THE FLORAL W 0 R L AND GARDEN GUIDE. VOLUME II. L O X D 0 :n : GEOOMBEIDGE AND SDKS, 5, PATERXOSTEK KOW. 1859. LONDON : THOMAS HAEEILD. P'^J+T^" SALISBUE-T SQUARE, TLTiET STEEKI. imellia reticulata flore-pleno. INDEX. Abies Ksempferi, 175 Acacia oleifolia, 28 1 Acacia seedlings, 113 Acacia split by -wind, 262 Address to our readers, 265 Adiantum cuneatum, 221 Adulteration of seeds, 242 A garden a place of repose, 202 A gardener's pleasilres, 198 A gay chimney, 285 A hiiit, 208 A lady's hybernatoiy, 209 Allotments managed profit- j ably, 8 Aloes, 21 Aloes with soap and soda for aphides, 194 j^lpinia nutans, 228 " Always be sticking in some- tliing," 208 Alvssum and aiibvietia in beds, 231 Amarylhs not flowering, 239 Amateui-'s pit, lOi American blight, to remove, 14 Among the ferns, to gather knowledge, 276 Ammonia, a constituent of plants, 128 Anemone species, 211 Annuals for bedding, 206 Annuals for borders, 45 Annuals for conservatoiy, 106 Annuals arranged in colom-s, 101 Annuals, autumn sown, 106 Annuals, selection for beds and borders, 102 Annuals to be so^vn in Au- gust, 190 Antirrliinums, best twelve, 102 Aphelexis humilis, 159 Aphis to remove from cixt- tings, 278 Aphides, generation of, 17 ApiaiTian societv, meeting of, 123 Apple and pear stocks, 2 1 Apples and pears from cut- tings, 53 Architectural adornments, 230 Artificial manm-es, 46, 129 Artificial peat, home-made, 11 "A secret," 45 Asparagus culture, 224, 225 Asparagus knives, 143 Asplenium species, 283 Aster, cidture of, 89 Asters eaten by slugs, 183 A tour round my garden, 17G Attacks of aphides, 193 A tasteful garden, 230 A thousand queries, 238 August, notes for, 189 Auricuhis, hst of best, 16 Austrahan seeds, 262 Autobiographv of a cabbage butterfly, 42 Autumn plantmg, 230 Autumn sown annuals, 206 Azaleas, list of best, 16, 123 Banks for early crops, 272 Baronne de Mello pear, 259 Basingstoke flower show, 222 Basket plants, 262 Basket of cluysanthemums, 270 "Beautiful-leaved plants," work on, 45 Beds of geraniums and fuch- sias, 235 Beds gay in winter, 22 Bedding out, hints on, 136 Bedding roses, 147 Bedding plants, various, 119, 240 Bedders for London gardens, 89 Bedders in a cool house, 23 Bedders for a geometrical garden, 47 Bees to feed without honev, 15 Belgian's cottage garden, 252 Biennial flowers, 107 Birds in gardens, 184 [ Bitter aloes, 107, 133 ' Bitter aloes, experiments j with, 193 1 Books on grasses, 247 I Books on London gardening, 49 Boot's metallic labels, 116 Border flowers, list of hardv, 103 Border infested with fungi, 2 Botanical specimens, 143 Botanical studies, 76 Bouquet, Kbw to send by post or carrier, 19 Boxes for cuttings of bedding plant, 63 Boxes for orange trees, 255 Box-edging, substitute for, 20 Broccoli, culture of, 82 Briars for worked roses, 52 Brief career of new flowers, 220 Brighton and Sussex exhibi- tion, 220 British grasses, 77 Buckman's British grasses, 218 Bidbs, to re-arrange for beds and ribbons, 205 Burnt orange leaves, 192 Cabbage, culture and succes- sion, 54 Cabbage tribe, cultm-e of, 82 Cable-edging for garden- walks, 20 Cacti, management of, 143 Calif'orniau sunflower, 221 Camellia, cultiu-o of, 124 Camelhas, list of best, 16 Camelhas, exhibition of, 80 Camellia reticulata, 6 Canada, news from, 143 Candles for Waltonian cases, 214 Carbon elaborated by plants, 128 Carisbrooke flower show, 223 C.u'pets without grass, 151 Carrot, B.eld culture of, 81 Cauhflower, culture of, 82 Causes of the decay of trees, etc., 2 Cestrum am-antiacum, 108 Chalk soil, plants for, 93 Charcoal, how to make, 139 Charred rubbish, uses of, 112 Cheap garden engine, 138, 253 Cheap greenhouse, 9 Cheap seeds, caution against, 243 Cheap pamt for out-door work, 139 Cheap pit for amateurs, 104 t'heilaiithes species, 281 Chemistry of horticuitur;^, 126 Chimney decorations, 285 Chinese azaleas, 118 Cliinese holyhocks, 239 INDEX. Olives, uses and culture, 114 C'hoi'lejwood Labourers' Ho- ciety, 170 Chrysanthemums, list of win- ning Howers, 18 Cluysantlicmums, " dressed" and undressed, 15 (.'Itr^santhemums at shows, 219 C'lu-y santhemums, list of new, 100 Cln-ysanthemums, hst of best old, in colours, 100 Chrysanthenuuns, pot cul- ture of, 109 Chrysanthemums, standards, 110 Clu'ysantliemums, seedlings of 1859, 61, 270 Chrysanthemum Eurridgea- nimi, 67 Chrysoconia comaurea, 159 Cineraria, culture of, 132 City gardens, 49, 207 Classes of GramineiB, 77 Clay for roses, 70 Clay soils, to manage, 272 Click beetle, 179 Climate of orchard houses, 27 Climate of Torquay, 133 Chmbers for summer, 107 Climbers for a dead tree, 287 Clintonia pidchella, 107 Close gardens subject to un- derground fungi, 30 Cloth of gold rose, 166 Coal tar for greenhouses, 191 Cold frames and pits, to manage, 20, 69 Collecting and presei'ving fungi, 211 Collections of dried grasses, 77 Colours, table of standard, 141 Commelinas, 263 Comparisons of garden ma- sonry, 232 Compost for camellias, 126 Composts for all purposes, 11 Composts for potting, 263 Composts to be kept free fi'om fungi, 3 Conifers for fimiishing, 205 Conifers for a winter bed, 236 Conifers that thrive in Lon- don, 51 Construction of cottages, 135 Construction of forcing pit, 104 Construction of boiler for Waltonian case, 40 Cool greenhouses, subject to neglrct, 47 Corn fountl with nuimmies, 250 Costs of orchard houses, 29 Cottage areliitectm'e and adornments, 133 Covering for dead tree, 262 Coxcombs, soil for, 48 Crested ferns, 282 Cryptomeria Japonica, 23 Cryptomeria, to move, 47 Crystal Palace clirysanthe- mum show, 270 Crystal Palace flower shows, 122, 148, 220 Cucumber bed heated witli Pohnaise stove, 33 Cucumbers, to keep, 14 Cucumbers, in a vinery, 191 Cucvuubers and melons, 68 Cucumbers under vines, 239 Cuero giumo, 24, 115, 204 Cultivation of beet and man- golds, 7 Culture of late peas, 155 Culture of the hyacinth, 251 Cultural notes for the months, 20, 43, 68, 91, 117, 141, 165, 189, 214, 236, 361, 285 Cut roses, best sorts, 268 Cut flowei's tiusatisfactory, 146 Cutting asparagus, 2-5 Cuttings of Spergtda pilifera, 184 Cuttings struck in April, 142 Cuttings to strike in heat, 41, 42 Cyclameen, culture of, 95 Daliha cidture, 136 Dahlia shows, 217 Dahha dressing, 218 Dahlias for 1860, 287 Daldias for town cidtm'e, 89 Dahlias, new, 196 Dahlias, the best seventy, 65 Davallias in collections, 282 Dead wood and fungi, 29 Dead wood injm-ious in gar- dens, 3 Death of Mr. Lovell, 149 December, notes for, 285 Deep planting injurious, 1 Descriptions of colours, 141 Destruction of wire-worms, 165, 180 Dielytra spectabihs, 143 Dielytras for bedding, 206 Ditference between Walton- ian and Wardian cases, 39 Distribution of grasses, 73 Double stocks, 144 Drought and Spergula pih- fera, 184 Dressing flowers for show, 15 Diversity of circimistanccs voider which roses may bo grown, 147 Dung bed, to make economi- cally, 56 Dwarf apple and pear trees, 191 Early ci'0])s of vegetables, 274 Early cabbages, 56 Early peas, 153 Early roses, list of, 268 East London chrysanthc- mimi show, 271 Economical methods of pre- serving and forcing, 60 Economy of space in houses and pits, 62 E dinburgh Hor t i eidt ura 1 Society, 4 English scenery, 73 Ericas, culture of, 253 Eugeue Appert rose, 147 Eugenia Ugni, 23 Eveque de Ximes rose, 267 Evergi'een trees for planta- tion, 91 Evergreens for winter fur- nishing, 205 Exeter flower show, 148 Exhibitions, 4, 31, 48, 80, 141., 168, 192 Exhibitions of chrysanthe- mums, 269 Exhibition of dahlias, 217 Experimental garden at Chis- wick, 97 Extracts from my note-book, 11 Failures in fruit culture, 27 Falsification of flowers, 218 Farfugium grande, to in- crease, 23 Faidts of dahUas, 219 Faults of English gardens, 230 February, garden notes for, 43 February, meteorology of, 48 Fenugreek, 71 Ferns for a Wardian case, 24 Ferns in winter, 215 Fems in Siu'rey, 276 Ferns for suspension, 283 Fern cases to plant and ma- nage, 279 Festuca species, 79 Ficus elasticus, 95 Field culture of the caiTot,Sl Fifty best roses, 23 Finances of Horticultural Society, 121 Five beds, planting of, 95 Flax for heating, 23 INDEX. Floral designs, 222, 223 "Floral NV'orld," its pro- spects, 265 Florists' flowers and new plants, 100, 137 Florists' flowers in Febniary, 44 Florists' flowers in ]\Iarcli, 68 Florists' flowers in May, 117 Florists' flowers in August, 190 Flower-garden in February, 43 Flov.er-garden in May, 117 Flowering shrubs, etc., 167 Flowering stoubs, selection of, 46 Flowers for entrance ball, 238 Flowers in succession, 204 Forcing asparagus, 226 Forecourt in the four mile circle, 215 Fraternal feeling among gar- deners, 199 French beans, culture of, 157 Friends and well-wishers, 22 Frost, to keep out of pits and frames, 12 Fruit garden, spring work in, 69 Fruit spurs, how to promote the formation of, 28 Fruit trees in pots, 26 Fruit gatherer, 186 Fuchsia, Sir Cohn Campbell, 67 Fuchsias, a few of the best, 102 Fuchsias, hst of good, 140 Fuchsias, diseased, 215 Fuchsias exhibited in Sep- tember, 223 Fuchsias to propagate, 263 Fungi in fern cases, 263 Fungi, to gather for the table, 211 Fungus on leaves of orange- trees, 47 Furnace for preservative pit, 210 Furnaces, to economise fuel in, 33 Garden engine, a cheap, 138 "Garden Oracle,'' noticed, 286 " Gardener's Receipt Book," 14 Gardening one of the fine arts, 200 Gardeners' Benevolent So- ciety, 124, 148 Garlic, how to use in cookery, 113 Garlic, to cultivate, 114 Gas-heating, 5, ]0 Gas tar on apple trees, 238 Gay chimney and fragant garden, 285 General Jacqueminot rose, 146 Geraniums, new, 137 Geraniums out of bloom, 262, 287 Geraniums to bloom m August, 95 Gidney' shousemaid' s barrow, 204 Gishm-st compound, 195 Gladioli, culture of, 118 Gloxinia tubiflora, 256 Gold fish, management of, 191 Golden pine, 175 Gosse (P. H.) on dielytra spectabilis, 203 Grafting, when and how to perform, 53 Granny and her window flowers, 200 Grape vine disease, 215 Grapes bursting, 286 Grapes deficient in colour, 214 Grape-vine management, 262 Grass, substitute for, 64 Grass gardens, 75 Grass plots in cities, 51 Grass plots near London, 118 Gi'ass turf, beauty of, 74 Grasses, hteratiu-e of, 247 Grasses in scenery, 73 Grasses on ruins, 74 Great Yorkshu-e gala, 4 Greenhouse construction, 287 Greenhouse for vines, 2"! 5 Greenhouse, hints on, 185 Greenhouse, gay in spring, lOS Greenhouse management in March, 68 Greenhouse plants in Lon- don, 141 Greenhouse plants, 89, 94, 108 Greenhouse plants in autimm, 167 Greenhouse seeds, to sow, 273 Greenhouse Avithout flue, 287 Greenhouse work in Febru- ary, 43 Green paint, receipt for a cheap, 14, 119 Green pea soup, 155 Grier, ofAmbleside,catalogue of trees, etc., 44 Grieslinia litoralis, 205 Grub in onions, 14 " Handbook of Villa Gar- dening " reviewed, 50 Hardy ferns, 167 Hare's-foot fern, 282 Haythorn's fruit gatherer, 186 Heat, to economise, 58 Heating, Polmaise and other methods, 33 Heating a small house, 45 Heating for seeds and cut- tings, 41 Heating small greenhouse, 239 Henslow (Prof.) and the Hit- cham Club, 170 Hepaticas in colours, 167 Herbaria, 191 Herbaria, insects in, 262 Herbarium, specimens for, 143 Herbaceous plants, list of, 103, 137, 206 Hibberd's Town garden, 50 History of the orchard-house, 36 Hitcham Agricultm'al Show, 170 Holcus saccharatus, account of, noticed, 45 Holland on the cineraria, 132 Hollies from seed and cut- tings, 46 Hollyhocks, new, 195 Hollyhocks, the best fifty, 65 Hooper and Co.'s catalogue, 96 Hornsey Gardeners' Society, 123 Horticultural Society, 31, 97, 121, 171, 195, 220, 241 Horticulture, chemistiy of, 126 Hortus Gramineus, 75 House for roses, 190 House for vines, 238 How, when, and where to plant roses, 259 How to enjoy a garden, 201 How to diy heaths, 167 How to preserve plants from vermin, 183 How to prepare a peach-tree border, 34 How to subdue luxuriant growths, 26 How to construct a dung bed, 56 Howlett's " Practical Eustic Work," 163 Hoya carnosa, 108 Humea elegans, 119 INDEX. Huyshe's bergamot pear, 13 Hyacinths for spring beds, 205 Hyacinths for glasses, 239 Hyacinths in Jardiniere, 234 Hyacinth bed, 28') Hyacinths done blooming, 95 Hybernation of ferns, 27fi Hybridising the verbena, 187 Ice plant, 192 Ice ]ilantsfrom cuttings, 168 Improvement of a sloping lawn, 63 Inarching passifloras, 210 Inarching the passion flower, 177 India, gardening in, 95 Inscriptions at tlie Leasowes, 181 Isabella Grey rose, 146, 166 Isle of Wight Horticidtural Society, 196 Ixia and sparaxis, 226 January, uotes for, 20 Jardinieres and edghigs, 230, 271 Kale for winter greens, 57 Karr's "Tour Round my Garden," 176 Kensington, new gardens at, 241 Kensington Gore, gardens at, 171 Kew, grass garden at, 76 Kew, state ot plpnts at, etc., 2 KiUing seeds for sale, 242 La Belle Asseniblee, 22 Labels, metallic, 115 Labourers' societies, 95, 169 Lagerstrffimia indica, 256 Lamp of Waltonian case, 41 Langport flower show, 222 Large onions, how to grow, 112 Large radish, 264 Late peas, 70 Law of garden fixtures, 114 Lawns without mowing, 64 Lazy gardener, 250 Lean-to orchard-house, 36 Leschenaultia spleudens, 256 Libations of wine in gardens, 285 Light soils, to prepare for peaches, 42 Lilium giganteum, 108 Lilium laucifoUum, 192 Lily of the vaUey in pots, 45 Lime as a manure, 23 Lime trees near a wall, 119 Linum grancliflorum, 107 Liquid manure, 167 Lisianthus RusseUianus, 159 Literature of gardening, 123 Local liorticultural societies, 99 Longman's lectures, 170 Loomes's cable edging tile, 236 Lowe's grasses, 249 Lychnis Ilaagena, 66, 95 Lycopodiums, to propagate, 282 Magnolia out of doors, 239 ilagnolia, to remove, 191 ]\Iaidstone flower show, 223 Management of jardinieres, 234 Mandevillea suaveolens, 284 Manures for plants, 129 I Manuring for cabbages, 54 I Margaret Fuller and the j flowers, 199 ! Market produce, 224 ' McEwcn on the culture of the peach, 238, 246 Melon culture, 118 Mesemhrj'anthemums, to j flower, 179 I Metallic plant labels, 116 Mildew, to remove li-om roses, 14 Milne, Arnott, & Co.'s cata- logue, 44 Miniatm-e peach and apricot trees, 29 Jlinute points in stove man- agement, 283 Modes of heating, 33 ]\Iul berry producing male blossoms, 237 Muswell-lull People's Palace, 98 Mycelium of fungi, 2 Mycehum produced iinder- ground, 30 Myrtles, to strike, 168 Xames of ferns, 95, 215, 240 Names of plants, 1-44 National show, 217 National tulip show, 14 National dahlia show, 244 Nectarine dropphig its fruit, 46 Nephrodium moUe conmibi- ferum, 282 Nerium oleander, 215 New annuals, 67 New dahlias, 221 New fruits, 13 New gardens at Kensmgton, 220 New geranimns, 137 New pears, 258 New plants exhibited, 122 New roses described, 32 New roses, how to buy, 268 New 2>ealand bean, 144 Nursery for park trees, at Kew, 5 CEnothera Drummondii nana, 67 Old roses, notes on, 268 Oleanders and daphnes, 23 Onion culture, 111 Onions, ripening of, for keep- ing, 112 Open ground culture of the ixia, 227 Orange-tree leaves, 192 Orange-trees, culture of, 47 Orange tubs and boxes, 255 Orchard-houses, to build and manage, 26, 27, 34 Orchards, decline of, 2 Ornamental grasses, 75 Oscar strawberry, 197, 210 Out-door culture of the peach and nectarine, 246 Palace of the People, 98 Pascall's cutting and fern- pots, 23 Pansies, to keep true, 144 Passifloras, 239 Passifloras, to inarch, 177 Paul on viUa gardens, 50 Paul on new roses, 31 Paul's Rose Annual, 267 Peach border, to prepare, 42 Pear — BaronnedcMello, 259 Pear — Beurre superfin, 258 Pears, eaten, 215 Peas and beans, culture of, 152 Peckham chrysanthemum show, 271 Pelargoniums at nm-serics, 12a Pelargoniums, list of fancy, 101 Pelargoniums, list of French spotted, 101 Pentstemons, besttwelve,103 Persian yellow rose, 146 Pests of the garden, 193 Pests of the greenhouse, 191 PUox decussata, 168 Picotees, to protect from rabbits, 64 Pine cones, uses of, 163 Pipe flues, a caution, 278 Pit for bedding plants, 237 Pit for amateurs, 104 Pit to adapt a rose-house, 190 Planning successions for one year round, 205 Plant and seed exchanges, 46, 71, 288 Planting trees and slu'ubs, 1 Planting of rustic baskets, 180 Planting of stocks for roses, etc., 52 INDEX. Planting of a rootery, 47 Planting seven beds, 70 Planting seedling spergulas, 150 Planting sets of beds, 143 Plant-lice, natural history of, 17 Plants for baskets, 287 Plants for a shady green- house, 23 Plumbago Capensis, 89 Plumbago Larpentse, 258 Pomological Society, 197, 244 Pompones for bedding, 205 Pompouesforan 8-ft. bed, 236 Pompones, selection of new and old, 100 Pompones, in pots, 109 Portsea Horticultural So- ciety, 196 Portable greenhouses, 33, 70 Pot roses at national show, 145 Pot roses, sorts for, 268 Pot culture of hardy fruits, 26 Potatoes befoi'e swedes and mangolds, 8 Potting-shed, how to ar- range, 11 Potting camelhas, 124 Practical rustic work, 162 Preservative bed, 59, 215 Primulas, soil for, 48 Principles of taste in garden embelhsluuent, 230 Prizes given at the rose show, 149 Profitable gardening, 7, 54, 82, 111, 152, 224 Propagating without sliad- ing, 189 Propagation of chrysantlie- mums, 62 Propagation of slu'ubs for forcing, 180 Propagation of the verbena, 187 Propagation of hardy shrubs, 208 Proposed uev>' gardens at Kensington, 171 Protecting materials, 23 Protection of fruit -bushes from birds, 246 Protection of pinks, etc., against rabbits and hares, 64 Protection for pits and frames, 12 Protection of peach and nec- tarine trees, 244 Pruning cytisuses, 262 Pruning fruit trees, 25, 46 Pruning, theory of, 25 Pteris atropurpurea, 281 Putty for greenhouses, 23 Pyramids of flowers, 222 Quick-growing trailers, 6 Babbits, to banish, 95 Radishes, lettuces, etc., earlv, 274 Ransome's impenshable stone, 232 Ransome's siliceous edgings, 234 Raspberry canes, to pnine, 46 Recent exhibitions, 147 " Recreative Science " an- nounced, 167 Removal of trees, etc., law of, 114 Reneahnia nutans, 210, 238 Renewal of orchards and shrubberies, 2 Reprints from " Floral World," 70, 118 Respiration of plants, 128 Rhododendrons at nurseries, 124 Rhododendrons from cut- tings and layers, 46 Rhododendrons from seed, 23 Rhubarb cultm-e, 224 Ribbon planting, 95 Riveis on the orchard-house, 34 Rockeries and wild flowers, 276 Root cuttings of pelargo- niums, 69 Root-house, 216 Root-action, results of defi- cient, 1 Rootery, to plant, 30, 47 Rose amiual, 1860, 267 Rose Iffiha, 67 Rose stocks, 192 Roses and spergula pilifera, 150 Roses at the rose show, 146 Roses, new, 267 Roses newly budded, 262, 287 Roses, death of, by fimgi, 3 Roses exliibited in Septem- ber, 223 Roses, liow, when, and where to plant, 259 Roses of 1859, 145 Roses for beds, 215 Rotten wood useful for com- posts, 30 Rustic baskets, 129 i Salads, and how to enjoy them, 111 Sale of Horticultural Society's house, 97 Sale of the « Floral World," 190 Salisbury juvenile exhibition, 196 Salt as a manui'e, 23 Salter, catalogue of chrysan- themums, 81 Sand for plunging, 215 Sawdust as manure, 215 Scarlet roses, 46 Scarlet-runners, to grow, 158 Scotch and variegated kale, 57 Sea kale, culture of, 226 Sea kale, forcing, 94 Season of buttercups, 115 Second crop of figs, 238 Seed, how to save, 159 Seed of dielytra spectabilis, 203 Seeds, how to select and sow, 106 Seeds to be sown in Febru- ary and March, 43, 68 Seed trade deceptions, 242 Seeds to start in heat, 41, 42 Seedhng plants, 240 Seedling potatoes, 264 Seedhng spergulas, 150 Selaginellas to propagate, 282 Select greenhouse plants, 108, 159, 256 Selection of florists' flowers, 16, 65 Selection of fenis for Wardian case, 281 Selection of flowering shrubs, 46 Selection of hardy herbace- ous border flowers, 137, 160 Selection of grasses for gar- den cultm-e, 78 Senecio mikania?, 131 Set of beds to plant, 47 Shallots, uses and cidture, 113 Shed heated by Waltonian case, 114 Shenstone's garden, 181 Shrubs, hardy, to propagate, 180 Silver sand, 22 Sim's new fern catalogue, 64 80 Sinclafr's grass garden, 76 Six beds to plant, 95 Sizes of pots, 238 Small seeds, to sow, 273 Sophistications of seeds, 242 South London chi-ysanthe- mum show, 269 South-eastern chi-j'santhe- mum show, 271 INDEX. South Metropolitan chrysan- themum show, 271 Sowing and rearing early- radishes, 271 Span-roofed orchard house, 37 Spcrgula pilifera, 64, 96, 119, 119, 183 Spring a precarious season in Britain, 27 Spring flowers and autumn preparations, 206 Spring promises and liopes, 58 Spring, summer, and winter, 234 Spring work in garden and house, 58 Square seed pans, 63 Stamford pippin, 14 Standard chrysanthemums, 110 Statics Halfordii, 159 Stocks for apples, 94 Stocks and grafts, 52 Stocks, cultivation of, 107 Stocks of roses, 240 Stoke Newington flower shows, 220 StokeNewington chrysanthe- mum show, 269 Stone edgings for town gar- dens, 233 Stone flower boxes, 233 Stove plants, management of, 283 Strawberry leaves turned yellow, 47 Study of grasses, 73 Styphelia tubiflora, 256 Substituteforpitsand frames, 59 Substitute for stone, 232 Suburban nurseries, 51 Success ingrowing ericas, 253 Succession of cabbages, 53 Suckers from briars some- times useful, 52 Sulphate of ammonia, 71 Sun heat, to obtain on bor- ders, 273 Superphosphate of lime, 46 Tank-heated bed, 262 Tank-heated pit, 95 Teasel and midlein as border plants, 274 Tenants, right of, to remove trees, etc., 114 The carpet that never wears out, 176 The danger of hobbies, 205 Tlie garden in the bow win- dow, 178 The gardener's rewards, 201 Tlie habitat of ferns, 277 Tlie joy of a garden, 197 The march of the seasons, 201 The Leasowes, 181 Tlie rich woodman, 176 " The Rose Annual," re- viewed, 31 Theory and practice, 25 Thermometer to register ex- treme cold, 20 Thirty-six dahlias, 262 Thomson's gas-stove, 5 Timber for orchard-houses, 70 Torquay, climate of, 133 " Town Garden," reviewed, 50 Trailing plants for baskets, 130 Transplanting asparagus, 224 Transplantiug, necessity for, in nurseries, 51 Tree mignonette, 203 Trees, mismanaged in nur- series, 51 Trees and shrubs in London, 51 Trichomanes radicans, 119 Tropa>olums for bedding, 118 TropKolum speciosum, 119 Tropseolum, Tom Thumb, 67 Trotman's gas stove, 286 Tuberose culture, 239 Tulip show of 1859, 99 Tulips for spring beds, 205 Tulips to bloom next year, 96 Underground fungi, 2 Undergrow t h for plantations, 91 Unfruitful trees, to improve, 254 Uses of the grass tribe, 75 Uses of Waltonian case, 39 42 Variegated gTasses, 75 Vases, plants for, 91 Verbenas, a few cheap, 167 Verbenas, to gi'ow for stock, 139 Verbenas, to propagate, 187 Verbena beds, 118 Verbena cuttings to clear of fly, 278 Veronica Andersonii, 284 Verschaffelt's catalogue no- ticed, 45 Villa garden, by Paul, no- ticed, 45 Vinca elegantissima, 168 Vinery, 239 Vinery in February, 43 Vines in a carrion border, 229 Vines, to propagate, 69 Vines, to set to work, 21 Wallflowers and acacias, 143 Waltonian cases, 24, 39, 93, 114, 143, 263 Wardian cases, 279 Water as an insect destroyer, 193 Water-pot, to prevent clog- ging, 183 Waterproof walks, 15 Weather to be expected in Januarv, 1859, 24 Weather 'table for July, 168 Wellingtonia gigantea, 23, 186 "^ Weeds at a premium, 274 West Indian seeds, 192 Wet soils, management of, 272 What is spergula pdifera ? 151 Wild flowers, children's col- lections, 196 Wild flowers in gardens, 274 Winning chrysanthemums, 18 Winning dahlias, 221, 222 Winning roses, 1859, 268 Winter flowers, 284 Winterfurniture forgartlens, 22 Winter of 1858, 59 Winter protection of bedding plants, 227 Winter roses, 59 Winter treatment of hardy ferns, 277 Wintering verbenas, 187 Wire-worm, 71, 164, 179, 208 Wood stakes, often injurious to ti'ees, 3 Woodlice, to destroy, 143 Working men's homes, 169 Yellow roses, 146, 166 Zinnia elegans, 107 THE scoi>oo-s->!>co<>oc >:o:oc cv?o January, 1859. LANTING is pursued on a very different system, noAV-a-days, to that which obtained among the gar- deners of half a century ago. It is true that there are plenty of old orchards and shrubberies to be found Avhere the most critical jtidge of horticul- tural practice would find it difficult to get up a charge of carelessness or ignorance on the part of those who planted them years and years ago, but the frequent complaints of .sorts dying out, of old trees eaten up by blight and canker, of failures in the fruit crop, of wall-trees that neither make wood nor fruit-spurs, of grape-vines that cast their bunches, or never carry a crop through without shanking or mildew, and of conifers that cease to grow for a season, and then perish without any apparent cause — all these varied complaints suggest to the practi- cal man one general cause — insufficient or diseased root- action ; and, in nine cases out of every ten, when the cause can be ascertained, it is found to be at the root, and it becomes from that moment a fallacy to blame the atmosphere the climate, or the meteorological vicissitudes of the season. Here we have opened to us many interesting points, such as the folly of deep planting, the necessity of drainage, the injurious effects of dry travels and cold clays, but to enter into the many questions winch the full discussion of this matter would call up, is not now our mtention. We will content ourselves with pointing out to our readers one wide- VOIi. II. — NO. T. ^ 2 THE FLOSAL WORLD AKD GARDEN GUIDE. spread source of mischief, the importance of wliicli has only lately been fairly recognised, but v/hich has doubtless been in action even since the creation, and to the destruction possibly of many a vast forest in olden time, and we are certain, of many a good orchard in the present day. This being the season in which any hints or cautions respecting planting are doubly valuable and acceptable, we call attention to the fact, that there are some varieties of fungi which flourish at a considerable depth below the surface of the soil, and which choose for the groundwork of their operations any fragment of half-rotten wood which may have been buried by accident, or which may have decayed in the ground. We have lately seen an example of the extent to which this devastating agent will proceed if left unchecked for a few yeai's. An old fence in a garden on the north side of London, where the soil is a deep moist loam of the very best quality, had been allowed to fall to ruin. It had tottered from the perpendicular, and leant over a border, weighed down with ivy of many years' growth. An incoming tenant, determining to set the place in order, had about two hundred feet of this fence cleared away, and a new one erected in its stead. The border had in its day been liberally planted with deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, including some Ameri- cans. All these Avere in a hopeless state of delapidation, some quite dead, the remainder so nearly dead as to be fit only for the fire. When the old fence was removed, the cause of the death of these trees was readily ascertained. The oak posts of the fence had rotted in the ground, and had become invested with a thick coating of white threads, smelling strongly of mushrooms. These were the mycelium or spawn of fungi, which at first fed on the decaying wood, then took possession of the soil, and, at last, travelled across the border till they reached the roots of the trees, which they completely covered with an offensive slime of a bluish white, and from the moment those threads began to take hold of the roots, the trees began to lose their health and vigour. In that same gar- den, several old apple and pear trees Avhich had not borne fruit for years, were cut down, and the roots grubbed out, and there again the enemy was found clothing the entire surface of the roots, from the bole down- wards, with a coat of grey powder and white threads, and wherever a tree was marked out for removal or destruction because of its sickly appearance, a disturbance of the soil revealed its presence, extending from a few inches below the surface to a depth of five or six feet. It Avas found necessary, in order to eradicate this pest, to trench up the Avhole of the ground, and pick out every fragment of rotten wood, and the whole of the soil in the two hundred feet of border, had to be burnt, after which process it was returned, and a liberal dressing of sharp sand and manure dug in to fit it for cultivatio n. The botany of this subject is well worth the study of those who take an interest in the growth and forms of cryptogamic vegetation ; and recent inquiries and experiments by scientific men, have resulted in pretty clearly unfolding the physiological principles on which this undergrowth of mycelium proceeds. Whether the gardener may or may not choose to explore this department of natural history into its most delicate and beautiful of microscopic details, he cannot ignore the fact that dead wood is often the originator of a plague which Avill surely destroy the best of his trees and shrubs, and so poison the soil that nothing will thrive in it. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 3 It is true, that in open districts on a sandy bottom, dead sticks and rotten timber make a first-rate ingredient for composts, and are of great value in the culture of ferns, but in clays and loams that hold moisture pretty liber- ally, the result of the presence of such materials in contact with the soil, is, in the majority of cases, -what we have described above. Let us, then, for the present, content ourselves by pointing our readers to a few obvious con- clusions, that result from a consideration of the facts already stated. In l^ruuing and. dressing the ground, in gardens where the hedges, walls, &c., interfere with that rapid decomposition of vegetable substances that takes place in open woods and heath-lands, every scrap of Avood should be raked off and burnt. Not a particle of dead twig should be turned in, when shrubberies and borders are pointed over ; and in plant- ing trees and shrubs, every portion of root which may have lost its vigour — as indicated by the inability to form fibres — should be cut clean away ; and, in digging, and all stirrings of the soil, the smallest frag- ments of decaying wood should be picked out with even more care than is bestowed in the removal of twitch and bindweed. Whenever trees and shrubs show signs of declining health, an examination of the roots should be made, in the case of small subjects by at once lifting them, in the case of large trees, by laying a portion of the earth bare, which may be done at this season without injury of the surface fibres if they are treated with becoming tenderness. Wherever the grey coating is found on the underground stems, means should be taken to remove it, and, perhaps, the simplest is a brush with a good washing of water, and the removal, by the knife, of the parts most affected. Where the trees have already lost their beauty, and the roots are found to be coated with the mycelium, they should be at once destroyed, and the Avhole of the tainted soil removed, and its place supplied with fresh material, for no specific has yet been discovered whereby to stop the ravages of this plague ; many experiments have been tried, but they have ended in proving our inability at present to provide a remedy. Another and im- portant conclusion is, that care should be taken, in making up composts, to throw out fragments of stick and wood — which may have been swept up with the dead leaves — and as far as possible let leaves be saved in a cleanly manner, for when mycelium once gets hold of decaying matters, it has a tendency to ramify through the whole mass, as we have often seen, when heaps of moss and leaves have been stacked to rot into arti- ficial peat, and which, if used with the fungi in it, would only prove the death of every shrub with which it came in contact. One frequent cause of the growth of the mycelium is the use of wooden stakes as supports to trees and shrubs. jSIany a valuable collection of roses has been lost by the insidious working among their roots of the mould engendered by decaying stakes. In nurseries, where the stock is under constant super- vision, and frequently transplanted, this does not occur, but in private gardens, stakes are put in and left to rot in the ground. The fungus first attacks the base of the stake, gets a firm hold of the decaying timber, then spreads to the roots of the rose, for which it appears to have a pain- ful partiality, and, in the coiirse of two or three seasons, completes its ruin. Many who tolerate scrubby standard roses, that give only two or three blooms a year, would discover that the hope of improvement is a forlorn hope, if they were to examine the stake and the few roots that remain. 4 ^ THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. There the enemy would be found rioting in a position jnst suited to its full development, touching -with certain death the very organs that should be the source of life to the tree, and refusing to yield to any other agency but fire. Manure to roses in this failing state, is worse than useless, it strengthens the fungi at the expense of the tree, and it Avill not be long before the enemy will prove the strongest. Here, then, is another obvious conclusion from the fact, that in all damp soils, and especially in gardens, "wooden stakes are not to be trusted ; growers of roses, hollyhocks, dahlias, «§:c., should use iron rods, which are cheap in the first instance, and, with an occasional coat of paint, will last for ever. If wood is used, the lower end of the stake should be charred, and then covered with a coat of pitch, and every year afterwards be taken up and examined. In the construction of shedding, rustic arboiu's, arches, and the like, every post driven into the ground should be treated in the same way, for when once this pest gets a footing, it is hard to eradicate, but it never does appear except in connection with the slow decay of wood in some shape or other. Dead wood is its proper nidus, therefore dead wood is a dangerous material in every damp soil. It is pleasant, at this dead season, to loot forward and anticipate the floral fetes, for which active preparations are now making in all parts of the country, and particularly near the metropolis. St. James's Hall will, in a short time hence, be once more gay with camellias, azaleas, hyacinths, cinerarias, and otliers of the first spring flowers. We hear of several choice new seedling florists' flowers, which are to make their first appeai'ance this season ; among them some promising new hyacinths from Mr. Cutbush ; new azaleas from Messrs. Ivory, Standish, and Henderson, of which announcements were made in the Garden Oracle. Mr. Standish will at last show the world the beauties of his new Camellia, figured from the life in this present number of the "Floeal Would," and IMr. Turner will be very forward in the field with cineraiias, pelargoniums, and tulips, having made some notable purchases of the latter flower, and arranged to have the Kational Tulip Show in his own grounds, at Slough, this summer. In his own nursery he will not, of course, be a competitor, but his best bed will be open to the inspection of visitors, and will be the grand feature of the show itself. Mr. Salter, ever busy in raising seedling chrysanthemums, will send out .several new flowers in May next. We saw Mr. Salter's lot of new seedlings in bloom on the 6th of December last, they number many hundreds, and comprise a variety of novel colours ; but only such will be sent out as have been proved for two or more seasons. We shall, next month, give a report upon the subject from the notes made on our visit. Among the announcements of exhibitions for 1S59, one stands out conspicuously. It is a proposed gi-eat Yorkshire gala, to take place on or about the 13th of June next, at York, to which the growers of the United Kingdom, amateur and professional, are invited in friendly contest. The prizes will be " unprecedented in amount," say the pi'omoters. We trust they will be skilfully apportioned, so that subjects nearly approaching in merit, may not be separated far and wide, by the honours respectively awarded them. Communications on the subject are, for the present, to be addressed to Mr. Thomas Smith, Bootham, York. The days fixed for exhibition of plants at tlie Eoyal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, are Wednesdays, May 25, June 15, and July G. The Stoke Newington Chrysantliemum Society will hold its next show at tlie Manor Rooms, on the Sth and 9th of November. The report for the past yeai*, of tlie Horticultui-al Society of Edinburgh, shows signs of healthy progress, attributable, in some measure, perhaps, to the recent decline of the Caledonian Society, though, mainly, to the energetic manner in which the new society lias been conducted. The two flower sliows were eminently successful; innnerous amateurs and cottatiers have joined the society, and it is hoped that this organization may prove widely beneficial to n class which usually holds aloof from associated efforts for mutual advancement. Up to September last, the members numbered seventy ; since September, thu'ty more have been added. Donations and THE PLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 5 subscriptions amount to £58 33. 9cl. The amount expended in prizes, in Jmie last, was £23 Is. ; and in Sapteraber, £18 fis. 6d. Sir W. J. Hooker's Riport on the Royal Gardens at Kevr, reiterates the "cryiu:; need of a new conservatory." The once celebrated collection of Pines, Araucaria?, Proteas, &c., are fast declining beyond recovery. An important feature in the present management, to which special allusion is made in the report, is the appropriation of a portion of ground as a nursery for the supply of trees to the metropolitan parks. So great was the demand for trees in the new parks in 1854-5, " that suitable kinds could not be procured in the market. Tliis nursery has tlrriven so wel], as to alTord already to the metropolitan parks in the winter of 1856-7 1,010 trees, chiefly Planes and Elms, and during the present season, 4,100, wiiile a considerable stock, in the most healthy condition, remams for future similar use." The Gardener's Chronicle has lately made a tilt at Mr. Smitli, the Curator at Kcw, in regard to the treatment of tlie collection of orchids. "The Curatoi'," says the Chronicle, "never knew how to manage them." The Cottage Gardener comes to the rescue of Mr. Smith, and manfully vindicates him from so damaging a cliarge, proving, by Dr. Lindley's own words, that the ruin of tht orchids was no afiair of Mr. Smith's, but a person over whom Mr. Smith had no con- trol, and who was at last got rid of for a successor who is fast restoring them to a state of health. This is another of Dr. Lindley's mistakes. When the Doctor denied that clnysanthemums were dressed for show, the florists took a hearty laugh at him, and learnt how little use is a profound knowledge of botany to a man who would take upon liimself to be a judge of florists' flowers. THOMSONS GAS STOVE. As a matter of fair dealing, we give insertion to the following communications on a subject which has been ventilated in one way in the pages of the " Floral World." In doing so, however, we cannot refrain from expressing our surprise that Messrs. Thomson should have remained silent so long. Sir, — You will oblige us, and probably manj' of your readers, if you will publish the following letters in the " Flora l World." We could send you several such, but these will suffice to give a peep behind the scenes, and show how matters are managed by the potentate that rules the destinies of the Gardeners' Chronicle. Mr. Christie's position and character in Edinburgh, place whatever he states above suspicion in the estimation of all who know him. Xo. 1 was sent to the Gardeners' Chronicle at the request of the editor for information, but, not being tlie article in demand, was not inserted. No. 2 speaks for it-elf, and has received no reply up to this date (Oct. 15). — We are, your obedient servants, Kobt. Thomson and Sons, (Copy) No. 1. (To the Editor of the Gardeners" Chronicle.') Sir. — I observe a paragraph in your numbf-r of 24th of July last, respecting "Thomson's Hot Water Stoves," and requesting information "regardini; their efficiency or otherwise from those who have used them." I have had one of these stoves in use fur nearly twelve months, and after close observation, the following appear to me to be its pre- eminent qualities, and their necessary results : — Qualities. • 1. Simplicity of construction. — 2. A large surface exposed to hot-water. — 3. The products of combustion being carried off by a flue. — 4. Economic in its consump- tion of gas. Sequences. — Easily managt'd. — An equally large heating surface, and that not oi dry arid metal. — No noxious vapours are dispersed through the apartments. — Can be used at a very trifling cost. Having paid a good deal of attention to the subject, I believe I have seen nearly all the difterent kinds of gas stoves in use, but in none is the absence of noxious fumes and disagreeable odours so apparent as in '1 homson's stove. Fulfilling as it do s the con- ditions above stated, I am quite at a loss to understand how, in an}* instance, it should have f liled to give satisfaction ; indeed, it appears to me that nothing short of the grossest blund'^ring could account for its failure. With me it has always fulfilled the qualities I have enumerated, which 1 was led to understand it possessed, and with these I am perfectly satisfied. — 1 am, Sir, your obedient servant, John Chkxstie. 