the yew, the holly, and the evergreen- 
privet, hedges can be formed, and they are most pleasing of all 
objects to shelter our winter walks. The pyracantha, the ivy, 
particularly the large-leaved Irish variety, the Pyrus japonica, 
and the Rosa indica, which bloom in winter and early spring, 
are well fitted for ornamenting walks. 

Of the American evergreens, several may be domesticated 
with us, such as various species of rhododendron, and of kalmia, 
all of which give an interest and beauty to our shrubbery. Many 
of the smaller but not less beautiful evergreen plants, are to be 
found ; as all the varieties of the periwinkle, with its pretty blue 
flower ; the daphne, and the heaths. Of the last of these are 
about twenty hardy varieties, fit to stand our climate, flowering 
at different times of the year, and bearing a certain degree of 
clipping with the shears. These are admirably adapted to form 
the fringe or edging of the flower-garden; much superior, from 
their delicately formed flowers, to the box, as the present to the 
eye a continued succession of varied colours. 

All the above mentioned evergreens are easily propagated. 
Some of them, requiring a little nicety in managing the young 
plants when raised from seeds, are more readily grown by slips, 
or laying in the branches. With all these methods of raising 
them every gardener is acquainted. 

Having described the means of ornamenting our residences 
during winter, we have now to mention those plants by which 
they may be embellished in the other seasons of the year; and 
for that purpose it is recommended to plant more of the flower- 


278 ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING, 


ing trees and shrubs in our woods and shrubberies: such as 
the horse-chesnut, the lime, the mountain ash, the elder, which 
is readily propagated from cuttings, and growing well on eleva- 
ted situations, is fitted to make excellent hedges in upland coun- 
tries,—sheep and cattle will not browse it; the geen or wild 
cherry, the Siberian crab, the laburnum, the acacia (Robinia 
pseud-acacia), the lilac, particularly the liberian or varin, the 
azalia of different species, the variegated thorn, Aucuba japonica, 
Pittosphorum tabiri, and such like. These being planted in fit 
places, would, by their fragrance and flowers, add much to the 
comfort and beauty of our dwellings. 

The advantages of planting such evergreens and ornamental 
trees and shrubs around our houses, are obvious: they will after- 
wards afford shelter and warmth ; and if walks or avenues of them 
were formed, they would present us, in the dreary, naked, cold 
season of winter, when the other trees are stripped of their fo- 
liage, always something on which the eye might rest, and on 
which it might be refreshed. Besides, most of the evergreens, 
from their varnish-coated leaf, have the peculiar property of suf- 
fering little injury from the drop of the taller forest trees, and 
consequently they will grow under the shade. Nay, some of 
them, as the rhododendron, will be found more at home under 
such shade, than when exposed to the glaring sun. In North 
America, this forms much of the underwood of the immense fo- 
rests that cover that vast continent. Intermingled with other 
planting, these evergreens will afford the sportsman the best of 
all covers for game ; and the lover of the music of nature’s sweet 
concert, will find them always the favourite resort of the most in- 
teresting part of feathered creation—the birds of song. 

‘There is no doubt that such improvements are best fitted, or 
most suitable, to the taste and circumstances of the higher ranks, 
and must of course begin with them. It is, however, very desi- 
rable that the cultivation of the ornamental plants should not be 
exclusively confined to the palace, but that it should also be ex- 
tended to the cottage. This might be accomplished at little or 
no expense, as most of the cottages in Scotland are wisely allowed 
by the proprietors or land-holders to have a garden. A spot is 
accordingly ready prepared to receive such plants; and if a little 
encouragement were given to the landlord, some plants gra- 
tuitously distributed, and a few kind words spoken, we should, in 
a short time, see the cottages and*their gardens, which now too 


“eta 


ON ORNAMENTAL PLANTING. _ 279 


often present any thing rather than order or neatness, assuming a 
gay appearance ; and their walls, which now are generally naked 
and cheerless, would be covered with some or other of the ever- 
greens, mixed with the jessamine and the rose, the Virginia 
creeper, and the prettiest of all, Scotland’s wild plants—the 
woodland. 

From such improvements in their gardens, it may reasonably 
be expected that the inmates of the cottages would gain not a 
little in point of taste and good feeling; order and cleanliness 
would supplant disorder and filthiness; and, above all, if the 
cottage child, during his hours of leisure and relaxation, were 
trained to look after, and take an interest in a few flowers and 
evergreens, he would, from such salutary and healthful occupa- 
tions, form akind of attachment to the vegetable kingdom, and 
instead of wantonly destroying, impairing, or cutting the trees, 
of which we have so many disgraceful proofs, he would feel a dis- 
inclination to offer them any injury. 

The mutilating of statues, even in our church yards, the des- 
truction of the cope stones of walls and bridges, and of the very 
mile stones on our public highways, are instances of wanton 
mischief which we believe to be more often seen in Scotland 
than elsewhere, and it is a disgrace to the most enlightened and 
virtuous peasantry in the world. We have sometimes thought 
that this moral phenomenon is to be traced to the remains of the 
spirit of destroying statues and temples, to which the horrors of 
the oppression, usurpations, selfishness, and corruptions of the 
Church of Rome, drove our ancestors at the era of the Reforma- 
tion. Means ought to be employed to counteract this tendency 
and that which we have suggested may not be altogether devoid 
of use in this respect. 

It is well known how much a regard for the lower animals is 
cherished by youth, by having some favorite to look after and 
fondle ; and how indifferent to the brute creation, and how reck- 
less of human life, are those who have never beén accustomed 
to take an interest init. On the same principle, those who have 
been brought up in heaths and districts bare of wood, are gene- 
rally observed to do the most wanton mischief to trees. 

With a view to such objects, it might be advisable to attach to 
every parochial school, indeed to all schools, a small plat of gar- 
den ground, ornamented with flowers, and most of the plants 
used for domestic purposes. Such a garden, but upona larger 


Nea 
280 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. Sa are 
scale than would be adopted in ordinary schools, is to be seen at 
‘the academy of Dollar, to which the youth have constant access. 

It should also be made a part of the master’s duty to direct the 
attention of his scholars to the plants of the garden, to teach them 
their history, describe their uses, and point out their culture. 
All this might be easily done, as any master could soon learn all 
that it is useful to know of such plants, and take pleasure in com- 
municating this knowledge to his youthful charge ; and it might 
be so conducted as to cause little or no interruption to the other 
laborious exercises of the school. The instructions given as a 
recreation in the play hours would not be the least valuable, as 
knowledge is always more readily acquired by the young when it 
is possible to combine pleasure with mental exertion. As the 
parochial clergy are now so attentive to this taste for adorning 
their own dwellings, they would no doubt readily take an inter- 
est in such a plan, and encourage the love of it in the school- 
master and his pupils. Such gardens, small in extent, might be 
laid out at little expense. They should be kept in order by the 
master, with the assistance of his scholars, who would soon take 
much interest and delight in such occupations. Any triflmg ex- 
pense the proprietor might be at in ornamenting these small gar- 
dens around the parochial school house, would be amply repaid 
in the security of his woods from the mischievous shoolboy’s 
knife. 

Horv. TRANSACTIONS. 


ARTICLE VII. 
ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


(Continued from page 227.) 

“In other glasses he dissolved several sorts of earth clayey 
marles, and variety of manures, &c., and set mint in distilled 
water, and made other experiments of several kinds, to get light 
and information, as to what hastened or retarded, promoted or 
impeded vegetation. 

“The glass P, was Hyde Park conduit-water: in this he fixed 
a glass tube ten inches long, the bore about one sixth of an inch 
diameter, filled with very fine and white sand, which he kept 
from falling down out of the tube into the phial, by tying a thin 
piece of silk over that end of the tube that was downwards, 


\ 


ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 281 


Upon immersing the lower end of it into the water, this (by 
little and little) ascended quite to the orifice of the tube: and yet 
in all the fifty six days that it stood thus, a very inconsiderable 
quantity of water had gone off, viz. scarcely twenty grains, though 
the sand continued moist up to the top until the very last. - 

The water had imparted a green tincture to the sand, quite 
to the very top of the tube: and in the phial it had precipitated a 
greenish sediment mixed with black. 

Pretty much of the green substance, described above, ad- 
hered to the bottom and sides of the tube, as far as it was im- 
mersed. 

Other like tubes he filled with cotton, lint, pith of elder, and 
several other porous vegetable substances ; setting some of them 
in clear water, others in water tinged with saffron, cochineal, &c. 
and made several other trials, to give a mechanical representation 
of the motion and distribution of the juices in plants, and some 
other phenomena observable in vegetation. 

Several plants being also set in phials, Q, R, 8, &c., were 
ordered after the same manner with those above, in the following 
colder months ; these threve not near so much, nor did the water 
ascend in nigh the quantity it did in the hotter seasons, in which 
the before cited trials were made. 

From these experiments, the observations proceed. 

Observation 1. In plants of the same kind, the less they are 
in bulk, the smaller quantity of the fluid mass in which they are 
set, is drawn off; the dispendium of it, where the mass is of 
equal thickness, being pretty nearly proportioned to the bulk of 
the plant. 

Thus the plant in the glass marked A, that weighed twenty- 
seven grains, drew off but two thousand five hundred and fifty- 
eight grains of the fluid; and that plant in B, that weighed 
twenty-eight and one-fourth, took up bu four thousand and 
four grains of the fluid ; whereas that plant in H, which weighed 
one hundred and twenty-seven grains, took up fourteen thou- 
sand one hundred and ninety grains of the liquid mass. 

The water seems to ascend up the vessels of plants, much 
after the same manner as up a filter ; and it is no strange thing, 
that a larger filter should draw off more water than a lesser one ; 
or a plant, that has more and larger vessels, should take up @ 
greater share of the fluid in which it is set, than one that hae 


fewer and smaller ones can. 
OR. Vv. H H 


282 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


This he does not note, as athing very considerable in itself, 
but chiefly in regard to what he is to offer anon ; and that it may 
be seen, that in other collations of things he has made due allow- 
ance for this difference. 

Observation 2. The much greatest part of the fluid mass that is 
first drawn off, and conveyed into the plants, does not settle or 
abide there, but passes through the pores of them, end exhales 
up into the atmosphere. 

_ It is certain that the water in these experiments ascended 
Fes through the vessels of the plants. The glasses F and G 
which had no plants in them, though they were disposed of in 
the like manner as the rest were, remained at the end of the ex- 
periment as at first, and none of the water was gone off: and it 
is certain, that the greatest part of it flies off from the plant into 
the atmosphere. 

** The least proportion of the water expended, was to the aug- 
mentation of the plant, as forty-six or fifty to one ; and in some 
the water drawn off was a hundred, two hundred, nay, in one 
above seven hundred times as much as the plant had received of 
. addittion. 

This so continual an emission and detachment.of water, in so 
great plenty from the parts of plants affordsa manifold reason 
why those countries which abound with trees and the larger ve- 
getables, especially, should be very obnoxious, owing to damps, 
great humidity in the air, and more frequent rains than others 
which are more open and free. 

The great moisture in the air was a mighty annoyance to those 
who first settled in America, which then was much overgrown 
with woods and groves; but as they were burnt and destroyed 
to make room for habitations and the culture of the earth, the 
air mended, and cleared up apace, and became of a tempera- 
ture much more dry and serene than before. 

Nor does this humidity go off pure and alone, but usually car- 
ries out along with it many parts of the same nature, whereof 
the plants, through which it passes, do consist. 