6 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GOIDE. (Copy) No. 2. Lauder Road, Grange, Edinburgh, 21st September, 1858. Sir, — In your number of 2nth of July last, appeared a notice regarding Thomson's Hot Water Gas Stoves, in which you request information from those " who have actually tried it, so that if it is reallj' efficient, the inventor may have the benefit of the statements, or if it fails the public may be apprised of the circumstance and stand upon its guard." In compliance v^ritli the request contained in the above, I duly replied, giving the results of mv experience and mj^ consequent testimony in favour of the stove, and what I then stated has been confirmed by every day's experience since, not only by my own, but also by that of many others. As I have only met with one opinion, expressed by every one who has seen or used the stove, whether by scientific men, by practical men, or by partis who use it for hurticviltural or other purposes, viz., that it is a most invaluable invention, and that it only requires to be universally known to be universally used. In justice to mj'self, therefore, and also to the inventor, I now write to ask why my com- munication has been withheld ; and being withheld for such a length of time, I am led to question the honesty of purpose, and the professed desire to elucidate the truth displayed in your notice above alluded to. You say here is a doubtful point ; you ask informa- tion from parties who have used the stove ; I give you the results of my experience — these you think proper to withhold. Perhaps you would prefer to publish " the conrmunications which have reached you, which excite an apprehension that this contrivance is not so use- ful as was expected." I shall expect to find these in full in an early number of your Chronicle, with the names and addresses of the parties appended, and hoping that they will serve to elucidate the truth. — I am, &c., John Christie. CAMELLIA RETICULATA FLORE-PLENO. This beautiful vai'iety of our old conserva- tory favourite, has already been referred to in tliese pages. Mr. Standisli intended to send it out in the autumn of 1857, but his stock was not then sufficiently forward to meet the demand which its fame has already created ; for, since the exhibition, at a meeting of the Horticultural Society, of the first flower obtained from the stock- plant, there has been a continual inquiry for it. Mr. Standish is now prepared to send out Camellia reticulata Jlore-jjleno in the ensuing autumn, and, in anticipa- tion of it becoming a highly poptilar variety, we present our readers with a faithful portrait, drawn from the life. The distinguishing features are a beautifully reticulated foliage ; the colour- of tl-e flower is a bright rosy carmine, the petals of great substance, and the form perfect. When well bloomed, the flowers average six inches across, occasionally nearly eight inches, and they hold their character for a considerable lengtlr of time after being fully expanded. Our drawing is reduced, in order to bring it within the compass of our pages. — [Price 63s. per plant.] TEMPORARY COVERING FOR A TEMPLE. I LIVE within two-and-a-half miles of London-bridge, (Peckham). I leave mj- house March, 18G0, so that I have only next summer there. I have had a large slx-eolumn wire rose temple with cupola, &c., sent me. What can I plant to make a .show n'-xt summer? I want foliage and can only think of the tall, dark nastur- tium ; pirhaps hops would do the first year ? CoCICNEY. [Hops rarely make a free growth the lirst year, but you may plant two columns with tiiem, and put Tropoeolum canariensis to I the same two columns to mix with them. I For the other four columns use Major I convolvulus, Cobea scandens, Lophosper- mum scandens, and dark and light Major Tropceolum, the two last to mix together. A bit of Calystegia pubescens planted next March, instead of the nasturtium, would give you flowers as near like roses as any you can have, ai run thirty feet before July. The Cobea should have nothing mixed with it ; it is so fine a thing in itself. Of this and the Lophospermum get good plants from a nursery in May.J PROFITABLE GAEDENING. CHArXEa IX. — CULTIVATION OP BEKTS AND MAKGOLOS Wlien we come to consider the beets, we have to deal with the two ex- tremes of refined luxury and sharp commercial reckonings, for one of the tribe goes to the salad bowl to help in making the daintiest dish ever set be- fore a king and the other to the cow- house to make work for Susan at the churn. And first of the garden beets : these are grown for two distinct pur- poses ; the green or silver beet for the use of its leaves as a spinach, and the red beets for slicing in salads, for baking, boiling, and for pickle. Whatever kind of garden beet may be grown, the culture will be much the same, therefore I shall des- cribe it generally, and make a few additional observations on such devia- tions as may be made from ordinary routine for special purposes. Beet does not require a very rich soil, though it will not thrive in a decidedly poor one. Like other spindle roots, recent manure is no benefit to it, but the soil must be deep and fine, and a plot should, if possible, be chosen that has been manured the previous season. It ought to grow rather quick to be tender and well tasted, and on a poor soil, or in a very dry season, it is apt to be forked and fibry, and to taste earthy — evils that may be somewhat prevented by manuring at the bottom of the trench quite twelve inches below the surface, and adding a consi- derable quantity of salt in addition. An excess of sunlight is also bad, and it is advisable to shade the bed from the mid- day sun during the height of summer. Garden beets are tenderly consti- tuted, and quite incapable of bearing frost, hence it is not prudent to sow too early, though a bed of seed may be risked in February or early in March, a time when a pinch of almost everything may be got in on warm slopes, and should it fail, another sow- ing may be made at the usual time. The first week in April is the best time for the general crop of red beet, for winter supply ; and for spinach, the Brazilian beet may be got in at the same time, and, of the latter, another sowing may be made about the middle of July, for the sake of its leaves during winter and early next spring, Sowin drills in four feet beds, the drills a foot apart, and the seed ten or twelve inch es asunder, and one inch deep. It is best to drop two or three seeds to- gether at the proper distances, and when the plants are up, pull out the weakest from each patch. The Brazil beet requires more room — say eighteen inches, or if the soil is very rich, let the rows be two feet apart, and the plants a foot and a half asunder, for the crop sown in April. During the early stages of growth, weeds must be kept down by hand- picking, and if the ground gets caked on the surface, use a small hoe between the drills, and all the summer long keep the crop clean, and the Red especially must not be crowded, or it will all run away at top, and form scarcely any root. It is not advisable to leave beet in the ground too long after the first frosts. Get up the whole or greater part in October, and leave none in the ground after November. Trim oflf the leaves and large fibres of the roots, but be particularly careful not to wound the root itself, or even to cut too close in taking off the leaves, for if they bleed, much of their flavour and high colour will be lost. They must be put away quite dry, in alter- nate layers of sand, or may be stacked up in a slope against a wall or fence and covered with coal-ashes, and a layer of straw to throw off" the wet. In growing white beet for spinach, there need not be so much care taken as to the shape of the root, all you want is a vigorous growth, and hence, in thinning the rows, the plants drawn out may be transplanted, and one or two more beds made up if required. For family purposes, it is a most use- ful vegetable, but is scarcely worth the cottagers' attention, because his mangold will supply him with a good spinach from their tops. Another de- viation may be made in the culture of TUE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. uliitc beets, in supplying them with abuiu'aiice of li([iiicl iiia:uirc, and if they are earthed up in tlie same way as celer}', the}" get delicately blanched, and '.nay be oaten as asparagus. On allotment ground, mangold is al- •wa\ s an important crop. There isno- thiiigkeepssowcU, and when Swedesare gone, it comes in famously as food from JMarch to the beginning of May, wlicnever hay is getting scanty, and green food not yet fit for cutting. There is never a difi'icult}' in finding a market for it, and a man in the least doubt about the croppingof an allotment, is always on the safe side in setting apart a large piece for this valuable root. Unlike garden beet, this is wanted as large and as heavy as it can be got. The White Globe is a famous sort for quick growth, the Long Red is also a profitable sort ; indeed, they are pretty much alike as to that, b\it there is one point about the culture that I must say a word upon for the benefit of small farmers and cottagers generally; it is this, that instead of devoting a whole season to the growth of mangold as they do in most places, you have only to keep jour eyes very wide open,' and your fingers quite nim- ble to take a heavy crop of potatoes off the ground before :he mangold is put on it, and then the crop of the latter will be first-rate. I see lots of people who have been farming all their lives, and have not got beyond one crop of mangold a year, and nothing else, and with deep loams too that would grow anything. Whj', it is an injustice to the nation, cramped up as we are, thirt}' millions strong, oti a bit of an island only just large enough for Brobdignag to make one hop skYp and jump upon, not to make three crops every year off such ground. It would only require additional manuring and a little additional labour, and while a few poor men would benefit at slack times of the year, the farmer himself might make his fortune, and " do the state some service." In September last year, I visited a valued friend, who tills a pretty garden of thirty acres, on which everything eatable is produced in fine order, from melting fruits to small salads. On the 7th of September I went over the ground, and saw Swedes aid iniiiigjld as fine as my London nLV'hh;):rs have it at that time, and who take a whole year to produce it. The Long Red beets measured gene- rail}' from ten to thirteen inches in girth, and were then growing at a furious rate, and would, before taking up, be splendid roots. Where they stood, the land had yielded forty-fold potatoes, at the rate of eighteen tons per acre, and when the Swedes and beets en me off it was made to carrj'' colewortsor something that would keep it going till potatoe-planting began again. The potatoes were planted in the last week of March, they came oflt in the middle of June. In the mean- time, a few seed beds in a sly corner were occupied with the Swedes and mangold sown on the first of June, and as fast as the ground was cleared of potatoes, these were planted out, a pint of water given to every plant, and, as I just said, on the 7th of Sep- tember they were in fine condition. I call that profitable gardening, and commend the plan to all whom it may concern. I should saj', however, that this was £ nith of London on a fruitful soil, but where are there not fruitful soils that are kept only half at work? In the ordinary culture of Man- gold, the soil should be rich, and salt may be freely used as a manure. In open field culture, where the land is stubborn, the middle of April is the best time to sow, but in allotment grounds where the spade brings the ground in good tilth, the first week in May is the best time. The drills should be thirty inches apart, and the seed dropped in patches of three or four, one foot apart, on slightly elevated ridges, which should be laid up with the spade in preparing the ground. If some really good guano is sown with the seed, at the rate of three cwt. per acre, it will give them a splendid start or, in the absence of guano, get as much soot, charcoal- dust, wood or coal-ashes, and any pow- dery fertilizing stuff you can lay hands on, and eke it out along the rows as far as you can ; this will hurry them out of the reach of slugs, which are very fond of them. Ihe after culture is simple enough. Thin the plants to a foot apart, and THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 9 when they have got tirm hold, hoe the i manure water can be given two or ground over, and knock down the ^ three times before the plants get too ridges between the plants, so as to leave , hirge to admit of it, the weight of the each plant on a little hillock, and they , crop will be increased immensely, will require no farther attention. If; A CHEAP GREENHOUSE. Cheapness is not economy, unless tlie ' and his labour lost, but his purse most article purcha-ed, or the building- erected, combines efficiency and durability, with the minimum amount of cost. This remark IZ 10 especially applies to glass structures erected for the growth and preservation of plants &c., for, if the ssructures be not efficient. probably suff^^rs also, through having to renew his stock to a considerable extefit after every winter's vi-itation. It has I een the object of the designer of the accompanyini; plans, to diminish the cost of erection, Avhere it may be safely done without prejudice to the above princi- ples. One considerable item in the cost of glass-houses, is the framing of sashes, and the making them to slide open for airing. These not only take a quantity of timber, that only increase the weight of the roof, which, in its turn, must be supported by not only the cultivator's hopes are blighted, , large rafters, but they require the time and A C 1 1 1 1 A 0 n ^ no II i 1 1 1 11 « " MM 1 1 1! 1 1 F j 1 0 , c - ' ,^ /w\ 10 THE FLOSii WOELD A^D GASDE^ GUIDE. skill of a corcTvprer: jciner to frame them.! •widch is not to be iiad for nothing. The ^ experience of the writer has canvinced him. i thai s:' loi^ as a roof is fixed iirmlj and steadHT in its po=iQoiL and -withoiit move- able l%lits. the large rafters before referred , ta mav safely and ecoaomicaliT be disjieiised I ■with, and bars alone be Bsed. as shown in | the accompanyini: plans, the bare to rarv in depth and tiicknes? according to the tridrb and Treighi of the glass -osed. The section Tv shows a bar samcienilv stoni for glass eigh-t indies ■wide, and sixteen Ounces to the foot. These l^ars may be had ready grooved and planed at any of the steam sa^w and planhig mills, and the pnrling. posts, ■wall- plate, boards to fix over the renri'laiors. &C-, may also be boaght ready for tise, so that anv ordinary carpenter or clever labonrer may build snch a house, and if a comer hy the garden-^wall can be spared, it mav be done for a small sum. i^ leader must beaz in mind ^lis isnot a j^atfiaKafBRmgboBse, bat •^>eeaiMBBe£33- ordinaiy parposeB, •where trae greenlioiise plants m=y be bad in fio-wfr the year througi, and the stock of bedding-plants be preserved in ■p inter. A, the back and end ■walls ; B, openings in back and front ■walls for ven'ti- latioa-^(of these there shonld be plenty : a board htmg by common joints, to cover them •when not reqnired ot>€n. may have a string and pnlley atiacbed for lifting, and its o-wn -weight ■will k^ep ii down:) — C, raised platform of earth covered -witn slates, be'.dedin mortar to set plants npon: D, posts or columns to support pnrling L on which brackets are fixed to lay a shelf upon: E. path: F, stage: G, nine inch earthen japes (ntting well into each other, and the joints weU secured, inside and ont, ■with mortar in which is worked a portian of cow-draig.) leading from famace. O, to chimney. L, for the ptirpose of ieeptng omt frost: H. 5tok&i(^ snnk three feet and covered with -wood oowers. The scale ap- plies ■to the gnmnd plan, to show its measnremeals. H- Ho-wxett. X>---OC=-<5CO=»^0 GAS-HE-^TTN'G. I oESEHvr that some of your correspor dents complain of being deceived in iDtroducini the gas-heating apparatus in greenlionses. I do not know to -what partic-nlar apparatus the objection applies, but I find no difficulty "sriiij mj apparatus, which 1 have recently put up. I have had a small boiler in use for some time, for the purpcse of heating vatier for a bath ; and I have now made the tmmf boil^ answer both purposes, at a very IMde cost. I find the heat very regular, and tte gas requires little or oo atteiiBiis case, the gardener had no . trcHible, aad never lost any of bis fruit : but I bdiere Ike eoEfwas eoDsiderablv more. I ■ A. B. C. PtdOuM, Oct. 18, 1858. EXTRACTS FEOil 'SLT XOTE BOOK. Compose. — Thare oagfat to be in every gardea three separate receptaclea fi>r mamrrsa : one Sar green rubbiah. to •which the house aewage and other putr^ctive matters maj be added : another for sraaa mowings and leaves ; and another for dnng. The nratahould be waterproof, and the simplest metiiod of making it is to dig a hoie and. piaster it with Portland cement. Bv keeping each kind of manure separate, the necessary portiona of each can the ■lore eafflly be obtained for making eompcats, or for mannring the borders. The old school of gardeners had almost as many kinds of composts as the tribes of plants they cultivated : in the present day we have very few. and the cnlture of dowers is thereby very much simplified. The best gene- ral mixture — and it is the one on which I chiefly depend — is fibry peat one part, leaf-mould two parts, weil- rotted dung one part, light hazelly loam four parts, and one part silver sand. To this a little more sand. dnng. or leaf-mould, may be chopped up. as may be required. Fuchsias and pelar- goniums lj!ke leaf-mould and a mode- rate amount of manure: calceolarias Tt>p a little more peat ; and geraniums of the horse-shoe breed like a clean loam, and sand. with, little or no manure. Composts should be kept under cover, so as to be lit for use in ■ay weather ; and the best plan is to fit up a few bins in the pottiag-shed. sod. have them regularly replenished. 90 as to be able to pot off a tew plants at a moment's notice. Potting-shed. — ^A good, potting-shed obviates many of the discomforts of wet weather. It shotild be roomy. and be fitted with bins for composts, crocks. &c., and with shelves for pots of each size. The bench should be as long as possible, so as to allow room for standing the pots as they are finJAed off. without having to run away with every half-dozen. The following materials sliould be kept separate, and ready for immediate use — crocks of three sizes, oyster -shells. pure leaf-mould, peat, silver sand, old dry powdery dung. A little sheit" for taUiea, pen. and ink, and a note-book. and a gardei list, is rasennaL as it saves journeys to the house to ha:ve such things always at hand, in clean and tidy order. Above ail things, rake care of old pots : some people are reck- less in their deatrucrion of pots, and waSE in that way the money they might better spend in inereaans and improving their stock. Old pots should be scalded and scmabed with a brash, and sorted in sizes ready for use. as soon as they accumulate in sufficient number to make a batch. Before new pots are used, it is best to soak them for a few hours in water to drive the air out of the day. Artijicial Peat. — Peat ]s an expei- sive article iu districts not poffleseang it naturailV. Though I use a good rt^al^ I seldom purciiasc any. because of a systematic method I adoot of manu- &cturing it. la the cotirse of a year we get a good deal of moss and fern aa packing. When we unDack plants sent up from cotmtry aurseries. we take care to keep the moss together, and lay it in. a trench under a hedge- la. the course of last year, we received as much, in this way as now makp^ nearly a cubic yard of rotted mould. This forms the basis of an artificial peat. To it we add leaf-mould, rotteu wood, old blocks of turf tiiat consist almost entirely of fibre, aad plenty of silver sand. ^ hen thoroughly ciiopped down and frozen two or three times. this is a first-rate compost for everv kind of peat plant ; and leaf- mould, dung, loam, &e., can easily be added when necessary. One precaution is most essential, and that is» to saturate the compost with, ioilinsr water before using it. It soon gets iry, and is thai sweet, firee trom vermin, and is not likely to breed ftmgi. If any white threads appear amongst it. remove them and the substances to which thev are attached, and let all such, fungoid products be thrown on the hean. when you are charring rubbish. The verv best of peat may otten be obtained, from old hedge-rows, in ^^andy dis- tricts, formed of rotted leaves -and mosses, ilany who send miles for peat might find abundance a tew yards ^om their own. door, by a little 12 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. scrutiny of an old hecl^e or coppice. But in all wet soils beware of rotten wood ; if it engenders white fibres, it is the mo<;t poisonous material that can be brought into contact with the roots of plants. S. H. PROTECTION FOR PITS AND FRAMES. That some kind of protection is neces- sary where pits and frames exist, and that such protection forms a considerable item in tlie garden account, will, I am sure, not be denied : then, to preserve such covering in an efficient state for as long a time as possible, must be a matter of concern to all who possess struotures requiring it. The accompanying engra- a staple fixed in the frame or pit, by which means the frames are secured in tlieir places. Tlie scantlmg of timber used, is 2 inches by 1^ inches, upon which is strained stout canvas, projecting a little over one edge of the frame, so that, when more than one is reqiiired, the projecting edge laps over the next light, and keeps the wet from going between. After it is strained upon the frame, it should be well painted — the frame should Tings will show how this may be done, and the neatness of the frame-ground be secured, and the confusion which mats, hay, &c., laying about to dry, produces, be avoided. Fig. 1 represents a skele- ton-frame made the size of a frame- light, with diagonal braces, and bound at corners with iron hoop ; and at each end is a small chain with T link, to drop into have been painted before. Fig. 2 repre- sents a rack, upon which the lights are stored when not in use, and may be made to hold any number required, underneath which, the mats, frigo-domo, &c., when tightly rolled, are put, and con- sequently will be always dry. The timber used for the rack, must, of cotirse, be of much larger scantling than that for the frames. 13 NEW FRUITS. At page 208 of our first volume, we figured lumpton, who, about twenty-five years ago, the Victoria Pear, raised by the Rev. John ' raised three plants of pairs from pips of Huyshe, and we coupl d, \\itli the menion : Marie Louise, hybridized with Gansel's Ber- of it, the name of Huyshe's Bergamot, as pamot. In 18.'j6 one of them jiroduced two another promising variety by tiie same fruits, and, in 1857. a larger -upply, when raiser. We did not figure the Bergamot , it was nanieil Huyshe's Bergamot. It is a then, because, though we had heard most | large, hand ome, solid fruit; colour, cinna- favourable reports of it, we were not suffi- ciently acquainted with its merits to be able to speak decisively. This season we have mon russet ; eye set in an even cavity, with short blunt calyx. The flesh is melting; flavoirr sweet, aromatic, vinous, and rich. huyshe's bergamot pear. made acquaintance with it, and we can con- firm, from our own knowledge, the high character this pear has attained, and add, for the information of our fruit-growing readers, that the Iluyshe Bergamot and Vic- toria are nnw in tlie market for the first tiine, being offered, by Messrs. Lucombe and Pince, of Exeter, at most reasonable prices. The raiser of these two fine pears is the Eev. John Huj-she, of Clysthydon Rectory, Col- Its season is from Christmas till the end ot February. It is an abundant bearer, and well adapted for culture as a pyramid, but is every way wortliy of a south wall. At the Metropolitan exhibitions it has been highly commended, and Mr. Huyshe was awarded the large silver medal bj' the Devon and Exeter Horticultural Society, for the production of this and the Victoria. We may add, that the Victoria has this season u THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. niore than sustained the character we gave I had to be supported, to prevent the branches It in the description which appeared in the j brealiing with their weiglit of fruit. — [Price : "Floral World" in September last. The i Bergamot, 10s. Gd. each; Victoria, os. to original tree has borne so heavily, that it | 7s. 6d. each.] STAMFORD PIPPIN. Mr. Joseph Laxtons seedling apple, the "Stamford Pippin," was figured at paize 84 of our volume for last year. This apple is rising in the esteem of judges of fruits, as a most valuable addition to the useful class to which it belongs, having all the excellencies of the Ribston, with a stronger habit ; the Ribston being so liable to canker, readers it unfit for many soil?, in which it is expected the Stamfi.rd will succeed. It is peculiarly adapted for pyramids, and the fruit will Iveep till Marcli and April. Messrs. Wood and Ingram, of Huntingilon, are now sending out plants for the first time. — [Price 5s., 6s., and 7s.J s«•I■scoo«oc■e■c««o<^-c»»o«o«•^^«e THE GARDENER'S RECEIPT BOOK.* This is the third edition of one of the most useful books ever published. Every gar- dener, whether amateur, or otherwise, ought to possess a copy, so as to refer, on the occasion of any difficulty or disaster, to the best mode of remedying it, as well as fur short practical advices on gardening opera- tions, tlie construction of garden embellish- ments, the preservation of botanical and entomological specimens, &c., &c. The work has lately been revised and enlarged, and is the only one of its kind on which, in the present day, any reliance can be placed, for safe and simple directions. It contains about a hundred and twenty receipts, of which we give the following, as examples : — Gi'ub in Onions. — Make some strong lime- water, and add to it as much soot as will make it into a thin paint, and with this water the crop the moment maggot appears. This soot mixture is so stimulating a manure, that it should always be used to increase the weight of the crop. House-slops mixed with lime and soot, would he still more powerful, both to destroy maggot and improve the plant ; but unless rain followed immediately, it would be advisable to drench the ground with pure water the day after application. Cucumbers, to keep. — When the cucumbers are at their best they shcild be cut, and laid in a box made for the purpose, just to fit them, and then bury the box in some drj' sand, covering it over to the depth of a foot. Tnere should not be any hay or moss put with them in Jiie box, as it will cause them to turn yellow. If laid in the box without hay or moss, their colour and bloom may be preserved for a fortnight to look as fresh as the day they were cut. Melons may also be kept in the same waj'. A cheap Green Paint. — Take 4 lbs. of Roman vitriol, and pour on it boiling water; when dissolved, add 2 lbs of pearl ish, and stir the mixture well with a stick nntil the effrvesceiice ceases ; then add a quarter of a pound of pulverized yellow arsenic, and stir the whole together. This paint will cost less than one-fourth of oil colour, and the beauty is far superior. Hmo to remove Mildew from Roses, cjc. — - Mildew has been successfully removed from roses and pelargoniums, by dissolving at the rate of one ounce of nitre to one gallon of water, and water the plant with it occasionally : another way is to wash the diseased parts with a decoction of elder leaves. But the most effectual remedy is flower of sulphur dusted over the foliage, by means of the Boite a Houppe, sold by Bur- gess and Key, London. Hoio to remove American Blight. — Take half a peck of quicklime, half a pound of flowers of sulphur, and a quarter of a pound of lampblack. Mix with boiling water, enough to form a thick paint. With this, in the winter, when the leaves are off, paint the branches, having first removed all loose bark. In doing this, be sure to remove the soil from the bottom of the stem to the main roots, and paint all the underground part. February is a good time for this. If one application is not sufficient, repeat. Use the paint warm. When this has become dry, the trees should be looked over, and all cracks and holes stopped with well-worked clay, and after frost, the clay-stoppings should be dressed again, to close any cracks tliat may occur. Spirits of tar, ammoniacal liquor from the gas-works, strong tobacco- water, soap-suds, or ui-ine, two months old, * "The Gardener's Receipt Book.' and Sons, 5, Paternoster-row. By ■William Jones. Third Edition. London; Groombtidge THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 15 may be used with decided benefit. Train oil, and other tish oils liave been used with success; but in applying the latter, care should be taken uot to touch the buds. Waterproof Walks. — Take two parts of very dry lime rubuish, and one part coal-ashes, also very dry, and botli sifted fine. In a dry place, on a ury day, mix them, and leave a hole in the middle of the heap, as brick- layers do when making mortar. Into this pour baling hot coal-tar; mix, and when as stiff as mortar, put it three inches thick where the walk is to be ; the ground should be dry, and beatea smooth. Sprinkle over it coarse sand. When cold, pass a light roller over it; in a few days the walk will be solid and waterproof. Bees, to Feed. — Two pounds of loaf sugar, with half a pint of liquid, consisting of one quarter best vinegar, and three quarters water, the whole boilnd together, until it assumes a yellow colour; then poured into a well greast-d dish, and cut up before cold, into strips convenient for insertion into the hives. Should it candy on cooling, it is a proof that it has not been boiled enough, and should be returned to the saucepan without water, aad boiled again. K>»0000C<»C-i*C-IOCX>300Cr DRESSING FLOWERS FOR SHOW. Having, in a former number of the " Floral World," expressed mj' objection to the practice of " dressing," it is not necessary to repeat my sentiments; all that I want to do now, is to call attention to the Crystal Palace Show, a poor affair, merely a re- chauffee of the Stoke Newina;ton Fancy five shillings for a fourth prize, where, of course, all the cut flowers were trimmed and dressed, with one exception, however, viz., Mr. Salter, of Hammersmith, who exhibited two new varieties, Golden Queen, and Prince Albert, precisely as grown on the plants, the flowers surrounded by a circlet of beauti- ful foliage, like birds reposing in their nests. To compare the dressed ones with these would be absurd ; at least, so I think. The following simile suggested itself: the dressed flowers reminding me of queen Eliz ibeth — stiff, starched, formal; whilst Mr. Salter's two flowers put me in mind of the simple, but elegant and graceful Mary, Queen of Scots. I do not write invidiously, because, at the Palace, I did not get a prize. The twelve flowers I showed were the very same for which, at Stoke Newington, I was awarded a fourth-class prize, but, not being touched- up again, re-plugged, and re-tubed, of course, among their newly-dressed neigh- bours, they cut but a so-so-ish figure. At the South London (Caraberwell) Society, I obtained two first-class prizes for twelve large, and six anemone flowers, all not dressed, but just as cut from the plants. I am told that, try as I may, I shall never write down the "dressing" practice. Nousverrons. The system is dishonest, except am-ng exhibitors themselves. The dressed flowers are not near so elegant as undressed ones ; and I tell the public that, in purchasing chrysanthemums, if they expect to produce flowers equal to those they see at shows, they will be disappointed, except by tedious artificial means; and whoever sells plants with such a guarantee, imposes upon the pur- chasi-r. Uo away with wooden tubing and pliiggmg ; throw away the steel and ivory tweezers ; show flowers with a collar of fine foliage, placed merely in tin tubes of water ; exhi 'itions will then be more pleasing, and, certainlj-, more reputaiile. It is said that the public would not come to look at m«- dressed flowers. It's all fudge; and only asserted by those who know that their prizes depend upon their skilful manipulation. At an exhibition next year (say a public place, like St. James's Hall), let me suggest tne following: — That there be a stage for '•'dressed," and another for "undressed" flowers ; the former subject to the process of petal-removing, eye-extracting, or, more properly, eye-easincf, tweezering, petal-ad- justing and curling, wooden-tubing, tighten- ing, fixing, &c. ; the latier simply cut from the plant, with the foliage attached, and placed only in tin vessels of water, for keep- ing them fresh. I bet a wager that the un- dressed flower exhibitors might, and would, proudly and justly, adopt the motto, " Veni, vidi, vici,'" and that the public would cer- tainly approve it. William Worth, Burnt-ash-lane, Lee, Kent. N.B. — In praising Mr. Salter's flowers, you will understand that I am perfectly un- known to him ; I merely write for honest flower shows. '>000<>C^>00COSOO0C«^C< 16 SELECTIONS OF THE BEST FLORISTS' FLOWERS. AUKICfLAS. A few of the best old flowers, for begin- nei's. Green-edged. — Wnterloo(Smitli), Cham- pion, (Page), Lady Ann Wilbraham (Oilier), Imperator (Litton), Lord Nelion (Howard). Qrey-edged. — Conqueror (Waterhouse), General Bolivar (Smith), LoTely Ann (Oliver), Superb (Headly), Ne plus ultra (Fletcher). White-edged. — Conqiieror (Popplewell), Glory (Taylor), True Briton (Hepworth), Incomparable (Taylor). iSe^s.— Blackbird (Spalding), Metropo- litan (Redman), Mrs. Smith (Smith), Han- nibal (Faulkner). A few of the very best, indispensable to any one wishing to fonn a good collec- tion : — Green-edged. — Apollo (Hudson), Free- dom (BootJi), Colonel Tay (Leigh), Im- perator (Litton), Lady Ann Wilbraliam (Oilier), Champion (Page), Apollo (Bee- ston). Lady Blucher (Clegg), Robin Hood (Hepworth), Freeman (H ilton), Inkermann (Liglitbody), Lord Lynedoch (Light';ody), Star of Bethlehem (Lightbody), Green Hero (Yates). Grey-edged. — Maria (Chapman), Sophia (Chapman), Unique (Dickson), Mary Ann (Fletcher), Ne plus ultra (Fletcher), Privateer (Grimes), Superb (Hendly), Sir C. Napier (Lightbody), Unique (Maclean), General Bolivar (Smith), Complete (Sykes), Lady Jane Grey (Dixon), Britannia, (Hedges), Alma (Lightbody), Sqiiire Chil- man (Wilmer). Whiie-edged. — Regular (Ashworth), Model (Grimes), Smiling Beauty (Heap), True Briton (Hepworth), Countess of Dunmore (Lightbody), Fair Maid (Light- bodv), Ne plus ul'ra (Smith), Favourite (Taylor), Robert Burns (Campbell), Pil- lar of Beautv (Hughes), Conqueror (Pop- plewell), Regulator (Poll). Selfs. — Squire Smith (Chapman), Han- nibal (Faulkner), Meteor Flag (Light- body), Eliza (Sim), Vulcan (Sim), Black- bird (Spalding), Sadtholder (Gorton), Admiral of the Blue (lightbody), Eclipse Martin), Mary Gray (Spalding). AURICULAS (new) OF GREAT PROMISE. Admiral Napier, green-edged (Camp- bell) ; Lycurgus, green-edged (Smith) ; George Lightbody, grey-edged (Headly) ; Mrs. Headly, white-edged (Lightbody) ; Sir Colin Campbell, self (Lightbody). AZALEAS. Barelayana, wliite, striped violet ; Ad- miration, white, flaked carmine ; Chelsoni, orange scarlet ; Coronata, rosy red ; Cnspi- flora, rosy lake ; Gem, salmon, spotted ; Criterion, light salmon, edged white, spotted crimson ; Dehcata, rose ; Empress Eugenie, rose, spotted ; Eulalie Van Geert, blusJi pink, spotted carmine; Extranii, violet rose ; Gledstanesi, white, occa- sionally striped red ; Iveryana, white, sLriped red ; Lateritia, light orange-red ; Lateritia alba suprema ; Juliana, orange scarlet; Perryana, orange scarlet; Hol- fordiana, violet rose ; Prsestantissima, orange red ; Magnificus, large, white ; Rosy Circle, rosy pink, spotted dark rose ; Symmetry, rosy salmon, spotted crimson ; Violacea superba, violet ; Marie, carmine, spotted crimson. AZALEAS — DOUBLE. Elize Miellez, rose ; Adolphe, purple ; Buckinghami, scarlet ; Glory of Sunning- hill, rose ; Louise Margottin, Modesta, peach ; Semi-duplex maciUata, rosy pink ; Rubra plena, scarlet. CAMELLIAS. White. — Adelina Benvenuti, ivory- white, blotched with rose ; Alba Bourtu- lin ; Countess of Ellesmere, creamy-striised flesh ; Countess of Orkney, carmine stripe ; De la Heine, mottled rose, superb ; Dunlops, pure white ; Jenny Lind, striped with red ; Jubilee, striped rose ; Montironi, imbricated ; Targioni, carmine stripe; Teutonia, occasionally blush. Rose. — Amalia Melzi, veined white; Arciduca Giovanni, striped white ; Bella di Pontedera, brilliant rose, striped white, double ; Bizarra, pale rose, veined white ; Commander-in-Chief; Cruciata Nova, white stripe ; Drysdalei, carnation-like ; Elizabeth Herbert, light centre ; Herap- stedi bright rose, large ; Jardin d'Hiver; Marietta Mossoni, light centre ; Saccoi nova, one of the best old sorts, and known by several names, colour pure rose, and not yet beaten in its class ; Valteve- redo, fine shape. Carmine and Crimson. — Ariosto, white stripe ; Beuneyii, velvety crimson ; Fran- cesco Ferrugi, shaded slate, form of a ranunculus ; General Diouot, cherry-red, white stripe; L'Inispettata, cherry-red, edged white ; Maria Morren, carmine ; Mathotiana, crimson, imbricated ; Optima (Low), crimson and rose; Princesse Baciocchi, carmine, white sti'ipe. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 17 Fancy and- Intermediate. — Archduchess Augusta, dark crimson, veined bhie ; Caryophylloides, bhish, striped with car- mine ; Comto de Paris, sahnon pink, edged white j Era Amolda da Brescia, red, curiously marbled with white ; !M;ku- lata Perfecta, varies from white, with rt so stripes, to rose, with wliite stripes ; Priu- cesse de Lamballe, rosy white, with car- mine stripe, shade of sulphur in centre. NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANT LICE. BY PROFKSSOK H. HUXLEY, F.K.S. A LEARNED French naturalist, M. Duvau, proposed, many years ago, to term the middle of the 18th century "Fepoque des Pucerons," and the importance of the phenomena which were at first brought to light by the study of these remarkable insects, renders the phrase " epoch of Plant lice," as applied to this period, far less whimsically inappropriate than it might at first sight seem to be. After a brief sketch of the mode of life of these plant lice, or Aphides, as they are technically termed — of the structure of their singular piercing and sucking mouths, and of their relation to what are called " blights," the circumstances which have more particularly drawn the attention of naturalists to these insects, were fully detailed. It was between the j'ears 1740, and 1750, in fact, that Bonnet, acting upon the suggestion of the illustrious Reaumur, isolated an Aphis immediately after its birth, and proved to demonsti-ation that, not only was it capable of spontane- ously bringing forth numerous hving j'oung, but tbat these and their descendants, to the ninth generation, preserved a similar faculty. Observations so very remarkable were not likely to pass unheeded, but. notwithst, before giving them any ii.ention in these pages. We are now thoroughly satisfied that they will wear well, and, to us<" the customary lan- guage, last for ever. Tht^y are made of a clay which has the appparance of terra-cotta, of a quiet stone colour, and the pattern is in imitation of a cable ; indeed, they are called " cable edging." As there are no sharp points about them, there is no danger of their beinL"; broken, or of accident to hands and ancles while dressing bord>r3, as some- times occurs with stone edgings of pointed patterns. For many who have enquired Jjg» about Hogg's edging tiles, we can recommend these as being as good or better. Each tile measures 7|- inches by 7^ inches, and they may be put down by any one unskilled in such work. They are sold at the rate of 5d. per running yard. >coccococoooccocoooccooococ; SELF -REGISTERING THERMOMETERS. We have been requested to give an opinion i a garden wall, they will be useful to show bow as to the merit of a cheap thermometer, for j low the temperature has sunk during the indicating the lowest temperature occurring night, a pin inside the tube moving down- during the ni.uht, which Mr. Cox, philo^o- wards with the spirit, indicating next morn- phical instrument maker, of 5, Barbican, ing the lowest temperature to which the London, has just brought out at 3s. Gd. spirit has sunk. We can recommend these We have compared two of them with stan- cheap and simple instruments, which are dard instruments, and have found them cor- invaluable in greenhouses and conservatories, rect. Placed in a pit or greenhouse, or against I NOTES FOR JANUARY. KITCHEN' GAEDEN. Digging and trenching are supposed to have been already accomplished. Where- over any ground remains unbroken, take the first opportunity to ridge it up to the frost. In hard weatlier wheel out manure, that the frost may destroy any vermin it contains. Get all dry rubbish that is unsuitable for the muck-heap together, for charring ; small charcoal and wood-ashes are a first-rate manure. Sotv peas and beans, radishes, and horn- carrot, on warm slopes, as soon as the weather permits. TLOWER GAEDEN. Planting of trees and shi-ubs should be re-commenced at the end of tlie month, and to expedite the work, have all ready beforehand, so that the stock will not have to lay about. Get all wheeling clone while the walks are fro- zen, for, after frost, the barrow will cut them up terribly. Wheel manure to shrubbery borders, and break it in little heaps about the I'oots of choice shrubs, to be levelled over when the borders have their spring dressing. Roll lawns well between the frosts. Keep all protecting THE FLORAL WORLD AND QARDEN GUIDE. 21 materials under cover, so as to be dry and handy for use, at a moment's notice. GKEEXHOTTSE. Hard- wooded plants must have fire- heat during frosty weather, but it must lie given with caution, and must not rise above 40 degs. at night and 50 degs. 1>V day. Hang strips of worsted net- lii'o' over the ventilators, to break the force of cold winds : this will allow more air to be given. Soft-wooded plants may be set going pretty freely, but be very careful not to have too high a night tem- perature, which is most exhaustive to the plants. Examine all the old stakes used as supports to plants in pots, and if de- caying, remove them. The appearance of fungus on the part buried in the soil soon leads to the destruction of the plant, by contact of the white threads with the roots. Train and tie out whatever requires it ; revise tallies and labels ; keep down green-fly, by fumigating ; and complete all odd jobs, so as to have no hindrances to spring work, when this month is over. Thermometer, 45 degs. on an average, varying from 35 degs. by night, to 50 degs. by day. Auriculas. — Water very sparingly, keep the foliage dry, remove dead leaves, and guard against cold cutting winds. Grive air at evei-y favourable opportunity. Carnations and Ficotees.—Kee]) them as hardy as possible, by taking off the lights whenever the weather permits. Much moisture would now do much mis- chief, but they must not get dust-dry. Turn up a few plants occasionally, and see if aphis has attacked them. Calceolaria^?. — Herbaceous kinds that are pretty forward should be re-potted, and have a little extra warmth. Shrubby ones will require stopping, but will do better in the ordinary temperature of the house. Green-fly is sure to appear now, and must be checked in good time. Camellias. — As they come into flower, treat them Uberally. Keep the foliage clean with the syringe, or sponge, dipped in tepid water. Keep them from fire-heat as much as possible. Azaleas treat the same, but give a little heat to those wanted early in bloom. Cinerarias. — These will damp off at the collar, or lose their foliage, if any ac- cident occui's to touch them with frost, or excess of moisture. This is the critical moment for them. Keep down mildew, by the use of sulphui*, and admission of air. Remove decayed leaves, and tie out large specimens. Those showing flower may be put on a warm shelf ; but the cineraria dislikes heat as much as it does frost. Dahlias. — Now is a good time to get the ground i-eady where these are to be planted out, to have it sweet, and pul- verised, when they are planted out in May. Felargoniiims. — Many will probably want re-potting, which must be attended to. Select the plants intended for special purposes of exhibition or decoration, and give them plenty of room near the glass, and a temperature of 50 degs. at night, and 60 degs. by day. Water with great care, and give air whenever the tempera- ture outside is not lower than 32 degs. Those for summer blooming will do best at an average of 45 degs., but young plants, that are not over strong, should have a warm place. COLD PEAMES AND PITS. Do not be in haste to remove pi'otecting materials after a long frost. Let the plants recover themselves in the dark, and should bright sun follow suddenly upon severe weather, add some loose straw, to prevent the warmth reaching the stock too sud- denly. Remove all dead leaves, and give plenty of air in mild weather, TRUIT &ABDEN-. Pruning ought to have been done, and the ground cleared, long ago. If not, set about it at once, for, in the huny of the general spring work, the buds may swell before the knife has finished its work, which is injurious. Trees on east walls had better be unnailed till the end of Februaiy, to keep them back. Manure between the rows of c^lr- rants, gooseberries, and raspberries. VINEEY. Cover outside borders with a dry material. Set the first house at work at 45 degs. to 50 degs., and increase the heat a Uttle when the buds have fairly opened. In late houses, paint the stems with a mixture of soap, sulphur, and soot, and give walls, rafters, and trellises, a general cleaning, before the vines begin to work. STOVE. Be cai'eful to keep down the tem- perature in general collections, and give air whenever the sun causes the ther- mometer to rise above the average. Plants that need pruning and re-potting, should be cut over, and left to start, before their roots are disturbed. Thermometer, 55 degs. at night, 65 degs. by day. 22 TO COllRESPONDENTS. LA BELLE ASSEMBLE. Spoken by Mr. D. V. Cole, late Honorary Secre- tary, at tlie Dinner in celebration of the second cxhitiition of tlie East LoiKioii Amateur Clirj'san- themum Society, at Albion Hull. Old Lontlon'3 streets, as legends say, Are paved uiih i.'old this many a day ; So none need wonder whrii they are told, O'er London reitrns the Hower of Gold. All hnnds proclaim her queen of Flowers, Sydenham s Halls, P'ersailles'* gay bowers ; Then listen all, while I rehearse, Half Salter's catalogue in verse. That beauteous flower of charms supreme, That bears the name of England's Queen, Came at her Eastern subjects' c.ill, And held her court at Albion Hall. How shall I all the glories tell. That m.ike her court the Nonpareil ; There Beauty smiles, a lovdy Gem, And Justice leans on T/temis' stem. And courage shines in Mars' red glow. And purity in V-sfa's snow ; i There wealth is saf« in Plutus' care, | And truth gleams from Etoile Polaire. Her standard, which no blot could sully, i Be;\rs the proud motto " Ce'lo nulli ; " ' 'Twas borne with its of the bark only, and may be inspected within and without. Monthly Index. -i. S. H., Mill Hill.— Your suggestion is a good one, but the mechanism of printing does not very well admit of adding a single leaf to each number. 24 THE FLOEAL WOELD AKD GAEDEN GUIDE. Teens fob a Wabdian Case.—/. /J.— All in your ]\7EATHER NEAR LONDON, JAN., 1858. 1 BAKOMETER. THERMOM. WIND. BAIN. DAYS. BAEOMETEE, THERMOM. WIND' RAIN. MAX. MIN. MX. SIN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN. s. 1 30.444— 30.38-^ 48 26 37.0 SW .00 M. 17 30.6.51-SO 5G5 42 24 33.0 NW .00 s. 2 30 421-30.379 44 33 S8.5 sw .01 Tu. 18 30. 4rtl— 30.356 46 27 36.5 W .00 M. 3 30.444-30.394 46 26 36.0 SE .00 W. 19 30.330-30.147 50 35 42..b W .00 Tu 4 30.45:;— 30 351 38 24 31.0 E .00 Th. 20 29.878-29.819 51 32 41 5 NW .00 W. 5 30.3.''.5— .M0.I76 31 21 26.5 NK .00 F. 21 3(1.314—30.095 40 l9 34.5 N .00 Th. 6 30.170-30.142 .•50 16 23.0 SE .00 s. 22 30.4.59-30.392 41 24 32.5 N .00 P. 7 •■'0.217-30.096 39 25 32.0 S .00 S 23 30.550—30.509 46 17 31.5 W .00 S. 8 30 106-30.086 62 46 49.0 SW .02 BI. 24 30.564—30.271 43 16 29.5 s .00 s 9 30.19:)- 30.074 52 26 39.0 SW .04 Tu. 25 30.416—30.010 44 20 32.0 s .00 M. 10 30.224-30 104 52 40 46.0 sw .08 W. 26 30.190—30.080 35 24 29 .5 SE .00 Tu. 11 30.424— 30.0J8 50 20 35 0 w .01 Th. 27 :^0. 105-30 064 46 19 32 5 SE .00 \ W. 12 30.515- 30.343 51 37 44.0 SW .00 F. 28 30 215-30 164 49 23 36.0 S ■00 Tb. 13 30.252— SO 2J5 60 21 35.5 NW .00 S. £9 30.251—30.071 54 44 49 0 SW .02 F. 14 30 333— E0.30:; 47 22 34.5 w .00 s. 30 30.001 - 29 ^00 56 38 47.0 SW .20 S. 15 30.308-30.28G 48 34 41.0 w .00 M. 31 29.921—29.754 46 20 3S.0 N .00 S. 16 30.553- 30 28-; i 50 32 41.0 NW .01 1 AVEllAGI :s Fo R TH E EN SUI NG MONTH. Januabt, 1858, was a cold month ; during the first week the temperature was 4f ° below the average, and, in the last week, 7.^° below tbe average. Tbe miiidle of the nior.th was n i;d. and the second week the temperature rose to 4° aboic the avf rage. As December, 18.iS, was unusually mild, with but little rain up to ihe 20ih, Jannnry, 18.^9, nay be expected lo be si vere, with Inavy rain.i and much snow, for Irost and wet aie still owing to us according to averages, and meteorological experience. The lowest temperatures registered ni January, during the last thirty-two years, were the fol. owing : — 2nd, 1854. and 14tb, 1828, 4°; 7tb and 8th. 1841, 6°; 31st, 1857. 8° .The averaL:is for January are, Barometer 29.907; Thermometer, max. 43°, niin. 33°, nuan 38°. The a\erage f:dl of rain in London is, 1.9 inches. In January, 1857, the amount ot rain which tell at Chiswick. was 2.09 inches. During tbe whole of the year 1857, the total tall ol rain wis 21.06 inches, bting 2.78 below the average. Durmgthe past year, 1858, the an ount vas alfo below the average, but we cannot, at pressnt, say Low much ; we believe, however, the deficiency will prove to be about Sinches, and a wet spring in 1859 is rendered probable. The winds which prevail most in January, are S.W., W., and N.W. ; east winds are of rare occurrence, but when they occur, severe frosts usually accompany theai. The variations of the weather are always great in January. PHASES OF THE MOON POE JANUARY, 1859. • New Moon, 4th, 6h. 26m. a.m. j First Quarter, 12th, 7h. 23m. a.m, O Full Moon, ISth, lib. 49m. p.m. C Last Quarter, 2oth, 8h. 45m. p.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, JANUARY, 1859. Tuesday, January llth, Horticultural Society : Meeting of Eruit Committee, and award of prizes for winter Nelis Pear. *^ Secretaries will oblige by forwarding Announcements, Schedules <^c., of forthcoming Exhibitions, THE Februaky, 1859. ETWEEN theory and practice there ought to be V no antagonism at all, spite of the adage that " theory is one thing and practice another." A theory is not the fruit of inventive so much as of an observant mind, and, instead of having its origin in the fancy, it must be a systematized deduction from facts, or it is no theoi'y at all. The confounding of theory and hypothesis, as if they were com- mutable terms, is in most cases the cause of those vague remarks current among gardeners, and -which betray their possession of very dull heads, though they may have nimble and expert hands. In the culture of fruit-trees, theory and practice must go together ; that is to say, the practice must be in accordance with the theory, and the theory must be based on observation and experiment. In pruning a fruit-tree, the thoughtful gardener proceeds according to theory, and, instead of cutting hap-hazard, he considers first what is the habit of the tree as to the production of fruit-buds — do they come on the ripe wood of the last year, as in a grape vine or Morello cherry, or on woody spurs, as on a pear or apple? Determining this point, he uses the knife under the guidance of reason, instead of by rude guess-work, and cuts back very close the young rods of white and red currant-trees, but leaves the same growths nearly their full length on black currants and gooseberries. Just so as to the management of fruit-trees in pots. Build your orchard-house, and buy your potted trees ; and instead of having done all that is neces- saiy to insui-e a succession of fruit-crops, you have but got the raw materials together, and from that moment you must celebrate every day the legitimate union of theory and practice. "Wlien Mr. Eivers's admirable work on the " Orchard-house" was first published, it was met with a storm of opposition from all quarters, and the scheme propounded in its pages was denounced as theoretical, and therefore unworthy even a moment's notice by any really practical man. But a few enthusiasts, who were not given to the stupid practice of knocking their heads against the popular fallacy as to theories, ptit into VOL. II. NO. II. c 26 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, practice the method of culture propounded by Mr. Rivers ; and when these had, by undeniable successes, \dndicated the orchard-house from the senseless aspersions cast upon it, many a former sceptic gave in his adhesion to the plan, the loudest of the opponents became silent, and at last, to use the favourite phrase of the Thunderer, the orchard-house became a " great fact." Just as a Wardian case is a greenhouse in miniature, so an orchard- house is also a greenhouse of the very best kind of construction, specially planned to accommodate fruit-trees in pots and borders. If anything is to be said as to theory and practice in connection with orchard-houses, it is this, that their success is the direct consequence of the practice they involve, being founded on the true theory of fruit-cultui'e, in which of course it is a primary postulate that the trees subjected to cultxu'c should be placed in such cu'cumstanccs, as to climate, soil, etc., as are most favourable to the production of fruit-buds and the matui'ation of the fruit. But it will be said that it is not natural for fruit-trees to grow in pots ; in the open ground they send out their roots far and wide, and make wood as well as leaves and fruit, all of which are inimical to their confinement in the narrow limits of 11 -inch and 13-inch pots. The best answer to this tremendous objection is, that it is not natiu'al for any plant, whether a peach-tree or a lily of the valley, to grow in a pot ; and if to gain a certain end we make herbaceous plants, shrubs, and bulbs submit to con- finement in pots, why should fruit-trees suffer by similar treatment ? It all turns upon how the thing is done, and here we are pointed to success or failure, according as the practice accords with the theory of the sixbject dealt with. In a state of wild growth, fruit-bearing trees are also more or less timber-forming trees ; when we take them in hand, and submit them to culture for the sake of their fruit, and their fruit only, we have to check, by artificial means, yet nevertheless in accordance with natural principles, the tendency to form wood, and increase the tendency to the production of fruit. If you want a geranium or calceolaria to bloom early, how do you treat it ? You cease to shift it ; as it fills its pot with roots, it shortly becomes pot-bound, and forthwith thi'OAVs up trusses in- stead of making a further succession of wood shoots. The check to its roots prevents it increasing much more in size, and it at once acquii-es a flowering habit. Select a large branch on an old pear-tree, and use it as a beam for a swing for the children, and let them cut the bark through by the fretting of the rope, and you will have a hea\y crop of fruit from that branch next season, provided, before it was so ill-used, it had well- ripened its numerous fruit-spiu's. The injury to the bark checked the vigoui- of the branch, and, instead of using what few energies were left in the formation of wood shoots, it brings to maturity and ripens ten days earlier than the rest of the tree the fruit which set after blossoming. The branch may die or recover ; any way it -will have taught you this lesson, that by checking the tendency to make wood, we increase the tendency to the formation of flowers and the ripening of seeds, which last tendency is the one which moat delights us in the cultiu'e of fruit-trees. In ciilti- vating fruit-trees in pots, we hit the happy mediiun of insuring liberal crops of fruit, and just as much wood as may be necessary for gradually increasing the size of the tree, and the number of fruit-beariiig spiu's and branches, and this without any violation to its natui'e ; in fact, with a promotion of its health and vigour in every respect, except that there is THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 27 no gTossness, and we have perfect command over roots as vv^ell as branches. Then as to climate, an orehard-honse,"so constructed that the v^'inds whistle through crevices and the sun heats the boarded sides to a degree which alarms the novice, does not at first thought seem very promising. But the majority of fruits most prized bj' us come from Syria, Persia, and the south of Europe, where in spring hot days are followed by cold nights, and the summer is fiercer, drier, and more prolonged than oui's. An orchard-house constructed so as to afford to its inmates a free ventilation, is the best j)osslble imitation of such climates as can be devised ; the trees are protected from storms, the severity of long frosts is modified, the summer is lengthened, and the daily heat increased ; and, what is of more moment than all other advantages put together, we can secure the blooms against those ravaging east winds, and morning frosts, and blowing nights of rain and snow and dripping fog, by which our tender wall-fruits are so teiTibly denuded of their blossoms, that in nine cases out of ten wall- fruit culture proves more plague than profit. The most striking pecu- liarity of our climate is the fickleness of its spring. Yines, peaches, apricots, and figs will stand almost any amount of frost, if the air is at the same time dry and the trees at rest. In the orchard-house you can make sure of this ; out of doors it is not your affair, but an aftair of the elements. But in spring, when the increasing sun heat on walls sets peaches moving, in accordance with their constitutional habit of early blooming, they open their buds and risk it. If March comes in like a lion, the proprietor of the trees pays the penalty of their precocity — the east winds nip them in the bloom, and the embryo fruit submits to ex- tinction. In the orchard-house, on the other hand, they may bloom at wiU ; by the turn of a button you shut out east wind, driving-snow, sleet, rain, fog, and all other atmospheric enemies ; and by another turn of a button you can let in a side di'aught from the south or west, and soften it by hanging a breadth of woollen net over the ventilator, and there you have your Eastern climate, and see fruit set by dozens just as on open walls, and among standard trees they are falling at the same or even at a more rapid rate. We have enlarged on these two points in order to show that though the subject is one to be dealt with practically, it nevertheless opens up many an interesting point for the student of theory in horticulture. To vindicate either scheme itself, or the author of it, is not now necessary ; orchard-houses are rising by himdreds all over the country, and are found useful in the warm climate of Devonshire and Cornwall, as well as on the bleak slopes of the Highlands ; and Avhere the principles on which success depends are intelligibly followed by the cultivators, failures are the exception and success the rule, which is more than can be said of any other system of fruit-culture, not excepting that of apples in Hereford and Devon, cherries in Kent, or grapes in the south of France. But failures have occurred, and will continue to occur ; many a man has expended money on an orchard-house which he had better have kept in his pocket ; but this may also be said of eveiy other branch of horti- culture. How many of those who grow roses, strawberries, asparagus, or even " cabbages, are competent to bring out the full excellences of the several subjects ? Are not failures even in potatoes, peas, and mignonette as frequent as mistakes at the Stock Exchajige, and miscalculations of 28 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. dishes required for a dinner ? Of coui'sc there will always be those who will have theu- sad talc to tell of disappointment in the cultm-e of fruit- trees in pots ; and in order that such of our readers as may be bitten with the prevailing mania for orchard-houses may escape every cause for dis- content, we will here just enumerate a few of the leading points on which the routine of management must be based. Given an orchard-house : one of the first conditions of success is an abundant ventilation; for peaches, nectarines, pears, etc., are all hardy in a certain manner, and require protection only from the harshest severities of the weather and from sudden changes of atmospheric conditions. Early in -winter the trees must be got to rest, and kept at rest ; and to effect this a proper ventilation is all that is required. From the day they fii'st break in spring till they go to rest again in autumn, they should have constant attention ; they must, in fact, he cultivated ; and cultivation does not consist in merely sticking a plant in earth, and thence leaving it to live or die as may be determined by the elements. Some people think it enough to build a house, and buy the trees and put them in their places. They are left to suffer by drought, and at long intervals are drenched Avith water ; and the consequence is, that instead of heavy crops of fruit, there ' are heavy crops of red spider. All through the summer the SATinge should be used amongst them so as to wash every leaf, and keep the trees in the most active state of growth, so that fruit-spurs shall be formed in time to be well ripened before the heat of the sim declines in autumn. To promote the formation of fi'uit-spurs we must enlarge the sphere of that process of checking which is accomplished by confining the roots in pots, by regularly pincliing back the shoots to prevent an undue develop- ment of wood, and increase the habit of fruitiulncss. Even where the pots stand the soil should l)c of a loose and rich character, so that the roots which penetrate through the drainage shall be enabled to take up a large amount of nourishment to compensate for the confinement in a pot, and to swell the fruit to its proper size before ripening. If the roots are allowed to work through into a rich border, why not plant the tree in the border at once, may be asked? Simply because, when the season's growth is completed, the pot can be turned up and all those feeding roots cut off and a third aid given to the principle of checking grossness without injniy to the tree, and Avith an increased habit of fertility. Tlicn, further to com- pensate for the drain on its resources which the ripening of a number of fruits must prove, and also for the confinement of those roots in a pot, a portion of the soil must, at the end of October, be taken out all round next the pot and be replaced ydi\\ a rich compost of turf and manure, and a top-dressing of manure only added above that, and two good doses of water given between dressing and the middle of November, and the trees then allowed to get diy to winter safely. Thus we feed liberally, and in a manner which in the open gromid would be the ruin of nine- tenths of oiir orchards and fruit-walls, by making forest-trees of those whose timber we have no desire to possess. But the other parts of the system preclude any undue dcA'elopment of timber in an orchard-house, and the greater part of this extra nourishment goes to the perfecting of heavy crops of fruit. Even with such a routine failures may happen through potting trees loosely, instead of ramming the soil in as hard as if for a bam floor ; through neglecting to destroy aphis, red spider, and other pests by the usual means ; by shifting trees in February and March instead of Novem- THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 29 ber ; by giving them too much pot room, or too poor a compost ; by imper- fect di-ainage ; or by selecting for the purpose unsuitable sorts, or suitable sorts grafted on stocks not of the right dwarfing nature. Some people have used their orchard -houses as conservatories, others as hybernatories for bedding plants, others as vineries, by which the trees were shaded and became scarecrows ; but well managed, an orchard-house is one of the choicest appendages to a garden in which a lady or gentle- man amateur takes delight in a daily Avalk and daily occupation. When the Sim shines on a bleak spring day, you pass at once from the ti'eacherous cKmate of Britain to that of the south of Prance as soon as you enter, and the walk, arched over with the almost meeting branches laden to their points with fragrant blossoms, is an arcade of floral beauty, in itself suffi- cient recompense for the cost and trouble incurred to obtain it. But to see apricots of three years old, pictures of beautj^ as to the symmetrical spread of their branches into the form of a close bush, each tree laden with its three or four dozen of ripe fruit, is still more gratifying, and at one lift the best of the batch may be transferred from the house to the dinner-table or side-board, and there constitute a decoration unequalled in the whole range of domestic amenities. Then as to the expense and trouble, these are but trifling considering that the result is certain, provided the practice be good. Houses such as Mr. llivers describes may, in most places, be constructed at one pound per foot run. The estimates given in his work for the two houses, which we have figured at page 37, are, for the lean-to, £28 5*., and for the span, £27 10*.; including everything, timber, glass, labour, and painting. In many places the cutting down of a few useless oaks and larches would provide the timber at once at the mere cost of labour for cutting it into lengths ; and by the adoption of the cheapest method in every detail, we believe such houses of from fourteen to sixteen feet wide might be put up at 10s. per foot rim. We know one instance of a house, thirty feet long by foiu'teen feet wide, which was built and supplied with trees and pots complete for £25 in all. Then as to trouble, there is no great task to perform in the management of an orchard-house ; it is the regularity of attention, such as an amateur must give if he takes a real interest in horticulture, that insures success ; not sudden fits of vigilance and the doing of too much under the influence of an intermittent enthusiasm. Some of Mr. Rivers' s trees have been in the same pots for nine years in succession, and continue still to bear well and make a suffi- ciency of new wood ; and there are instances on record of peaches thriving in the same pots lor twenty years. It is allowing the roots to feed below and giving annual top-dressing that explain how a tree in a pot is enabled to sustain itself in such confinement ; and it may also be added, that it is so completely under the control of the cultivator that he may do almost as he Avill with it, according to the amount of his skill, patience, and perse- verance. Our remarks last month on the evils that sometimes arise from the pre- sence in the soil of wood undergoing decay, were not intended to terrifj^^ but to warn our readers against a possible soiu'ce of mischief. Several correspondents have written respecting it, and with some of them the opinion seems to be that, if dead wood is so injurious, gardening is at end. In an interesting letter from " Four Subscribers," we are asked, " Do not oranges like to root into their boxes?" And another, "E. T.," conjectures 30 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. that having laboured hard to form a rooterj', the best thing he can now do with it is to take it to pieces again. A\Tiat we described hist month was no more than what we have seen, and if fuithcr testimony Avere wanted, evidence could be adduced in abundance, from all parts of the country, to shoA\' that the mycelium of fungi, choosing dead wood as its nidus, does frequently commit vast havoc, and is occasionally the unseen cause of the decline of orchards and plantations. To the writer of that article the fact had been known for years, but never in its full prac- tical shape until the occurrence of the event there recorded, namely, the taking up of an ancient fence. This Avas a bit of experience dearly paid for, and it was to guard our readers against obtaining experience in a similarly expensive way that we seized the opportunity, before the planting season passed, of referring to it in detail. Bj reference, it will be noticed that no general condemnation of rotten wood was intended by the writer. He says, " dead wood is often the cause," etc. ; and " damp soils" are specially referred to as the most likely to give rise to the production of the pest. " In open districts, on a sandy bottom, dead sticks and rotten timber make a first-rate ingredient for composts," says the writer, remembering to have used such materials largely in the making of artificial peat, and in preparing composts for the pot-cultiire of flowers, etc. Our readers must bear these exceptional matters in mind, and where wood is known to rot quickly and cleanlj-, no danger need be apprehended. Dead wood is one of Nature's own manures; the upper stratum of the soil in all forests consists chiefly of sticks and leaves thoroughly decayed, but there the process of cremacausis is so rapid, that the fibre becomes dust before fungi have time to difiiise through it. There are two other points of great moment, namely, that when decaying wood has passed a certain stage, the fungus . can feed upon it no longer ; hence wood thoroughly rotten cannot produce it ; it is during the process of decay that it riots amongst the lignin, and if it touches any living root, speedily brings that into a process of decay also. Club-rooted roses are, nine cases out of ten, aff'ected with it ; hence make few and feeble roots, and, by their miserable growth, distract the cultivator who limits his endeavours to improve them to the parts above ground only. Another point to be noted is, that the mjTelium cannot long exist exposed to the air ; it is an under-ffround production, and here we may comfort our friend, Avho is in a momentary perplexity about his rootery. If the roots have been tumbled about in the weather in the process of taking up, stacking, and finally ai'ranging them, they are not liltely, now that they are to remain above ground, to breed the pestilence ; perhaps in his district such a pest is unknown, and never to be apprehended. The mycelium is a local eA'il, damp soils are most likely to produce it ; it is at work in many a garden, insidiously destroying stock that cost money to piu-chase and patience to tend, and, like the voice of slander, damaging in secret what it cannot attack openly. In close-walled and close-fenced gardens, it is more likely to appear than iu the open country ; and all who are located in the suburbs of towns should take heed of our Avarning, which we here repeat is no idle one ; experience suggested it, and the knowledge that others have had similar experience to ourselves, increases our anxiety to put our readers on their guard. Clean rotten wood inAntes healthy roots to run amongst it just as clean peat docs, but one thread of mycelium will speedily ramify thi-ough a heap of compost, or an entire bank of soil, and kill every root Avith which it comes in contact. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 31 At a meeting of the Council of tlie Horticultural Society, held on the 12th of January, it was determined that the house, 21, Eegent Street, should be sold forth- with, and that tlie garden at Chiswick should be retained. This step will tend to relieve the Society of some of the weight of its embarrassments ; but unfortunately, in their zeal for economy, they have determined to sacrifice with the house the mag- nificent library, which, as to its horticultural and botanical contents, is unequalled in this country. Tlie sale of the house will, in rent and other expenses, effect a saving of £G00 a-year to the Society's funds ; but the library is valued at only £1000, so that parting with it, even if it realizes its full estimated value, will prove but a saving of £50 a-year, at least taking the capital of the library at five per cent, per annum. The Fruit Committee of the Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday, February 1st, to award ^jrizes of 20*. and 10*. each for Easter Beurre Pears, and again on Tues- day, March 1st, to give prizes of the same amounts for Beurre Eance Pears. At the meeting of the 11th of January, the prizes for winter Nelis Pears were awarded as follows :— 1st, Mr. Cox, F.H.S., gardener to N. Wells, Esq., Penshurst ; 2nd, Mr. A. Ingram, gardener to J. J. Blandy, Esq., Reading. — The Horticultural Society of Edinburgh have announced two exhibitions for the coming season, namely, Saturday, June 4, aud September 10, both to take place at the Gardens, Broughton Park. — Tlie Scottish Pansy Society will hold its annual meeting at the same place on the 4th of June. — The National ]?loricultural Society, 21, Regent Street, London, invite raisers of seedling flowers, nurserymen, and others, to give small special prizes for collections of their favourite flowers, to be exhibited at the ordinary meeting of the Society during the present year. Communications are to be made to Mr. R. Dean, the secretai*y. — The only exhibitions at pi'esent announced, besides those named above and in our last month's notes, are the following : — Royal Botanic, May 25, June 15, July 6 ; Bath, May 13, September 9 ; Chelteuham, May 4, June 8, September 7. — Crystal Palace, May 18, June 8, September 7 and 8 ; Chrysanthemum Show, Nov. 9 and 10. — On the 3rd of this month the British Pomological Society will meet at St. James's Hall, to award prizes for Late Dessert Pears, open to growers only. — At a meeting of the Gar- deners' Benevolent Institution, held January 11, WiUiam Baillie, WiUiam Dungate, and Sarah Ayres were elected pensioners. THE EOSE ANNUAL. BY ME. PATJX. Division of labour is the secret of excel- lence in every department of art and science, as much as in the operations of the work-room. A man of any pretence to culture is expected, in these days, to have a general knowledge of every depart- ment of human study, from theology to the manufacture of tenpenny nails ; but he is also expected to have a special and com- plete knowledge of some particular subject, and when we meet with a bright character in society, our first thought about him (if tre are also bright) is to ascertain which way his mindhas a tendency to range most freely. He knows everything, but what is he master of? Mathematics, botany, zoology, chemistry ? Is he clever in turning, and quite happy at the lathe ? Is he a devoted student of English, or Italian, or classic poetry ? or does he put aside all his general knowledge as soon as he enters a garden, and there engage him- self with those minute particulars which betray the enthusiastic horticulturist ? Certain it is, that as each department of art and science is more minutely investi- gated, its subdivisions get narrowed ; and modern literature partakes of this. Sub- jects that a few years since would have been dismissed in a chapter, now require volumes, and authors take some minor branch of a subject and elevate that to a primary importance, and thus the minutest details are analyzed and innumerable sources of knowledge are discovered, of which the learned of past ages did not so much as dream. We knew a mounter of microscopic objects who devoted his whole time for years to various modes of mount- ing for examination of one single species of parasitic insect, which we will not name, though we may go so far as to say it was neither a flea nor a bug — the mention of those is, perhaps, allowable ; and we also knew a botanist who spent twenty-five years in the study of one tribe of plants, the GramincB, and then avowed he was but just getting into the " marrow of his subject." But hold ! we have no business here to write essays ; all we have to do 32 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. is simply to call attention to the publica- ! tion of the " Eose Annual,"* which is a pretty example of the " division of labour" as applied to horticultural literature, and perfectly justifiable ; for if Cambridge and Oxford dons, metropolitan vestrymen, and mathematicians, and workers in Ber- lin wool have their annuals, why shoidd not tlio rose-grower, especially if such a roan as William Paul volunteers to pi'O- duce it? The "EoseA.nnual" opens bravely with exquisitely drawn and richly coloured portraits of four new roses, namely, Louis Chaix, H.P. ; Madame William, T. ; Lord Palmerston, B.P. ; and Empress Eugenie, P.M. Of these there are descriptions appended. Thereafter follow notes on the jDrogress of the rose from the year 1853 (to which date Mr. Paul brought down his historical and critical jottings in the " Eose Garden") to 1858 ; notes on the new roses of last year ; lists of the roses which won prizes last year ; extracts from the author's journal ; and an alphabetical list of the best new roses introduced since 1852, with description and year of intro- duction. With the exception of the ex- tracts from the author's journal, in which we find little to interest us, this is a valu- able contribution to the literary history of the Queen of Flowers, especially as a sub- ject for horticultural study and experiment, and we hope that it will take its place as an annual, " to be continued" from year to year, seeing that Mr. Paul, as an extensive grower of roses, a successful competitor at exhibitions, a thoroughly sound critic of rose excellences, is just the man to do justice to the subject. Of the new roses here figured and described, we think Louis Chaix and Madame William the two that are destined to become most extensively popular. The first is of the useful sec- tion of hybrid perpetuals, which Mr. Paul suggests should rather be called twice- blooming or thrice-blooming roses ; seeing that none but the Chinas are strictly per- petual in the production of blossoms. Louis Chaix is a seedling of the noted Geant des Batailles, and may be ranked with Lord Raglan and Eveque de Nimes, behig of the same dazzling crimson as those grand varieties, with superb foliage, free habit, and most robust constitution. "Young plants," says Mr. Paul, "flow- ered in the nurseries in the month of Oc- tober; and the larger plants had been flow- * "The Rose Annual." 