It is true, the crasser are not so easily born up into the atmos- 
phere, but are usually deposited on the surface of the flowers, 
leaves, and other parts of the plants. Hence are produced our 
mannas, our honies, and other gummous excudations of vege- 
tables. 


But the finer and lighter parts are, with so much the greater 


ON WATER AND WATERING PILANTS. 283 


‘ease they are sent up into the atmosphere ; and thence are con- 
veyed to our organs of smelling, by the air we draw in by respira- 
tion, and are either pleasant or offensive, beneficient or injurious . 
to us, according to the nature of the plants from whence they 
arise. 

And since these owe their rise to the water which ascends out 
of the earth through the bodies of plants, we cannot be far to 
seek for the cause why they are more numerous in the air; and 
we find a greater quantity of odours exhaling from vegetables, in 
warm, humid seasons, than in any other whatever. 

Observation 3. A great part of the terrestrial matter, that is 
mixed with the water, ascends up into the plant, as well as the 
water. 

At the end of the experiment, there was much more terrestrial 
matter in the water of the glasses F and G, that had no plants 
in them, than in those that had plants. The garden mould in the 
glasses K and L was considerably diminished and carried off: 
nay, the terrestrial and vegetable matter was born up in the 
tubes filled with sand, cotton &c. and in that quantity, as to be 
evident even to the sense. And the bodies in the cavities of the 
other tubes, which had their lower ends immersed in water, 
wherein Saffron, Cochineal, &c., had been infused, were“tinged 
with yellow, purple, &c. 

Ifit may be permitted to look abroad a while towards the 
shores and parts within the verge of the sea, there will be found 
a large scene of plants, that along with the vegetable, take up 
the mere mineral matter also in great abundance; such as Sea- 
Purslains, the several sorts of Alga’s Samphires and other marine 
plants. 

These contain common sea-salt which is all one with the fossil, 
in such plenty, as not only to be plainly distinguished on the pal- 

_ ate but may be drawn forth from them in considerable quantities. 
And some affirm, that there are plants found that will yield nitre 
and mineral salts. 

As to vegetable matter, it is manifest how apt and how much 
disposed it is (being so very fine and light) to attend water in 
all its motions, and to follow it into each of its recesses, not only 
from those instances that have been alledged above, but from 
many others. 

If you percolate it with all the care imaginable, if you filter it ~ 
with never so many filtrations, yet there will remain some ter- 


284 ON WATER AND WATERING PLANTS. 


restrial matter: it is true, the fluid will be thinner every time 
than other, and more disengaged from the same matter, but never 
. wholly free and clear. He says he has filtered water through se- 
veral, wholly, free, and clear sheets of thick paper, and after 
that through very close and fine cloth, twelve times doubled, 
nay, has done this over and over again, and yet after all there 
was a considerable quantity of this matter discoverable in the 
water. 

Now, if it passes thus through interstices that are so very 
small and fine, along with the water, it is less strange that it 
should attend in its passage through the ducts and vessels of 
plants. 

It is true that filtering and distilling of water does intercept 
and make it quit some of the earthy matter it was before impreg- 
nated with; butthen that which after this continues with the wa- 
ter is fine and light, and consequently such as in a peculiar man- 
ner is fit for the growth and nourishment of vegetables ; and this 
is the case of rain-water. 

The quantity of terrestrial matter that it bears up into the at- 
mosphere is not great; but that which it does bear up is mainly 
of that light kind, of vegetable matter, and also that perfectly dis- 
solved, and reduced to single corpuscels, all fitted to enter the 
tubules and vessels of plants; and upon this account it is that 
rain-water is so fertile and prolifick. 

The reason why, he says in this proposition, that only a 
great part of the terrestrial matter, that is mixed with the wa- 
ter, ascends up with it into the plant, is, because all of it 
cannot. 

The mineral matter is a great deal of it not only gross and 
ponderous, but scabrous and inflexible, and so not disposed to 
enter the pores of the roots ; and a great many of the simple 
vegetable particles do by degrees unite and form some of 
them small elods or Molecule, such as before mentioned in 
H. K. and L, sticking to the extremities of the roots of those 
plants. 

Others of them entangle in a more loose manner, and form the 
Nubecule, and great bodies, that are commonly observed in 
stagnant water. When these are thus conjoined, they are 
too big to enter the pores, which they might have done 
singly. 4 

(To be continued.) 


os ) 
7 


REVIEW. 285 


REVIEW. 


The Suburban Gardener and Villa Companion ; — By J. C. Lox- 
pon, F. L.S., H.S., &c.; London: Longman, & Co. 


(Continued from p. 259.) 


Primula vulgaris, the double, white, 
double red, and double lilac prim- 
roses. 

Primula elatior, the double oxlip. 

Primula Auricula, different border va- 
rieties of auricula. 

Primula vulgaris Polyanthus, varie- 
ties of double and single polyanthus 

Arabis rosea and albida, white and 
red urabis, or wall-cress. 

Adonis vernalis, spring- flowering ado- 
nis, yellow. 

Anemone apennina, alpine anemone, 
blue. 

Iris pumila, dwarf iris, blue. 

Omphalodes verna, spring-flowering 
Vernus’s navelwort, blue. 

Orobus vernus, spring bitter vetch, 
purple. 

Corydalis bulbosa, the bulbous-rooted 
fumitory, red. 


April. 


Phlox subulata andsetacea, awl- 
il and bristlv-leaved phlox, red 
red, 

Corydalis longiflora, long-flowered 
fumitory, red. - 

Aguilegia canadensis, Canadian co- 
lumbine, red. 

Dodecatheon Meadia, Mead’s Vir- 
ginian cowslip, lilac. 

Lychnis Viscaria, the bladder Lych- 
nis, red. 

Arabis alpina, alpine arabis, or wall- 
cress, white. 

Anemone nemorosa, the wood ana- 
mone, white. 

Phlox nivea, the snowy phlox, white. 

= ea aizoides, whitlow grass, yel- 

ow. 

Alyssum saxatile, rock madwort, yel- 

ow. 

Phlox divaricata, spreading phlox, 
blue. 

Anemone pratensis, meadow anemone, 
blue, and A. Pulsatilla, pulsatilla 
anemone, purple. 


Anemone coronaria, the common ane- 
mone, variegated, 


May. 


Pzeonia officinalis, numerous varieties 
of the common pzony, crimson, 
red, and white. 

Papaver brateata and corientalis, scar- 
let poppies. 

Campanula glomerata, double and 
single white and blue bell-flower. 
Dianthus Caryophyllus, different va- 
rieties of the common pink, clove, 
and carnation, white, red and va- 

riegated. 

Lupinus polyphyllus, purple and white 
lupine. 

Iberis Tenoreana, Tenore’s candy- 
tuft, white. 

Lamium album, white dead nettle. 

Orobus anguetifolius, narrow-leayed. 
bitter vetch, white. 

Ranunculus aconitifolius fl. pl., the- 
double white batchelor’s buttons,. 
or fair maid of France. 

Tradescantia virginica, white and pur-. 
ple spiderwort. 

Geranium pratense, purple and white-. 
flowered crane’s bill. 

Alyssum creticum, Cretan madwort, 

Mimulus moschatus, yellow musk 
plant. 

Mimulus luteus rivularis and gutta- 
tus, varieties of the monkey flower, 
yellow and brown. 

Galardia bicolor and aristata, yellow 
and red galardias, 

Asphodelus luteus, yellow asphodet. 

Ranunculus acris d pl., the double. 
yellow bachelor's buttons. 

Linaria alpina, blue toadflax. 

Phlox procumbens, trailing phlox, 
blue. 

Aquilegia grandiflora and vulgaris, 
purple and common columbine. 

Lathyrus venosus, blue and purple pea 

oy perennis, perennial lupine, 

ue, 


286 


Pulmonaria virginica, Virginian lung- 
wort, blue and purple. 

Nepeta grandiflora, large-flowered 
cat-mint, blue. 

Anchusa italica, Italian buglos, blue, 

oo alpinus, alpine starwort, pur- 

e. 

eratim Orvala, purple dead nettle. 

Pentstemon atropurpureus, campa- 
nulatus, and diffusus, dark purple, 
bell-flowered, and spreading pent- 
stemons. 

Anemone hortensis, garden anemone, 
variegated. 

Verbascum cupreum and ferrugineum, 
the copper-coloured and rusty mul- 
lein, variegated. 


June. 


Dianthus alpinus, deltoides, and atro- 
rubens, varieties of pinks, red. 

ee acaulis, the stemless catchfly, 
red. 

Valeriana dioica, common red 
rian, 

Orobus sylvaticus, wood vetch, red. 

Antirrhinum majus, double, single, 
white, red, and variegated snap- 
dragon. 

Lychnis chalcedonica, the scarlet 
lychnis. 

Lychnis diurna, the rose campion, red. 

Aconitum Napellus, the common 
monk’s-hood, purple. 

Lathyrus'grandiforus, the large-flow- 
ered pea, red. 

Campanula rotundifolia, purple and 
white bell-flower. 

(E£nothera speciosa, the showy even- 
ing primrose. 

Hesperis matronalis fl. pl., double 
white rocket. 

Dictamnus albus, white fraxinella. 

Linum perenne, perennial flax, white. 

Polemonium czruleum and album, 
the common purple and the white 
Greek valerian, 

Asphodelus ramosus, the branchy as- 
phodel, white, _ 

Epilobium augustifolium, white and 
red French willow-herb, red. 

Caltha palustris fl. pl , double-flower- 
ed marsh marigold, yellow. 

Cnothera macrocarpa, and other spe- 
cies of evening primroses, yellow. 

Aconitum grandiflorum, and other 
species and varieties of monk’s- 
hood. 


REVIEW. 


Chryseis (Eschscholtzia) californica, 
Californian eschscholtzia, yellow. 
Asphodelus luteus, yellow asphodel. 
Trollius europceus, common globe 

flower, yellow. 

Pentstemon confertus, crowded pent- 
stemon, yellow. ; 

Gegtiana lutea, yellow gentian. 

Ajuga pyramidalis, the pyramidal 

ugle, blue. 

Delphinium elegans, and various gar- 
den species and varieties of lark- 
spur, blue and purple. 

Iris germanica, the German iris, blue 
and white. 

Pentstemon speciosus, showy pent- 
stemon, blue. 

Lamium maculatum, spotted dead 
nettle, purple and reddish lilac. 

Lychnis diurna, rose campion, red . 
and white. 

Verbena Lamberti, Lambert’s ver- 
bena, purple. 

Verbascum phoeniceum, dark purple 
mullein. 

Dictamnus Fraxinella, purple fraxi- 
nella. 

Anchusa angustifolia, narrow-leaved 
bugloss, blue and purple. 

Geranium Jancastriense, the Lancas- 
ter crow’s bill, variegated. 

a 


July. 


CEnothera rosea, red evening prim- 
rose. 

Phlox stolonifera, glaberrima, pyra- 
midalis, and various other phloxes, 
red, lilac, and purple. 

Veronica,incarnata, the flesh-coloured 
speedwell. 

Saponaria officinalis, end fl. pl , single 
and double soapwort, red and 
white. 

Monarda didyma, scarlet monarda. 


‘Chelone barbata, the bearded che- 


lone, red. 

Lathyrus tuberosus, the 
rooted vetch, red. 

Campanula persicifolia, double and 
single white peach-leaved bell- 
flower. 

Gentiana Saponaria, soapwort-leaved 
gentian, white 

Phlox suaveolens, the sweet-scented 
phlox, white. 