1858-9. (First issue.) By WiUiam I'aul, F.H.S., author of " The Rose Garden." Piper, Stevenson, and Spence, ering throughout the preceding months." The raiser of this rose is Monsieur La- charme, of Lyons. Madame William is a first-rate tea-rose, raised from seed at Bor- deaux, and first received at the Cheshuut nurseries in 1856. In April last it was exhibited for the first time at St. James's Hall, where Her Majesty — who is as good a judge of roses as any of us — took parti- cular notice of it as a charming novelty. In character it stands midway between Devoniensis and Eliza Sauvage, of a richer colour than the former and of a hardier constitution than the latter ; it is, indeed, a good rose out of doors as well as one of the best for forcing. The flowers are large and globular, resembling the cabbage-rose in form ; the exterior petals are cream colour, assuming a coppery tinge soon after expansion ; the centre is orange-yellow. Lord Palmerston, the new hybrid Bour- bon, is too rich to be either described or pictured fairly. " There is," says the au- thor, "an empyreal brightness in the flower wliich the artist cannot depict ; and the plant possesses the desirable habit of blooming abundantly and for a lengthened period." This rose was raised by Mon- sieur Margottin, the raiser of Jules Mar- gottin, Louis Odier, and Madame Do- mage, three of the very best roses ever entered in a list, or planted in a rosary. Empress Eugenie is not a strong rose, its beauties require a somewhat close insjiec- tion, and then the perfect sliape, purity of colour, and sweetness of perfume, com- pel the observer to pronounce it one of the most charming miniature roses — ^just the sort of gem on which a lady would doat who took pride in managing a rose-house and a collection of the rarest roses. This appears hardly suited for out-door cul- ture, requii'ing the protection of glass to do justice to its merits ; and in the forcing- house it seems thoroughly at home. Be- yond the notice of these special favourites of the season, we cannot now proceed in review of Mr. Paul's book. We do wish he had burnt his journal before he made extracts from it, and then he must have trusted to his own memory for mate- rials for a gossiping chapter, and we should have had a more complete resume, of the doings at Cheshunt than these broken memoranda supply us with. Amateurs who indulge in the luxury of a few choice roses will hardly need this work, but the rose-grower par excellence must have it, unless he would fall altogether behind the 83 PORTABLE GEEENHOTJSES.— MODES OE HEATING. YoTJB sketch of a greenhouse last month will prove useful to many. The building of plant-houses Las its legal difficulties, which may affect so many, that I am in- duced to ask your opinion respecting erect- ing one in a garden where the houses are in a row, and the average height of wall is seven or eight feet, and width about seven- teen. Would a tenant be able to heighten his wall, to allow of a lean-to house, or erect a high span-roof in the centre of a narrow garden, or support the said lean- to on one or both of his outer walls? Again, a yearly tenant would not be justi- fied putting up even such a small building, costing but £5 or £10, for two reasons. He might anticipate changing his resi- dence, and unless the building was made like a bedstead, to be taken to pieces, it might fall into the hands of the land- lord. This subject is engaging the minds of many in the present day, and if you would kindly show your ingenuity in pointing out a plan to assist an amateur to build, it would oblige no doubt many of your readers. Sash- bars, instead of any rafters, as mentioned in your last, could be used, as the glass could be cut out if soft putty was used, and the building required to be put up elsewhere. The front could be in ten-feet lengths, or any convenient length for moving, and ventilation abun- dantly supplied, either with or without a glass front. As some plan of heating must be secured, I cannot see one better than a furnace, and six or nine-inch glazed pipes, instead of a brick flue, except at the corner, for the convenience of cleaning. My chief difficulty is, fearing the height of house and chimney may be thought a nuisance by an adjoining tenant. A paper on this subject from yourself would greatly assist one who is about to build under the above circum- stances, and unwilling to consult those strangers by wliom I may be placed as ad- joining neighbours. I have heard great improvements have been made by a firm at Kingstou-on-Thames in the simplicity of erecting portable houses. Have you seen any, or had any experience in the Polmaise system of heating, which is drawing the cold air from the house or pit, and form- ing a chamber around the stove ? It would be a great assistance if some scale could be formed whereby it could be known what the size should be, of a fui-nace to a house, say twenty by twelve feet or ten feet high ; then a rough calculation might be formed what addition must be made to a furnace for a house twenty-four or thirty feet by twelve. From my experience, I should say an extra size was best, as it need not be overcharged with fire, and being well made up for the night, or an absentee during the day, a damper will regulate and prove more satisfactory than being continually making up a fire, owing, perhaps, to a rapid draft, or small furnace. Another most useful hint in builduig furnaces, is to have a dead plate, from six to eight inches wide, in front of the fire-bars. It prevents the door getting over-heated, and helps to coke the coal [coke and cinders are a better fuel than coal]. The door would also be improved by having an inner jDlate fixed an inch within the door, four studs keeping them aj)art. I think all readers of a periodical should add tlieir mite in ti-ying to extend its use- fulness, and sale also; for the greater the number sold the better can the proprietor afford to illustrate, and better will the work be clone, and with more spirit. If any of us have been successful in any one or more stoves or plans of heating, we should contribute our experience. Mr. Elvers, in his instructive work on orchard- houses, says he has built several brick Arnott stoves, and found them answer. I have put one up to heat a large hall, and have Polmaised it, that is, incased it in brick-work, leaving a three-inch passage all round, an opening below for cold air, and one above for hot air. It answers well, but requires a damper in the chimney, as it draws rapidly. I have a cucumber-bed heated by flues and a Polmaise stove ; the chamber is covered withflat tUes. I last season covered the tileti with pieces of wood about six inches long and about four inches deep, covered with rough turf, and then fifteen inches of mould, and placed drain-pipes under each light to convey water to the wood and tiles, under the impression of its causing a moisture to the mould below. I do not commence this year forcing till the 1st of February, Should you recommend this plan, or be withovit the wood? Tlie bed is four feet wide, and only one plant grown under each light, six by three, and allowed to train up a string suspended be- tween each light, and six inches from it. I am not ■ satisfied with my last few years' success, as I have commenced on the 1st of January, and not began to cut till the middle of April, When should I sow 34 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. melons, I -wish to cut on the 1st of July ? Is the four-feet bed too wide ? Would the roots be bctler more coufined? A few hints would oblige, G, C. Serefordslure, Jan. 18, 1859. [The subject of portable houses is one not to be dismissed in a mere note, and as the above came to hand after our pages were almost made up, we must defer the main question till next month. But we insert the communication now, because it conveys much information on the very points on which advice is sought, and is in every sense interesting and practical. Your plan of growing cucumbers ought to an- swer, provided you have sufficient heat, and give enough moisture. As to allow- ing the plants mu.ch root-room at first, see | what our "Old Gardener" said at page 255 of last year's volume. To give any plant more root-room than it requires at first will retard fruiting, and the heat and moisture may make the bed sour before the roots v/ork into it. Your bed is not too wide for cucumbei's in full vigour, but it would be an improvement to make up the bed little by little as the roots requu-e more room. The wood under the bed ought to economize the heat, and the pipes ought to be of service to aerate as well as moisten the soil, but on those points we would^not pronounce an ij^se dixit ; it is a matter for your own individual experience. Portable houses and Polmaise heating are subjects that have long been on our minds, aud shall be dealt with at the first oppor- tunity.— Ed.] HOW TO PEEPARE A PEACH-TEEE BORDEE. In our southern counties, where light sandy soils abound, the difficulty of making peach and nectarine trees trained to walls flourish is well known; in spring they are liable to the curl, and the attacks of aphides ; in summer, they are infested with the red spider; so that the trees are weakened, and rarely give good fruit ; they seem, indeed, to detest light soils. The following method of preparing borders for them in such soils may be " as old as the hills," but I have not seen it described by any gardening author. The idea has come to me, from observing peach-trees trained to walls refuse to do well in the light sandy soil forming a part of my niu-sery, except near paths, and to grow and do well for years in the stiff tenacious loam forming another part. My bearing trees in pots, for which 1 use tenacious loam and dung, rammed down with a wooden pestle, also bear and flourish almost beyond be- Hef ; and so I am induced to recommend that in light soils the peach-tree border shoiJd be made as follows: — To a wall of moderate height, say nine or ten feet, a border six feet wide ; and to a wall twelve feet high, one eight feet wide should be I marked out. If the soil be poor and ex- hausted by cropping, or if it be an old garden, a dressing of rottea dung and tenacious loam, or even clay, equal parts, five inches in thickness, should be spread over the surface of the border ; it should then be stirred to two feet in depth, and the loam and dung weU mixed with the soil. The trees may be planted during the winter, and in March, in dry weather ; the border all over its surface should be tho- roughly rammed down with a wooden rammer, so as make it like a well-trodden path ; some light half-rotten manure, say about from .one to two inches in depth, may then be spread over it, and the opera- tion is complete. This border must never be stirred, except with the hoe to destroy weeds, and of coxu'se never cropped ; every succeeding spring, in dry weather, the ramming and dressing must be repeated, as the soil is always much loosened by frost. If this method be foUovred, peaches and nectarines may be made to flourish in our dry southern counties, where they have hitherto brought nothing h\\% disappoint- ment.— Rivers' s Catalogue of Fruits, THE ORCHAED-HOTJSE. BY MR. KrVEES. " It has been and is too often the custom of writers on horticulture and agriculture, to write first and practice afterwards ; in other words, to promulgate a pretty theory, and then reduce it to practice. I have not been to this manner given, for in this, as well as in other instances, I have re- duced my practice to writing." Such were the words with which Mr. Rivers com- menced the preface to the original edition of the " Orchard-House," published eight years ago. That Mr. Rivers described in that work what he had himself accom- plished in the culture of fruit-trees in pots THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN aUIDE. 35 is matter of history, for he is not only the inventor of orchard-houses, but the most experienced in their management of any horticulturist of the present day, as those ■who visit Sawbridgeworth, when peaches and nectarines are ripening, know to their gratification. The first edition of the " Orchard-House" was published with no intention to create a stir, but to aid in the restoration of the parish church of Sawbridgeworth, which at that time was in a fearfully dilapidated state. "A hint from one warmly interested in its restora- tion induced me to dedicate the profits resulting from this little publication to- wards such a sacred, and I trust praise- worthy, object." That object was realized, and with it another, the establishment of a new system of fruit-culture, which ra- pidly came into favour, so much so that the orchard-house is now considered as essential as the greenhouse and the cold pit in the list of structures requisite to a garden. The sale of four editions of Mr. Rivers's book is a sufiicient proof that it was not written in vain, and we heartily welcome the new edition now before us as another greeting from the father of mo- dern practical horticulture.* As this is the first opportunity we have yet had to bring this subject before our readers, we will transcribe from Mr. Ri- vers's pages sufficient instruction to enable any one to make a fair start in the culture of fruit-trees in pots under glass, and there- after leave him to seek from the work itself such other particulars as to the minutise of management as may arise out of the putting into practice of the first elemen- tary pi'inciples : — " It was, I think, in the year 1849, that, being vei-y fond of figs, I attempted to grow them in pots in one of my vine- ries ; but finding they required more room than I could spare, I sought for some method by which I could overcome the difficulty. The pots I used, I ought to state, were not placed on benches, but on raised borders, for I had adopted the sunken paths and raised borders for many years, to avoid the expense of the usual benches of wood. The roots made their way through the aperture at the bottom of the pots, and the plants thus, even in comparatively small pots, obtained enough of vigour to support a crop of fruit. After the crop was gathered, the pots were gently turned up on one side, and the roots cut off with a knife, water was with- * "The Orchard-House; or, the Cultivation of i> ruit -Trees in Pots under Glass." By Thomas Kivers, of the Nurseries, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, iilth Edition. Longmans and Co. held, and the plants were soon at rest with well-ripened shoots. The following spring they were top-dressed with manure, and again placed on the border ; but an idea occurred to mc to give more room for the emission of roots by enlarging the aperture at the bottom of the pots : this I at once put in practice, with the most favourable results. I then reasoned, if figs in pots can be made to bear a crop of fruit by thus giving them extra nourish- ment during the summer, why should not peaches, nectarines, apricots, vines, plums, cherries, and pears be managed in the same way ? They can be ; and I have now much pleasure in giving the simple method by which all these choice fruits can be grown on dwarf bushes in pots, with a certainty of a crop every season. I hope to see the day when hundreds and thousands of our small gardens will be furnished with cheap fruit-tree houses. " Glass, timber, and bricks are now com- paratively cheap ; for sheet-glass that, when first brought into notice, cost 2* per foot, can now be bought at 2d. per foot ; so we can build cheap houses, which, without the assistance of artificial heat, will give us, in average seasons, the cli- mate of the south-west of France, with- out the liability to injury from spring frosts, from which all temperate climates, both in Europe and America, at times suffer so severely. " I believe that I have more than once described my 'glass-roofed shed,' for I have not ventured to give it too high- somiding a name ; still, as it must come into extensive use, a better name may be found expressive of this peculiar structure, which is not a vinery, or pinery, or peach- house — these all belong to great and grand gardens — but a place for many fruits ; it may, therefore, I think, without affecta- tion, be called an Orchard-house, a place requiring but little expense to erect, but little experience and attention to manage, and yet giving most agreeable results. To the suburban gardener, who has but a small gai'den, which must be a multum in parvo — to the amateur with plenty of gardening taste and but a limited income ; in short, to a numerous class fully capable of en- joying hoi'ticultural pleasures, but, with purses not bountifullysupplied,the orchard- house will, I feel assured, be a most agree- able boon. I will, therefore, proceed to give such directions as will, I trust, enable any carpenter to build one. There are two descriptions of houses calculated for this mode of fruit-culture, the lean-to and the span-roofed. I shall commence with the former, which is, perhaps, the most 36 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. simple and most common form of garden structures. " THE I/EAK-TO OECHAED-HOUSE. " Its length may be from ten feet to one hundred or more, according to means and space ; but its breadth and height should be according to the following dimensions, unless any improved plan may be sug- gested which will insure greater advan- tages at the same cost. " I will suppose that an orchard-house thirty feet long is required. A ground plan, thirty feet long and twelve feet six inches wide, should be marked out ; then six posts of oak or good yellow deal, five inches by three and nine feet six inches in length, or of larch poles sixteen inches in girth cut in two and the Hat sides placed outwards, must be firndy fixed two feet in the ground ; the ground ends before fixing should be charred two feet six inches from the bottom, and then have a coat of boiling coal tar, which adds much to their dura- Mlity. They will form the back line of posts, standing seven feet six inches in height from the surface of the ground. For the front wall six posts of the same thickness, four feet six inches long, must be firmly fixed eighteen inches in the ground, so that they stand three feet out.* Two posts will be required at each end ; at one end (if only one door is wanted) these will form the door-posts. On these posts, both at front and back, must be nailed a plate, four inches by three, on which the rafters are to rest ; the posts are thus arranged in two lines. Now then for the rafters ; these must be fourteen feet long. A nine-inch deal, i.e., a deal nine inches wide and three inches thick, will make four, each four and a-half inches by one and a-half, or nearly so. These are light, strong, and the most economical of all. Instead of ' ploughing' the rebate for the glass, which is great labour and waste of material, on the upper side of each rafter, exactly in the centre, must be nailed a slip of half-inch board, half an inch wide ; this will leave half an inch of the rafter on each side for the glass to rest on, not too Ttiuch for glass twenty inches in width. The rafters are so prepared for glazing, but not yet fitted on the plates at top and bottom of the projected house ; no mortices must be made, but the rafter fitted to the back of plates by cutting out a piece in front. They must then be * These respective heights of front and back are a matter of choice ; they may be exceeded, for I find that trees in pots make most vigorous growth. strongly nailed to the front and back plates, leaving a space between each rebate of twenty inches. A piece of three-quarter- inch deal board, six inches wide, should be nailed along the top to the end of each rafter, so as to bo even with their upper edges, and in this should be a groove to receive the upper ends of the pieces of glass. At the bottom, a piece of board, one inch thick and six inches wide, must be let in, by sawing a piece out of each rafter for the glass to rest on, and to carry off the water. We have thus formed a sloping roof seven feet nine inches (with the plate) high at back, and three feet three inches high in front. The glazing is now to be thought of. The most econo- mical glass is sixteen-ounce British sheet- glass, which can be bought at 2^d. and 3d. per foot, and the size to be preferi-ed, twenty inches by twelve, placing it cross- wise, as the rafters are twenty inches asunder. The laps should not exceed a quarter of an inch, and they need not be puttied, as the ventilation is more free when they are not. I find that scarcely any breakage takes place from frost, owing to the large pieces being clastic. On and outside the back posts three-quarter- inch well-seasoned deal boards should be nailed. In the back wall thus formed, shding shutters in grooves, three feet by one foot, must be fixed, to act as ventilators, two close to the roof and two about three feet from the surface of the ground ; if two more be added to the right and left of the lower shutters, all the better. In summer it is impossible to give too much air, " The front and ends (except the door- way) must have also three-quarter-inch boards, nailed on oiitside the posts ; one of them, the upper one in the front, to be on hinges, so as to let down the whole length of the house ; these, with the back shutters, when all open in hot weather, will ventilate thoroughly. To add to this, and it is all required in summer, the boards will shrink and let in air ; a fierce sunlight is thus admitted by the large glass, and abundance of air, in which all fruit-trees thrive to admiration. The boards and rafters should be painted with stone-coloured paint, which will give the house a very neat appearance. So much for the timber and glass ; but when one sees that to walk along the centre of the building, which is about four feet nine inches in height, a person must be of very diminutive stature, the inquiry arises, how is head-room to be made? Simply by making a trench two feet six inches wide, fifteen or eighteen inches deep, in the THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 37 centre of the ground plan ; this will leave a border on each side four feet nine inches wide, and form a path at the same time. The front border need not be raised, as the trees in two or three years will require all the head-room they can have, but the back border should be raised about eighteen inches above the surface, sup- ported by the brick or boarded edge to the path, for the sides of the path must be supported with boards or four-inch brickwork. It will be found a great im- provement (for which I am indebted to a friend) to divide the back border into two terraces by raising the back half twelve or fourteen inches, building a four-inch brick wall, and filling in with earth, so that the back row of trees is elevated, and thus escapes any shade given by the front row ; the effect also is very good. Now, as everything depends on these borders — for there must be no benches and no shelves — care must be taken to make theu* sur- face loose and open ; loose materials, such as lime rubbish from old walls, and road sand, mixed with manure, may be laid on them about four inches deep ; they may then be forked over to about nine inches in depth, well mixing the above materials with the soil : you thus have two borders not too far from the glass, and on which your orchard will thrive admirably. It will appear odd to read about trees thriv- ing on instead oi in a border; but when I explain that this is to be an orchard in pots, it will not seem so contrary to our xisual garden culture. " It will be seen, I think, by the descrip- tion I have given, that the lean-to orchard- house is merely a low greenhouse with its roof sloping to the south or south-west, such as may be seen in many of our small villa gardens ; only, instead of having a path in the centre and a bench on each side for the flower-pots to stand on, it has a sunken path and a border of earth on each side, on which fruit-ti-ees in pots are to be placed. The following rough section will perhaps convey an idea of this struc- ture and its use : " I now propose to give a sketch and description of a span-roofed house a little wider and cheaper. A house of this form is more agreeable as a promenade, and I think the trees are attended to with more facility. But unless placed in a warm sheltered garden, peaches and nectarines do not ripen quite so early in it as in a lean-to house. I think, however, it has a more agreeable look, and I must confess a preference to it. The following is a sec- tion of what I shall call the SMALL SPAN-KOOPED OECHAED-HOTJSE. SECTION OF THE SMALL SPAN-ROOFED ORCHAED- HOUSE. a, a. Shutters on hinges, 12 inches wide, one on each side. The upper edges should be 1 foot from the eaves. h. Ridfje board. c. Shutter over the door. Height at sides, 4 feet ; at centre to ridge, 8 feet ; width, 14 feet ; rafters, 8 feet in length, 3 inches by If, placed 20 inches apart ; posts of oak, 5 inches by 3,* 5 feet apart ; plates, 3 inches by 2 ; central path, 2 feet 6 inches wide. The borders in this description of house need not be raised, but the path may be sunk two or three inches, and each side sloped so as not to crumble into it ; the expense of a brick edging is thus saved. The borders should have a di'essing of manure and sand, or manure and burnt earth, — in short of any loose materials, — and be well forked over and mixed to six or nine inches in depth. " Two rows of trees may be placed on each border thus : @ ® ® three feet from stem to stem, so that the sun may shine on every leaf. This is most essential; for I have occasionally had some of my peaches deficient in flavour, and, on examination, have always found * Oak posts of this size, I find, on referring to the wooden tombs in the churchyard, last from 50 to 60 years. 38 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. the trees too much crowded, so as to shade each other. Iii tliese small span- roofed houses the trees, placed as above, form a charming avenue, and are looked down upon by the cultivator, so that every leaf and fruit is seen. It will add some trifle to the expense of building, if tlie sides, 1 foot or 18 inches from the eaves, are of glass, the wooden ventilating shut- ter being beneath the glazed part. The doors and ends may be partially glazed ; the extra expense is fully repaid by the light and agreeable appearance given by this mode of building. "Size of Pots. — In potting trees for this description of culture, pots of different sizes may be used, according to the taste of the cultivator. If large trees for large houses are required, 15-inch pots (15 inches in diaiueter and 15 inches deep) will be necessary ; for moderate-sized ti'ces, 13-inch pots ; this, on the whole, is the most eligible size. For smaller com- jjact bushes 11-inch pots are convenient, as they are not unwieldy, and the trees may be made ornaments of the side-board in the dining-room ; and beautiful ob- jects they are when full of fruit. Minia- ture yet fruitful peach and nectarine trees may be grown in very small pots, for I have some not more than nine inches high, in 8-inch pots, full of blossom-buds. Trees of this size must not be allowed to bear more than four or five fruit. They are most interesting, and I have no doubt will, ere long, be extensively cultivated by the curious. These very small fruitful trees are grafted, which seems to make them pi'ccociously fruitful ; peaches and necta- rines are generally budded. " I know of no compost better for stone- fruits than two-thirds tui-fy loam and one- third decomposed manure, to which some road or pit sand may be added. The loam should not be sifted ; if it contains a large proportion of lumps as big as an egg, so much the better. If you examine an 11- incli pot, you will find it eight inclies across at the bottom, and the aperture from one inch to one and a-half in dia- j meter. Take a light hammer, and enlarge this aperture to five inches in diameter ; * then place four or five large pieces of broken pots or tiles across, so that they rest on the inside ledge left by the ham- mer, leaving interstices for the free emis- sion of roots ; on these place some of the most lumpy part of your compost ; then your tree, not too deeply, but so that the upper part of its roots are a little below the rim of the pot ; if it has a ball of earth, loosen it ; fill up with compost ; ram the earth down firmly as you fill, with a stout blunt-poiuted stick ; place it on the border where it is to grow during the summer ; give it two or three gallons of water, and a top-dressing of some ma- nure to lie loosely ou the surface, and the operation is finished." The fruits specially recommended by Mr. Rivers for orchard-house culture are apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, cher- ries, figs, pears, grapes, apples, mulberries, strawberries (on the back border), and al- monds ; and a separate section is devoted to the potting, pruning, and general treat- ment of each ; these supplemented with lists of' the sorts best suited for pot cul- ture, both as to their relative beauty and productiveness. Another section is ap- propriated to a description of the forcing orchard-house for early grapes, peaches, nec- tarines, apricots, figs, cherries, etc., and to heat which Mr. Rivers recommends thebriek Arnott's stove, or Arnott's stove boiler, which are severally engraved and described. Another modilication of the original idea is the hedge orchard-house for retarding trees in fruit, or wintering tea-roses, mag- nolias, and other shrubs liable to injury from our severe winters ; the principle of which consists in the sides being formed of yew, beech, or Siberian arbor-vitoe, clipped to line, and so forming a screen sufficient to break the force of sharp winds and yet provide for the fullest ventilation. A classified list of fruits adapted for or- chard-house cultiu-e, and a good index, are the remaining contents of this valuable contribution to horticultural literature. WALTONIAN CASES. BT SHIIILET HIBBEED. I HOPE now to meet the wishes of hun- j month's Number ; but the hurry in which dreds of subscribers who are asking for I was involved from the 1st to the 20th information about Waltonian cases, their construction, their uses, and their manage- ment. I should have had the engravings made, and the descriptions ready, for last | holes may be used, * I now have my pots made with five holes, each an inch and a-hali' in diameter. In remote places, where these cannot be procured, the enlarged THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN aUIDE. 39 of December, compelled me to defer it till after the turn of Christmas, and with this 1st of February a description of the Wal- tonian case appears in good time to be use- ful to all parties, whether possessors of cases, or intending purchasers, or makers of them. Lest any mistakes should arise through associating two different things together, let it be understood at once that Waltonian and Wardian cases have no ne- cessary i-elationship, one to the other. The first is simply a portable pit, so portable, that it may be placed in a drawing-room or bed-room, intending for projiagating only, and of no possible use for any other purpose ; but a Wardian case is a green- house in little, size and shape of little con- sequence, so long as it is pleasing to the eye, adapted to the habits of the plants pits ; by hot- water flues, tan, and dung-heat in propagating houses ; by surplus heat from forcing pits, and others well esta- blished and well understood. Those who possess the facilities for propagating on the orthodox plan, have no need for Wal- tonian cases. To such they would be mere toys ; but to people who want only a few hundred plants for bedding, and some scores of annuals for the borders, it is the most useful invention of this more than half-gone century, because it will do what- ever is done by dung-pits, hot-water tanks, etc., on a large scale, and do it too in pre- cisely the same manner ; and the only dif- ference between a Waltonian case and a propagating house is as to extent only. Bottom-heat completely under your con- trol, with no occasion to stir from the grown in it, and aliowingof veutiiaLion. The plants with which a Wardian case is fur- nished may remain in it for seven years, or even for a life-time, with no other attention than the necessary watering, trimming, etc., so far as the principle of the Wardian case is concerned ; but in a Waltonian case all that can be said as to the length of time the plants stay in it is this, the sooner they come out the hetter ; all we want the case for is to get roots either from seeds or cuttings, and, as soon as we have obtained roots, the plants must have less heat, less moisture, and more light, or they will spindle and blanch, as if intended for salads. The ordinary methods of starting seeds and striking cuttings are by dung-heat in fu'eside, no mess, no litter, no reasonable excuse for failure, room for from thu'ty to fifty pots at a time to enjoy that heat, and the only cost, a shilling or fifteen pence a- week for oil. Such are the advantages which the Waltonian case offers to ama- teurs ; to which may be added, that who- ever desires to understand the mystery of propagating, should begin with a Wal- tonian case, which is the most instructive of all the contrivances resorted to by the gardener. There are at least three names to be mentioned in connection with the Wal- tonian case : first, Mr, Walton, the in- ventor ; secondly, Mr. Beaton, the im- prover; and thirdly, Mr. West, of Vic- toria Road, Kingston, the manufacturer, 40 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. who Las brought it to perfection. Mr. Walton made the first experiment of ap- plying heat to a small plant-case, with a view to create a portable indoor forcing- pit. An old box was dressed up, with a tray for sand, a boiler of tin, a lamp, and lights over all, so as to look like a common garden-frame. This was set to work, and answered so well, that it became known as the Waxtonian Case ; and subsequently many improvements were made for apply- ing the heat more constantly and efficiently, and now it has the completeness of a very practical invention. To describe all the little incidents con- which heat is communicated to the plants through a bed of silver-sand, an inch deep, spread evenly over it. In the centi'e of the tray is a tube, C, through which vapour escapes into the case, the amount of which can be regu- lated by a cap fitting into it. The tube C is also necessary as a means of filling the boiler A with which it communicates ; and this boiler, when placed in the case, falls exactly over the lamp, and receives its flame in an orifice cut in its under side for that purpose, the hot air of the lamp I cii'culating round the boiler below the I tray B and making its exit by the funnel Fig. 1. nected with the development' of the idea would be to occupy valuable space to very little purpose ; and I will therefore at once describe tlie case, and the mode of work- ing it. The annexed cut represents the Wal- fonian case in its complete form when in operation. It is in reality a two-light box, standing on legs, the framework being of wood, with glass at the front and ends, and a pair of glass sashes, or "lights," laid loosely on the top. Beneath the centre, in the front, is a tin lamp burning colza oil ; and this lamp gives heat to the wafer con- tained in a zinc-boiler placed underneath the plants, the smoke escaping at the back of the case. The mode in which the heating appa- E, which, when at work, fits over the orifice D in the tray. When the pots are removed, it is an easy matter to lift out the whole of the heating apparatus by means of the two handles attached to the zinc tray, and its appearance is that in Fig. 1. The upper tray B B is an inch deep, and in this the sand, an inch deep, is evenly spread all over. The boiler A is double, one por- tion enabling the hot air and smoke of the lamp to circulate around the tank, and escape by means of the flue D. On the vapour-tube C a cap fits to prevent any excessive escape of steam. The boiler holds about two quarts of water. If we turn the tray upside-down, we have the appearance presented in Fig. 2, where F Fig. 2. ratus is arranged is very simple. When the top-lights are lifted off, and the pots removed, it is an easy matter to lift out the tray and boiler, represented in Fig. 1. This ti-ay is of zinc, and measures 34 inches long, by 17 inches broad, and hence contains a working space for plant- culture of 568 square inches, or sufficient for 32 four-inch pots, in eight rows of four each. The tray B B fits into the bottom of the case, and forms the bed on which the pots are placed, and the medium by is the boiler, and G the entrance to the hot-air chamber, into which the flame of the lamp enters when the case is at work. Replacing the tray, it will be seen that the hole in the boiler fits over the box which contains the lamp. The flame of the lamp plays upon the inside tank, and the smoke escapes by means of the flue E, which conducts it out through the back of the case, quite away from the plants. Practically speaking, there is very little smoke, and whatever soot forms inside the THE ELOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 41 hot-yir chamber flakes oif, and falls on the lamp, so that in these respects the case is self-acting, and cleanses itself. To set the case to wort, we have first to fill the tray with silver-sand, which must be moderately damp ; then fill the boiler, which holds two quarts, by means of the tube C ; then lower the tray into its place in the case, lit the flue-pipo E over the hole D ; trim and light the lamp, and wait for the result. As a matter of course, a gentle heat is soon perceptible ; and if the case is filled with pots stocked with seeds or cuttings, this heat is commu- nicated to them from the bed of damp sand, and a temperature of from 70^ to 90"" may be commanded at pleasure. Now wliat is the use of such a con- trivance? It will do everything that we employ a dung-bed for — raise seedlings of every kind of tender plants, whether cucumbers and celery for the kitchen- garden, half-hardy annuals for the borders, greenhouse- seeds for the greenhouse, the conservatory, and the window ; and, in the way of cuttings, strike almost anything to a certainty. Suppose you have half-a- dozen old geraniums, a few fuchsias, cal- ceolarias, mimulus, a pinch or two of seed of half-hardy bedding plants, you have only to get your pots ready, prepare some light compost with a good admixture of silver-sand, and set cuttings and seeds to work with heat and moisture. In gera- niums every joint will make a plant, whe- ther there is a bud visible or not. You have only to stick them in round the insides of small pots, letting every cutting touch the pot ; sprinkle silver-sand over the soil in the pot, keep all moist and at 75", giving air occasionally; and out of a few old geraniums you may manufacture hundreds of young healthy plants. I have for four years past used the Waltonian case to strike geraniums, pansies, fuchsias, calceolarias, salvias, chrysanthemums, pe- tunias, verbenas, seedlings of choice aqua- tics ; besides melons, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, asters, Thunbergias, Cobeas, Delphiniums, balsams, and no end of other tender things — all in the same case, where they have been steaming and growing be- side me in my study, and calling for no more attention than one is obliged to give to half-a-dozen flowering plants in pots when committed to the window. By reference back to page 198 of last year's volume, the reader will find some rather full instructions on spring propa- gation, which would be unwise to repeat here. All we have to do with now is the management of the case. There is one thing that demands first mention under this head, and that is, the management of the lamp. Since I figured it, and described the Waltonian case, in Rustic Adornments, Garden Favourites, The National Maga- zine, and other works, hundreds have taken to its use, and many, who could never before in their lives succeed in