Alyssum montanum, mountain mad- 
wort, yellow. i 
Galardia aristata, bristly galardia, 

* yellow. 


tuberous- 


REVIEW. 


Coreopsis grandiflora, large-flowered 
coreopsis, yellow. 

Hypericum Elatum, St. John’s wort. 

Dracocephalum grandiforum, large- 
flowered dragon’s head, blue. 

Campanula carpatica,Carpathian bell- 
flower, blue. 

Veronica azurea, maritima, and others, 
different kinds of speeedwell, blue, 

Aster alpinus and amelloides, purple 
asters. 

Statice reticulata, purple sealavender. 

Pentstemon atropurpureus, and vari- 
ous purple-flowered species of 
pentstemon. 

ae speciosa, showy lobelia, pur- 
ple. 

ee Salicaria, willow herb, pur- 

e. 
Monarda fistulosa, purple monarda. 


August, 


Veronica carnea, flesh-coloured speed- 
well, 

Pentstemon angustifolious, narrow- 
leaved pentstemon, red. 

Phlox pyramidalis, and other red 
phloxes. 

Gypsophila prostrata, trailing gvpso- 
phila, white. 

Aster albus, white aster. ’ 

Coreopsis tripteris, aurea, and verti- 
cillata, and different kinds of yellow 
coreopsis. 

Gentiana asclepiadea, asclepias-like 
gentian, blre, 

Commelina erecta, upright comme- 
lina, blue. 

Aster spectabilis and Novi Belgii, 
New York asters, blue. 

Verbena venosa, veiny verbena, blue. 

Aster alpinus, purple asters. 

Stenactis speciosa, showy stenactis, 
purple. 

Lythrum yirgatum, 
herb, purple, 

Aster concolor, self-coloured aster, 
purple. 


twiggy -willow 


287 


Campanula versicolor, variegated hell 
flower. 

Calendula stellata, starry marigold, 
yellow. 

Polygonum orientale, persicaria, red. 


September and October. 


Epilobium alpinum, alpine French 
willow herb, red. 
Gentiana incarnata, 

gentian, red. 
Aster vimineus, twiggy aster, red. 
Phlox triflora and Wheeleriana, three- 
flowered and Wheeler’s phlox, red 
Aster humilis. diffusus, and other 
dwarf-spreading and other asters, 
white. 
Achillea cretica,Cretan milfoil, white. 
Boltonia asteroides, aster-like bolto- 
nia, white. 
Coronilla minima, the least coronilla, 


flesh-coloured 


ellow. 

Suen humilis, dwarf golden rod, 
yellow. 

C£nothera serotina, late evening prim- 
rose, yellow. 

Gentiana Catesbzi and others, Cates- 
by’s and other gentians, blue. 

Scabiosa australis, the souther sca- 
bious, blue. 

Aster corymbosus, spectabilis, and 
others, different kinds of asters, 
blue. 

Veronica elatior, the taller speedwell, 
blue. 

Statice reticulata, the netted sea la- 
vender, purple. 

Gentiana intermedia, 
gentian, purple. 

Phlox Carolina and suffruticosa, Ca- 
rolina and suflruticose, or half- 
shrubby, phloxes, purple. 

Aster Novee Anglize and others, New 
England asters, purple. 

Veronica altissima, the highest speed- 
well purple.” 


intermediate 


288 REVIEW. 


THE BIBLE GARDEN,—containing a brief description of 
all the Trees and Plants mentioned in the Holy Scriptures ; 
by Josrpu Tayxor. The Illustrations selected and etched 
on Steel by W. H. Brooxz, F.S. A.—London: Dean & 
Munday, 1836. 


PALM TREE 
Phenia dactylifera, 


** AnD they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water and three score 
and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters.”"—Exodus, xv. 27. 


‘‘Tue Palm-tree is found in a variety of the warm countries in the south of 
Asia, and the north of Africa ; they were numerous on the banks of Jordan, 
but the best were those around Jericho and Engiridi, which latter place is 
for that reason called Hazazon-tamor, the cutting of the Palm-trees. ‘This 
tree grows very tall and upright, and its leaves retain their greenness 
through the whole year ; the more it is exposed to the sun the better is its 
growth. 

Palm-trees produce but little fruit, till about thirty years old, after which 
while their juice continues, the older they become the more fruitful they are, 
and will bear three or four hundred pounds of dates every year. The date is 
a most sweet, lucious kind of fruit, on which most of the inhabitants of Persia, 
Arabia, and Egypt, entirely subsist. 

A species of rich honey or syrup, and a spirituous fermented liquor called 
Araky, are obtained from it ; there is also extracted from the palm-tree a 
kind of wine, which is perhaps what the Scripture calls shichar, or strong 
drink, 

As the sap is chiefly in the top of the tree, when they intend to extract 
‘a liquor from it, they cut off the top, where there is always a tuft of spring 
leaves about four feet long, and scoop the trunk into the shape of a bason : 
here the sap ascending lodges itself at the rate of three or four English pints 
a day ; for the first week or fortnight, after which it gradually decreases, 
and in six weeks or two months the whole juice will be extracted. 

As palm-trees were accounted symbols of victory, branches of palm were 
‘carried before conquerors in their triumphs; and in allusion hereto, the saints 
are said to have palms in their hands, to denote the victory over sin, Satan, the 
sworld, the persecutions of Antichrist, &c. Rev. vii. 9. 

A remarkable experiment to prove the fructification of this tree, occurs 
an the 47th volume of the Philosophical Transactions. There was a great 
palm-tree in the garden of the Royal Academy at Berlin, which flowered 
-and bore fruit for thirty years, but the fruit never ripened, and when planted 

tdid not vegetate ; this tree Linnzes discovered to be a female plant, and as 
there was no male palm in its vicinity, the flowers never came to maturity. 


At Leipsic, twenty German miles from Berlin, was a male plant of this. 


‘kind, from which, in April 1740, a branch of flowers was procured, and 
‘shaken, so that the dust, or farina, fell upon the flowers of the unfruitful tree. 
“This experiment was so successful, that the palm-tree produced more than a 
hundred perfectly ripe fruit, from which they had eleven young palms; on 
‘repeating the experiment next year, the palm-tree produced above two 
thousand ripe fruit. This experiment fully established the fact attested 
‘by the ancients concerning the Palm-tree ; which some have regarded as 
fabolous. 

This tree exhibits great variety in fruit, size, quality, and colour: 
twenty different kinds have been enumerated. Perhaps no tree whatever is 
used for so many and such valuable purposes as the Palm, or date tree ; 
‘even the stones are given to camels and sheep as food.”’ 


REVIEW- 289 


The Orchidacee of Mexico and Guatemala.—By James Bate- 


mane Esq. Part I. Imp. folio. Ridgway and Sons, London, 
1837. 


The Ist. Part of this splendid work has appeared, (one of which 
we borrowed) 120 copies have been printed, and it is highly 
gratifying to learn that about eighty of them have been subscribed 
for. And the others will doubtlessly soon be bought up, when 
the copies of the subscribers are perused. In the introductory 
-yemarks the Author notices the great extent of this noble family 
of plants, and observes :— 


“ Asia, Africa, and America will, perhaps, be found to divide the species 
of the order amongst them into three nearly equal proportions (lor the tew 
which Europe produces need scarcely be taken into the account) ; and the 
closer we approach the tropics, the more numerous and beautiful they be- 
come. Arrived, at length, within the precincts of the torrid zone, we find 
them no longer ‘prone on the ground,’ as heretofore, but conspicuous on 
the branches of the most rugged trees of the dampest and wildest forests, 
attracting the eye of the naturalist from afar, by the dazzling brilliancy of 
their colours, or arresting his attention by their delicious fragrance. And 
here we must take occasion to observe, that, although plants of this descrip- 
tion are not unfrequently termed ‘ parasitic,’ the epithet is altogether misap- 
plied; for, while the parasites prey upon the vital juices of their victims, and 
perish with them, the ‘epiphytes’ derive nothing but their stay, or local 
habitation, from the plants on which they have established themselves: and 
continue to flourish and flower, indifferent whether their supporters live or die. 
The great majority of the Orchidacez of the tropics belong to the latter, or 
epiphytic, class ; there are, however, a few that do not, as was long ago ob- 
served by the same ingenious Rumphius to whom we have already had 
occasion to advert. After noticing, in terms of due commendation, the 
dignified habits of most of the tribe, he proceeds, with a sigh, to remark that 
‘ among these vegetable nobles, just as among the nobles of mankind, some 

_ degenerate individuals are ever to be fonnd, who are on the ground always, 
and seem to constitute a class of their own.’ But it is not merely in their 
habits that the terrestrial species are placed below the epiphytes, they are 
also greatly inferior to them in singularity and beauty. 

“The Orchidaceze of each of the three great divisions of the globe have 
features of their own, 80 marked and peculiar, that, in most cases, a practised 
eye would have little difficulty in referring even a totally new form to its pro- 
per habitation. Thus, for example, the pendent stems and graceful flowers 
of many of the dendrobiums, wrides, and their allies, give a character of 
beauty and lightness to the orchidaceous flora of tropical India, which con- 
trasts most strongly with the clumsy pseudobulbs of the bolbophyllums, or the 
long tails of the angraecums of Africa, Again, in America, the characteristic 
features are, the upright vegetation (as distinguished from the pendent) of 
the epidendrums, the long straggling flower-spikes of many of the oncidiums, 
and a much greater variety of grotesque and marvellous forms than is to be 
met with in any part of the Old World. 

‘¢ The uses fo which the plants of this family are applied are few; but, in 
several instances, highly romantic. In Demerara, that most dreadful of all 
poisons, the ‘ Wouralt,’ is thickened by the juice of the catasetums ; and in 
Amboyna, the true ‘ Elixir of Love,’ is prepared from the minute farina-like 
seeds of the Grammatephyllum speciosum, which plant has just been received 
in England, in a living state, from Mr. Cumming. We tremble for the conse- 
quences, if what Rumphius says of its properties be true ; asserting, as he 
does, ‘Mulierem prosequi amore talem, a quo hanc farinum cum cibo, vel 


MMOs. Vs Los 


290 REVIEW: 


potu, accepit !’ In Mexico, where the ‘ language of flowers’ is understood by 
all, the Orchidaceze seem to compose nearly the entire alphabet. Not an 
infant is baptised, not a marriage is celebrated, nor a funeral obsequey per- 
formed, at which the aid of these flowers is not called in by the sentimental 
natives, to assist the expression of their feelings. They are offered by the 
deyotee at the shrine of his favourite saint; by the lover, at the feet of his 
mistress ; and by the sorrowing survivor, at the grave of his friend ; whether, 
in short, on fast days or feast days, on occasions of rejoicing, or in moments 
of distress, these flowers are sought for with an avidity which would seem to 
say that there was no sympathy like theirs ;—thus ‘ Flor de los Santos,’ ‘ Flor 
de Corpus,’ ‘Flor de Jos Muertos,’ ‘ Flor de Maio,’ ‘ No me Elvyides’ (or forget 
me not), are but a few names out of the many that might he cited to prove 


the high consideration in which our favourites are held in the New World. » 


Nor are these the only honours that are paid to them; for Hernandez assures 
us that, in Mexico, the Indian chiefs set the very highest value on their blos- 
soms, for the sake of their great beauty, strange figure, and delightful 
perfume; while in the East Indies, if Rumphius is to be credited, the flowers 
themselves positively refuse to be worn, except by princesses or ladies of 
high rank. In Honduras, again, the large, hollow, cylindrical stalks of a fine 
species of Epidendrum are made into trumpets by the little boys and girls of 
the country ; and the pseudo-bulbs of several of the more succulent species 
are used instead of resin for the strings of their guitars. The following are, 
however, almost the only known instances in which the tribe do any direct 
service to mankind, The bu!bs of Maxillaria bicolor contain a large quantity 
of an insipid watery fluid, which is greedily sucked by the poor native of 
Pern in the dry season. A fluid of a similar nature is obtained from what is 
probably a leelia in Mexico, and is administered as a cooling draught in 
fevers. From the roots of some of the orchises, even in Europe, the nutri- 
tive substance called ‘salep’ is obtained; in New Zealand, certain species, 
are of considerable importance as esculents; and, in Guiana, the soles of the 
shoemaker are much indebted to the viscid matter obtained from the catase- 
tums and cyrtopodiums, as are the poisoned arrows of the Indian. In this 
list the vanilla is not included, as that plant has recently been separated 
(no doubt, most judiciously) by Dr. Lindley from the natu ral order Orchi- 
dacez, and constituted the type of a new order of its own.” (page 3.) 