striking cuttings, have accomplished it by means of this ingenious instrument. Among the many letters I have received respecting it, the greater part were written expressly to ask me how I managed to make the lamp burn from twelve to fifteen hours, and the only answer I can give is the simple word "management." The lamp is somewhat of a study, though a minor one. At first it bothered me as it bothers others ; it made a tremendous smoke, went out in a few hours, and created a great deal of mess. Now I can keep it burning for twelve hours certain, with no soot, no excess of heat, and with an addition only once a-day of fresh oil. A servant of ours, to whom on the days when I am away .the case is entrusted, can manage it as well as I can, though at first, in spite of the plainest instructions, she was as awkward at it as a plough-boy. The lamp is made of tin, 5 inches deep, and 5i inches in dia- meter; the wick-tube is also of tin, fitting in with a screw to a half-inch orifice in the centre. There is nothing peculiar about it ; it is a common affair, made after the oi'dinary fashion of any other tin lamp for oil, only that it is of a good size, and twelve or fifteen hours' burning does not exhaust it much of oil. The whole manage- ment turns on the trimming. Leave the cotton wick an inch long, and you have an enormous flame, too much heat, an awful quantity of soot, and it goes out in an hour. Have the wick too loose, and simi- lar accidents will happen. It must there- fore be tight in the tube, and cut over close and neat — an eighth of an inch is plenty ; then you have a clear light, no smoke, and may leave the affair to itselt for one working day at least. Nothing but practice, however, will enable the pos- sessor of a case to conquer the little difii- culty as to the light ; but on this turns the whole question of success or failure, for the heat must be constant, and the great advantage of such a mode of heating is, that it requii'cs so little attention when you are used to it. Another matter of importance is, to keep the sand always damp. When I fill up the boiler, I use hot water, and allow some of it to run over into the sand ; when the sand is nearly dry again, I take c2 42 THE I'LOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. oil' the cap, and fill up an J run over again; and this must be done at least onee a- week, witli a strong heat, and for cuttings that will stand plenty of moisture, it must be done twice a-\veck. Then to make the most of the small space, pack the pots close together, and use upright thumbs in pi'efercnce to broad- rimmed sixties. Put those that want most heat in the centre ; as thej' start shift tliem to tlie sides ; then put tliem round the edge, with the glass drawn aside to give air to those within, and allow a little heat to escape to comfort those without. I find it a good plan, for lessening trouble, to keep one side partially open and the other quite close, and to keep a regular shift from the close to the open side, as the plants make root, and demand more air. The work of repotting and hardening off is as simple as in any other form of tank- bed — the great point being to shift them before they get drawn through close con- finement with bottom-heat. Watering must be regularly attended to, and the water must be of the same temperature as the air of the case. Tiie ]3ots may be re- moved for watering, and drained well before being returned to the case ; though I use a fine rose, and water them as they stand, so as to irrigate the sand as well as tlie plants; and if the sand gets a little too moist, I get rid of it by a little extra ven- tilatiou. When set to work, it is really astonish- ing how much may be done with a Wal- tonian case. It is a little plant factory, in which seeds and cuttings of all kinds may be started, and carried so far with the aid of bottom-heat, that they may be safely hardened off for tlic greenhouse or the window, or, during spring, for planting out in the garden. It has many advan- tages over a common lujtbed. In the fir^t place, we are certain of heat, and can re- gulate temperatui'e from any degree up to nearly 90"; the ordinary temperature, with a partial admission of air and the lamp freshly trimmed, being 75' to 80'. It requires an experienced hand to make up a hotbed with dung that shall give a steady heat for any length of time, and, with the most experienced, accidents are not at all uncommon, such as damping off, burning up, failure of heat, and necessity for linings ; but here we have simply to fill the boiler, and light the lamp, and then keep the case as close and damp as we please, or give air and light according to circumstances. Besides this, there is no soiling of the hands, no wetting of the feet, no anxiety about frosts and mats, and the most serious part of gardening economy is brought within reach of a lady's delicate fingers, and the merest beginner's unripe judgment. The limited size of the case may seem to militate against it somewhat ; but though it is not intended for the com- mercial florist, who must sti'ike cuttings by the thousand, it nevertheless will perforni such an amount of work when well ma- naged as to meet the wants of most ama- teurs who delight in a garden of limited dimensions, or who require the aid of close bottom-heat in connection with a greeu- lionse or conservatory. For propagating verbenas, calceolarias, chrysanthemums, etc., in sand and w-ater, shallow pans are the best, with the little tops stuck all over the sand, and enough water to make a thin sheet above the sand. They soon root, the water evaporates and leaves the sand just firm enough to enable you to lift out the rooted pieces; pot them, and replace them in the tray. Geraniums, fuchsias, calceolarias, everythirig which conies from cuttings with bottom-heat, may be struck safely, and in quantities sutilcieut for all ordinary wants ; the work of propagation being kept up during win- ter, and till the close of May, after wliicli time most half-hardy plants may be propa- gated out of doors, without any artificial heat whatever. THE xVTJTOBIOGRAPHY OF A WHITE CABBAGE BUTTEEFLY,^^ Is the title of a little work, by Michael it as an excellent work for the young, as it Westcott, of Wells, Somerset, author of conveys much original information on an the "Autobiography of a Gossamer i]iteresting branch of Natural History, in Spider," which were both noticed by us ' a very ingenious and attractive form. last year. Tlie second edition of the first- I Our gardening friends generally, especially named work is now before ns ; it contains tlie growers of cabbages, should read it to some additional matter and many im- become familiar with the habits of an enemy provemcnts, and v,-e cordially recommend i that occasionally demolishes the crop. * Groombridge aud Sons, London ; T, Green, Wells, Somerset. 43 l^OTES FOE FEBEFAEY. KITCHEN GARDEN. Get ready beds and plots for next month's sowing ; use wood-ashes or soot freely over rows of peas coming up, to keep away slugs ; lay a liberal thickness of dung at the bot- tom of trenches, over which to sow peas, and after sowing dress the drills with wood-ashes or soot . Manure very liberally for onions, cabbages, and rhubarb, lettuce, etc., but apply no manure where tap-roots and potatoes are to grow. Seize every op- portunity to get all such plots ready, so that as soon as weather permits next month you will have nothing to do but trim up with hoe and rake, and get in the seed. Sow Saugster's No. 1, Prince Albert, or Emperor pea for early crop, and Champion of England, Hair's Mammoth, and British Queen to succeed them. Sow Magazan and long-pod beans ; and any beans that are up dust with soot to protect them from vermin, for when snails begin to move from their winter quarters, they have an appetite for anything, and seedlings are sure to suffer where such vermin are allowed to harbour. Sow on wai'm slopes raddish, lettuce, cab- bage, parsley, and betsveen the rows of peas round-seeded spinach. The main breadth of parsnips may be sown at the first oppor- tunity during dry weather ; the ground should have been ready long ago ; if not yet dug, dig at once, and lay it up in ridges that it may get well frozen should the weather be severe, and defer sowing till Mai'ch. Plant shallots, garlic, tree-onion, rhubarb, sea-kale, horse-radish, and Jeru- salem artichokes. PLOWER GARDEN, Shrubs and trees not yet planted should be got to their quarters without delay, or they will suffer much. Americans may be moved in mild weather. Turn over beds and borders, but be careful not to destroy things that have not yet made their way through tlie surface. Put new dung over beds containing roses, and fork in rotten dung about the roots of trees and shrubs that do not grow with sndicient vigour. Rhododcndi'ons growing in loam will be benefited in their blooming if the surface is enriched now witji a coating of rotten cow-dung. Be careful never to dig deep among Americans, as they root near the surface. Look over your stock of flower- seeds, and determine what annuals you will grow, and order the sorts at once. Make edgings and rockeries. Sow a few hardy annuals of the best kinds in pans in a frame or greenhouse, and a small pinch of the sorts wanted early on the borders, but defer all genei-al sow- ing till next month. Part and plant her- baceous perennials ; plant ranunculuses during the first half of the month. GREENHOrrSE, Dahlia roots for early blooming and cuttings may bo got to work in gentle bottom-heat. Begin to strike petunias, verbenas, geraniums, calceolarias, etc., for bedding. Calceolaria amplexicmilis is one of the very best to bloom from spring cuttings. Pot off cuttings that have stood in the cutting-pots all winter, and start all summer-stock by increasing the tempera- ture. Green-fly will increase with a rise of the thermometer, and the usual remedies must be resorted to. Look to the under- sides of the leaves of the plants occasionally, or they may suffer much before you have become aware of the presence of the enemy. Temperatui-e 45^ at night, 50' to 55^ by day. Bottom-heat for cuttings, 60' to 70% but with fair greenhouse tempera- ture all kinds of bedding-stock will strike, though not so quickly if properly attended to. L^se the syringe to all hard-wooded plants breaking into leaf, especially to vines, peaches, etc. COLD FRAME. Clean and top-dress the plants, and shift into the greenhouse such as want a start. Give air as often as possible, and during mild weather a little water ; but be careful not to make geraniums too wet, or you may lose many that up to this time have done well. Outside borders are this season in ex- cellent condition, and early vines are gene- rally in a good state. In event of rough weather, cover the borders with boards, wliich are better than dung or litter. In- crease the temperature very gradually, as vines break, and create a humid atmosphere, by syringing the house with tepid water. ERUIT GARDEN. Complete all planting without delay, and put stakes to standards, to secure them against wind. Mulch all trees newly planted to defend their roots from the dry- ing March winds, and the heat of the summer. Finish pruning, but do not nail in peaches and apricots till the end of the 44 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. month. Have netting ready in proper lengths, to protect tender wall-trees during east winds and frosts. Fork in rotten dung between strawberries, but be careful not to injure their roots. STOYE. Clean every part of the stove well, so that there shall be no lurking-places for vermin, which will do much mischief as the plants come into new growth. Plants that require re]iotting should first be pruned, and allowed to break. Do not bring anything into growth, and keep same temperature as last month. Thermometer 55" night, 65" day, 70" during sunshine. Auriculas. — Water gradually as they show signs of growth, and top-dress the pots with well-decayed cow-dung. Give plenty of air, and beware of damp. As auriculas are forward this season, they will require extra care in the evejit of late frosts. Carnations and Ficotees.—Vut out the whole stock of carnatioas, picotees, and pinks in the first warm shower we have, and defer watering them as long as will be safe to do so, in order that they may de- rive full benefit Irom the rain. Keep the plants hardy, and make ready for repott ing. Turn over the compost intended for them, and make careful search for wire-worm. Cinerarias will now want regular at- tention to preserve a healthy foliage, as well as secure a good bloom. Drought will do them much harm, but they must have plenty of air, after being watered, to get their leaves dry before night. Green-fly vv'ill now infest them unless kept in check. Put the forwardest in the house for blooming. Camellias are now coming into bloom, and need occasional doses of weak liquid maniire, and frequently syringing of the jbliage. It would be well to go over the whole stock, and sponge every leaf with tepid water, which will give the plants a bright and beautiful appearance, and very much promote tlieir health. A hixudred may be sponged in the course of a morn- ing, when the weather does not allow of out-door work ; the sponge will remove soot and dust more cfiectuaUy than the syringe. Plants done blooming must be kept warm, and enjo^^ a moist air. Fuchsias. — Start theplants intogrowth, and when well broken repot. Cuttings struck now will make good plants this season. SollyhocJcs may be increased from cut- tings in a gentle heat, and seeds of choice kinds may be sown with others in a warm pit, or Waltonian case. Get the stations ready for those to be planted out this spring. Dig deep, and manure well with rotted cow-dung. Pansies. — Shift those intended for blooming in pots ; stir the soil between plants in beds, and carefvdly tread in any that the frost has lifted. New beds may be planted in the last week of this month. Tulips. — Protect from heavy rains and sevei'e frosts, but never leave the coverings on one hour more than needful, for they never bloom well if made tender. When the foliage shows regularly over the bed, stir the surface between the rows with a small three-tined fork. Pelargoriiums owghino'w io be growing freely, and on warm bright days should be watei-ed so as to soak the ball and bring every rootlet into action. Use heat enough to allow of air being on all day. In bright weather sprinkle the floor of the ho\\se to create a humid atmosphere. Straiuherries under glass will require liquid manure, plenty of air, and to be kept near the glass. Thin the fruit and blossoms as soon as a moderate number are set on each plant. TO CORRESPOI^DENTS. Books and Catalogies Eeceived.— " Printed Catalogue of New and Genuine Seeds, sold by- Messrs. Milue, Arnott, and Co., AVandsworth Eoad, Loudon, S., Iy59." A ueatly-priuted and ■well-arrauced list, containing aU the good varie- ties of vegetable and tiower seeds, and many well-proved novelties. Will be very useful to amateurs for its short cultural notes, and the absence of those long lists of sorts that so fre- quently perplex the inexperienced. This esta- blishment is noted for the culture of camellias, and is well worth a visit during the present and nest month.—" Priced Catalogue of Trees and Shrubs cultivated for sale by John Grier, Water- head Nursery, Ambleside, Westmoreland." This is one of the very best of catalogues of hardy trees and shi'ubs; the varieties grown are numerous, and in the catalogue are admirably arranged, with descriptions and instructions on culture. It is divided into six parts, respec- tively devoted to conifers, miscell.tneous ever- greens, deciduous trees and shrubs, hardy climb- ing shruljs, fruit-trees, and hardy herbaceous alpine plants, bedding jjlauts, etc. The people of Westmoreland are oertuinly well represented in horticulture by Mr. Grier, and will be still better represented when he corrects the spelling of his catalogue : — Amydalus should be amy^- dalus, florabunda shuuld 1)6 floribunda, Rhus coHtinus should be Rhus cotiuus, etc. — " Beau- THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 45 tiful Leaved Plants, being a description of the most beautiful ornamental foliaeed plants in this country. By William Howard, F.H.S.,and E. J. Lowe, Esq., P.R.A.S., etc., author of 'British and Exotic Ferns,' etc." The pro- spectus announces the immediate publication, in monthly parts at one shilling each, of a grand work on foliage plants, profusely illustrated in colours, and intended to form a companion to the "British and Exotic Ferns." It will be completed in about twenty parts, and we antici- pate for it an immense sale. — " A Visit, and a Plant ; or, Hints on the Cultivation of the China Sugar-cane, by John N. Clarke, of Whittle - sea." This is an inteiestijig pamphlet on the history and uses of the JIolciis saccharatns, which was described and figured in the first volume of the "Floeal World," page 128. The sugar-cane grass is found to be most valu- able as a forage plant, and those who keep cows, horses, etc., should at once make the experi- ment of its culture and feeding properties. — "The British W^orkman. Yearly P.irt, No. 4, 1858." This is a profusely -illustrated paper for the " sons of toU," most cleverly edited, full of entertainment, and a cheerful advocate of tem- perance, thrift, good temper, morality, and re- ligion. It is a Uterary missiouarj^, and shoidd be subscinbed for, for distribution, liy all who take an interest in the welfare of the working classes.- — Received : " The Handbook of Villa Gardening, by William Paul, author of the ' Rose Garden.' " A work of great interest and value, demanding more than a passing notice, and hence will be dealt with at length next month. — Ambrose VerschaS'elt's " Catalogue of Plants grown at his Establishment, Rue du Chaume, Ghent." It contains conservatory trees and shrubs, fruit-trees, rhododendi'ons, azaleas, camellias, conifers, stove plants, orchids, pelar- goniums, bedding plants, etc. The estabUsh- ment has a world-wide fame for camellias and azaleas, and growers of those, as well as plant col- lectors generally, should obtain this excellent catalogue, in which the articles are all priced. Rose Moss. — Can any of our readers inform us what is meant by "Rose Moss," which a corre- spondent has received seed of from W^isconsin ; described as covering the banks there, and pro- ducing rose, yellow, and white flowers. Stkawberries, Doitble Camomile. — J. Sol- royd. — The double camomile grows well in any good garden soil, and is propagated by division and cuttings. Your strawberries have suffered for want of water after planting, and they will, no doubt, come right with the spring rains. Mulch them at once with dung, but do not dis- tvirb their roots. AuTfTjALS FOB Bordkh of a Lawit. — C. O. — Do not attempt to grow many annuals in your borders ; but such as you do have sow in large clumps, and thin the clumps so that the plants stand at least four inches apart; strong-growing kinds sis or eight inches. For yellow have Platystemon Californieum, Eschscholtzia Cali- fornica, and Crocea ; Lupinus lutea (very sweet), French and African marigolds, Bartonia aurea (ugly foliage), J^Inothera Drummondii (very beautiful), aimual golden Chrysanthemum, Chei- rauthus Marshalh (a gem for bedding and rock- work as well as borders). — Red and crimson: Love-lies-bleeding, to drop its tassels over to- wards the grass ; Tropseolum Tom Thumb (to be had of Carter, High Holborn), Saponaria calabrica (a close-growing pink beauty, smo- thered with small flowers all the summer), Salpiglossis (oraoge-red, very neat), Calandrina discolor, Jacobiea (must be raised early in heat), Malope graudiflora (bold and showy) , Collinsia atro-rubens (very showy), Clarkia pulcheUa. — Blue and lilac : Nemophila insignis (very pretty while it lasts, but of too briet duration to be worthy of the popularity it enjoys), Leptosiphou androsaceum (purplish-lilac); Purple Candytuft, Convolvulus minor (lovely in the morning), Eutoca viscida (usefid because a good blue, but otherwise a shabby thing), Lupinus nanus, Nolana atriplicifolia. Sweet Sultan. — White ; Clarkia alba (weak in its efi'ect). White Candy- tuft, EUchrysum inacranthum. Asters of all colours except yellow. A few other good things for your purpose, and better things than any annuals, are White Alyssum, double Feverfew (very shoWy white, and blooms all the summer). Lupins of all sorts, Dielytra speotabUis (a lovely spring flower, pink), Tritoma uvaria (one of the grandest autumn flowers), double Canter- biu-y-bells, scarlet Lyclmis, Stocks in variety, Foxgloves in variety. Delphinium formosuin (the finest blue-flowered perennial we have), Hollyhocks for clumping, Gaillardias, Iberis, !>empervivem (wliite), Ldium lancifolium in variety. Choose from the above according to coloiu-s, and the number of sorts you need — all are good and easily obtained ; and prefer to make large patches of lew sorts in preference to small patches of many sorts. For your beds, Tom Thumb TropEeolum and Convolvulus minor wiU be first-rate in masses. White Candytuft or Feverfew will also make good masses of white. Another bed filled mth yeUow pansies would also please you. Heating a Shall HorsE.— i. i. Xi.— If you can place a little stove in an apartment or shed adjoining the house, and carry a flue formed of two-inch drain pipes along the back wall, you win get the heat you require. In so small a house there is hardly any occasion for hot water, else a tank'.heatedby a Trotman's gas-stove fixed in an adjoining apartment would be best, and over the tank a bed in which to plunge the pots. If the position of the house does not allow of a stove being placed in another apartment, get a bricklayer to construct a small furnace, and carry a flue of three-inch drain pipes along the back wall, end and front, and make the chimney over the furnace; the joints to be stopped with clay and cement. For an exhausted clay soil use plenty of old mortar and fine coal ashes, with the cinders sifted out, and as much wood ashes and charred rubbish as you can get. Dress with old dung according to the cropping. A Seceet.— Such is the heading under which an esteemed li-iend sends us word that in his own village he has succeeded in making known the I' Floeal World' ' as "the best of aU the garden- ing periodicals for amateurs." He says — "There are twenty copies taken in here, and I hope there will soon be a good many more. I was the only one who first took it, aiid I ordered six and left one at each of the bookseUers to place in their windows ' till called for,' and that is how the twenty subscribers were obtained." Friends often ask how they can help us ; well here is at least one method — see that the bookseUers have the "Floral World." Individual efforts \vl11 do more for us than the expenditure of thousands in advertising, and we have not stinted of our money in that way, for it is no use to do things by halves. Lily op the Valley in Pots.— JBT. C. N. To make sure of bloom, the plants must be taken fi-om a bed which has been undisturbed for at least three years, and those with the roundest and shortest buds be chosen for the purpose. Pot them in 32's, a dozen in a pot, and use a compost of rich loam, sUver-sand, and leaf moidd, equal parts. Ffll the pots to within three inches of the rim, then spread the roots over, and cover with two inches of leaf mould and sand ; water well and place them in a mois 46 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. heat of 65" to 75" for early bloom, or in fair greenhouse temperature if you have no stove. The first lot oaglit to have been potted a month ago, a second lot now, and a third lot at the end of the month, so lose no time to get a few to work. Give thera full light iu the house till they bloom, then take to the drawing-room, or put them in a shady part of the greenhouse. If you do not get ou well the first season, you must not be disheartened, for (his is one of the most capricious of plants, and will baflle the cleverest of gardeners in some places, and grow like a ■weed in others where it is perhaps in no way cared for. The market-gardeners make a good thing of it liy sending early blooms to Covent Garden ; but they depend cliiefly on old beds for the supply, and choose the plants by a rule acquired by experience. Trojiasolum Lobbiiuium elegans, used as a bedder at the Crystal Palace, is as easily managed as Convolvulus minor ; if good plants are turned out at the end of May, it trails, and needs pegging down and stopping to cause it to branch regularly. Flowering Shkubs. — It. A. — The following are first-rate flowering shrubs, not i>articular as to soil : Evergreens — Arbutus of sorts, Berberis of sorts, especially Jjealii and Japonioa, which have grand foliage ; Ceanothus azureus and deuta- tus, Crataegus pj'racantha, fine when covered with berries ; Skinmiia japonica, also showy berries; Daphnes of sort.s, Desfontania spi- nosa, likes shade ; Garrya elliptica, Escallonia niacrantha, and Montvetlensis, Hypericum caly- cinum, double-flosvcring furze. Deciduous^ Spireas of sorts, Calycauthus floridus, double- flowering cherry and dovible-flowering ahnond, Chimouanthus "fragrans (loveI_y in spring), For- sythia viridissinia, Althea frutex, AVeigelia rosea, tree Peony, Kolreuteria panic>;:>c>:;<.-'IS nAiGEN'A. Sir Eobei-t Peel; Sii- James Watts (1858); Sir Henry Havelock (1858). Crimson. — Captain Ingram, useful as a bedder; Due de Malalvoll"; Colonel Windham ; Lord Bath; Incomparable ; Sir F. Bathurst. Dark. — Touchstone; Midnight; Grand Sultan; Morgan's King; Eclipse; Lord Eielding, nearly black (1858) ; Commander, dark maroon (1858). FANCY DAHLIAS. White. — Princess Eadzville ; Beauty of Slougli ; Lady Popham ; Miss Pressley, heavily-edged viitli purple, magnificent (1858) ; Village Gem, tipped rosy crim- son, most beautiful (1858). Striped. — Carnation, very curious ; Ohver Twist, purple and white; Tam O'Shanter ; Polyphemus ; Charles Perry; Wonderful ; Butterfly ; Beauty of High Cross, gold-striped crimson (1858). Edged or Tipped. — Attraction ; Baron Alderson ; Jupiter, maroon-tipped wliite, Tcry fine; Lady Paxton, red-tipped white; Imperatriee Eugenie, white-edged purple; Miss Herbert, lilac-tipped white ; Marion, black-tipped rose (1858). NOTES ON NEW PLANTS. LYCHNIS HAAGENA. The dianthus tribe do not furnish us with many hybrids ; but this is is a true hybrid of the well-known scarlet lychnis, figured and described in M. Verschafl'elt's Illustration Horticole, from which our figure is taken. M. Verschaflfelt says it was obtained by artificial impregnation of the old Lychnis fulgens with pollen of Lychnis Sieboldii, by M. Ernest Penary, of Erfurt. It is described as surpassing in splendour of colouring, and in the size of tlie flowers and their long cnduranoe, our ohl favourite of the borders ; and as our illustration shows the flower of its natural size, the reader will perceive that it is an acquisition of no mean merit. It differs, however, in form from the common lych- nis, in having two horn-like growths on each side of every petal. When taken in hand by English growers, it will no doubt prove a valuable addition to our lists of border flowers, as it is quite hardy ; but it is impatient of moisture, and will pro- bably be best on elevated rock- work. It is easily propagated by cuttings taken in May, June, or July, and struck in the shade. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 67 lUCHSIA 5IE COLIS CAiirCJil-t. FUCHSIA SIE COLIK CAMPBELL. Mr. Wheeler Las been fortunate in raising what will prove the most attrac- tive fuchsia of the season, Sir Colin Camp- bell, which is to be let out this spring. It is of immense size, the sepals of rich crimson, and finely reflesed; the corolla purple, very stout, and quite double. For exhibition purposes this will prove of the hisrhest value. NEW ANNUALS. Tropceohim Tom Thumb. — A new dwarf scarlet nasturtium, having the habit and colour of Tom Thumb geranium, the flowers well up above the foliage, and the latter ample and spreading. Will make very gay beds, and suit for a second row iu a ribbon, or for vases, pots, rock-work, and borders. Let out by Messrs. Carter and Messrs. Henderson. [Price 1?. per packet.] (Eaothera Drummondii Nana. — Aver)' elegant dwarf Oenothera, received from Texas, in 1857. The flowers are a bright yellow, and measure three to four inches i in diameter. Habit dwarf and compact, ' never rising above six inches. It blooms ; freely the whole of the summer. [Price Is. per packet.]. ROSE L^LIA. This was referred to iu our report of the National Rose Show last year, as the finest individual rose in the room. It will suit those who like large flowers ; but it is also of excellent form, and possesses every good property. Colour, true rose ; foliage abundaut and robust. [Price 5*. each.] CHRYSANTHEMUM BURRIDaE- ANUM. A snow-wliite, marigold-like flower, two and a-half inches across, with bright crimson circle towards the base, which is belted with yellow. The colouring is very distinct and effective ; and it will be a useful flower to grow in pots for furnish- ing in masses, or in mixed borders. Will be most acceptable for cut flowers. Let out by Messrs. HeDderson. [Qd. per packet.] 68 NOTES FOE MAECH. KITCnEN GARDEN. Get mainire on to tlie plots tliat are to be sown or planted this month and next, and dig the ground over deejDly, and leave rough. Level down the ridges of ground prepared last month, so as to be ready to sow and plant as soon as weather permits. Plant the main crop of ])0tatoes where the ground is well drained at once, but on damp* soils wait till next month. It is not safe to manure for potatoes, but charred rubbish, old mortar, and other dry materials msiy be used to lighten the soil and nourish the crop. For main crops choose a plot that was well manured last year; for early sorts, that are to come vip before the autumn-rains set in, manure may be dug into the trenches. Potatoes are best planted in trenches, and covered loosely with soil ; dibbling is apt to cau^e rotting by the holes getting filled with water. Horseradish may be planted in any spare corner, but the ground should be dug deeply, and the roots will come finer if the subsoil is vs-ell manured. The crowns should be planted fifteen inches deep, and six inches apart every way, and the holes filled with fine coal-ashes, or the sets put in as the trenching proceeds. Any part of the root will do as well as the crowns, if cut into inch pieces. Mark out onion-beds, and let the soil be liberally manured. Get ready Ibr all successional summer crops, so as to have the ground firm and well sweetened in time to receive them. Soiv turnip, long-radish, main crop of parsnips, horn-carrot, cauliflower, cab- bage, savoys, broccoli, main crop of onions, peas for succession, lettuce of all kinds, round -spinach, parsley, and small salads. CTJCUMBEHS AND MELONS. Keep up the heat by linings if necessary ; give air on fine mornings, but beware of chilling the plants. If the weather is frosty, with bright sunshine, shade the pit with netting to prevent scorching ; thin the fruits if they set too freely. Sow cu- cumbers and melons for succession, and sow also Stockvi'ood cucumbers for ridging out. For mstructious on the open air- culture of cucumbers and marrows, see page 82 of last year's volume. ELOWER GARDEN. Dig borders with care, not to injure the roots of herbaceous plants, and make the surface moderately fine, to give a neat appearance. Sow hardy annuals in the borders, and put a tally to each patch ; as soon as large enough to handle, thin the patches, and plant out the thinnings wherever required ; or pot them for bloom- ing in the windows. Put stakes to newly planted roses and other trees, and mulch beds of roses to protect their roots from dry bleak winds. GREENHOUSE. To keep the conservatory gay, put roses, rhododendrons, azaleas, and early pelar- goniums into a moderate warmth, to bring ihem into bloom. Give plenty of water and liquid manure to plants coming into bloom, especially Americans, camellias, pe- largoniums, and acacias. Plants done blooming should be tended with care to secure a healthy growth of new wood, and be cut in if required before they spend their strength at the ends of flowering shoots. Give plenty of air, and increase tlie heat in all plant-houses. Use the syringe freely, to keep a clean foliage; re- pot any plants that want more root-room ; see to the training of greenhouse and con- servatory climbers before they get into too full a growth to be handled conveniently. Soiv tender annuals, and florists' flowers of all kinds for blooming this season, or for general increase of stock, but more par- ticularly balsams, cock's-combs, Zinneas, stocks, globe amaranths, portulaccas, sal- piglossis, thunbergias, solanums, as well as hardy kinds for early blooming in- doors, and for beds to succeed the spring bulbs. Auriculas. — These will require fre- quent watering and plenty of air, but must be sheltered from cutting winds. Weak liquid manure will strengthen the trusses. Green-fly will ajapear as the plants make their new growth, and must be promptly met by means of tobacco-smoke. Polyan- thuses the same treatment. Azaleas. — Take up and pot such as are wanted for furnishing, and put into a moist heat of 55° by night, and 65'^ by day. Use turfy peat and silver-sand, and press the soil firmly into the pots round the okl balls. Give plenty of water, and train out into good shapes. Calceolarias may be struck in any quantity for blooming this season ; a very slight heat is sufficient. Use young tender shoots, and root them in sandy peat. Specimen-plants for early blooming will come on nicely along with Americans and THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 69 otlaer plants th;it like moisture ; but they must be iu the coolest and airiest part of tli€ house, for much heat is an injury to them. Give liquid manure once a-week. Cinerarias must have plenty of "light and air, and all superfluous shoots and in- 1 jured leaves should be cut clean away. A cool shelf near the glass is the best place for them ; and they must be watched that green-fly does not take complete posses- sion of their succulent folitige. Carnations and Ficotees. — Clean up the plants, and wash the outsides of the pots. Make ready for potting in the second week of the month, and search the compost v/ell for vermin, or much mischief may ensue. Dahlias should be got to work without delay. Divide the old roots, one eye to each piece, and pot iu light rich loam, and plunge the pots in a warm pit on the tank of a propugating-house. Those started last month may be propagated by cuttings, if stock ruiis short ; the cuttings must be taken under a joint, and rooted iu thumbs filled with poor sandy loam, to be shifted into rich light soil as soon as rooted. Hollyhoclcs not yet planted out must be hardened by free exposure to the air, but protected from severe frosts and storms. Those ali-eady liardened should be planted without delay, and stakes placed for them at once, as driving the stake down hereafter will do injury to the roots. Pansies may be planted out about the second week, unless the weather is severe. Cuttings may be taken of gi-een side- shoots, and struck in moist lieat. Tie out those that are to be bloomed iu pots, aud give plenty of water as weather permits. Green-fly will now be busy with these un- less kept in check. Tulips must be kept hardy by free ex- posure, but severe frosts, especially after rain, will do them much harm. Protect, therefore, as occasion may require, but be careful not to retain the coverings one hour after a change of weather has ren- dered them unnecessary. Felargoniums must be stopped where the growth is irregidar, and tied out to good shapes for blooming. Give more heat and more water as the days lengthen; plenty of light, and manure-water once a- week. The syringe and the fumigator must both be kept in action to keep vermin in check. Scarce kinds of pelargoniums may now be propagated from pieces of the roots put into sniall pots, leaving the top just visible ; they must be in a moist heat, and shaded till they show shoots. COLD FRAMES AKD PITS. Most kinds of tender annuals may now be sown in pits and frames, where there is not suflicientroom iu the greenhouse, or no means of producing bottom-licat. A good crop of early potatoes may be liad by planting at once ash-leaf kidneys in old frames ; and, if short of lights, cover with hurdles or bean-sticks, which remove when the growth shows above ground ; but keep handy to cover with on frosty nights. The hardier kinds of greenhouse-plants may be got into brick pits to make more room for young stock in the house, but must have a little extra protection in case of frost. PRUIT GARDEN. Begin grafting the middle of the month, cut graft and stock to fit each otiier; tie securely, and cover with grafting-clay, as directed in another page. Wall-lruits coming into bloom should be protected with Haythorn's hexagou net, which ad- mits light aud air, but keeps oil' a slight morning-frost. Fir-branches also keep ofi" frost, but weaken the trees by shading them and obstructing currents of air, and hence do as much harm as good. The loss of crops where trees bloom freely is gene- rally owing to the bloom getting nipped, and a very slight protection is generally sufficient to prevent it. Though the plant- ing season is fairly over, fruit-bushes may still be got iu rather than lose a season. They must be strong ones, and be carefully moved direct from the nursery to their fruiting quarters with as little injury to the roots as possible. Get nailing and pruning finished as soon as possible. Cut down plants that have flowered ; and put in cuttings in a good heat. Newly-potted plants must be carefully watered, to guard against soddening the roots. Plant out achimines in shallow pans, and plant out tliose that are an inch high. VINEEY. Discontinue syringing as the vines come into flower, and slightly increase the temperature, and give air only when the weather is mild. As soon as tiie fruit is set, throw water on the paths, to make a moist air, and use the syringe freely. Tie ill the shoots before they get unmanage- able, and stop laterals at the first eye be- yond the bunch. Rods saved Irom the prunings may be put in heat to strike; hardy kinds will strike in the open air in precisely the same way as currant canes. 70 LATE PEAS. A3 a good late crop of peas is very de- sirable, and not often secured, a plan originally recommended by the Horticul- tural Society of London, and which has been proved a good one, may not be out of place here, nor perhaps altogether unac- ceptable to amateurs who have not heard of it before : — " The ground is dug over in the usual way, and the places to be occu- pied by the future rows of peas are well soaked with water. The mould upon each side is then collected, so as to form ridges seven or eight inches above the previous level of the ground, and these ridges are well watered. The seeds are now sown in single rows along the top of the ridges. The plants grow vigorously owing to the depth of soil and abundant moisture. If dry weather at any time set in, water is supplied profusely once a-week. In this way the plants continue green and vigor- ous, resisting mildew and yielding fruit, till subdued by frost." — Milne, Arnotf, and Co.'s Catalo^tte, 1859. TO COERESPONDEI\^TS. A>"NOUXCEMEXT. AVe have beeu frequently requested to reissue, in a more elegant form, some of the articles which have appeared in the " Floral Woeld." We have determined to publish a few in a neat form, and in a style nf getting up which will render them fit lor the drawing-room table. The first of the series will be Mr. Hibberd's article on " Grasses, Grass-plots, and Lawns," with a few additions. It will be pubhshed on the 15th of March, price Is. We have also deter- mined to issue a little Manual of Gardening for Cottagers, containing a short account of the Culture of Fruits, and Vegetables, and Flowers, arranged alphabetically for reference, and with lists of the best sorts. As it wdl be chiefly extracted from the " Floral World," the in- formation will be of the most recent kind. It will be published at 3(/., and will be of great value for gratuitous distribution. This we ex- pect will Sso be ready by the 15th. Portable Greenhouse. — L. L. — What do you think of a Waltonian case heating a house suf- ficiently to keep an average of 45' aU winter, ineafsurement of house same as yours, 11 feet by 12? — We have just seen such a house, in which the proprietor sets his case to work soon after Chi'istmas, and says he can keep out the sharpest frost we ever had in this country by means of two oases, and in all ordinary weather one is enough, and in w^orking it he gets an immense stock of bedders, balsams, elc, and flowers his camellias to perfection on the stages. Gas-heat is as good as any other heat, if the gas-burner is not in the house. You might have a small furnace and flue iu the usual way, and yet remove the house when necessary. The treeholdcr can only claim what is fixed iu the ground, not what merely rests upon it. (See our note ou Trotman's article, in a recent number.) The " Tom Thumb" nasturtium wUl grow out of doors iu any ordinary garden soil ; iu pots use turfy loam, plenty of sand, and a few nodules of old mortar. Timber POR Orchard Houses. — L.L. says, "As the simplicity of the orchard-house system will set many amateurs to work, let me advise that they use yeUow Baltic deal ; the American deal, though easy to work, is mere trash for garden purposes." Camellias Out op Doges.