The Drawings, Engravings, Colouring, &c. are in a very su- 
perior style: Every admirer of this truly interesting and beauti- 
ful flowering tribe of plants, who can afford the expense, ought 
to possess a copy_of the work. 


AGAVE AMERICANA. 


We understand that the fine specimen of this magnificent exotic in the 
ladies’ flower-garden at Clowance, the seat of Sir John St. Aubyn, Bart, 
is now inastate of blossoming, and upwards of two thousand of the flowers 
are expanded ; and so richly are these blossoms supplied with honey, that it 
actually drops from them. From the vast number of flower buds, there is 
no doubt but this curious and interesting flower will continue in bloom for 
the space of five or six weeks. No fewer than one thousand three hundred 
and sixty persons have already seen and admired this most, beautiful plant, 
and we have every reason to believe many hundreds more will be added to 
the number. (West Briton, October 6, 1837.) 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 291 


PART IL. 


LIST OF NEW AND RARE PLANTS, 


Noticed since our last ; 


i. MIMULUS HARRISONIA. Hurrison’s Mimulus. [Pax. Mug. Bot. 173 
SCROPHULARINE. DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA, 


This very showy variety was raised in the nursery of Mr. Lowe of Clapton 
near London. it is from impregnation between M. cardinalis, and M. ro- 
seus being sown, the present variety was one of them. The habit of the 
plant approaches that of the vigorous cardinalis. The flowers that of roseus 
but they are much larger, and of a much finer rosy-red colour, than any we 
have seen produced by the most vigorous of roseus. It is very showy, grow- 
ing three feet high, and we think tbe finest kind in cultivation in the coun- 
iry. It deserves a place in every flower garden or greenhouse. 


2. MONACHANTHUS DISCOLOR, var. VERIDIFLORENS. Dingy Mint 
Jjlower, green flow.red variety, (Bot. Mag. 3601. 


ORCHIDE&. GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 


A native of Demerara. The present variety has bloomed in the Glasgow 
Botanie Garden. The flower scape is about half a yard long producing a 
loose raceme of from seven to nine flowers, of a yellowish green colour nearly 
destitute of fragrance. Each flower is about an inch across.» Manachan- 
thus, from Monah, a monk ; and Anthos, a flower. 


3. ONCIDIUM LURIDUM. Din,y flowered.- Bot. Mag. 3603. 
ORCHIDEZ, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. SYNONYMS. ONCIDIUM CUNEA- 
TUM, EPIDENDRUM GUTAUM. CYMBIDIUM GUTTATUM. 


The scape rises about three feet high, producing numerous flowers,each 
near two inches across; they are of a pale yellow with large brown con- 
fiuent spots. It has bloomed in the collection at the Edinburgh Botanic 
Garden, where it had been received from Trinidad. 


4, OXALIS ALBA. White flowered Wood Sorrel. [Brit. Flow. Gard. 398. 


This species is probably a native of America, but of this there is no cer- 
tainty. Dr. Neill of Edinburgh, possesseth the plant, and it has bloomed in 
that Gentleman’s collection, The flower stem rises about nine inches high, 
ee flowered. The flower is about an inch and a half across of a pure 
white. 


5. CONVOLVULUS DIVERSIFOLIA, Three lubed Convolvulus Major. 
(Bot, Reg. 1988.) 


An half hardy annual plant, a native of Mexico, seeds of which were sent 
to the London Horticultural Society, by G.F. Dickson, Esqr. The plant 
rows to about halt the size of the Convolyulus major ‘The flowers tuo are 
about half the size of the C. major, of a fine azure ‘blue, with five red plaits. 
The under side of the flower is sather inclined (o a flesh colour. Alto- 
gether » very handsome flowering species, which would be very ornamental 


292 NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 


to the flower garden. Pharbitis, from pharba; colour. Refering te the 
elegance and variety of colours in the flowers. 


6. PODOLOBIUM STAUROPHYLLUM. Cross leaved, (Pax Mag. Bot. 171. j 


LEGUMINOS£, DECANDRIA MONOGYNIA. SYNONYME PODOLOBIUM ACQUI- 
FOLIUM, 


The plant is a native of New Holland. It is a highly ornamental green- 
house shrubby plant, growing from three to four feet high. It flowers most 
profusely, each flower is about half an inch across, of a fine rich yellow, hav- 
ing a deep red streak along the under side of the keel. It has bloomed in 
the very select collection of W. Bowes, Esqr., Broughton, near Manchester. 
Podolobium, from podos, a foot, and lobos, a pod. 


7. SCUTELLARIA ALPINA, var. SANGUINEA, Red Alpine scullcap. 
(Brit. Flow. Gard, 599, 


A hardy perennial plant, whose flower stalks rise to about five or six 
inches high, each terminating in a large headed spike of flowers, much re- 
sembling in form those ofthe common Prunella vulgaris, The blossoms are 
of a pretty reddish-purple, it continues in bloom a considerable time. It is 
a very showy flowering plant, very suitable for a rock work, or edging for 
a bed or border. It is cultivated at the Birmingham Botanic Garden. Scu- 
tellaria, from scutella, a little dish or saucer; alluding to the form of the 
calycine appendage. 


8. MILTONIA SPECTABILIS, Showy Miltonia. [ Bot. Reg. 
ORCHIDACZ, VAND#, GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA. 


This very beautiful species would appear to be a native of Brazil, and to 
have been brought into notice about the same time, both by George Barker, 
Esq. and Messrs. Loddiges: in the latter collection it flowered during July 
last. It is allied to and in habit resembles Brassia. The flowers are solitary 
but very large, of a whitish yellow above, and the lip or sepal of a rosy pur- 
ple. Dr Lindley observes, I had promulgated the name of Miltonia spec- 
tablis previously to hearing that Messrs. Knowles and Westcott had called 
the plant Machrochillus Tryannus, and as the former name was published 
a month earlier, the latter will have to give way. 

‘* The genera Brassia, Miltonia, Cyrtochilum, Odontoglossum, and Onci- 
dium, are closely related, and no doubt form the nucleus of a group of Van- 
dez, the limits of which remain to be ascertained. Of these oncidium has 
a column with two ears and a distinct lobe; Miltonia, a column with two 
ears and an entire lip, partially united to the base ; Odontoglossum, a wing- 
ed column and entirelip, partially united to it at the base ; Cyrtochilum, a 
winged column and a distinct and entire lip ; and finally, Brassia has a co- 
lumn that is neither winged nor eared, and a distinct entire lip. 1 say 
nothing of the tubercular process upon the lip of all the genera, for I do not 
see how they will serve with any certainty to distinguish them. Moreover, 
Oncidium and cyrtochilum should have ungulate (narrowed part at the base, 
as in the pink and the carnation) sepals (floral leaves) and petals, while all 
the other genera have them sessile. While, however, such are the real dis- 
tinction between these genera, 1] am by no means sure that all the species 
now stationed under them are rightly placed. But thatis a question I can- 
not enter into at this time.” , 

As standing connected with the above, the following species are also no- 
ticed :-— 

Cyrtochilum Karwinshii—said to be a noble species, with flower two in- 
ches and a balf in diameter ; flowers blotched with brown on a yellow ground, 

Odontoglossum Angustatum—three and a half inches in diameter, beauti- 


baal athe 


NEW AND RARE PLANTS. 293 


fully blotched with brown, on mat atte ground. Miltonia,so named in 
compliment to a most distinguished patron of Floriculture, the Earl of Fitz- 
william. 


9. PHILIBERTIA GRACILLIS, Slender Philbertia. [ Brit. Fl. Gard. 


ASCLETIADE®. PENTANDRIA DIGNYIA, 

“« This new and well-marked species of a very distinct, hitherto little but 
known genus of the curious family of Asclepiadez, was discovered by Mr. 
Tweedie, in the country between Buenos Ayres and Tucuman, and he for- 
warded seeds of it to his correspondents, under the name of green flowering 
Asclepias of saint Katherino.” 

The plant was raised in the garden of our worthy friend Dr. Neill, at 
Canonmills, near Edinburgh, and in other collections in the spring of 1836. 

It is nearly allied to the genus Sarcostema; for the opportunity of figuring 
this plant, Mr. Don expresses himself indebted to Mr. James Macnab, of the 
Experimental Gardens, Edinburgh, and to Mr, Lawson, gardener to Mr. Neill, 
who also supplied him with the following information relative to its culture. 
“The specimen sent is from a plant raised here out of Tweedie’s seeds, of 
1836, collected between Buenos Ayres and Tucuman, last year; the plant 
grew about a foot and a half, and was very slender ; I kept the plant all 
winter, trained to a rafterin the sinery, where it retained its leaves, and it 
did not appear to suffer in being occasionly exposed to a little frost ; very 
little fire having been employed. ’ 


10. BEGONIA INSIGNIS, Noble-flowered Begonia. [ Bol. Reg 
NAT. ORD. BEGONIACE®. CLASS MONOECIA POLYANDRIA, 


An upright growing plant, with fleshy stems, of a green colour; leayes 
oblique, as are most of the genus, heart-shaped, obloug lanceolate, hairy, 
much gagged and serrated on a purple margin. The racemese clustered 
flowers are of a rose-colour, aud produced in great profusion. 

It is said to grow freely in a good greenhouse, but that it attains its great- 
est perfection, at least during its growing season, when placed ina stove. 
The season at which it flowers, renders it, as well as many of the same genus, 
desirable asa stove plant, bearing its largest clusters of beautiful rose-co- 
loured flowers, in the months of December and January. ‘ Many species 
are conspicuous for the size and richness of their foliage, but more from the 
greatness and the fineness of their blossoms.” It was introduced from the 
Berlin Garden, and it is probably a Brazilian species, We have not, how- 
ever, seen any wild specimens, Begonia, in compliment to M. Begon. 


11. TWEEDIA CCERULEA, Blue-flowered. (Brit. Fl. Gard. 407. 
ASCLEPIDACE®. PENTANDRIA DIGNYIA. 


Mr, Tweedie discovered this pretty flowering plant in Buenos Ayres. 
Plants were raised in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, where seeds were sent 
by Mr. Tweedie. Seeds have also been distributed to other places, so that 
the plant will soon become common. Jt is very ornamental, and deserves 
a place in every flower garden, The flower stems rise from two to three 
feet high, producing fine spikes of pretty blue flowers, the underside ra- 
ther of a rosy colour. Each blossom is more than an inch across, Tweedia 
so named after the late Mr. Tweedie. 


12. ROSA INDICA; var. BLAIRII, Blair’s New China Rose. 


This isa very handsome variety, raised a few years ago by Mr. Blair 
from seeds of the yellow China, impregnated by the pollen of the Tuscan. 
The flower is very double, the petals are yellowish towards the base, and 
some of them striped towards the middle. 


294 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 


PART UL 


MISCELLANEOUS: INTELLIGENCE. 


QUERIES, 


On a NEw Arctoris.—Let me mention tuat I had an Arctotis in flower 
during the summer sent from the Cape under the name of A. dentata, which 
species I cannot find in London’s latest catalogues; it isa yellow flower, 
much like a marigold. When in flower, I will send you a drawing of it if 
you think it worthy of attention, Its name, 1 conclude, is derived from the 
leaves. 

Arctotis’s, if we had a leaf and description of its habit, it would afford us 

a better opportunity of judging of its specific distinction, and whether 
if it be entirely new to this country, A specimen left at our publishers 
would be forwarded to us. We should be glad of a drawing of the 
flower.—Conpducror. 


On Inpran Buxes.—I have just received some East Indian Bulbs, among 
others a Crmum, about a foot and a halflong. Would you cover them en- 
tirely with earth, or, a nurseryman tells me, to insert four or five inches? 1 
should like much that somebody would describe the treatment of them, 
whether they will do with greenhouse temperature, to be left on the shelf, or 
covered with ashes? 

Planted at the depth above-named is quite sufliicient. We hope some of 

our readers will furnish our correspondent with an article on their gene- 
ral culture at an early opportunity.—Conpucror. 


On Catocuortus.—Perhaps you, or some of your correspondents will in- 
form me whether the varieties of Calochortus haye been grown successfully 
in the open border, without being forwarded by a greenhouse temperature. 
Also where all the varieties are to be obtained, and at what price per bulb. 

Cr PaO: 


On a ust oF Herpaceous Prants.—Mr. Brown has done the Florists 
great service by his List of Herbaceous Plants given in Vol. 1V. page 274, 
and I hope Mr. Brown will favour us with a list of after species and varie. 
ties as soon as opportunity will permit. 

A Lover or HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 


On a List or Dauias.—l hope Mr. Conductor you will furnish us with 
a jist of all the new rare varieties of the Dahlias which have been exhibited 
at the different exhibitions this year, as early as possible which will much 
oblige a Dauria GROWER, 

We have a list in preparation, which will appear in January or Febru- 
ary Numbers. We have visited nearly all the principal collections pur- 
posely to ascertain the merits of the best, and to take notes of them.—Conp. 


ANSWERS. 


Being just returned from a tour round Norfolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, I 
am enabled to answer a query in page 2il concerning where Delphinum 
Chinensis grandiflora isto be obtained. Being in the Jine,1 have visited 
snany gardens lately, but saw the plant in none save at the botanic Garden, 


P, 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 295 


at Bury St. Edmunds, where that and many other rare hardy plants grow in 
a style that we Londoners never dream of. An Oxp Susscriser. 


Ox xeepinc GerantuMs 1n Winter.—lIf ‘ Pedro” would rather keep his 
Geraniums in the ground during the winter, he has but to cut them down 
to within a few inches ofit. I cover them with wool or cotton, tied tightly 
round the stems. Myrtles, he will find, make splendid plants in this manner. 

Nov. 1st. 1837. ; Ji Gy 


REMARKS. 


On Tue wire Worm.—Havying seen many enquiries respecting the man- 
ner in which the wire worm might be destroyed, induces me to send you 
my method of treatment for their destruction. For nearly two or three sea- 
sons [ had nearly all my Dahlia plants destroyed by these destructive pests 
the wire worm. After haying tried various experiments, that of burnt earth 
succeeded entirely to my satisfaction, not having a plant the following season 
injured. Thinking this might prove beneficial to numbers of your readers, 
if you think it worth insertion it is at your service,—The burnt earth may be 
mace, by burning the refuse of the garden in dry weather. 


On Manures.--Manures which stand next to the mineral mixtures of sandy 
clay, and chalk, are Potash and Carbon, which may be obtaited in a mass, 
cheaply and readily, by digging a hole, paving the bottom, and by putting 
into it all weeds andrefuse vegetables, and occasionally a layer of quick lime, 
refuse water from the house, particularly soapsuds, (which contain potash), 
chamberlye, refuse from the pigs, cows, slop pail, &c., these will in a few 
months, be so decomposed and enriched by the aid of the lime, that a mass 
of potash and carbon will be obtained, and these are the origin and basis of 
all veretables. 

An accumulated mass of manure should never be allowed to have 
the liquor run away from it, for its very essense, is potash, (a piece of 
wood can have its potash washed cut by continual running).—All dung heaps 
therefore, should have an earth under them, of a different nature to the soil 
which they are intended for as a dressing; for example, if we desire to en- 
rich a heavy clay soil, we must have sand or road scrapings and a little lime, 
if it can be procured, laid under each dung heap; and if we desire to en- 
rich a sandy loam, we must lay chalk and marl, or chalk and clay, under our 
dung-heaps. for the husbandry of manures and their increase, let all 
animals be kept with a sand, or other earth, under their litter at all times, to 
soak up the moisture; a turf might be lined over the stable, cow-house, or 
pig-sty, and removed every week, and thus woulda great accumulation | 
of vegetable stimulus be obtained, and t!.is indeed would be a husbandman- 
like process—a gathering of gold. 

Srasie Dunes, which ferment, should be buried in the ground, as early 
as possible after coming from the horses, for every gas, or steam, which 
passes from it fermenting is a loss of its nutritive substance ; for all mannres 
are but a concentrated mass of gases: air, and water, or their component 
parts, are the bases of all manures which have vegetable origins. 

Sugar Scum—is a favourite manure for those lands where there is a 
want of chalky matter, particularly on the sands, previously to a crop of 
turnips ; but this scum is principally composed of lime; and a better article 
mat be obtained from pounded chalk that has soaked up the juices from a 

ung-hill: 

Seip Asues—are composed of lime, (converted again into chalk), and 
soda: this is a good and lasting dressing on a dry sandy soil. 

Rovuau Porasn—from saltpetre works, is the best of all dressings; it 
is the vegetable ilself concentrated in a state ready to enter at once into the 
fibres of young roots of plants, when aided by water, 


296 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGEN€E. 


Live—when thrown over land, is quickly converted again into chalk, by 
imbibing from the air that acid which had been driven off by fire; hence 
chalk is as good if put on the land in the winter, because the frost acting on 
the water in it, expands and crumbles the article to pieces. 

“Satr—is a soda in union with an acid, and acts on land in the same 
manner aS many other manures, by holding moisture for the service of vege- 
tation; but the article of common salt does not enter so much into the com- 
position of land vegetables, as the salt of potash, that is, saltpetre, or vege- 
table alkai, as it is called. : 

Cueap eErricacrous Manure.—Raise a platform of earth on the head- 
land of a field, eight inches high, and of any width and length, according to 
the quantity wanted. On the first stratum of earth lay a thin stratum of lime, 
from the kiln; dissolve or slake this with salt brine trom the rose of a water- 
ing pot; add immediately another layer eight inches thick of earth, then 
lime and brine as before, carrying it to any convenient height. In a week it 
should be turned over, carefully broken, and mixed, so that the mass may be 
thoroughly incorporated. This compost has been used in Ireland—has 
doubled the crops of potatoes and cabbages, and is superior to stable dung. 

Gypsum—is a dressing used with a variety of effects on different lands, 
and for different purposes ; it is a line in union with sulphur, being a refuse 
from plaster makers. Those crops which are cut green, take up gympsum, 
which constitutes a part of their substance, such as sainfoin, clover, lucern, 
peas, tares, and such like crops. To these, this mineral dressing will be 
good, but it is injurious ona chalky Jand, and when animal and vegetable 
manures are easily obtained, it is not worth using; for they yield a sufli- 
ciency of gypsum to the soil. Sir H. Davy considered that an acre of tares 
took up several pounds of gypsum. 

Bone Dust—is now a very favourite dressing for turnips, and indeed 
many other crops ; it is principally composed of Jime and phosphorous, which 
readily enter into the composition of grain, and all grasses. A portion of 
lime and phosphorous is also found in all milk, and goes to form the bones o 
youug animals which suck ; the staler the milk, th2 less phosphorate of lime 
is there init. This hone dressing for land, is a yery expensive article, and 
should be cautiously used. Coal ashes, especially if laid under dung- heaps, 
_ are an excellent dressing for clays, by opening and enriching the soil, and 
like soot, impart a carbon or charcoal to the soil, of which all clays are 
deficient. 

In all these manures we find lime an active principle, except in the salt 
dressings. Lime imbibes carbon, which is the woody principle, and also 
holds moisture for the service of vegetation. If we cannot procure large 
quantities of these manures, we must entice air and water to the roots of 
plants, by every means in our power; and this may be done with the greatest 
facility, by repeated movings of the surface, a hoeing being equal to a 
shower of rain. 

There is another source of vegetable vigour, to be obtained without 
decayed vegetable, or mineral dressings. Land having had a trenching, 
when it can be done, and having had it lain up in ridges for the air, the sun, 
and the frost, to impregnate it with those gases which the soil requires, then 
may we proceed to sow seeds, let the soil be ever so single a mineral. Ifa 
bare sand, a dense clay, a shallow chalk, some seed may be found which is 
particularly adapted to the soil. Buckwheat, rye, tares, lucern, rape, white 
clover, trefoil, lotus ; some one or other of these will grow readily in sandy 
land which has been se trenched without manures, and when grown they 
may be buried in a soil as manure for a spring crop. Potatoes, carrots, 
mangel-wurzel, and turnips, may be thus obtained, as well as spring corn 
crops, peas, and beans. All the cabbage tribe, red clover, beans, are conge- 
nial to the clays, and sanfoin is congenial to the chalks and loose soils.” 

CoTTaGe KARMER. 


/ 


MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 297 


ON THE TREATMENT OF LANTANA SOLLI AND Lantana MUTABILIS, AS SUM- 
MER BORDER PLANTS. By F.H.S.—I wish to draw the attention of the lovers 
of Flora to those lovely plants Lantana Sellowi and Lantana Mutabilis. I 
have seen them cultivated in hothouses and in most counties of England, 
but with miserable success: such being the case, has stimulated me to send 
you my method of their culture, which you will find to be very different 
from what you have seen practised 

As early as possible in September you may take off a quantity of cut- 
tings and insert them in sand and peat, under a bell glass: give them a 
little bottom, and they will be perfectly rooted by the first week in October, 
when they must be potted singly in small pots, using a mxture of equal 
parts, of leaf soil, peats and loams. As soon as the plants have attained 
six inches in length, pinch off the leading shoots in order to keep them dwarf; 
let them be kept in a cool greenhouse until the early part of, April, when a 
hed must be prepared for their reception, I have found the following pre- 
paration to answer well:— ~ 

Whatever bed I choose upon, the whole of the soil is taken out of the 
depth of eighteen inches, and filled with equal parts of well decayed leaves, 
peat, and loam; ‘‘the latter being of a forcible texture.’ Atter being 
well mixed together, and allowed to settle for a few days, the plants are 
turned out alternately over the bed at two feet apart. The plants are trained 
prostrate over the bed, similar to the habit of Verbena twediana. Nothing 
can exceed in splendour a bed of these when in one mass of bloom. I had a 
bed treated in this manner last year, which was the admiration of all who 
saw it, and which was one mass of bloom from June to November. I find 
it necessary every season to prepare a stock of young plants for turning 
out the next spring, which are treated as already stated. Ihave found 
several other valuable exotics do equally as well as those above named, 
when treated ina similar manner, the particulars of which I intend sending 
you at an early opportunity.”—GarpDner’s GazeTTs. 