— TFm. ^.— -The camel- lia will bear the open air of Britain in all the southern counties, and in some sheltered dis- tricts far north. The reason it is so seldom grown out of doors is because it blooms so early that its chief beauty is destroyed by frost. Ehododendrons were of little use in the open air till we got late-blooming sorts ; but there are no camellias that flower late enough to make a safe feature for the open garden. Kext month we shall have an article on camellia culture, in which this subject will be dealt with. Greenhouse in Westminster. — Amateur. — A stove that gives out a smell of iron will prove the ruin of all the plants you have. Such a thing may be tolerated just to keep out frost for a few days now and then, but not as a perma- nent means of heating. You would ))e better off without an}' source of artificial heat, especi- ally as your house faces the south. Your fuchsias were doubtless starved ; they want rich soil, plenty of water, and a moist air to bloom w ell. See lists at page 47 of this year, and pages 23 and 95 of last year. We are obliged to refer back to save repetitions. Set or Beds. — E. F. — You should have given the measurements of the beds. We think the fol- lowing will please you: — 1, Terbena Wonder- ful; 2, Geranium Ignescens superba; 3, Ver- bena Prince of Prussia ; 4, Calceolaria Canary Bird ; 5, Flower of the Day Geranium ; 6, Lady Plymouth Geranium ; 7, Calceolaria Lemonade. Or, 1, Verbena King of Leith ; 2, Petunia Prince Albert ; 3, Saponaria Calabrica ; 4, Cal- ceolaria Aurea floribunda; 5, Verbena Geant des BattaUles ; 6, Verbena Brilliant de Vaise ; 7, Calceolaria Prince of Orange. Clat roE KosES. — T. II. 31. — The cuttings to which you refer were rooted in water. To have put them in clay would have ruined them ; the tender roots would never have taken hold of such a tough material ; but in peat they would soon get a start, and, when moderately strong, could be planted out in good loam, which is the proper soil for roses. There is not the least occasion to use pe.at in the ordinary culture of ro?es, though cuttings root quicker in peat than in any other material, and roses may be flowered in peat to perfection, as you would learn were you to visit Bayshot and other places where they have nothing else. Clay is a bad material for striking cuttings, even of plants that thrive in it when struck ; but roses may be planted in it when a year old, if you have no other soil. But clays differ, and we don't know what sort of clay you have to deal with. Bee-Keeping. — Constant Header. — The best book is Taylor's " Bee-Keepers" Manual." 5th Edition. Scabious, Hoses. — John Lyle. — The Scabious is a perennial, and consequently endures from year to year. Prune all your young roses back to good eyes at once. Never mind about bloom shoots at present ; get good growth by cutting ; THE FLORAL WORLD AXD GARDEN GUIDE. 71 cleai" away all ■weakly growths, and leave two I or three plump eyes to form a good head. They 1 will be none the better for having been covered j with straw. Write again, if you want further advice as the season advances. Names of Plaxts. — W. Clarke. — ^Ve cannot take the trouble to name the thirty-four mosses sent ; somebody would send us a field or a forest next. Besides, yours are mounted in such a way that they cannot be named, not even trith the help of a microscope. It is quite out of the question. LooiTEs's GARDEif Edgixg. — -S'. E. S. — We are not aware whether Messrs. Loomes have agents. Would it not be as well to write to them, and ascertain the cost of carriage. Their address is Whittlesea, Cambridgeshu-e. We know no- thing respecting the sale of any invention figured or described in this work. When we meet with anything which seems likely to be useful to amateurs, we give our opinion respecting it, and the price, as far as we have information ; beyond that, our readers must act for them- selves. Back KrirBERS. — Jokn KnigM. — The Numbers for 18.5S may all be had at id. each, or the volume bound for 6». We send it by post at the same price, paying the postage ourselves on receipt of stamps to the amount, and name and address plainly written. BiTTEE Aloes. — Various correspondents are in- formed that we have not yet had an oppor- tunity of testing the value of this, simply be- cause we have been free from fly. If we do not find occasion to try it in the ordinary waj', we ■will steam a few cinerarias on purpose, and report thereon. The case has evidently n'ot been clearly stated hitherto. Cataiogijes and Books Eeceited. — "Seed List of E. G. Henderson and Son, Wellington Nur- sery, St. John's Wood, 1859." The most in- teresting of all the catalogues of the season, both for its general arrangement and contents, and the graphic style in which the descriptive notes are written. It contains a vast number of novelties, for which this house is celebrated ; among them Speiynla pilifera, the new substi- tute for grass in the formation of lawns, a hundred and twenty varieties of ornamental and edible gourds, Tropseolum " Tom Thumb," new verbenas, gloxinias, chrysanthemums, Bou- vardias, dahlias, etc.; and, besides, copious lists for the garden, greenhouse, and conser- vatory.— " Seed L!st of Messrs. Hooper and Co., Central Avenue, Covent Garden." A com- prehensive directory for the plant-grower, ar- ranged botanieally, with columns devoted to the colours, heights, habits, etc. of every va- riety of hardy and tender flowers ; to which are added lists of vegetable seeds. The " Sardinian Correspondent " suppUes Messrs. Hooper with carnation and other choice flower-seeds, in which they allege there never has been a monopoly by any particular house. — " Seeds for the Kitchen Garuen, Flower Garden, and Farm, 1S59. Charles Turner, Slough." Not so compendious as the two former lists, but contains every thing ordinarily required in the kitchen and flower-garden. Among the novelties are Dr. Maclean's new peas, the Frogmore protecting broccoli, scarlet gem melon, cottagers' kale (the finest winter vegetable v;e have), Eoseberry Brussels sprouts, new perennial spinach. Tur- ner's favourite cucumber, and a large assort- ment of German seeds ; and Betteridge's noted asters, etc.—" Price List of Hoses, by Charles Noble, the Nursery, Bagshot," includes all the recent novelties, and the best of the old sorts at very reasonable rates. Plant and Seed Exchanges. — 5^. S. S. can spare plants from her collection in exchange for others she washes to add to it. The plants ofl'ered are strong and in good condition ; and if the plants asked for in exchange are con- sidered by the possessors of more value than those offered for them, " S. S. S." will be willing to give two or three additional ones. Variety is sought, and the return woidd be in a liberal spirit. Wanted— ^Eehmea fulgens, for ^chmea niiniata discolor ; ^Esctiynanthus splendidus, for yEschynanthusfulgens; yEthropodium denticu- latum, for Burcholia capensis ; Begonia argy- rostigma, for AHia coccinea ; Begonia Prestoui- ensis, for Begonia Martiniana ; Begonia Saun- dersiana, for Begonia nitida ; begonia parvi- flora, for Begonia nitida coccinea ; Hoya car- nosa, for Hoya iraperiaUs ; Hoya belia, for Hoya fraterna ; Hoya carapariulata, for Passiflora gontieri ; Eussellia juncea, for Eussellia sar- nieutosa floribunda ; Plumbago rosea, for Mus- SiPuda frondosa ; Canna Warscewiczi, for Ixora alba ; Eondeletia Aumale, for Gordonia Java- nica; Ehynchospernum jasminoides,' for Gre- villea longifolia ; Stephanotis floribunda, for Mimosa marginata, at Kew called Acacia mar- ginata ; Thudienna coliminea, for Luculia gra- tissima ; Thyrsacanthus rutdans, for Lisianthus Eussellianus ; Torenia Asiatica, for Statice im- bricata ; Tradescantia Zebrina, for Combretum purpureum ; Vinca alba, for Vinca rosea ; Didy- mocarpus biflorus, for Impatiens jerdonise ; Eochea falcata, for Impatiens Hookeri ; Begonia fuchsioides, for Begonia billeteri; — in all twenty- four. Sulphate of Ahmonia. — E. Macdonald. — We agree witli you that this valuable fertilizer is not used as extensively as it deserves to be. For green crops it is invaluable, as it causes a rapid growth of the foliage of the plants to which it is applied. We know nothing of it ex- cept as a material for liquid manures in the pro- portion of half an ounce to a gallon of water. Eight of Fence. — Cons:tant Suhscriher. — Yotirs is a question for a solicitor. Gardeners gene- rally decide who a fence belongs to by the way the nails are driven. Cotton Geass. — G. A. — It is Eriophortun polys- tachium. We cannot tell you where to get seed. Try Messrs. Henderson, St. John's Wood. The leaves belong to some species of Verbascum, of which there are above a hundred known in gardens. Dahlias. — Yorkshire. — We have entered such few of the newest as we think generally useful. There are dozens of others that we would not cumber the garden with. WiEE-woRJi. — Torquay. — There must be a good breeding ground where your manure came from. You had better trust to picking them out ; they are easily discovered. You may trap them by burying potatoes in the heap ; but each potat) should have a stick thrust through it to enable you to draw them out and destroy the worms that have penetrated them. Fenugreek. — R. G. — TrigoneUa fEenugrsecum is an annual belonging to the trefoil section of the LeguminifersB. It is cidtivated for its seeds, which are used in cataplasms, and in various ointments and plasters. The Eed Dutch is the cabbage generally used for pick- ling. There are others which are probably identical, but sold under a diiferent name. You can get good seed of any respectable dealer. We cannot recommend any one in particular. Eabbits. — Subscriber. ^The following recipe is from the Agricultural Gazette: — As much thoroughly skimmed-milk as required, and mix n THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. it up with soot till about as thick as paint. With this, paint over the tree with a whitewash brush. It is done very quickly, and is no ex- pense or trouble. It lasts well one season. Various.— i. JS,, l^ortk WaUlxnm. — Sincere thanks. Too tew to oiier publicly ; the demand would be so great; they shall yive delifijht to some one who can do justice to them. It would not be advisalde to chanfje the appearance of the workinany way. J.IIolroyd — VVedonotrecom- mend nurserymen ; apply to any who advertise in our pages. The hoe can only be had of the maker. J. Mitchell. — For directions on the culture of the ranunculus, see page 41 of last year's volume. Treat anemones in precisely the same way. James Catiham. — We have nothing to do with the sale of anything de- scribed in our pages. Apply to the maker, Mr. West, Victoria Road, Surbitcm, Middlesex. 1). G. — Your query is answered in another page. J. Jones Marthij. — Your offer is a kind one, but does not come within our plan, which is to distribute only such things as cannot be ob- tained in the regular w.iy. METEOROLOGICAL CALENDAR FOR MARCH. 31 DATS. ■WEATHER NEAB LONDON, MARCH, 1858. 31 DAYS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, MABCH, 1858. BAKOMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN. BAKOMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN. MAX. MIN. MX.MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN. Tu. 1 "29.553—29.532 34 29 31.5 NE .00 Th. 17 30 233-30.202 55 40 47.5 w .00 w. 2 29.635-29.613 34 28 31.0 NE .00 P. 18 30.196—30.169 47 38 47.5 AV .00 Th. 3 29.715—26.621 36 24 30.0 NE .21 S. 19 30.280-30.248 63 42 52.5 W .00 F. 4 29 766-29.436 4.3 23 33.0 NE ..00 S- 20 30.512-30.400 62 27 44 5 N .00 S. 6 29 576-29.398 41 25 33.0 NE .00 w. 21 30.469—30.400 59 25 42.0 SW .00 s. 6 29.064-29.000 42 27 34.5 N .no Tu. 22 30.535-30 507 57 27 42.0 E .00 Itf. 7 29.211—28.933 43 31 37.0 N .00 w. 23 30 507—30.257 63 30 46.5 SW .00 Tu. 8 29.376—29.232 42 25 33.5 NW .06 Th. 24 30.225-30.061 69 36 52.5 W .00 W. 9 29.629-29.581 43 28 35.5 NW .00 F. 25 30.241—30.098 53 22 37.5 NE •00 Th. 10 29792—29.750 44 19 31.5 NW .00 S. 26 30.242-30.136 57 24 40.5 W .00 F. 11 30.014—29.892 42 19 30.5 NE .00 s. 27 30.147—30.143 56 33 41.5 N .00 S. 12 30163—29 939 4.3 31 37.0 W .17 M. 28 30.146—30.050 54 23 41.0 W .00 s. 13 29 513 - 29.309 44 35 39.5 sw .12 Tu. 29 30.013—29.828 64 2(5 43.0 SW .00 M. 14 29 608-29 460 51 37 44.0 sw .06 W. 30 29.738-29.51)9 60 44 52.0 sw .01 Tu. 15 29.951-29.833 53 43 4S.0 w .00 Th. 31 29.371-28.985 01 34 37.5 s .30 W. 16 30.070-30.034 62 41 51.5 w .00 1 AVERAGES FOR THE ENSUING MONTH. Wb have had rain at last, and plenty of it, and may now calculate on the weather resuming its wonted seasonal phenomena. Hitherto this hasbeen a remarkable winter, omitheraprolong-ationof the autumn, for, with the exception of the November Irost, the temperature has been more bke October than mid- winter. We have .seen, this 2')thof February, verbenas that were left in the grounil lust year in a garden near London, still quite healthy and putting up young shoots. They, with many other things that are in premature growth, may be cut olfby frost before the month is out ; and the month of March before lis may be characterized by rigours of severest winter. IJut March is usually pretty true to its traditional character. It really does " come in like a lion, and go out like a lamb ;" and north-east winds of the most bitinif severity prevail more than at any other season of the year. The gardeners' by -word at this season, "keep things back," is founded on observation and experience, and is a safe motto for all who have to do with out-door horticulture. As the Ibregoing table shows, March, 185f, was a dry month, and frost prevailed on twenty nights out of thirty-one. The averages ibr March are — maximum temperature, 50' ; minimum, 35' ; mean, 41^'. The average temperature of the dew point is, 36'; B.irometer, 29.984; and the fall of r.;in, 1.4 inches. During the last thirty-two years, the most remarkable registrations of the Thermometer were as follows : — Highest, 9th. 1821), 69' • 19th, 1836, O:)'. Lowest, 17th and 20th, 1815, 16'; 30th, 1856, 15'; 2oth, 1849, 14'; 5th, 1845, 13'; and 10th. 1847, 7'. In 1837, March was unusually cold, the temperature being 5^ below the avera^je ; in 1835, it was excessively wet, as much as 3 inches of rain being registered. The general dryness of the season is very iavourable for farm and garden work, and especially forseed sowing, and the storms usually usher in genial weather, and the commencement of the welcome season of spring. PHASES OF THE MOON FOR MARCH, 1859. • New Moon, 4th, 7h. 11m. p.m. j First Quarter, 12th, 4h. 39m. a.m. O Full Moon, 18th, 9h. 45m. p.m. C I^ast Quarter, 20th, Oh. 27m. a.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, MARCH, 1859. Tuesday, March 1st, Horticultural Society : Fruit Committee award of prizes for Beurre Ranee Pears. Thursday, March 3rci, British Pomological '. Prizes of £2 2.«. and £1 1.?. for oollections of Appks and Pears. Open to growers only. Wednesday, 22nd, Royal Botanic, Regent's Park : E.-chibition of Spring Flowers. *^* Secretaries will ollige by forwarding Announcements, Schedules, etc., of forthcoming Exhibitions. THE ^<^^;?^;^pJ■c^^,?^: Apeil, 1859. 'EASSES constitute so large a division of the vege- table kingdom, and mingle in so many forms with the varied scenes of Nature, as to demand from the botanist the most assiduous and careful study. There is no part of the Avorld but in which some members of the family are to be found. In the trollies they rival oaks in magnitude, and mingle with the arborescent vegetation as essential ele- ments of the jungle and the forest ; and where life expires in the embraces of perpetual winter, grasses arc the last of flowering plants that linger on the verge of those silent regions of frost and death. In South Shetland islands, at an elevation of 7000 feet, Aira antarctica blooms alone in a region of "thick-ribbed ice;" and in the far north, in Iceland, Greenland, and the extreme latitude of 70 5°, Trisetum suhspicatum, which has perhaps a greater geographical range than any plant with which we are acquainted, braves the sleet and darkness, and during the short arctic siimmer puts forth its pretty blossoms, and ripens abundance of seeds. If we did not count among the grasses the sources of our staple foods in wheat, barley, rye, oats, Indian corn, rice, and sugar ; of our beverages, the food of our cattle, the materials for numerous manufactiu'es, including matting, cordage, baskets, plait, thatch, and paper, the grasses would, nevertheless, claim a high consideration for their beauty, their wide distribution, their bright green verdure, and the immensity of their numbers. The glorious carpeting of green, spread over hill and valley, whether the soil be a hungry sand or a clay submerged in water, is the most distinctive feature in the scenery of Britain, and the admiration of every foreigner who sets foot on our shores. Neither the olive-growths of the south of Europe, the palm-tree-dotted plains of Asia, the vast umbrageous leafiness of tropical jungles, or even Vallumbrosa itself, whose ''autumnal leaves" rustle in the most melliflu- ous line of English poetry, ever present, in the best of their several seasons of highest luxuriance, anything to compare with the rolling sward of a fine old English park, or the velvet breadths of verdure of our agricultiu'al pastures ! In our gardens, grass-lawns complete the luxury vox,. II. — NO. IV. 1; 74 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. of the scene ; while flowers, fountains, and bright-eyed children, with English health npon theii' cheeks, combine to render it homely and national ; and, in the hour of meditation, wc remember that the grass of the field is an emblem of the life of man, and close the reflection by repeat- ing the solemn words of Holy "Writ — ''All flesh is grass, and all the good- liness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth ; because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it : surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever." In the exercise of that spirit of thankful aff'ection, with which the true naturalist surveys the world around him, the universality of grass is a fact accepted as a distinct teaching of the kindly regard for the happiness of all creatures, which is so prominent a featui-e in the plan of creation. In herbage and grain the grasses fiu'nish a larger amount of sustenance to animal Kfe than all other tribes of plants together, and so profusely have they been shed abroad in every conceivable variety, as climate, soil, and situation may influence their growth, that the earth has taken their colouring for a garment, and presents a firmament of green almost as unbroken as the upper firmament of blue, which is the[only other prevailing tint in Nature. No matter how elevated or how barren the spot, grasses of some kind will make themselves a home in it ; and when every variety of soil and climate has been furnished with its appropriate kinds, others find for themselves sites in water, carpeting the bed of the brook, or bind- ing the shingle together on the shore of the sea ; o'thers on ruins, house- tops, and subterranean retreats, if but a glimpse of daylight reach them. In that remarkable work, "The Flora of the Colosseum," in which Dr. Deakin has described 420 plants found growing spontaneously on the ruins of the Colosseum at Home, there are no fewer than fifty- six grasses entered as flourishing in various parts of that venerable ruin ; those fifty- six include examjDles ofArenaria, Avena, Brha, Bromus, Festuca, Sordetim, Jjolium, and Poa, besides that farmer's friend, Anthoxanthim odoratum, which is said, bixt erroneously, to be the sole source of the fragrance of new-mown hay. This universality of grass is one of the most poetical of facts in the economy of the world. " There is no place which it will not beautify. It climbs up the steep mountain passes which are inacces- sible to man, and forms ledges of green amid the rivings of the crags ; it leaps down between steep shelving precipices, and there fastens its slender roots in the dry crevices which the earthquakes had rent long ago, and into which the water trickles when the sunbeams strike the hoary snows above. There it leaps and twines in the morning light, and fiings its sweet, sweet laughing greenness to the sun ; there it creeps and climbs about the mazes of the solitude, and weaves its fairy tassels with the wind. It beautifies even that spot, and spreads over the sightless visage of death and darkness the serene beauty of a summer smile, flinging its green lustre on the bold granite, and perfuming the lips of morning as she stoops from heaven to kiss the green things of the earth. It makes a moist and yield- ing carpet over the whole earth, on which the impetuous may pass with hui'ried tread, or the feet of beauty linger."* It may be stated as an axiom, that in spite of the attractions of the subject, grasses are less studied than most other tribes of plants. You shall cut a square turf from any wayside common, and submit it to a • "Brambles and Bay Leaves : Essays on the Homely and the Beautiful." THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GTJIDE, 75 farmer, a gardener, or an amateur student of horticnltnral botany, and it will be a rare chance if either of the three can tell you how many species of grasses there are in the turf, or anything respecting their habits and his- tory. Yet to the farmer it is a matter of serious moment to know which are the grasses that produce the earliest crops of grass, which the heaviest and most fattening, which make the best hay, and how far the most produc- tive are adapted to various soils and climates. Siich men as Mechi, Huxtable, Buckman, or Morton, would, by a skilful choice of grasses, as to t"heir productive and other qualities, obtain from a given piece of land double or treble the return a farmer of the old school would be contented with ; for the advance party in agriculture have accomplished that long- talked-of boon of making two blades of grass grow where but one grew before. But the amateur gardener has, or should have, as much concern in the grasses as any, seeing that they are fast taking places in our gardens as embeRishments ; and we find as much to be proud of in our clumps d" Oyneriuin, Arunclo, Dactylis, Holcus, Zea, and Stipa pennata, as in any of the old-established garden flowers ; and when we come to make them objects ol careful botanical study, we shall find it possible to introduce a vast numbei of others which possess the highest value as decorative objects for rockeries, water scenes, and border and pot cultiu'e. Ferns and variegated foliage plants have become fashionable subjects of culture : why should not also the grasses, which present us with a verj- distinct class of the most graceful outlines, a variety of agreeable tones of verdure, occasionally gaily-painted blossoms, and striped and variegated leaves ? The variegated PTialarh aruniinacca; popularly knoAvn as ribbon grass, ladies' -tresses, and other homely names, is one of the most beautiful variegated- leaved plants we have, that grows in almost any kind of soil, and increases rapidly into huge tufts crowned with silvery panicles, little less inferior, just before they are in full bloom, to the pampas grass itself, which has just been described as the queen of the family. What we want as an incentive to the study of grasses, is a good grass garden in some place of popular resort. We Avould have the promoters of people's parks, public pleasure-grounds, and places of open-air recreation generally, give heed to the necessity for facilitating the means of acquiring knowledge of the tribe of plants on which we are most directly dependent for soiu'ces of wealth and comfort, and for the majority of oiir choicest worldly pleasures. At the nurseries where agricultural seeds are raised, the grass garden is usually an important feature ; meadow and pastiu'e grasses are grown in separate breadths, to test their relative qualities and strength, as well as for saving seed unmixed with weeds and other grasses. One of the very first of these grass gardens was that formed at Woburn, by the Duke of Bedford, and known as the Hortus Gramineus. This was laid out as a pleasiu-e-grormd, with gravel walks two feet nine inches wide, with spaces on each side of two feet square, each enclosed by cast-iron frames. The garden contained 242 of these two-feet plots, which allowed of the cultivation, in separate square patches, of 242 species of grasses. Eound the garden was a three-feet walk, with exterior border for forage plants, such as vetches, saintfoin, clover, lucern, etc., which are usually called " grasses"' in farming language, though widely separated from the grasses proper in all that concerns their structure and character. A hedge of hornbeam separated this garden from the other parts of the groimds; and the Duke honoured the entrance to it by a beautiful Grecian structxu-e, designed by J. Wyattville, Esq. The designer of the Wobiun garden was 76 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND QAEDEN GUIDE. Mr. George Sinclair, a famous student and cultivator of grasses, and author of the " Hortus Gramineus "VYoburnensis," one of our best works on profitable grasses. Mr. Sinclair had a grass garden of his own at liew Cross, Avhere he gi'ew pasture grasses on a large scale, and acted as one of the pioneers in the establishment of the modern improvements in agricul- ture. This was laid out in a similar manner to the one at Woburn, the grasses being cultivated in square plots, separated from each other by paths of sand, with a broad walk round the plot, and a boundary of roses and hornbeam. Tanks for aquatic grasses and an inner border for forage plants were added, so as to completely represent the interests of the grazier, gardener, and the student of botany. One of the best trade col- lections of the present day is that on the trial ground of Messrs. Sutton and Sons, of Eeaduig, where about 150 of the most useful species and varieties may be seen in bloom at their respective seasons. The grass garden at Kew is the best and most easily accessible for the botanists of London ; and it has now attained to such completeness, that it constitutes a grand Sorfus Gramine^is for all puqjoses of reference and comparison, the species being carefully named and arranged in botanical , order. Similar gardens are needed at all the popular out-door establish- ments which profess to combine the means of instruction Avith those of recreation and amusement ; and at such a place as the Crystal Palace a Garden of this Ivind could well be combined with rock and water scenes for the display of tlie principal ornamental species, including the Tussock, the Pampas, the Sorghum, the hardy Eamboo, species of Zea, and such of the tree grasses as are capable of bearing the open air of Britain during the summer, and of these the noble Arundo donax of Italy would make a conspicuous feature. At the tropical end of the nave the specimens of rice, and other tropical grasses, and the papyrus, and others of the sedges, add some very distinct and pleasing outlines to those aftbrded by the ferns and the magnificent tropical palms in the adjoining borders. The formation of a picturesque scene devoted to ornamental grasses, with small detached laAvns formed of various mixtures or pure grasses, and a proper grass garden on the "Woburn plan, might well be carried out in the new venture at Muswell Hill, and to no one could the task of designing and planting be better entrusted than to Mr. Spencer, who has long been busy in preparing the plans for the ground. Private students of botany cannot proceed on such a scale ; but a very small space devoted to grasses in an amateur's garden would be productive of much pleasure, and incapable of exhaustion as to the amount of know- ledge to be derived from it. Suppose a rockery and dell with water, designed to form an agreeable summer retreat, with a shady bower and a few elegant appurtenances in the shape of rustic vases and ti-ee-stumps, to be formed in a wilderness or shrubbery, or in a remote part of any ordinaiy small garden, from which it might be fenced off with a line of clipped Tew or Arbor vita). Here would be found sites for an immense ninnber of grasses, all of which group well with ferns, and each species would have a site appropriate to it, and a prepared soil introduced at the time of planting. For species that are not sutfieiently ornamental for such a spot, a narrow border would suffice ; and the best way to grow them would be in small patches, just as we are in the habit of sowing annuals. The narroAVTiess of the limits of such a grassery would be compensated by an annual or biennial change of sorts. As they came into flower, good culms and spikelets could be gathered and dried for the Hortus siccus, and the THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 77 clumps destroyed to make room for fresh sorts ; and thus, if there -were room for but a hundred to begin with, the annual varieties could all be changed the next season, and the biennial at the second season ; and, in the course of a few years, the Hortiis siccus would be stocked by an entire col- lection of the British, and an immense number of foreign species and their numerous varieties, and the possessor also made familiarly acquainted with them throughout their whole course of growth — a fulness of know- ledge rarely attained by collectors of dried j)lants. As the majority of the species of Graminecc belong to the temperate zone, an English garden may be made a place of culture for the chief of the grasses of the entii'e world, as far as plants and seeds can be obtained for the piu'pose. The species of grass known at the present day number far beyond a thousand. Of these the British Isles claim at least a hundred and fifty. The botanical characteristics of a grass are the production of cylin- di'ical stems from either a bulbous or fibrous root-stock. The stems are usually hollow and jointed, and in this they difter from the sedges, in which the stems are solid. The leaves of grasses spring from the joints, and sheathe the stem ; in the sedges the leaves grow together round the stem, and form a kind of tube to enclose it. The flowers come in sj)ike- lets, and consist only of the essential organs of fertility — stamens, anthers, and ovary — enclosed in bracts, the two exterior of which are called glumes, and the two exterior paleoi. When these bracts are highly coloured, as in Agrostis seiacece, Calamagrostis lanceclata, Arena strigosa, Cgnodon dac- tylon, C. sanguinalis, and Stim fennata, the species are attractive to the popular eye as beautiful grasses ; but it is the form, proportions, foliation, and the peculiar grace of the spikelets generally, that constitute their beauties; and if we except Gyneriiim, with its gi-and panicles of glittering silver, and the beautifully-marked Arundo donax versicolor, the variegated Phalaris, Elymus, Arenaria glauca, Festuca glauca and variabilis, and a few others prized for their snowy and golden stripes and blossoms, theii- atti'actions Avill range with the same quiet order as those of the ferns, many delightful shades of refreshing green and outlines unsurpassed in gracefulness. In the natural system, as adopted by Lindley, Hogg, and the majority of modern botanists, there are thirteen tribes of grasses, respecting which we will say a few words, for the purpose of indicating those which possess the greatest interest for the amateur cultivator and the student of botany. Oeyze^ contains the rice-grass so extensively cultivated in the tropical regions of both hemispheres. The genera of this tribe are mostly stove aquatics, and very elegant objects to mingle with ferns and lilies in the furnishing of heated aquaria. Phalare^i; includes Zea mays, or Indian corn — the " corn" mentioned in Scripture as that which Jesus and his disciples gathered on the Sabbath. The green cobs of maize are sweet, and, if cooked before the grains are too far advanced, form an excellent table vegetable. "Well-grown plants of common maize are noble garden ornaments. The following are highly ornameutal members of the tribe : — Giant maize, canary-grass {P. cana- nensis), reed canary-grass (P. arundinacea), and the pretty ladies'- tresses, which is a variety of the same. For the stove, Coix lachryma, or Job's-tears, is a noble grass, rising eight feet high, and with a similar 78 THE FLORA.L WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, J AGKOSTIS VULOAEIS AGEOSTIS SPICA- VENTI. ^trong habit to maize. Lagums oratus is one of the rarest and most beautiful of British grasses, very useful for bouquets. Panice.e includes the common millet and the celebrated Guinea grass, the most valuable forage-plant for hot, dry climates, requiring in this country to be grown in the stove. Panicum Italicum aristatum, P. orj/cimim, P. pidchruni, Pemiisetum long isti/I urn (extremely beautiful), and Sefan'a macroseta, are interesting species. SiiPEiE is a tribe rich in graceful specimens. Btiim pennata is the wcll- knoAvn feather-grass, but 8. capillata, S. gigantea, and S. juncea are also of great beauty. Another good spe- cies is Piptatheruyn Thomasi. Ageosteje. — In this tribe we have some of the most useful pasture and lawn-grasses, natives of Britain. Agros- fis vulgaris is one of the most com- mon Avayside and pasture grasses to be met with in a five minutes' ramble in almost every part of the British Isles. The most beautiful of this tribe are Adulcis, effusus, puJchella, spica-renti, and p)itmila. AETTNDEiE. — The mat grass, ADnnojjJiila arundinacea, so much grown on the coast of Norfolk, to prevent the encroachments of the sea, by binding the sand-banks into a firm felt, belongs to this interesting tribe, which abounds in useful and ornamental species, of which the following are of most importance to the cultivator: — Arnndo donax and its varieties fol. var. and versicolor, and Gynerium argenteum, which thrives best m a deep moist loam, in partial shade, and is the finest hai'dy grass of om' gardens, PAPPOPnoEE^ needs insertion only for comjoleting the list of tribes. It does not contain any genera of value to the ordinary cultivator. Chloke^. — This tribe abounds with interesting genera. One of the most important, in an economical point of view, is Spartina juncea, the nishy cord grass, Avhich yields a fibre as soft as flax and of great strength, and has been recommended for culture on soils too poor for flax. /S. stricta grows on salt-marshes in the east coasts of Britain, and has a peculiarly rigid habit of growth quite unlike the generality of grasses ; it is fre- quently used in the- formation of ropes. The most ornamental of this tribe are Chloris elegantissima, C. fimhriata, C. pohj&tacliya, C. radiata (very beautiful), C. suhmutica, Eleiisine coroeana, E. cyUndrifoha, and E. Indica. Some species of Eleusine, lately introduced from China, are oftered by Messrs. Henderson, of St. John's Wood, as desii-able for orna- mental purposes. AvEXEiE. — This includes the Oat and its pretty allies, and the two most fr.agrant of British grasses, namely, the holy grass, Hierochloe horcalis, met with in the Highlands of Scotland, and there used to scent apartments, and Anthoxanthim odoraimn, the sweet-scented vernal grass. Arena ste- rilis is a very graceful grass, as, indeed, are all the Avenas, and excellent materials in a bouquet of wild flowers. Another pretty example is Aira ccespitosa, the tiifted hair-grass, a most beautiful object, as is also the THE FLORAL WOELD AND aARDEN GUIDE . 79 variety vivipera. A. cmpitosa is oiio of tlie commonest of grasses, and largely used by cottagers in the making- of mats and basses. Air a AIEA C.'ESPITOSA. EEIZA MEDIA. caryoplii/lh, the silver bair-grass, is also veil worthy of a place in a border ; it is very abundant in England, but most so in Sherwood Forest. Festtjce^. — This tribe is the most useful of all, except the corn grasses. The ornamental specimens are the hardy Bamboo, Bactylis caspitosa, the Tussock grass, Eragrostis eJegans or love-grass, E. plmnosa, Bri%a media, B. gracilis, B. maxima, quaking grass, B. aspera, Lamarkia aurea, Festuca glaiica, F. lieteropliylla, F. ovina, Bri%opyrum siculum. Many of the Poas are prized for their beauty, and none more so than P. aquatica, the reed meadow-grass, which grows abundantly in wet meadows and by the edges of streams. P. distans, P. fluitans, and P. pratensis are also pretty in their floweiing. HoEDEiE. — There ai'e not many genera in this tiibe, but the few con- tribute more towards the sustenance of man than any other tribe in the ,,,, vegetable kingdom. "Wheat, rye, bar- ley, and rye-grass are the j)rincipal among the productive members of the tribe, and Elymus caput Meduscs, E. giganteus, and E. hgstrix, those most valuable as garden ornaments. EoTTBOELLEJi; produccs the sugar- cane and several other sweet grasses. As a stove-plant, the sugar-cane makes a very beautiful object. The Chinese sugar-cane. Sorghum or Solcus saccha- ratiis, is getting to be extensively cul- tivated in Britain as a valuable forage- 'y ^ ^|t plant. Por garden decoration it is ^ -^^ik ^^ useful on account of its bold tropical character ; in habit of growth it bears a moderately close resemblance to maize, but its inflorescence is altogether Sown in the open gi-ound in May, it attains to a height of fOk AQTTITICA. LAQURUS OVATUS, different. 80 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. seven or eight feet before the end of tlie summer, and adds a fine feature in rustic and wilderness scenery. ANDRoroGONE.!-:. — This tribe includes numerous genera of no general interest, but Androjiogon sorghum is a fine grass, and may be added to the list of ornamental species. s. H. Messrs. Milue, Arnot, and Co., of the Yauxliall Nursery, Wandsworth Road, have been exhibiting their magnificent collection of large Camellias in their great Camellia liouse, 180 feet long, containing some thousands of plants, both specimens, and stock for sale. As arranged, the large plants are in a row at the back, a front stage full of moderate-sized well-grown specimens, with large plants in the spaces between, under a shaded roof, and with llie comfortable accessories of a matted walk and an agreeable temperature. This has been the most at tractive nursery show of the season. Tliere are between four and five hundred varietii's of this most popular of all our spring flowers, and as their bloom is not yet over, and some fine specimens out of doors, which have been planted many years, are just coming into fine bloom, we advise such of our readers as are iri crested in Camellias, to pay a visit at; once, and make up their lists of sorts to be added to their collections while blooms remain by which to judge their merits. Our visit was paid after the prc.-ent number was in great part prepared, so that we are obliged to defer till next month our notes respecting it, as also our intended essay on the Culture of the Camellia. As the announcements of forthcoming exhibitions are of special interest at this season, particularly to those who are growing for competition, we have classed alpha- betically the following, with tlieir respective dates : — ■ Brighton and Sussex Floeiculttjeal Society. — June 22, 23; Sept. 14, 15. Beistol, Clifton, and West of England. — June 2, and August 25. Bhitish Pomological. — Award of One Cuiuea Prize for best Seedling late Kitchen Apple, in dishes of ten fruit. IIoeticultuealSociety.— St. James's Hall, May 12 and 13; June 21) and 30; December 7, 8, and 9. Hoeticultueal Society, Eeuit Committee. — April 5, May 3, June 7. KiEKSTALL Abbey, Leeds. — Second Exhibition, June 24 and 25. Royal Botanic. — Regent's Park, April 6 and 20. Stoke Newington Oeiginal Floeicultueal (Mr. Nicholls, Seci-etary). — Exhibition of Dahlias, Asters, etc., at Hare and Hounds, August 30. ■ Floeicultueal Society (Mr. Wortley, Secretary). — Ex- hibition of Dahlias, Asters, etc., Manor Rooms, August 30. Cheysanthemttm Society (Mr. Wortley, Secretary). — Manor Rooms, Nov. 2 and 3. Cheysanthemum Society (Mr. Paxton, Secretary). — Manor Rooms, Nov. 7 and 8. TowCESTEH Floeal Society. — Annual Exhibition, September 8. Tunbeidge Wells Hoeticultueal Fete. — June 24. YoEKSHiEE Gala and Musical Exhibition. — Asylum Grounds, Booth.im, York, June 13, 14, and 15. I>iNCOLN Hoeticultueal Society. — May 25, July 13, September 14. MR. SIM'S AIs-D MR. SALTER'S CATALOGUES. Ihess catalogues are of too much importance to be dismissed with a brief word in our ordinary notices. Mr. Sim's catalogue of Stove, Greenhouse, and Hardy Perns (No. 6) is a substantial book of sixty-two beautifully-printed pages, and contains above 800 entries of Perns and Lycopodiums. In the classification, Mr. Sim has adopted the technology of Mr. Moore, as given in his " Handbook of British Perns" and " Index Filicum," adding those of Mr. J. Smith, of Kew, and Mr. Newman, where difiering from Moore, as synonyms. By this plan the multiplicity of names, by which many Ferns are severally catalogued and described, no longer perplexes the reader, who THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 81 having the old and new names before him, at once can readily discover the object of his search. Another most important feature is the striking out of varieties that have not proved sufficiently constant or distinct to be worthy of a place among the true Fern sports, just such a weeding of the stock, indeed, as the growers of florists' flowers ought to make, to reduce the number to the best and most striking sorts. The list of liardy Ferns for culture out of doors contains no fewer than 250 subjects, including, besides Britisli Ferns, many examples of Lomaria, Onoclea, Woodwardia, and some Lycopodiums and Selaginellas, accompanied, in most cases, with cultural notes, and in all with full descriptions of foliation, fructification, and general character. The lists of greenhouse and stove Ferns constitute a complete handbook to the indoor Fernery ; the sorts are distinguished as evergreen, deciduous, ct? , and such as are adapted for Wardian cases are indicated in the descriptions. Tlie workis prefaced by a short code of rules for the management of Ferns in all the various metliods adopted in their cultivation. No Fern-grower or student of botany should be witliout this valuable work — the production of an acknowledged master of the subject ; and it may be had by inclosing eight postage stamps to Mr. Sim, Foot's Cray, Kent, S.E. Mr. Salter's catalogue is on the old model, and is chiefly occupied witli Chry- santhemums, Dahlias, Phloxes, Pieouies, Fuchsias, Belgian Daisies, Bedding and Greenhouse Plants, and Hardy Variegated-lcavcd Plants ; for the latter Mr. Salter has as world-wide a fame as for Chrysanthemums. One improvement is the marking of the Chrysanthenmms, to indicate which are best adapted for cut flowers for show, for specimen culture, for tlie borders, and for early medium and late blooming. There is a large number of new Chrysanthemums let out this season for the first time, all well proved, and bearing the commendations of the most experienced judges. We are pleased to notice that very moderate prices are charged for the new flowers, and many of last year are entered at tlie ordinary rate of six and nine shillings a dozen. The lovely Aimee Feriere Progne, Variegated Queen of England, and others of recent date, are entered at eighteenpence each. We have, iu another page, given a list of tliose we consider most desirable, and would only add here, that growers of hardy ornamental plants, Belgian Daisies (now brought to extraordinary perfection). Antirrhinums, Dahlia?, and Phloxes, would do well to obtain this catalogue without delay. It may be had gratis by inclosing one stamp, for postage, to Mr. Salter, Yersailles Nursery, Hammersmith. PIELD CULTURE OF THE CAEEOT. Caerot-Seed should not be sown in open iields before the third week in April, as it will not germinate until the temperature of the earth is considerably raised, and, con- sequently, tlio weeds indigenous to the soil are liable to get a-head of tlie carrots, and seriously injure the crop. It is ad- visable to sow a little rape or mustard seed in the drills with the carrot, which, coming up quickly, will show plainly where the drills are, and allow of early hoeing, which is a most important point iu tlie cultiva- JiAja^ of liiis crop. Another mode now frequently adoted for attaining the above objects, is to spi-outthe seed by steepiug it in moist sand before sowing ; this is ad- vantageous for several reasons, but care must be taken to turn the sand and seed over every day, to prevent its heating, and also not to sow in very dry weather, as the germ of the seed will suffer so much by the sudden check as not to recover. When tliis practice is adopted, the seed should not be put into the sand eirlier than the second week in April, or the plants will be too forward, and liable to run to blossom, which spoils the root. Upon the wliole, we consider the former plan of sowing in the open ground (not eai'lier than the third week in April) is the safest. A funnel-shaped piece of tin, held in the hand, is the be.-t meaus of depositing the seed; but where this is considered too tedious, a drill may be used, sawdust being mixed with the seed. — Sutton's Farm Seed List. 82 PROFITABLE GARDENING. CHAPTER xr. THE CABBAGE TKIBE — CULTURE OF THE CAULIFLOWER AND THE BROCCOLI. There are few things in the vegetable way to equal a fine cauliflower. To see its snowy poll shining with melted butter, and garnished with a bright green collar of leaves, is in itself enough to give one an appetite. The nicely browned lamb and savoury ducks smell all tlie sweeter when their steamy odours mingle with the vegetable fra- grance, and, as long as the dinner lasts, one's palate may revel in the choicest of creamy luxuries. To grow fine cauliflowers is worthy the ambition of every amateur gardener ; expert pro- fessional hands take a pride in them, for, to do the thing well, one must aim a little higher than the ordinary rou- tine of cabbage-culture, although this is but a cabbage, though the king of the group. It is not the least use to attempt cauliflower and broccoli growing, un- less you have a really good soil and some means of generously manuring it. They like to bite half-rotted dung, and make free root in fat loam, with plenty of moisture during summer ; hence liquid manure should be freely used as soon as a plantation has been made, and continued regularly till the flower begins to form, when it may be discontinued, and abundance of plain water be given instead. In frosty weather, of course, the drier they are kept the better. The first step towards obtaining a crop of cauliflower or broccoli is to in- sure good seed. This is said ad- visedly, for the seeds of these plants are very liable to deterioration, and it is really difficult to get the best varieties quite true. Cheap, or rather low- priced, seeds have been condemned in a previous page ; but we must here repeat the condemnation, for cauli- flower-seed cannot be raised under eighteenpence or two shillings an ounce by the grower, and hence no one can expect it under two shillings or half-a-crown. A shilling packet, however, containing half, or even a quarter, of an ounce, is quite enough for any ordinary family for one season, and if you have any left after sowing, give it away at once, or raise it all, and give avi'ay the surplus plants, for either will be precious to a poor neighbour, and you gain nothing by keeping it. Have it fresh, and from a first- rate house, and then you have a chance of some day cutting plenty of fine heads. There are always new sorts coming into the market ; but the old ones, if quite true, are as good as ever, and should be chiefly trusted to, though there are exceptions, as in the case of May's Hardy Broccoli and Mitchell's Hardy Cauliflower, both of which are impi'ovements on old sorts, and valuable for their hardiness. The leading sorts of cauliflower are Early London, which is the quickest grow- ing of all ; Large Asiatic, a very va- luablekind for general purposes ; Large Late and Walcheren, which, indeed, may be called either a broccoli or cauliflower, which you please, for it is between the two. For the main crop, a sowing of any of the sorts may be made on or about the 20th of August, the Walcheren being the most generally useful, and Mitchell's Hardy next so. If the weather is dry, water the bed before sowing, and give the seedlings a little extra care as to weeding, etc. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the young plants on a piece of rich ground that has been well dug, and trodden firm ; keep them mode- rately moist, for drought is ruin to the cauliflower. By the middle of Oc- tober they must be prepared for win- tering. The tender sorts, such as London Early, must be wintered under glass ; but Walcheren will stand a moderate frost, and may be wintered in four-foot beds, over which some hoops can be placed, so as to allow the protection of a mat or some litter. Those to be kept under glass shoixld either be planted in rich earth in frames, or in a bed, for hand-lights, and as soon as frost comes they must be protected from it, but not to the extent of coddling them ; nay, grow THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 83 them as hardy as you can, for the more you nurse them in November the more likely are you to lose a good many in February. Another plan, which saves glasses, is to plant them under a wall on a sloping bed facing the south, and during severe weather to cover them entirely with loose lit- ter, which is a good protection against frost. During mild weather all litter should be removed, and replaced again if frost occurs, and in the same way air should be given at every favourable opportunity to those under glasses. In very severe and late winters, espe- cially if heavy rains occur between the frosts, the crop will suffer a good deal in spite even of hand-glasses. A few mats or loose litter over the glasses will afford additional protection, but at the first change to mild weather the plants should be well aired, and the earth slightly stirred about their roots ; but as mild winters occur pretty often, the statement of these particu- lars should not deter any one from sowing cauliflowers in autumn, for they take but little room ; and if you begin with plenty of plants, you are pretty sure to have enough left for a fair supply the next summer. But to save the trouble of keeping them over winter, or to replace those cut off by frost, a sowing may be made in the middle of January on a gentle hot- bed, or in pans in a warm corner of a greenhouse, and when the plants are up they should be pricked out on another hotbed, kept near the glass, and gradually inured to the air, and ■ planted out as soon as frosts are over. These if well managed, especially if not pushed into a rapid growth at first, will come to maturity almost as soon as those sown in August. During March and April other sowings may be made, and each lot planted out as soon as it is fit, and then grown on quick in an open space away from trees, and in the richest soil you have, and to be assisted with liquid manure frequently. Give them a good soaking every night about the roots, and now and then a drenching overhead with rain-water from the rose of a large watering-pot during dry and hot weather. In other re- spects the culture is the same as cab- bage, the chief difference being that the plant is even more luxurious in its living, and a little less hardy. For those who have not the convenience of frames, nor much time to spare to nurse a crop during winter, I should recommend Mitchell's Hardy Early, a sort sent out by Rendle, of Plymouth, and now well known in the tr^de. It is not quite so quick in growth as Early London, but requires less protection, and has a handsome compact head, which will stand for a fortnight before getting loose or frothy. There is a valid reason for frequent small sowings of cauliflower, especially in spring ; for if one large sowing be depended on, the plants are likely to come to perfection all at once, and, if not quickly used, the head breaks up, and is only fit for pickling. I have often seen market-growers devote large breadths to cauliflower ; but, depend- ing on one sowing, they have had to sell at a loss, to get the ground clear when the crop came in a sudden glut ; whereas, if they had sown continuously from the middle of January to the middle of May, they might have sent weekly supplies to market, and have got good prices to the last head. In a private establishment, too, it is a mark of good management if the gardener can cut broccoli or cauliflower any day in the year; and to do this requires that sort of head-work, which, as Cowper says, " Foreoastes the future whole." The spring-sown crop will be as difficult to keep over winter as young plants, but the prime heads may be cut before severe weather sets in, and hung head downwards, with their leaves on, in a dry shed ; or the plants may be pulled up entire, and, after the lower and decayed leaves are removed, planted as close as they will pack in dry earth under hand-lights ; or they may even be buried in peat or clean straw, or laid in alternate layers m clean sand, as you would bury potatoes, though peat discolours them, and they need a careful washing before they go to the pot. Another mode of keeping them is to dig a trench two feet deep and eighteen inches wide, and lay them in it, roots uppermost, in an 84 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. inclining position, so that the roots of the fierond cover the tops of the one preceding. Then cover them with a sloping bank of eartli, and beat it smooth to throw off the rain, or make a loose thatch of straw over the slope. Any of these plans will keep them a long time in a good condition, and those that remain on the ground may be heeled over to the north, and co- vered with earth up to the base of the flowers. If the top leaves are drawn over tlie head and tied, they still fur- ther assist in protecting it ; for, re- member, frost is injurious to the cauli- flower at any time, but particularly when the head is formed. The culture of broccoli differs little from that of cauliflower and the rest of the cabbage family, but it requires less protection in winter, and will with- stand very severe frosts if planted pretty close, say fifteen inches apart every way, and have the ground about their roots freely sprinkled with salt, and in mild weather the whole plot well soaked with soapsuds. The cul- ture must be generous, and the seed good ; this last point is very important, for the broccoli has not improved of late j^ears ; cheap seed has been the ruin of the plant, for at a low price it does not pay to grow it as it should be grown, and the breeds have got so mixed that it is really difficult to get any sort true to name, and bearing precisely the character on which its excellence depends. The directions already given as to the general cul- ture of cabbage and cauliflower apply so strictly to broccoli, that it only re- mains for me to point out the best sorts for particular periods of the year, and to show how a succession may be best secured. There are at least twenty distinct sorts of broccoli well known in gar- dening, and no end of subvarieties of these raised by seedsmen, many of which are very slightly removed from the old established sorts except in name, and if a buyer trusts to names only, he may soon get bewildered by seedsmen's lists, and secure many sorts with fine names, and at higli prices, that maj^ prove no better, and perhaps much worse, than the older kinds ; and, indeed, the old sorts are doomed to undergo a yearly baptism, and are again and again brought out under new designations, and many of them supplied to order out of the same drawer, the seedsman having, perhaps, half-a-dozen of the leading sorts, and out of these supplying all that may be asked for. Now, the best broccolis that can be grown for general pui'poses are, first, the Early Purple Cape, which, if sown in April and again in the second week of June, gives a supply from the be- ginning of October till the beginning of February . The Green or Late Cape is another good one, to be sown at the same times as the preceding, and is in use from the beginning of October till Christmas. Tlie Dwarf Purple, other- wise called Danish, Swedish, andHardy Siberian, is a valuable sort for exposed districts on account of its hardiness. Sow in the second week of April, and it will be in cutting order the follow- ing May. To these add the old Purple Sprouting, which is very hardy, of strong growth, and is a first-rate sort for the cottage-garden, to supply nice Purple Sprouts all the winter. Make two or three sowings of this from the middle of April to the middle of June. It shoiild have plenty of room, not less than two feet every way, when finally planted out, on account of its branch- ing mode of growth. These are the best of the Purples. Of the Sulphurs there are two good sorts, the Portsmouth or Southamp- ton, and the common Brimstone Broc- coli. These arc in use only in spring, and are much grown for the London mai'ket. April is the time for sowing both. The white broccolis are the most valued, because of their colour, firm- ness, and resemblance to cauliflowers. Grange's Early White is the best of all, though now seldom seen as Grange had it years ago ; it has got crossed a good deal, and, like many other sorts, has degenerated. It has, in common with most others, a variety of names, mostly local, which have been given it by seedsmen ambitious of a little fame, and a little extra profit, to be acquired, not by the actual improvement of an old sort, but by entering it in their lists as new and wonderful, and as in their THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 85 possession only. One sowing of this is not sufficient. Make two, or even three, on the Ist and 20th of xipril, and about the 15th of June ; and, if the weather is mild at the fall of tlie year, you will have fine heads from the end of August till long after Christmas, and even till March, if the last gathering is taken up and preserved as directed for cauliflowers. There are three other sorts of white that I should recommend for general use, although there are hundreds to select from in catalogues. Knight's Pro- tecting is a famous sort when true. If sown about the first week in April, they "will form heads early in Feb- ruary, or by the middle of March if the season is severe, and as their leaves cup over and inclose the head, severe frosts aflect the foliage only. The name Frotectlng implies, to an unini- tiated person, the idea of their re- quiring frames or hand-glasses ; but if they were called Self-protectiiu/, their true character would be indi- cated. The Walcheren and Somers' Parti- cular Late White are the only sorts that need be added to those named above, and these are invaluable. A clever gardener, with true seed of Walcheren, could manage to cut heads every day in the j^ear ; but it is very easy to have it from the middle of August to the end of January. Two sowings should be made, one at the end of April and another in the middle of May, and even a third may be made in June, to have slow culture in deep loam, not so abundantly manured as the two preceding. Somers' Particular Late White is chiefly valuable for suc- ceeding the Walcherens, and indeed all other sox'ts that are gone by the be- ginning of May. Its true character is, that if sown in April and May, it makes very little progress all the season, but should have good culture notwithstanding. Even in the follow- ing March, when everything makes a sudden start, it stands still as if un- moved by the influences of spring, until, knowing what is wanted of it, about the end of April it makes a sudden bound, the centre gets full of green leaves, and at last a fine head ap- pears ; and during the first three weeks of Maj^ it is in perfection, and just fills up the blank between the latest spring bi'occoli, and the first lot of cauli- flowers that have been kept under glasses. Now, from the above rather long list, the reader may gather that in the second week of April, and again at the beginning of June, sowings should be made of Purple Cape, Purple Sprouting and Dwarf Purple, Grange's White, Green Cape, White Protecting, and Somers' Particular Late. At the end of April and early in May, sowings should be made of Walcheren White, and each sowing should be kept sepa- rate, and with a tally to the drill, on which the name and date of sowing should be marked. The plants should be pricked out in showery weather as soon as they are two or three inches high, and planted out finally five or six weeks afterwards. Those that are to stand all the winter, to be fifteen inches apart every way, so that they may protect each other ; a ie^i: of the strongest may be put at twenty inches, to come in sooner, and should have the warmest position. During summer they should be two feet and a-half apart, to give theni a good chance of producing fine heads ; for there is no advantage gained in crowding any- thing too close, especially at a time when growth is vigorous. To protect the winter standing crops, an application of salt to the ground is very beneficial ; but in ex- posed situations it is necessary, in November, to heel them over by making a trench along the north side of each row, and laying the plants down in it with their heads to the north, so that the centre of the stem at the top is just level with the sur- face of the ground, the root being dis- turbed as little as possible. Then cover over with mould, and water, and in a few days they will look as well as if not at all disturbed. This process checks their growth, and renders them more hardy, and, by turning the head to the north, less injury is done by the early sun shining on the frozen leaves. If snow occurs, it should be heaped over them as a protection. Tliese two chapters on the varieties of the cabbage tribe may be suitably 8ti THE FLOEAL WOKLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. closed with a remark or two as to the pests to which they are subject. Caterpillars and clubs are the chief of these ; there is no specific against either. When ti;(.' crop is besct-with caterpillars, a drenching with laurel- water may eradicate them, if applied as soon as the young caterpillars make their appearance. But, generally speaking, little can be done, and good plants are so strong in their grovTth that they generally recover in time, for the grubs eat their fill, change to pupa, and then the mischief is over, unless a second batch follow up the work of the first. Hand-picking U very effectual, and not so endless a job as it may appear. I have kept large breadths of cabbages and Brussels sprouts clean by a dail}- hunting of the marauders ; but a brood of young ducks turned in are the best vermin destroyers, and they seldom do any harm to the crops. The club or anbury is the most destructive, and in some districts it so abounds, that a large portion of every crop is lost. This is caused by a weevil which pierces the root-stem, and there de- posits its eggs. The punctured part swells into a wart, and increases rapidly at the expense of the plant, which from that moment begins to languish, and either lingers miserably and proves useless, or else by its own vigour puts out fresh roots above the club, and in time survives by t}je club itself decaying as the maggots come to matui'ity. In all plantings of any of the cabbage tribe, the roots should be looked to. If there is club about them, it cannot foil to be seen, and indeed may generally be smelt as soon as the root is loosened from the earth. In any case these clubs must be cut away. If the plant is sti'ong, and bears plenty of fibres untouched, dip the root, after trimming it, into a puddle made of soot and lime, quite thick, and of the con" sistence of paint, and plant at once. If young plants are much beset with the little warts, cut them away, dip the roots in the mixture, and they will es- cape further annoyance. But when badly clubbed, and apparently ex- hausted below, it is wasting ground to put them in the rows. Give them to your fowls, rabbits, pigs, or goats at onCe, and plant only the best of your stock. When I have been short of plants, and have not cared to destroy those that looked a little promising, I have cut the root clean away, leaving perhaps a fibre or two on the stem, and those so treated I have planted by themselves, setting them deep and firm in the ground, and giving plenty of water ; they recover in time, make fresh root, and often prove a good crop, but come in later than those that have never been affected. Indeed, any kind of cobbage, broccoli, or cauli- flower may be propagated from cut- tings during spring and autumn ; and in Cornwall the celebrated Vanack cabbage is very commonly propagated in this way to keep it true, the raising of seed being likely to lead to a dete- rioration of the root. Club is common in all old soils that have been much cropped with cabbage and turnips ; and the best precautions against it are to avoid over-cropping, to keep up a regular course of rota- tion, and to ridge up all vacant ground both summer and -ninter, for earth vermin perish if exposed to the air at any season. Frost and rain are equally destructive to them, and therefore the most diligent gardener has the least to complain of, as to club or any other pest. Dressings of lime and soot are also to be recommended in all old soils, and should be used both before and after every crop that is liable to dabbing. BITTEE ALOES. DuElNa the last month I Lave had oeca- 1 [We have tried it on forced roses, half sion to try it on some cinerarias, and it [ an ounce to a gallon, and the fly vanished ; has totally failed, not without a fail- trial ; | on old verbenas without effect ; on cine- for, morning after morning, I totally im- i rarias the same. We shall continue as mereed the plants in the solution, but to j the season advances to test its value ; but no good purj^ose ; and now the fly has de- j at pi-esent we advise our readers to trust stroyed my plants, and also all my faith in i to the old nostrum, tobacco-smoke.] Old Kent Road. Bitteb Aloes. 87 CULTURE OF THE BALSAM. Thebe is no flower more abused than the balsam, for, except in a few first-rate private estabhshments, it is rarely we see even respectable specimens, though it is one of the most popular and showy annuals ■we possess. Even among nurserymen there are very few who grow really fine balsams, and as to amateur gardeners, not one iu a thousand knows what the plant may be made to do when liberally treated. It is such a gay, free-flowering thing, that even a shabby lot of balsams has a cheer- ful appearance, whether in pots or planted out in the borders ; and as they come of all colours, and single, semi-double, and double, there is no end to their variety. Now, having for many yens enjoyed the plea- sure of raising fine balsamsj with stems as thick as one's arm, three feet high, and with heads of five or six feet in circum- ference, and every shoot loaded with huge doubleflowers of the mostdazzling colours, I should like to be the means of setting a few readers of the"PLOEAL World" about balsam growing in earnest. We will first go into the commonplace part of the culture, for the information of those who simply want a show of border flowers. It is most important to secure good seed, and, unless a good price be paid for it, it is not worth the trouble of growing. First-class balsams, being vei-y double, produce scarcely any seed ; hence, high price must be an accompaniment of high quality ; and, after all, the mere cost of seed is so trifling, considering what splendid results maybe obtained by having it really good, that the question scarcely need bo raised. Still, at this season of the year, immense quantities of the worst descriptions of seed are sold in cheap packets ; one half the seed iu every such packet being dead, and the other half possessing a life not miich higher than that of the merest weed. I defy any man to sell seed, worth the trouble of sowing, at five shillings for a hundred packets ; better half-a-dozen good things for the same money, than a lot of rubbish, fit only to feed the sparrows. This applies more to balsams and stocks than any other flowers, because the poorer they are the more seed they produce, and, when they become thoroughly double, they give little or none at all. Now, then, take your good seed, and BOW a pinch in a seed-pan, using very sandy loam for the purpose. If you can give it a little heat to start it, good ; but if not, place it in a warm corner of a room, and keep it just damp until it begins to sprout ; and then let it have light and moderate moisture till the little seedlings are large enough to handle, and by that time the weather will be suffi- ciently advanced for them to go to the borders. If they are all to be planted out, set them in threes, triangle fashion, six inches apart each way, and at least two feet from patch to patch. In plant- ing, put a good spadeful of rotten dung under each patch, mixing it well with the soil ; and when they are planted, spread another spadeful of dung on the surface, so as to mulch them and keep the roots moist. If the weather is cold, cover them every night with inverted flower-pots, stopping the holes in the pots with an oyster-shell or bit of tile; and if dry sunny days follow the planting, let the pots remain over them all day for four days, and by that time they may be taken oS" every morning and put on at night, till the weather is mild enough to leave them altogether exposed. If a portion of the seedlings were pricked off into small pots, with rich loam and leaf mould, and kept in a greenhouse or cold pit till they^filled the pots with roots, they would produce a finer lot for the best positions. Now, to make these border balsams worth the place you have given them, you must give them plenty of water from the very moment they begin to make growth. In dry weather, water them once a-day till they are six inches high ; then water them twice a-day ; and as they come to- wards blooming, give it them three times a-day ; and from the first they should have liquid manure once a-week, then twice a-week, and at last, when they are setting for bloom, every other day, no matter if the weather be wet or dry ; in fact, during rainy weather, the liquid manure may be a little stronger than at other times, and diluted house-slops is the very best stimulant they can have. There is another point of equal im- portance that must be attended to in good time, and that is stopping. One reason why so many people have poor balsams is, because they allow them to grow and flower as they like, and the drier they are kept the sooner they flower ; 80 that if left to themselves, they run up six inches, then produce a few miserable 88 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE, blossoms ou the stem, and their career is at an end ; but, by compelling growth instead of bloom, you may get them to almost any size you like ; and the larger and stronger you have the plants, the more grand will be their show of bloom when they are finally allowed to display themselves. Therefore, when your little plants have half-a-dozen leaves, nip out the centre of each. They will then throw half-a-dozen side branches ! when these are a little advanced, nip them in the same manner, and continue stopping as fast as there are sufficient joints of the new growth to afford a basis for a frcsli development of side shoots. All this while give plenty of water, and increase the strength of the liquid manure ; and if you never took much note of balsams before, you will be astonished to see the stems increase to the thickness of a stout walking-stick, and with splendid heads and bright healthy foliage. You must determine for yourself whether you will have them larger or not, for now they will, in spite of stopping, begin to pro- duce flower buds. If these are allowed to swell, they will make very little more growth ; but if every one be picked oif, they will break again another crop of side shoots, and make still finer heads ; and if you want them in bloom by a certain time, you only need give them a fortnight in hot weather, or three weeks later in the season ; and, by discontinuing stop- pings and disbudding?, you will have them in bloom by that time — not a few miser- able flowers on the central stem, but loaded to the extremity of every shoot, and one mass of colour all over. While they last they are superb indeed, but they do not last long ; and unless you purpose taking seed from the best, they should be rooted up and got rid of as soon as they are past their prime ; and their places may be filled up with another later lot turned out of pots, or with late stocks, or something that will keep up the gaiety of the border till the frosts come. You will easily judge, from the above directions, that, under pot culture, the balsam may be brought to a grand per- fectiou. It is tender, it likes warmth, revele in moisture both at the root and in the air, and it must have a generous soil if fine plants and double flowers are required. Now, here's a field for any amateur who desires to win distinction as an exhibitor, and especially in the neigh- bourhood of London, for in and about the metropolis there is no flower so badly shown ; indeed, we know not where, ex- cept in the midland counties, where ama- teur growers know what balsams should be, we may safely count upon seeing good balsams at summer exhibitions. It is all a question of growth, there are no secrets; keep them growing, stop, disbud, give them moist warm air and liquid ma- nure in plenty, and give them not one check either by neglect in watering or letting them get pot-bound, and you are sure of grand specimens, provided you begin with seed worth the pains you pur- pose to bestow upon it. To have a succession of fine plants, sow the first lot in a hot-bed in Marcli, and sow again in April, May, and June ; and as each lot comes on, you may select the forwardest, and allow them to bloom early, and prolong the others for the production of grand specimens. If the plants of each sowing were divided into two portions, one lot to be allowed to bloom three months after sowing, and the remainder to be grown on for another month or six weeks, you would have a splendid succes- sion of both border and specimen plants, the size of the plants and time of blooming being so completely under the control of the grower. The soil for pot specimens should he two-thirds loam from rotted turves, and one-third well-rotted dung, or one-third hazelly loam that has been ridged up all the winter, one-third leaf mould, and one- third powdery dung. As fast as the plants come from the seed-pans, prick them into the smallest pots; when they fill these with roots, and before they get pot-bound, shift to sixties, then again to forty-eights, then into thirty-twos for blooming. They should have greenhouse culture till they come to the last shift, and may then be put out on a bed of coal ashes ou an east or west border, so as to have morning or evening sun, but be shel- tered from the fierce mid-day heat. The compost at the last potting should be very rich ; well-rotted cow-dung, with a little sand added to the loam, will, with plenty of water and liquid manure, help them to set their buds well and bloom strong. At every potting they should be stopped all over, and if they show bloom- buds before they are as large as you want them, take off every one, or allow one only to open to prove the sort ; and if of good substance, well doubled, and a de- sirable colour, take it off immediately after it has opened, to prevent it setting for seed. Search the plant well, that there are no otlier buds left, and grow on again for a month, and then let them bloom in THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 89 their own way. The blossoins ought to be as large aud waxy as double camellias, and the plants perfect trees on stout stems, and without a single gap anywhere in the filling out of the side bx'anches. BOB. THE aUILLED GEEMAN ASTER : ITS CULTURE FOR EXHIBITION. BY E. H. BETTERIDGE, ESQ. I THINE the great cause of failure often arises from the seed being sown too early, so that the plants begin to flower in the long days imperfectly, and by September they are too far spent to produce line blooms in their proper season. My memo- randum-book informs me that, for the last nine years, I have sown sometime between the 26th of April and the 14tli of May. In 1856, I sowed on the 5tli of May, pricked out on the 12th. of June, and finally planted out to bloom on the 28tli. The plan I adopt is to sow the seed in a cold frame under glass, in drills six inches apart, and not too thick in the drdls, say the first week in May ; the plants come up in a few days, when they must have plenty of air ; and as soon as they are about an inch high, take the glass quite off for two or three days, and then prick them out on a slight hot-bed three or four inches apart; here they will take root in a day or two •without shade or glass. Before the plants begin to run up in the stem, plant them out where they are to stand for blooming, in well manui'ed soil, being careful to remove them with as much mould attached to the roots as possible ; let the rows be one foot apart and the plants ten inches or a foot apart in the rows. If the weather is dry, they must be watered, until they take root ; afterwards keep clean from weeds, stir be- tween the plants, and about the first week in August, top dress with rotten dung from an old hot-bed (the one on which the young plants were pricked out will be in good state if well beaten up), and give a good soaking of water over all if the soil is dry. The plants will now require to be tied to small stakes, and as soon as it can be seen which buds are likely to make good blooms, thin them out, leaving only three or four to a plant. It will be necessary to protect such blooms intended for exhi- bition from wet, or friction from the wind. GREENHOUSE PLANTS : DAHLIAS AND REDDERS TOR TOWN GARDENS. Will you be kind enough to teU me where the Acaeias, mentioned at page 179 of your first volume, are to be got ? Were they plants easily procured, I^ would not trouble you, as it is unfair to expect you to recommend nurserymen; but these are out of the regular catalogue varieties, and I have only been able to pick up two out of the whole. Why do not growers adver- tise what greenhouse plants they have, and how much they want for selections of 50 or 100 ? A little book on the culture of greenhouse plants, giving some idea of growth and bloom, and pointing out the best sorts, with the many little peculiari- ties in the cultui-e and propagation of each family, would, I think, be of much service to those who, like me, are tired of the eternal Geraniums and Fuchsias, whose charms would be much enhanced by con- trast with their harder wooded brethren. Existing works do not give half the infor- mation required by novices. Here is an instance of how badly we are off for infor- mation : I and my co-amateurs had read of Plumbago Capensis several times, and asked each other, " Wliat is this thing ? We have never seen it at Kew, or any other garden. The name isn't very encouraging (Black-lead), audit is old too; so, if it were worth anything, everybody would have it, but nobody sees it. And there is the new P. Larpentcc, that has blooms so flimsy, so we'll cross it out of the list of good and safe plants." But one of us hap- pened to fall in with it at an obscure nursery, and, I'll be bound for it, there is no better greenhouse plant for the end of summer, grow it in any shape you wUl. You see how we have to put every scrap of information together, and often arrive at a wrong conclusion, because a plant has an E 2 90 ^THE FLORAL WORLD A.ND QARDEN GUIDE. ugly name or disreputable conucctions; therefore we want a registei-' iu which every deserving plant may draw on for a cliaracter. When should the greenhouse Daphne, the blush white one, be pruned ? The new shoots are now about an inch long, and, if cut down in the beginning of April, will it make bloom-jioints for next winter, and can I root the pieces cut off? When, too, is the time to prune straggling Chinese Azaleas, and will they make bloom- buds for next year ? I cannot give them extra heat. Mr. Hibberd is quite right ■when he says hard-eyed Dahlias do not bloom well near town, neither do weakly growing ones with small foliage. I have always found the largest -leaved kinds best, and I have tried some hundreds. Let me recommend Cockney amateurs (and I am one of them) to choose large foliage, and bold robust growth. As to colour, blush- white does not show the effect of smoke 80 soon as pure-white ; crimsons are good ; orange (unless very bi'ight, aud where are they to be found ?) are dull and miserable ; Duke of Wellington degenerates into sickly salmon ; lilacs should be shuuned as a plague ■ crimson, or cherry and white are first-rate, as well as similar colours to the Empereur de Maroc ; deep crimson, or black and white ; yellows, both light and dark, are excellent, and not sufficiently grown to balance the many dark colours. In bedding plants, I find, among Ver- henas, Brilliant de Vaise, Lord Raglan, Mrs. Holford, Old St. Margaret, Purple King, Le Gondolier, Oi'ion, and General Simp.sou, are all good ; Miss Trotter aud Standard-bearer require a more open spots ; Imperial Elizabeth grows too rampant, and is shy of bloom ; Defiance is not at all the thing, aud is very subject to green fly. Geranhtms : Tom Thumb, too weak ; but Punch excellent and hardy to keep through the winter ; Cerise Unique ex- cellent, but looks dull at a distance ; Com- mander very good; but the two latter difficult to keep. Calceolarias .