SEEDs OF DELPHINIUM BEING POIsONOUS.—The seeds of Delphinium sta- 
‘phisagaria yield an alcaloid, called Delphinia, which exists in it in the 
state of a malate of Delphinia, and which is possessed of great virulence. It 
probably exists in the other species of the genus, not only in the seeds, but 
probably also in the leaves, 

It is remarkable that insects do not prey upon leaves of any specics of Del- 
phinium, which may possibly be owing to the fine.instinct with which they 
are endowed, indicating to them the presence of a principle which would be 
to them detrimental. The consequence of insects abstaining from these 
plants is, that the leaves are not disfigured by their ravages, but remain 
whole till they wither and fall off. This renders them desiable objects of 
cultivation; but they should be placed out of the reach of children, as the 
poisonous properties they possess, might cause fatal accidents. | Boranrst. 


REFERENCE TO PLATE, 


1. Fuchsia fulgens. This most splendid species has been introduced into 
this country by Mr. Lee, Nurseryman, Hamersmith, near London, and is 
unquestionably far the handsomest kind in the country. We could not give 
the foliage in its proper size, each full grown leaf is about five inches long 
and four broad, of a fine green above and purple beneath, having a noble 
appearance, and in this respect alone is an object of attraction. The flowers 
are produced at the ends of the shoots, we saw clusters of from eight to ten 
flowers, but we have been informed, that as many as from fifty to sixty have 
been grown in a cluster. It is a most desirable stat: and would be an orna- 
ment to every greenhouse, conservatory, or flower border, The plant is of 

VOL, V. KK 


298 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE, 


sigproys growth, and growing rapidly would soon make a most magnificent 
object. 

2. Tecoma jasminoides, (Synonym Bignonia jasminoides.) This most , 
beautiful flowering plant has bloomed in the collection of Messrs. Chandler, 
Vauxhall, London, where we saw it this Summer. It is a highly ornamental 
plant, for the conservatory or greenhouse, where grown as a climber or 
trained to cover a space, it would produce a beautiful effect. The plant is of 
quick growth when established, and in every account merits a place in every 
conservatory or greenhonse, 


FLORICULTURAL CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER. 


Piant Stove. Roses, Honeysuckles, Jasmines, Persian Lilacs, Azaleasy 
&c. required to bloom from January, should be brought in early in the pre- 
sent month, the plants should be placed at first in the coolest part of the 
house, never allow them to want water. Pots or boxes containing bulbous 
rooted flowering plants as Hyacinths, Narcissusses, Persian Irises, Crocuses, 
&c., should occasionally be introduced so as to have a succession of bloom. 
All stove plants will require occasionally syringing over the tops in order to 
wash off any accumulated dust from the foliage. Cactus plants that have 
been kept out of doors or in the greenhouse, should occasionally be brought 
into the stove for flowering. 

Greennouse. As much fire as will barely keep out frost will be necessary 
and for the purpose of drying up damp arising from foggy nights, or from 
watering ; all possible air should be admitted in the day time, but mind to 
keep the plants from damage of frost. Chrysanthemus will require a yer 
free supply of air, and a good supply of water; by the end of the mont 
many will be going out of bloom, such should be cut down and, if any kind 
be scarce, the stalks may be cut in short lengths and be struck in heat, always 
cut the lower end of the cutting close under the joint. If greenhouse plants 
require watering, or syringing, over the tops, let it be done on the morning 
of aclear day when air can he admitted, and towards evening a gentle fire 
heat should be given. 

FrowerR Garpen.—Be careful to protect beds “of what “are technically 
called Florists Flowers, should severe weather occur. Calceolarias that were 
cut down and repotted fast month will require attention, not to water too 
much or they will damp off, keep them in a cool and airy part of the green- 
house or pithouse. Auriculas and Polyanthuses will require plenty of air in 
fine weather, and but little water (see page 25); the like attention will be 
required to Carnations, Pinks, &c., kept in pots, Dahlia roots should be 
looked over, to see if anything are moulding or likely to damage, let the roots 
be dry if they are laid in heaps. Newly planted shrubs should be secured, 
so that they are not loosened by the wind. The pots of Carnations and Pico- 
tees should be placed in a situation where they may have free air, and be 
yaised above the ground; if they are under a glass case, it will be much 
better than if exposed to the wet and severity of the winter, or many will, 
in all probability, be destroyed. Where it is desirable to leave patches of 
border flowers undisturbed, reduce them to a desirable size by cutting them 
round with a sharp spade. When it is desirable to have a vigorous speci- 
men, it is requisite to leave a portion thus undisturbed.. Ten week stocka, 
and mignonette, in pots for blooming early next spring to adorn a room or 
greenhouse, must not be overwatered, and be kept free from frost. A cool 
frame, well secured by soil or ashes at the sides, and plenty of mats or reed 
covers at the night will answer well. Tender Evergreens newly planted, 
would be benefitted by a little mulch of any kind being laid over their reots. 
During hard frosts if additional soil be required for flower beds, upon grass 
lawns, advantage sbould be taken to have it conveyed at that time, so that 
the turf be not injured by wheeling. 


INDEX 
TO THE PLANTS FIGURED IN VOL. V. 1837. 


Facing page Reference. 


Adelaide d’Orleans, Rose j : 193 1... — 


Adolphus Ranunculus 3 : > ~ 169) ewaem line 
Agnes d’Castro, Dahlia m : brn Linsve) 2k 
Anagalis lilicina . : : 5 ae a 
Bigonnia yenusta . : 49 ..- 72 
Calceolarias Seedlings, No. 4, 2, S54 5, |G ey a aol cele ane 
Cuphea silenoides : : : Q41 0 264 
‘ Diadem, Ranunculus : ~ , 16 9p coreg 92 
Duke of Machester, Wood's Picotee : 25 scae 48 
4 Fuchsia Fulgens , > OAL acauare oon 
Gardoquia Hookeri J = ‘ Airarcs wi 
Governor, Ranunculus i SAGO ie reiptoe 
t Heartsease Seedlings, 1, 2, 3 - : 148° .... 168 
Heartsease ditto A, B, C, D, E : - 124 2... —'% 
‘ ‘Kennedia Marryatti 2 : , 217 «22. 239 
y Lobelia aznrea A : . «24h cer. 264 
Lobelia azurea grandiflora : : 217 .... 239 
Lobelia propenqua : ‘ ; 217.220 239 
Nuttalia Grandiflora ee 5 5 241 .... 264 
Penstemon gentiaoides - : <P tad eae cOk 
Petunias, Seedlings, 1, 2,3,4.5and6 . AD hie iets) hes 
Sparaxis decorra ” , Seat ie ecmree ls: 
Sparaxis Doubreeana - ° - 73 weee 94 
Sparaxis formosa : ‘ 4 73 cose 94 
Sparaxis venustum . : end UO venie S EOS 
Superba Pink, Wood’s - i CER ee 
Tecoma jasminoides : : 221 .... 298 
Triumphant, Pink, Ibbett’s - ; 0 avcad AS 
Verbena Tweediana | ‘ ; - 1 woe. 24 
Vicar of Wakefield, Dahlia ; : oh COG a cores re 


Victoria I Ranunculus > ; > 169 eves 192 


Bid aah 


GENERAL INDEX. 


Acacia, on the greenhouse species of : 
A Clergyman, J. S. remarks by : é . : 
A Clergyman’s Daughter, Culture of Phlox Drummondii by 
A Constant Reader, Query by : 
Acropera Lodigesii, noticed ; : . . 
A.D. on striking the Verbena Melindris by : : : 
Adolescens, Queries by i , ; 
Adolphus Ranunculus, description of 2 : : 
A Foreman of a London Nursery, on raising Heaths from seeds by 
4 ” remarks on the occasion by 

Aggripina Picotee, description of : : : , 
A Lady, Query by ; : . . 
Alpha, Query by F * : : 
Alspice, Remarks on : ; i . 
Alstromerias, on the culture of ; ‘ 5 : . 
Amateur,, Query by RS > ’ , . 
Amicus Floribus, on the genus Lupinus by . 
Anagillis Phillipsii, Remarks on ‘ . : 

” Morelli, notice of A . . : . 
An Admirer of Dahlias, answer by : 
An admirer of the Cabinet, on Heartsease by 
An Amateur, culture of Roses by. : ; 

* Gardener, on propagating Balsams by ; 
of the Metropolis, on Campanulas by 3 
An Ardent Amateur, culture of the tree Peony by r 
hy 


. 


” 


An Enguirer, on impregnating Calceolarias, &c. 

A Lover of Herbaceous Plants, Query by : 

A Subscriber, Query by : . . 
A Three Year’s Practitioner, Orchidez by : : 
A Practical Heath Gr6wer, on Cape Heaths by , 

A New Subscriber, Query by . : . 
An Old Florist, on raising Carnations from seed : é 

” Subscriber, on Bins for holding Soils, &c. by . : 
’ Query by. 3 A - 

4 ud List, &c. of Plants, by 
Anometheca cruenta, on raising from seeds . . 
An operative, on striking Cuttings in water ; : 
Ants, Remarks on destroying , 2 & . , 
April, Floricultural Calendar for , om ‘ 

Appleby Mr Thomas, on (Geraniums), Pelargoniums : c 
¢ ‘ on the culture of Pelargoniums, by ‘ 
A Practieal Gardener, Culture of Pinks by . ; ‘ 
uy ¥ in Staffordshire, on potting Greenhouse Plants hy 
Aquatics, on Tender ; ‘ : ° . 
Aroma of Flowers, on the : fs > . . 
Auricula, on the culture of : : 5 80, 47, 
Es on Soil proper for : . 6 : 
A Young Amateur, on fumigating Plants in Hothouses by : 


” 


Azalea Seymouri, noticed : . ‘ c 
Baeria chrysostama, noticed ; : : 


KRalsams, on propagating by cuttings : E : 
*” on the Culture of é 


GENERAL INDEX. 301 


Pace 
Banksia accidentalis, noticed - A ° 17 
Barratt, Mr. William, on the culture of Fuchsias by F ‘ 12 
4 Answer by 140 
Y 2 Description of Mimulus Cardinalis cocinea by 202 
Begonia platinofolia, noticed ; ; : By, ACE 
”  monopterra, ditto f 4 a ; 113 
uy octopetala, ditto ; : ‘ J E 89 
» insignis, noticed a pie - - 293 
Bigonia Venusta, Reference to Plate : ; : oe 
Bloomwell, Dialogue between, &c. : . : . 221, 268 
Blumenbachia multiflora, noticed x i A > pees 
Bolbophyllum coccineum, noticed . - 238 
” saltatorium ditto 3 . : : 187 
a barbigerum, ditto : 3 é é 89 
Bone manure, on - : , . 167 
Botanical Society, Meeting of : ; : : 70 
Botany, Science of " : ; : - 164 
Reviewed ; : : 116, 181 
Botanist, Remarks by : »? (216 
Boyce, Mr. William, on tbe culture of Herbdesina plants : 147 
Brassavola cordata, noticed : i ; 17 
Brodie grandiflora, noticed : F - JPG 
Eroughtonia coccinea, ditto : , urea y 17 
Browne, Mr. James, List of plants by Z : . . 80, 84 
Brugmansia aurea, Remarks on : 5 ; 144 
Briant, Mr. William, on the Hyacinth ‘ 7 : 106 
Bulbous Roots, to flower in three weeks : 45 
Burlingtonia candida, notice of : - ; “ 41 
Cactus, on the culture of the : ; . f oh sae 
Calochortus, Remarks on 4 3 . E : 71 
Calceolarias, Reference to plate . £ ; : 236 
% on impregnating - : : 2 - § 227 
Calliprora lutea, noticed - : : 118, 
Camellia, Query on the : 5 2 < 140 
% Lists of new kinds of : - ; 5 heey yh 
e Culture of the : ; : : 129 
aS Descriptive list of : g 4 5 . (267 
Campanulas, Remarks on : : . 70. 
Catalyea intermedia, var. pallida, noticed : 5 17 
Cape Heaths, on propagating by seeds > »  . 124 
” Bulbs, Query on growing “ 67 
Carnations, List and description of . 411, 129, 197 
ay and Picotees, on raising from seed 4 227 
C. B.B. On the culiure of the Nelumbium : ; 110 
" Answer by ; - 49: 
? on Tender Aquatics by . 5 : Shea 
¥ on the culture of Cylamens by : : ; 58 
C. C. B., on heating a pit by - : : : 73 
Cereus serpentinus, noticed . 4 ‘ 113; 
””  Akermania, ditto 4 = ° i%5 - 2605 
Cereopegia stapeleformis ditto ; . : 113: 
Champion Picotee, description of . ; : 7 toe 
Chinese Gardening on : - : 24. 
” Primrose, Query on the double : 66. 
” — Roses, on the heights of the sweet scented bs { . 67 
Chryseis Compacta, noticed . : 113 
Charles Mr. 1., on blooming the Hyacinth by : ‘ 45 
Chysis, aurea, noticed = 8a 


Chrysostoma tripteris, ditto : ° 7] > 185, 


302 GENERAL INDEX. 


Chorizema, Remarks, on ditto 3 ; “| . 
Clair, Mr. W.H.St., on propagation of Greenhouse plants by 
Clarkia, Query on the double “ i 

ity Answer on ditto % Bre: et 

gaurioides, noticed 

2 rhomboidea ditto 
Clark Mr. J, P., Remarks b E 
Clematis Florida var. Sicbaldi, noticed 
» tu coerulea, noticed : : 
Clericus, Culture of the Camillea by 
4 Remarks by : 
on Greenhouse plants by 
Cliantheus puniceus, on the 
Colchicum. &c.ton the ; 
Cook, Mr. J.C. on the Paasey by 
Comet Picotee, Description of 
Conductor, Query by ; 

us ditto : ; 
Conquering Hero Carnation, description of 
Convolvulus diversifolia, noticed 3 . 
Correa Milnerii, Remarks on 
Coreopsis longipes, noticed 
Cottage Farmer, Remarks by 4 
Cowanea plicata, noticed , 9 
Crataegus coccinea, ditto 

2 Flava, ditto 
“4 Glandulosa, ditto 
Wy Flava var. Lobata, ditto 
x Oxycanthus var. Oliverian, noticed 
Creepers, on ornamental - 
Crinum, on the management of th 
Cyclamens, on the culture of 
Cypripedium purpuratatum, noticed : 
Cytisus Aolicus, noticed. : . 
Dahlia, on the 4 . : ; - 
” on the culture of the 
” a List of fifty sorts of the E 
on obtaining large flowers of the 
on raising seedlings : 
on the colours of the : 
on var. Sulphurea elegans 
Grower, Qnery by : 5 
Daniel Professor, on the climate of Hothouses by 
Datura guayaquilensis, noticed . 
Daviesia ulicina, noticed 
December, Reference to Plate 

ae Calendar of ; 3 
Defiance Carnation, description of 
Delphinium chinensis var. albiflora, Query on : 

p chinensis var. albiflora, Answer on : 
Barlowi, noticed 4 : 
intermedium yar. pallidum, noticed : 
montanum, noticed 
tenuissimum ditto 
vimineum 
grandiflora, on the 
Deutzia scabra, on the : 4 
Diadem Ranunculus, noticed _ 
Dipodium puctatum, ditto : ° 


cel 


” 


’ 


” 


: 167 


"0-499 


. 189. 


11 
20, 58 

260 

137 

20, 167 
es. 
67, 69, 72 
; 216 


GENERALL INDEX. — 303 

Pace 

Drossera tilliformis, ditto ine : : : F 18 
Duchess of Devonshire, Carnation, noticed ° 112 
Duranta Elesii, Remarks on 5 : & : : 262 
Earl Grey Carnation, Description of % ¢ 154 
Earth, a substitute for Bog A ; -/119 
Earwigs, to destroy A i 5 = 5 3 67 
Echinocactus sessiliflortm, noticed 3 A 5 ; 114 
Echeyeria racemosa noticed ; 137 
Epidendrum chloroleusum, noticed z ; ¥ 4 90 
" diffusum, noticed ; , 5 “ : 114 

4 coriaceum, ditto - ; A . 209 

“a nocturnum, ditto n A te, ? 185 

é crassifolium, ditto : F : : Al 
Epigea repens var. rubiconda, ditto - i , 1387 
Epiphytes. Treatment of Orchidez by ‘ : , 121 
» Ericas, Query on the Management (ite . : Onmag 
” — on propagating from seeds : ; 12 
Errington Mr. R., cultare of the Neapolitan violet : aoe 
Erythrolena conspicua, culture of fhe 3 ; “1 29 
a? laurifolia, culture of the A - 3 2 30 
Eschscholtzia. Remarks by 3 : ; i 22 
Eucardium concinnum, noticed : : : 185, 209 
Eulophia macrastachya, ditto ‘ : : : 209 
Euphorbia fulgens, ditto : : ‘ : 90 
Euphorbia Jacquiniflora, ditto : a : pi LIE =: 
Eutoca visiosa, ditto - : : ‘ 4 137 
”  wrangelina, ditto : ; ° ; 185 
Evergreen Shrubs, on planting of ; : : 230, 265 
2 ui on propagating of : 2 : 201 
Ferns, a list of Foreign b . : : 73 
Flagrans Pelargoniums, Remarks on : 3 : 57 
Flora’s Garland Carnation, description of ; : i S128 
Flora, Query by : F F - : 20 
Flower Garden, Remarks on the : - s : 175 
i » Review of the : ; ‘ }175 
Flowers, on producing different colours of : > : 174 
RR on giving effect to the colour of c - q 46 
» — Query on a list of one hundred ; : 66. 

ie seeds, a list of the best F : . 122 

4 a chapter of ; : : .. 215 

“ on the colours of : ; ; 227 
Food of Plants, on the é ‘ A 50 
Frogs, Query on ; 4 ats c : - 92 
Frost Mr. Jack, on restoring frost affected plants : : 4 
Vrittilaria, Query on the : : . A 140 
Fraxinellas, on the A ~ : . ; 59 
F.S. Query by - 118 
Fuchsia, on the culture of - i 3 , 12 
»” Groomiana, noticed . ; j : . £44 

» fulgens, Remarks on 3 : rons : 263 
Furnace. Query on the heat of a ; ; . 67 
Fyffe Mr, John, on the culture of heaths : s . 69 
Gailardia picta, on the : ; : ‘ 188 
r? bicolor var. Drummondii, noticed == « : 64 
Gaines Mr. N. Remarks by 7 : ‘ 95 
Galphimia glaucia, noticed 7 ; : 3 138 
Gardenia pannea, noticed ’ : ; . “der 
Gardoquia Hookeria, ditto ; re | 


Genista monosperma, ditto : : ; : 1 


304 GENERAL INDEX, 


Pace 
Gerania, on Pelargoniums by - ’ 151 
Geraniums, Remarks on F ’ ‘ P 94 
2 on preserving through the winter : : 162 
2 on the culture of : : : : 8 
Gesneria enlongata, noticed i F : 202 
re letereti, ditto f A 114, 260 
” Sellarii, ditto ; z ; ’ 90 
» Lindleii, ditto : : : R 260 
” — Sellarii, Remarks on the 4 : : - 263 
” _ sceptrum, var. ignea E : ; ’ 161 
G. H.S. Treatment of the Erithryna laurifolia, by ; : 30 
Gloria Florum Carnation, description of the : i : 155 
Governor Ranunculus, noticed : p ; : 192 
G. R., on the Auricula by F . : : 101 
Grandissima Pelargonium, on the : : : 5T 
Grabowskii Coerhayvifolia, noticed ; 261 
Green Fly, on destroying the : 4 F 214 
Greenhouse, Plan of a 3 5 ‘ oak Z 1 
» Plants, on the propagation of* A : 199 
” Plants, on re-potting . ; : 36 
Greenhonse, on fumigating : ‘ ; : 123 
Hall, Mr, J., Culture of Mesembryanthemus, by ; ‘ 87 
Hamilton, Mr. W. P., Query by is t , F 44 
Hayward, Esq. Joseph, on Theory and Practice by : : 50 
vs 2 on the food of Plants by : Bue wal 
Heartsease, on Superb : = ‘ 93 
v on . : : : 20 
2» culture of the : ; f 52, 219 
= Query on fk P : 66 
, Query on the best season for sowing P : 211 
” History of the é ; r 163 
» noticed s ; : , : 168 
Hebranthus Andersoni, Texamns, noticed ; 284 
Heaths, on the culture of , : , 269 
” on the propagation of Cape ; 6 
Heracleum asperum noticed : 5 : 144 
Heuchera Cylindriace, ditto : : : - 44 
Hippeastrum breviflorum, ditto . ; 64 
< ambiguum var. longiflorum, noticed : 41 
Hosackia stolonifera, noticed : : 934 
Hot Water, on heating by : ; i 45, 67 
Hothouses, on the climate of . o ab Saar 
Hours of the day, List of plants, indicating the . 84 
Hayacarnosa, culture of the x - 12, 37 
Humerii Pelargonium, on the ‘ , - 57 
” on blooming in Water Glasses : 4 45 
Aibbet, Mr. Thomas, culture of the Pink by oat ? 
Insects, on the destruction of ; 4 262 
impatiens scapiflora. Remark on ‘ : 209 
Ipomeaand Convolyulus, description of genera L : 216 
Ipomopsis Elegans, Query on the : : 44, OL 
Ismene Amanaceas, noticed : : 42 
Ispagan Baxterii, noticed : : ; 18 
Ixias, on the cnitnre of 4 : 4 266 
Jacobus, Remarks by : . 67 
Jaques’s Georgiana Carnation, Description of , : 156 
J. F, Query by : i és A 118 


3. G. Query by : - : F 44 


GENERAL INDEX, 305 


J. R. List of Foreign Ferns by 6 : ; 173 


J. W. BD. Remarks by ‘ A P 167 
Kalmia, Query by ‘ - : 92, 286 
» Remarks by ‘ . 69 
Kamel G. J., List of Camellias by : ; : 172 
Kennedia Maryattii, Reference to plate ‘ j . 240 
Kernan, Mr. John, Query by : : fs 140 
” Answer by 3 118, 140 

oe.  ” Letter by, on the decease of J neal Sabine Esq. 94 
King Mr. I., Query by 2 64 
Lachenalia pallida, idiiced 3 . S05 
” _ glaucina noticed , F P P 68 
Lady bird, on the ‘ d 143 
Lancashire Lass Carnation, Description of ‘ rs - 55 
Larkspur, on Delphinnm Seren, by ; ; 152 
Leelia anceps, noticed 8 p “ 115 
Lililium peregeinum, noticed : : ‘ F 42 
_ Limanthus Douglasii, noticed ; ; 3 64, 115 
Lilium astrosanguineum, Remarks on : d : 263 
Lilly, culture of the : ‘ ; : 40 
Linuw monogynum, noticed : 2 é 161 
Lisochilus speciosus, noticed é ; 90 
Lobelia azurea, Reference to Plate : : ; 234 
e cardinalis var. Millerii. noticed P » 64 
H polyphylla, noticed : ‘ ‘ 65 

” — Canavalesii, ditto, / . ‘ Pe B(555! 
7 Siphilitia, ditto ‘ 2 . 264 

” coerulea, Reference to plate ; : 

»” _-propingua, ditto ) , ‘ 239 
»  polyphylla, noticed , ‘ ‘ 65 
Lolotte, Query by , 92 
Loudon’s Mr. G. Yo. Suburban Gardener Reviewed : 257, 285 
Lupinus, on the Genus ; 3 ; 104 
» versicolor, noticed - s 235 

Mackenzie, Mr. C. Remarks by Ps 23 
Magnificent Carnation, Description of ’ 155 
Major Mr. Joshua, on pruning and thinning Plantations &e. by 241 
Malva Munroana, noticed . 3 18 
Maxillaria Steeli, ditto ‘ 3 261 
Mayo Herbert, on human Physiology : ‘ 114 
Medicus, Query by A ‘ : ‘ : 44 
Megeselihum maximum, noticed " P j 4 ats ri 
Menonvillea filifolia, noticed J : ‘ 65 
Mesembryanthemums, Culture of in the open air s F 87 
Mimosa prostrata, on the A A . - 167, 188 
”  sesitiva, noticed 4 . 5 A 2 144 
Mignonette, on the tree - ‘ 44 
Mimulus cardinalis coccinea, Description of &c. : : 202 
a Claptonia, on the 3 ; 3 ‘ . 188 
ds Hodsoni, on the : 5 ‘ é 4 188 

” Harrisonia, noticed i 4 A é 291 
Monachanthus myanthi, noticed 2 : : ; 115 
Moonraker Picotee, pala of Ag. , p ‘ - 198 
Morna nitida, noticed A ; ? , 91 
Mountjoy, Mr. R. S. answer b 4 - : : 3 
Muscaria commutatum, cay . ‘ 65 
Monachanthus Discolor, var. Veridiflorens, noticed 5 ; 291 
Miltonia Spectablis, noticed . . 4 ; ‘ . 292 
Narcissus minor pumila, noticed . : ‘ ‘ ‘ 167 
Nectaroscordum siculum, noticed ‘ , é "4 18 


VOL. ¥. LL 


306 GENERAL INDEX. 
Sebi niitan Violet, culture of the ‘ 
Nelumbium, on culture of . 4 ; 
Nemophila insignis major, "remarks on . F 
es automaria, noticed é ; 
Nepenthus distillatoria, noticed. : b 
Nerium splendens, remarks on = 
Neville, Mr. C., Query by 


Nattallia grandiflora, remarks on 
44 superba, reference to plate 

Cnothera fruticosa, var. ambigua, noticed - 
Old Subscriber, query by 
Oncidium Cebollete, noheed 

H crispum, noticed 

dd cunatum, noticed . 
Orange, on striking cuttings of the 


Orchidez, on the - 5 : 
ae remarks on ‘ : ; 
td on culture of : 2 

Of Mexico and Guatemala ; A 4 


Onithogalum conicum, noticed 

Oncidium Luridum, noticed ‘ 
Oxalis Alba, noticed . ‘ ? 
Palm Tree, review of r ¥ 4 3 
Pansey, (see Heartsease) 

Passion Flower, on the ‘ : . 
Pavettia Caffra, noticed 


Paul Pry, (Wakefield’s) Carnation, description of 


Pearce Mr. G., on raising seedling Dahlias 
Pedro, query by E 
Pelargonium, culture of the ‘ - 
ne on the : 5 - 
fs query by : 
Pensee, a list of Carnations, &e, by i 2 
“culture of the Pansey by : i 
Pentstemon breviflorus, noticed 3 
% gentianoides, noticed : 
# Murrayanus, noticed : . 
Pereskia aculata 
Peristeria cerina, noticed 


Petunias, Remarks on Z : 
Petunia violacea hybrida, noticed d 
Phalangium pomaderrianum, noticed : 
Philodendron crassineryum, noticed - : 
Philo Flos, Query by b 
Phlomis armeniaca, noticed - * 
Phycella brevitnba‘ noticed A 3 
Pink, Bow’s Suwarrow, Query on ‘ A 

” Culture of the : 4 ‘ 

”» On piping the 4 ‘ : 

” Remarks on the : . 


Pit, apparatus for heating a 
Plants, List of indicating the hours of the day 
On striking cuttings of, in water ‘ 
” Restoring, from frost é ° 
» List of climbing , 
” Query on a List of Bulbous 
»” ~ Culture of Herbaceous 
* Propagation of 
»”  Yists and proportion of Composts, &e. for 
” on Watermg . ‘ 


iamas bt Pe | 


13, 


31, 78 
144 
119 
73 
84 

“at 

a 

59 

11 

147 

165 

266 

222 


@ 


GENERAL INDEX. 


Plants on Greenhouse : : ks 
” — Query on Rock 5 ! R 
” on drying . c i 
»” a List of Perennial ; 
» snited for a Rock Work : 
Plant Mr. John, culture of Primula sinensis by 
Plant Houses, &c. on fumigating i H 


Plant Stove, Plan of a . ! F 


Platystemon californicus, noticed : 5 
Pleurothalis saucocephalis, ditto : 
Plumsted Mr. C. on destroying the Wire Worm by : 
Podolobium Staurophyllum, noticed f 
Pomona, on grafting the Rose by 


Poplar, Query on the Canadian 3 

» ~ Answer on the Canadian i 
Potentilla Thomasi, noticed : 
Practical Gardener, on the culture of Pinks by a 4 
Prescottia colorans, noticed i F 


President Carnation, Description of 
Primula Sinensis, Culture of the ‘ f 


” Scotica, on propagating Evergreens by é 

2 » Treatment of Haya carnosa, by ‘ 
Prince Von Oranium Picotee, description of 

- Psoralea orbicularis, noticed ie 
Rainbow Carnation, (Cartwright’s) description of 
Rehmannia chinensis, noticed . 5 
Rhexia Mariana, noticed i J 
Rhododendron, on pruning the 5 
arboreum cinnamoneum, noticed . 
me phzenniceum, noticed 5 ; 

Rosa, Query by Z d 7 
Rosa Hardii, Query on the 4 é J 
Rosa Indica var. Blairii, 7 : 3 


Rose, on the culture of the tree 

” on grafting the tree ; : 

»* on the culture of the fs 

*» Remarks on the : 
Roses, a list and temple of : ‘ 

* — on forcing 4 , 
Rosalic de Rhoan Picotees, description of 
R.T. W.T. a List of perennial plants by 
Rytidophylfum auriculatum, noticed , 
Sabine, Joseph, Esq. Letter on the decease of i 
Salt Hill, Dahlia Exhibition 
Sansome Mr. H. Remarks on the genus Crinum by 
Scutelaria Alpina var. Sangainea, noticed 
Sensative Plant, onthe 
Scarlet Thistle, on the Erythrolina conspicua, by 
Searsanthus teretifolius, uoticed y : 
Schizopetalon Walkeri, noticed a 4 
Scott, Mr. W. on culture of Alstraemerias by 4 
Serutator, culture of the Balsam by } 
Shepherd Mr. I., on the culture of ie Harte by 
Shrubs, Query on 
Silene chlorcsfolia, noticed . 5 
Sisypinchium grandiflorum. noticed . 
Slugs, to destroy i 
Smith, S. W. E. List and Temple of Roses by F 

” on the culture of Koya carnosa by . 

Smith I. A, Remarks by ‘ e 


cs 


Z over} 


808 vu GENERAL INDEX, 
Snails, to destroy ‘ i é ee 
Society, London Horticultural Meetin , 141, 190, 238 
” Metropolitan, ditto 5 : 4 ( 168 
a Sheffield, ditto : ‘ 214 
Pe, Thuralston, ditto ¥ y : 219 
Soils, on a Binge for holding ‘ i or Lage 
Solanum Herbertii, on the R P ; 188 
Sparaxis Stellarias, noticed ; ) ; 162 
» Reference to plate of ' , 95 
Spartium acutifolium, noticed ‘ 5 187 
Spiranthus bracteosa, ditto , : 65 
Spiranthus japonica. Remarks on : d ; 236 
S.R.P. onthe culture of the Dahlia by J : 105 
Stackhousia monogynia, noticed ‘ ‘ 19 
Stenactis speciosa, Query on . : . 262 
Stranvescia glaucescens, noticed ¥ 162 
Subscriber, on a plan for a Greenhouse by : § 1 
Suburban Gardener, &c. Reviewed : ; 257, 985 
5. W. Query by : ; , 262 
Symphoricarpos, noticed montanus, noticed i ; 163 
Timothy, Query by % - i 107 
Tradescantia crassifolia, noticed : : 45 
Tree Pzony, culture of the ; Z ‘ 146 
Trees,on pruning Timber E FA 231 
»” on the age of 5 . 45 
» On pruning and thinning 2 ; 241, 249 
Trichocentrum fuseum, noticed ’ y 16 
Tricondicum obtusum, ditto : 5 45 
Tritelia uniflora, noticed ‘ J i 45 
Tropzolum brachycerus, noticed 2 ‘ b 65 
T. T. B. on the tree Mignonette by N 2 44 
Tulbagia Ludivigiana, noticed ( : : 45 
2 violalacea,, ditto y ; ; 21 
Tulips, Exhibition of 4 ) ? 45 
Tweedia ccerulea, noticed : . f 29 
Venus Carnation, description of A ; 3 154 
Verbena Aubletia var. Drummondii, noticed 3 ‘ 45 
id Abbletia var. Drummondii Vilaeriana, ditto 3 263 
ae melindris, on siriking the F é . 145 
4 Tweediana, Reference to plate 4 n 24 
” Lambertia, noticed. : , % 19 
Victory, Pelargoniums, Remarks on . ‘ 5T 
Victoria Ranunculus, Reference to plate fs 5 192 
Water, Remarks on A : ‘ : 203 
W.C. Remark by ‘ : ; F 15 
W.C.J.on Heracleum asperum ‘ ; . 144 
W.C. R. List of Flower seeds by i : 122 
Whale, Mr. William, on striking the Orange by é 201 
William the Fourth Carnation, description of ; mes Ny, 
Willis Mr. J. R. on forcing Roses by 3 5 27 
Wire Worm, on destroying the “ : 21, 28 
Wiganeira Caracasana, noticed ’ . 186 
Wistaria Sinenis, on y j ; 118 
Witsenia Ludivigiana, notice : . . 45 
Wood Lice, on destroying ; e ; 67 
W. W. Query by . ° : 236 
Yeatmaniana, pelargonium noticed 3 A 3 57 
Zygopetalon cochleare, noticed : : 210 


LONDON: PRINTED BY R. GREENLAW, KING’S CROSS, 


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