- Yiscossiraa beats all the old ones, as Rugosa, etc, ; Amplexieaulis, extra, requires pegging down. Wellington Hero, very good dwarf for an edging round Tiscossima. Petunias will not do near London, nor Cupheas, but bright-coloured Fuchsias look well as short standards. M. C. [We should like to hear from you pretty often ; we should get many a valu- able notch out of your practice aud capital style of reporting results. We will follow out your suggestion as to greenhouse plants, for we thoroughly agree with you that the eternal round of Geraniums and Calceolarias is sickening to the sincei-e horticultural enthusiast. Might we not expect the co-operation of many of our readers iu such a mutually useful task ? Let those who have had long and suc- cessful experience with particular tribes of plants, especially such as deserve rather than enjoy popularity, furnish brief notes of their methods of pruning, forcing, training, etc., so that the peculiar treatment of each may be made plain for beginners, and at the same time furnish useful hints for old liands. But of the queries put by M. C .— Three j'cars ago we saw every one of the Acaciasreferredto at Messrs. Weeks', King's Road, Chelsea, and we would vouch for it Messrs. Henderson of St. John's Wood, or Mr. Veitch, King's Road, Chelsea, could supply them all at from \s. 6d. to 5s. each, for fair sized plants. Nurserymen are blind to their own interests in not making known the peculiar resources of their several establishmeuts. They advertise to the trade, and forget the public, who must in the end be the purchasers of all they produce. — If you cut back the Daphnes at once, and encourage immediate growth by means of whatever resources you have at command, there will be plenty of time to get the wood ripened for next season's blooming. The cuttings can be rooted, but there is not much certainty about it ; but if you have some good stools of D. lavreola, you may graft them on it, and keep in a close pit till the grafts have taken. The Azaleas must be cut into shape the moment the bloom is over, in- deed before it is quite over, and be kept rather warm and moist, to encourage growth and new breaks from the lower parts of the old wood. EVERGREEN TREES AND PLANTS EOR VASES. I HATE a narrow plantation, skirting the approach to the house, and it. would much improve its appearance, if the soil had a covering of vegetation. The .soil is drv aud deep, rather light, and, from the growth of the forest trees, some eighteen years old, the surface must be poor. Your advice on this point will much oblige. THE' FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 91 Please inform me the most eligible kind of the preceding trees for filling a small angular plantation, containing about 300 square yards. The soil is rather deep, and tolerably moist, situation level, but open to the north and east. The site is 300 yards from the house, and is con- spicuous. Wanted also, plants for two vases, two feet in diameter. Nantwich. P. B. [It must depend upon the width and shape of the " narrow plantation," how the planting is perfonned. If shrubs are re- quired, the best for the purpose are the fol- lowing •.—ZiigvMrum luciduin sempervirens, which has a foliage almost equal in beauty to that of a Camellia, but the true sort is unknown in many parts of the country ; common evergreen Privet ; any varieties of tree Bos ; also Corniis san- guinea, C. mascula variegata, and C. sempervirens. We have Taxus adpressa and Tiixns canadensis doing amazingly well under a very dense shade of trees, and as adpressa is very dwarf and spreading, it may be used as a surfacing plant for such a spot. For specimen plants in con- spicuous positions, Cephalotaxus Fortuni will furnish a rich deep green ; the silver- leaved Box {B. semp. argentea), a striking relief tint ; and Berberis Darwinii, a warm autumnal colour. For the front, the fol- lowing are most beautiful : — Berheris japonica, Bealii, Bulcis, and the common B, aquifolium ; Skimtnia Japonica, which bears a profusion of scarlet berries. With the exception of the Berheris and Skiimnia, which require rich sandy loam, all the foregoing will prosper in your soil. For surfacing, use Irish and English Ivy ; the large-leaved Ivy, H. Begneriana, and, the variegated Ivies, also Periwinkles Androsaceum, Aspervla, Violets, and Butcher's Broom. Bubus discolor, R. radula, R. ccesius, fol. var., and B. frub cususjlore-pleno. Oaultheria procumbenSy and shallon, are most beautiful to run about the ground in such a spot, but must be planted iu peat, and liave abundance of water. Hardy Ferns and Primulas may be added for clumps. For the angular piece, there can be nothing better than i'ew, planted thick, and to be thinned from time to time. But Yews alone will make too much lateral growth, and, to draw them up, plant Spruce at regular distances amongst them, and keep the Yews to single leaders. A few deciduous Cypress on the side next the house would give the piece a cheerful tone during the summer. If the vases are stone, and elevated to a level with the eye, there can be nothing better than Fuchsias — say, centre, Bo-peep, or Bar.ks's Gloi-y, and round it, Albert Smith, Coeur de Lion, and Little Treasure, six inches apart and three inches from the edge. For tit-bits to bang down, u.-e the common and variegated Linariu, ctjmbalaria. There are hundreds of v/ays of planting vases, but success depends on suiting the planting to the character of the vases, and the positions they occupy.] NOTES FOR APEIL. KITCHEN GAKDEN. Continue planting any potatoes that re- main out of the ground. Early sorts are the safest, and the best plan is to plant without manui'e. Sets that have long, white, ten- der sprouts are useless ; the sprouts should be short and hard, so as to bear moderate handling without breaking off. Make up the bed for the main supply of cucumbers, and either sow at once on the beds, or turn the plants out of pots. Essex Rival is one of the best to grow for summer and autumn. Hunter's Prolific, Carter's Cham- pion, Ipswich Standard, and Sutton's Vic- tory still keep their ground as first-rate sorts, and there is none to beat Stock- wood for ridging out. For full details of cucumber culture refer back to last year's volume. Weeding is an im- portant matter now ; keep the hoe at work j among all growing crops. In seed-beds [ the best weeding tool is a common table- ; fork if the ground is hard, but in showery ! weather weeds can be drawn while young I with the liand, and should be got out as j soon as they appear, or the seedling plants I will be drawn and weakly. I Sow sea-kale, rhubarb, asparagus, cab- bages of all kinds, cottager's and Scotch kale, Brussels sprouts, saladings, turnip- radish, dwarf kidney-beans, spinach, beet, carrot, parsnip, parsley, peas and beans for succession. Turner's Cottager's Kale and Roseberry Sprouts have ijroved of more than first-rate excellence as winter and spring vegetables, and should be sown in good breadths, as they are certain to supersede some of the old varieties. Brus- sels sprouts come as true from English- sowed seed as from foreign ; there is, there- 92 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. fore, no need to pay double the price of Erglish to make sure of a good crop ; but in all these matters the diillculty with many is to get the seed true, and as all de- pends on that, it is advisable to obtain it through the post from a first-class house, rather than trust to the cornchandler and dealer in penny j)acket5. Sow in heat tomatoes, capsicums, egg-plants, celery, vegetable marrows, pumpkins, and cucum- bers for ridging out. FEUIT GAEDEK. Nail in any trees that have been left loose, to keep them back ; be careful how you handle the branches, or fruit-spurs and pushing buds may get broken ofT. Use as few shreds as possible, and those as narrow as you dare cut them. Pruning ought to have been finished long ago ; if any trees were neglected, and are in a dense state, thin them out, and rub a little clay paint over the cut parts to encourage the closing of the bark over them. Green-fly will ap- pear on peaches, and must be syringed off ■with tobacco-water. Cover peach-walls ■with netting during the prevalence of cold winds. FLO'tt'ER GAEDEX. Evergreens may still be planted ; this is as good a season as any for moving Americans. Give all flowering shrubs plenty of water if the weather is dry, and occa- sionally a good drench of weak liquid ma- nure. Herbaceous plants of all kinds may still be got in. Get ready the beds for the summer flowers, and, if short of stock, put cuttings into a brisk heat. Begin to harden off bedders that are forward, but be care- ful not to expose them to bleak winds by carelessness in managing with frames. Trim up grass-plots with roller, broom, and edging-iron, and mow as soon as there is sufficient growth to promote the formation of a good bottom. Poor lawns may still be improved by a sowing of fine grasses and clovers, and dressing with a mixture of quiok-lime and loam where moss has got ahead to the detriment of the grass. GEEENHOTJSE. The heat in all plant structures may be increased where quick growth or the speedy production of bloom is needed. Repot hard-wooded plants that have flowered ; pot firm, and give only small shifts. Give abundance of water to genistas, epacrises, acaetas, hoveas, chorozemas, and other plants in flower, and as much au- as the state of the weather will permit. Soft- wooded plants for specimen -flowering sbpuld be got into blooming-pots. Increase the amount of humidity in the atmosphere by sprinkling the walls and floor, but be careful not to overdi-ench any plants that have not yet got into full sea- sonal growth. Be ready to shade orchids and stove -ferns on bright suuny days. Shift into roomy pots plants of quick growth, and shade for a week after, and keep only moderately moist till they make fresh roots. Give air early on fine mornings, and get the foliage dry before shutting up, which should be done early. Thin out the berries on well placed bimches, and remove the bunches altogether from weak shoots, or where there are more produced than the strength of the vine is sufficient to ripen. Pines must have plenty of water, and a moist air, with a brisk bottom- heat. Auricidas . — Shade during bright sun- shine, give liquid manure once a-week, plenty of air, and keep the plants regularly turned about, so as to have the trusses upright. Camellias will now want extra atten- tion to get good and early growth. Keep them well syringed, and warm and close. Remove any ill-placed buds at once, to throw the strength into thosebetter placed. Camellias left to grow their own way inva- riably become lanky. This may be pre- vented by removing the wood-buds that come beside the flower-buds at the ends of the shoots as soon as such buds make their appearance ; if neglected they may be nipped back now, and the lower side-buds will push, and make the plants full and bushy. Cinerarias. — A little shading will prolong their blooming. Give plenty of water, and watch vigilantly for green-fly on the under sides of the leaves. Mark any seedlings that give extra good flowers, and all of middling or inferior quality de- stroy as soon as their bloom is over. Dahlias must have extra attention this mouth, Strike cuttings of kinds wanted in quantity, and repot as fast as those already struck requii-e it. Fansies. — Take ofl' side-shoots for au- tumn-blooming. Give liquid manure to plants coming into flower, and give a little protection dui'ing the prevalence of easterly winds. Ra7iimculusei>. — As soon as the rows are perceptible, break the surface of the soil with a small ladies' fork or spud, and then mulch with rotten dung. THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 93 TO COEEESPONDEITTS. Chalk Soil. — S. X. Z. is in want of advice as to grasses and flowers for a chalk soil, the chalk being only two or three inches from the surface. " Beeches, hollies box-trees, laurestinus. Ilexes, lilacs, and laburnums grow well upon it ; also, the anemone, peonies, and petuuias. Roses do tolerably. How often would the Editor advise the grass lawn, which is extensive, to be mown in summer. Intmediately after rain, the soil becomes dry ; yet the lawn looks yellowish, in- stead of deep green, and a deodar upon it par- takes of the same hue, though some cedars grow well. There is plenty of moss upon the lawn. Would the Editor advise camomile seed to be sown upon it? Annuals get burnt up in the whitish-looking beds, and do not pros- per. The place is very pretty, amongst pretty scenery in Hants, but the above present great and disheartening difficulties to a gardener. Frosts are severe in a hard winter, the winds sweeping over the Downs severely. Of course, like other places, this winter hitherto we have been spared. Ivy grows splendidly, verbenas only tolerably ; some geraniums tolerably. How is the yellow alyssum best cultivated ?" — The best grasses for such a soil are the follow- ing : — Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca oviua, du- riuscula, elatior and heterophylla, Bromus erectus, Poa pratensis, angustilolium, and nemoraUs sempervirens ; Avena flavescens, Lolium perenue tenue ; to which add Achillea millefolium, Trifolium repens and minus, and Lotus corniculatus. The best way to secure as good a turf fas is possible on such a soil, would be to write to a seedsman of expe- rience, and tell him to supply seed of a suitable kind, giving him, of course, a measurement of the ground to be covered. That would be in- tiaiteiy better than making up a mixture at home ; and as there is plenty of time yet to get a turf from seed this season, we should advise that the existing turf be turned upside down to make a bottom, on which to sow a proper mix- ture. On such a dry soil the grass should not be mown too close, or the roots will burn; once in three weeks or a month, during summer, would perhaps be sufficient, according to the ■weather. The yellow alyssum should be taken up and parted the moment its blooms are over, and no seed allowed to ripen. It grows as freely as a weed in almost any kind of soil, and may be increased to any extent by cuttings during the summer, the cuttings to be inserted in sandy loam in a shady place. All the Arabis and Alyssum tribes are fond of chalk. The fol- lowing will prove good subjects lor you : — Antirrhinum, species and varieties ; Cheiran- thus ditto, especially MarshaUii, which is a beautiful yellow bedder ; Anchusa, ditto ; hardy succulents of ahnost any kind, especially Se- dums, of which there are many beautiful varieties ; Argemone and Papaver, of choice sorts ; Armeria, species ; Valerian, species; Cacaliacoc- cinea ; Bellis perennis in variety, if supplied with plenty of water ; Fraxinella ; Doi-onicum colunince and Austriacum, for bedding; Draba, species ; Erinus, species ; Euphorbia, species, of which amygdaloides and eharacias do weU for rock-work ; Anethum fccniculum (common fen- nel), very ornamental, and thrives on chalk; Fumaria Burchelli, Geranium (Crane's-bill) Mexicanum, rubifolium, Lancastriense, Walli- chianum, and cristatum ; Grasllsiasaiifraga^tolin, a pretty low-growing, white-flowered, herbace- ous plant ; Grammanthes chloroeflora, gen- tianoides, and retroflexa, sown in heat in a mix- ture of sandy loam and hme-rubbish, will be useful for planting out as bedders ; the first and last are orange, the other pinkish-red ; height half an inch ; Gypsophila, species, sow in quan- tities, tenella and viscosa wOl be good whites fur bedding; prostrata and tenuilbha (red), rigida (piak) . They are all pretty, and dehght m chalk. Helianthemums would be likely to succeed, and would almost take place of verbenas; they are very hardy, with the exception of a few of the best shrubby ones. There are above a hundred kinds worth cultivating. Hieracium (hawk- weed) : many of these would make most excel- lent bedders on a chalk soil, and serve as sub- stitutes for calceolarias. Lawsoni, maculatura, and pulsillum are the best, but there are dozens of others almost as good. Iberis, annual and perennial, kinds useful for bedding and borders. Aster fulvis, for autumn, most beautiful ; Lina- rias, of which there are many pretty trailing species, and one with variegated leaves, all use- ful on banks and rock -work, but of no use in beds and borders ; Malope grandiflora and trifida both crimson, and alba white, may be used to advantage in beds ;. they rise two feet high, and would do for the centre, with a broad t;order of hawkweed and edging of purple iberis. Mari- gold : we think the best double kinds would be most useful ; try the new double orange-coloured French marigold ; it rises eighteen inches high, and makes a splendid bed for distant effect. Me- lilotus arborea would, we think, make you a pretty border-tree. Michauxia decandra, a pretty border-flower, three feet high, will do, if protected in winter. Ophrys, most of the British orchids, would prosper if planted in clumps, and mulched with chopped moss, kept in its place about their roots by willow pegs. Kuta, the common rue, is a very pretty plant, which is quite at home on challv. Saponaria calabrica and ocymoides will make most beauti- ful beds of hvely pink, and flower till cut off by frost. Silene rubella alba, very compact habit and snowy flowers, will be useful for beddin" if kept from forming seed ; S. Schafti, and S. regia are also good for bright pink in beds and borders ; they make good edgings to beds in dry soils. Tagetus signata would make a pretty yel- low bed, or second row in a ribbon, in place of Calceolarias. Tropseolum, we should expect the dwarf and showy trailing kinds to make good beds on the chalk, if top-dressed with manure. Ulex ; we have seen the double-flowering furze thriving on chalk, and there is not a more beau- tiful shrub in the whole catalogue of such subjects ; Viscaria suecica (pink), and neglecta (white). " Waltonian- Case.— T. E., B. B., and others.— Very many correfpondents have written to thank us lor having given prominence to this ingenious contrivance. Some have succeeded from the first, others have found a few diffi- culties, and a few are at a stand-still. T. E. complains that if air is given, the heat will not rise above 70^ that the sand gets drv in a day, and that verbenas shrivel up and "geraniums get mouldy. We have one at work now which has been in use four years, and never had a coat of paint, or any repairs. It contains seeds in square pans, covered with squares of glass, and thumb-po(s, with newly-rooted cuttings, stood on the squares of glass, so as to make the heat 94i THE FLORAL WORLD AJS^D GARDEN GUIDE, do double work. The aaud keeps moist three or four days, and is then drenched with hot water. Geranium cuttings never turn mouldy, unless shut too close, and in a dormant state, and even then it is generally of little conse- quence ; they break in time, the knive removes the mouldy piece above the bud, and, with a little patience, roots are sure to be formed. But geraniums are the wor.st of plants to stand the drench of moisture that most other plants re- quire while rooting. T. E. should put his ver- bena cuttings in sand and water, the water a quarter of an inch deep over the sand, and by the time it dries away to a moderate moisture, the cuttings will be rooted. As to watering, it aU depends on the plants ; it is no trouble to give a little to any pot that is rather dry, or that needs more tliun others, and whatever is put in should come out again as soon as a fnir growth of both root and branch is started. Put in plenty of sund, wet it thoroughly, and press the pots dawn upon it ; there is not depth enough for plunging. A heat of 70' is plenty for any ordmary purposes. At Mr. Hibberd's sug- gestion, Price's tatfnt Caudle Company are niuuufacturing a candle to burn twelve hours, expressly to heat Waltonian Cases, so as to re- lieve those who cannot manage the lamp fiom the uncertainty and dii t that attends it. Sim- ple as is the WaJtoniau case, no one can appre- ciate its value the first season ; it improves with practice. Forcing Sea-kale and. Ehubakb. — iV. S. — Dung heat is the best when weU managed, but hot-water pipes are now much used on accouiit of the greater ease and certainty in manage- itsent. They may be forced in the open ground by putting sea-Kale pots over, and heaping hot dung upon them. But a better way is to con- struct a pit on the plan represented in last month's number of the " iLOKAL Woeld," p. 57. When the heat is steady, pack the plants together in a mixture of old dung and leaf mould, and lay bo^a-ds over the frame to keep out the lii^ht. A still better method is to take up the plants, and pot them into Pascall's sea- kale pots, which totidly exclude light, and enable the gardener to gather the crop without soiling his fingers. Khubaib should be placed in the hght, as darkness spoils its flavour. Our sup- ply began with the new-year from old stools potted into 15-inoh pots, not in soil, but waste fern and moss, tucked in round the roots, and heaped up over the crown ; the pots were placed under the stage of a warm greenhouse, and the stalks pushed directly, and had enough light to be well-flavoured and of a beautiful colour. A s the supply from the open ground is now abundant, the potted stools have been planted out in trenches richly manured, and will not be ga- thered Irom all the season, so as to be strong for forcinif next winter in the same manner. To save potatoes for seed, sort out at taking-up time well-ripened potatoes of a middling size, neiiher the very smallest nor the largest. Lay them in the sun till they are green and dry, then sprinkle a little dry hay in some shallow baskets, and strew the potatoes in a thin layer upon the hay, and put the baskets on a dry shelf out of the reach of frost. At the end of the year place the baskets in a full light in a warm place, fill the sets have made little purple shoots of half an inch in length, and then plant them. Stocks toe Appies.— iV. JIX.— The terms, Para- dise, Codbng, etc., apply to particular kinds of apples used as stocks to graft others upon. If you cannot find the terms in your books, you may find the sorts in any good nursery. We do not employ such terms to look wise or to perplex our readers, but simply because if a thing has a name, and a name generally used and understood, there is no simpler way of de- scribing it than to give it its proper name at once. And the reason why those Idnds are used for grafting apples on for dwarf -trees is because their habit of growth is what is required for that purpose. Stocks raised from cuttings are sometimes fit for grafting the second season; sometimes may be budded the same season as they are put in to root, that is, cuLtings planted last February may, or may not, be fit for the insertion of buds in July ; it depends upon their strength and the skill of the cultivator. If left to grow on without being budded or grafted, some would blossom and bear their own fruit in three or four years, some in not less than seven years ; but the fruit is rarely worth anything on sorts used for stocks. Such sorts are chosen lor stocks, not in regard to their fruit, which we don't want, but for their roots, which we do want to feed the sorts that are grafted on them. Grafting promotes early bearing. If you intend to try to root such scions as are left when you have done grafting, pay particular attention to the instructions given last month. If )iut in in the careless way which sufiices for gooseberries and currants, every one will perish. Greenhouse Plants. — Sosa. — To meet your wishes would occupy a\»hoie numbe' ; but we will meet them if you will give us a little time. Your stragpling CameUias should be cut back at once, and, i]f they are right at the root, you will get new growth to m;ike bettcr-shajied plants of them. A good plan to iurnish the lower stems is to graft or inarch the same or other sorts upon them, after which they should be kept warm and moist. You have not ma- naged the pruning of your passion-flower right. It should be cut back very close every year in April, until it has been planted five yeais. At the last close pruning, cutting it to one-third its height will be sufficient. Y'ou had better cut close away the old shoots, and shorten the new ones to half their length ; then train right and left along the top of the front glass, and next year cut them back to five feet from the former pruning, and so carry tho rods along the main lines intended for them by degrees, and cut back the shoots from them to two eyes every year afterwards, and always prune in April. The Azaleas are diseased at the root, and will never recover. TheHardenbergiahas been too damp. Kindly send the plants of A. capiUus to 5, Paternoster Eow, carriage not paid. Catalogues and Books Keceived. — " Sutton's Farm Seed List, 1859. Messrs. Sutton, Read- ing." This is a good fist of agricultural seeds, and wiU be found of great service as a book of reference for farmers, holders of allotment grounds, and all interested in the culture of mar- ket crops, and the management of grass-lands. Besides the beets, mangolds, turnips, etc., for which Messrs. Sutton annually win honours at the agricultural shows, the list contains a good catalogue of pasture grasses and clovers, short descriptions of the most important grasses, advices on laying down grass in various kinds of soil, and on the improvement of pastures, the culture of Holcus sacoharatus, and the Chinese potatoe. — "Butler and M'CuUoch's Spring Catalogue of Flower, Shrub, Tree, and Vege- table Seeds. Covent Garden, London, 1859." A beautifully printed catalogue of eighty-four pages, the entries arranged alphabetically, with columns descriptive of habit, height, native country, etc., of each. Some sections are de- voted to selections of the most popular and generally useful kinds, for the use of those who might not be able to select them from the gene- ral list. This house also sends out the Carna- tion and Picotee seeds of the Sardinian Corres- pondent, and every packet of seeds is accom- THE FLORAL WORLD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 95 panied with a label descriptive of the plant, and Its proper culture. Five Bess.— Kentish Amateur.— "We cannot tell you how to place your plants unless we know how the beds are placed. If they do not con- stitute a pattern, it will matter little how you arrange your colours, so that no two nearly al-ke come together. If they are together in a set, the colours should be carefully balanced. Send a rough plan — mere pen and ink sketches — and we shall be better able to advise. Balsams are quite unfit for bedding, however well grown ; Asters are first-rate if you have Pompone Chrys- anthemums to follow. As you are well off for scarlets, get Verbena White Perfection, and Andre, purple ; also Petunia Prince Albert, puce, I and some first-rate double Marigolds, if Cal- ceolarias do not succeed vrith you. See on this subject answers to other correspondents. Your Cinerarias are probably starved, or in an un- suitable compost, or iu too dry an atmosphere. Htacisths done BLOOMiifG. — Various Corre- sporidents. — If the bulbs are in rich deep soil in beds and borders, leave them alone till their foliage dies down of its own accord, but give plenty of water to promote their growth, as they have now to form the bloom-buds for next year. When the leaves die down, take up the bulbs, and lay them in a suuny place, with a little SOU over them, and a week afterwards clean the bulbs and store away. Those in pots, moss, etc., should be turned out without the least damage to their roots, and planted in a, inch sandy, and very shady border, and treated the same as those in the ground, with particular care as to the watering. Labotjreks' Friend Societt. — A Labourer's Friend is anxious to obtain, through the me- dium of the " Flokal, World," information on the best mode of forming and conducting an Agricultural, Horticidtural, or Labourers' Friend Society amongst a rural population. He would also be glad of copies of rules and regulations of any such society that has been in successful operation for any length of time. Any of our readers, who have taken interest in such matters, will greatly oblige us by for- warding to us any prfnted or written informa- tion on the subject which they may have at command, which we will transmit to our reverend correspondent. Names of Ferns. — Annie. — Tours i.s Asplenium trichomanes, a very beautiful specimen. It forms a beautiful object if grown in a pot in turfy peat, intermixed with sand, broken char- coal, and small nodules of old mortar, .and does best in the shade. It is also suitable for the open- air fernery. The other query shall be answered next month. — C. Smith. — Yours is Pteris atro- pnrpurea, a new and very beautiful species. You can get plants of Mr. Chitty, Stamford Hill, the only grower, we believe, who at pre- sent possesses it.— In the February number, p. 4S, one of the ferns named for W. H. Mayne was, by a printer's error, misspelt. Wo. 4 should be Dennstredtia davaUioides. Six Beds. — iii". HI., Faversham. — Without Icnow- ing the measurements of the beds, it is scarcely possible to advise. Here, however, are some sorts that wiU do on your soil — Geramums : Lucia rosea ; cheerful rose, Kingsbury pet, pink salmon, fiue foliage ; Keidii, the brightest scar- let ; Kaulfussia amelloides, blue ; Cuphea pla- tycentra, scarlet ; Cuphea strigillosa, yellow ; double Pyrethrum, wliite ; Verbenas of all colours. Such lovers of moisture as Fuchsias, Calceolarias, Lobehas, etc., would fare poorly, l)Ut you may make up a very safe list from the above, and the reply to S. X. Z. It is against our rules to recommend seedsmen, except under peciUiar circumstances. KiBBON Planting, etc. — Fhen. — All right as far as the fifth row, then the colours begin to spoil each other, and get too faint for those before them. We should prefer Petunia Boule de Feu or Queen of Crimsons, instead of the Ageratum for the fifth row, and the Ageratum in the sixth row. The blaze of Miss Trotter would then be balanced. But if you have grown the plants expressly for the arrangement, go on ; the rib- bon will still be good, though rather weak, in front of the Zehndas. Give ZeUnda eighteen inches. Lobelia speciosa comes true from seeds as freely as a weed. Cyclamen. — Lover of Flowers. — You have ma- naged your plants badly, or they would have bloomed, but in what way you have ill-treated them we, of course, cannot say. If in common garden soil, and very scantily watered, bloom must not be expected. They ought to be in a mixture of peat, leaf-mould, chopped turf, and sand; to be kept rather dry after flowering; have a shift into larger pots before being housed for the winter, and plenty of water after the leaves are full grown till they have done flowering. Rabbits. — H. Jones. — See pages G4 and 72 for protection against rabbits. We know of no means of ii;f«ii>'7itn^jthembut awii'efence, to pre- vent their ingress. There is a good design for a sununer-hou.*e at page I'sQ of last year's volume of" Floral World." In " Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste," there are some excellent advices on construction, etc. We cannot now go into the subject. Tank-heated Pit. — A. S. S. — The size of the tanks must be determined by the size of the bed. The tanks should be of wood, two inches thick, and lined with lead or zinc. Along the centre there must be a jjartition to cause the water to circulate, and also support the edges of tlie slates which cover it, and which must be fixed with Roman cement. Six inches of depth is plenty for the tank. Basicet Plants.— ^r. 5.— You may make an ex- cellent selection by referring to iiages 23 and 95 of last year s volume. For the baskets the fol- lowing are suitable : — ^^enecio milcanise, beau- tiful ivy -like fohage ; Cobea scandens, Mau- randya Barclayana, Troptcolumtricolorum, and Fuchsia Sir WiUiani Middleton, trained down, Hibbertia grossularifoliae. But what size are the baskets ? All depends upon that. Ficus Elastica, M. R. IV a.— Easily pro- pas:ated by cuttings in brisk bottom heat. Take ofl* only the leaves at the bottom joint, and strike in sandy peat, and put a bell-glass over. It can be propagated by leaves, but requires much experience, and takes a prodigious time to make a plant. Lychnis Haageana.— G^. J. ^S^.— The trade are not yet in possession of this continental variety, or we shoidd have annexed the price. It will soon be here, and within reach of amateur pur- chasers. Gardening in India. — A correspondent is very anxious to obtain information as to the best liook or books on Gardening in India. Can any of oru" readers assist us in giving an answer ? Geraniums to Bloom in AvavsT.—JYew Sub- scriber.— Stop for the last time the second week of this month, and give them a shift ten days afterwards ; after that no more checks. Plant Exchanges.— In the otfir of exchange made by S. S. S., p. 71, the list put down as wanted should be the list of plants offered, and 96 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. The SEASOJf. — A. B. says, "I killed a wasp on the 4th of March, and saw a large dark-coloured butterfly on the (ith at Torquay." Spergula PiLiFFRA,— B. JS. — Mr. Summers, gardener to Mr. Mongredieu, Forest Hill, Lon- don, S.E., will scud you a strong plant for flower- ing on receipt of 2». tirf. in postage stamps. ■\VonKS ON Oecuid and Stone Plants. — M. D. — HenshaU's Orehidacea«, Sweet's Hothouse and Greenhouse Cultivator. Grass Seeds. — W. Clarice, Bishopsyafe Street. — Your sample of mixture of fine grasses for lawns is remarkably iVec from weeds, and in every respect excellent. VARiors.— /S. J. C— You must leave the tulips alone tiU their leaves perish naturally, then take up and store away till next November. They must not be moved after flowering. Glad to Iiear the Salvia is doing well. J. Rolroyd. — Y''ou shall have the list in good time ; it is too soon yet to sow perennials for next year. T. iJ.jT/iorHZfy.— Common pumpkin, 6011)9.; Mam- moth marrow, 88 lbs.; CitroniUe, 2Silbs. ; aU grown at Stoke Newington. Your first letter was not answered Ijecause you asked for in- formation to decide a wager. Subscriber.— Your queries are answered in another page. if. J. K.—Ur. Marshal], of 2, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, sends out a hundred designs for house gardens for 48 stamps. They would give- j'ou a good idea of the newest styles. A. B. — We know nothing of Kent's Patent Glazing. Too late— JF". B. P.—F. M. P. CoBKECTioNS. — Messrs. Hooper, of Covent Gar' den, whose excellent Catalogue we noticed lately, beg us to correct a remark made in our notice of Chrysanthemum Burridgeanum. They say, " It is sent out this year, for the first time by the raiser himself; therefore, all the trade have it who have purchased seed of him, and it is not confined to any one in particular." They also wish to correct our remark about the Sardinian seed-;, to the efl'ect that there is non- no sole (iijeuctj for them. METEOEOLOGICAL CALENDAE FOE APETL. 30 DAYS. ■WEATHER NEAR LONDON, APBIL, 1858. 30 DATS. WEATUER NEAR LONDON, APRIL, 1858. BAROMETER . THERMOM. WIND. EAIN. BAROMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN. MAX. MIN. MX.MN. MN. MAX. SITN. MX. MN. MX. V. s. s u. Tu. W. Th. F. S. s. M. Tu. W. Th. F. 1 29.846-29.312 47 20 33.5 NE .02 S. 16 29.920—29.682 75 45 60.0 sw .16 2 29.917—29.447 I 59 31 45.0 NE .02 s. 17 30.001—29.932 57 31 44.0 N .00 S 29 613-29.542 1 61 43 52.0 SW .00 M. 18 30.199—30.066 64 27 45.5 E .00 4 30 100—29.879 57 35 46.0 NE .00 Tu. 19 30.141-29.933 63 30 46.5 E .00 30.019-29.704 49 38 43.5 E .00 VV. 20 30.005-30.030 70 31 50.5 N .00 g 29.829—29.751 45 37 41.0 E .09 Th. 21 30.200-30.140 75 32 53.5 E .00 7 29.814—29.505 46 38 42.0 E .50 h: 22 30 364—30.260 77 40 58.5 SE .00 s 29.555—29.457 48 34 41.0 E .46 S. 23 30.306-30.146 76 36 56.0 E .00 29.737—29.699 42 34 38.0 E .02 s. 24 30.089—30.007 68 39 53.5 SW •00 10 29.792—29.726 50 21 35.5 E .00 M. 25 30.013-29.931 66 38 52.0 i^a .10 29.988—29.859 59 32 45.5 NE .00 Tu. 26 30.083—29.944 62 33 47.5 NE .00 12 29 945-29.935 51 31 42.5 N .00 VV. 27 30.082—29.844 58 43 50.5 E .00 30.050—29.054 53 28 40.5 E .00 Th. 28 30.054^29.823 65 35 50.0 S .64 14 30.117-30.101 62 43 52.5 SE .00 F. 29 29.591—29.371 60 42 51.0 SW .05 15 30.019-29.970 70 38 54.0 S .00 S. 30 29.136—29.038 57 33 45.0 sw .00 AVERAGES FOR THE ENSUING MONTH. " March winds and April showers" are proverbial, but 1858 was an exception, for rarely have we had so^ittle rain in the month of April since 1814, when the amount was only .210 inch. April is, how- ever rarely a wet mouth ; the greatest fall of rain ever measured was in 1846, 3.765 inches. The aver'i"'e is 1- inches. Judging from the dryness of the past season, and the rain still owing us, accoi-diu" to averages, we may expect plenty of rain in April, 1859. Cold winds usually prevail in this month mostiy^from the north-east, aud sharp frosts, with sleet and rain, are far from uncommon, doina much damage to early fruits and vegetables ; the more so as they are often preceded by sudden n nrsts of real summer weather. During the past thirty -two years, the most notable registrations of the 'Thermometer have been as follows :— Highest, 10th, 1852, 73^ ; 4th, 1848. 75^ ; 19th, 1854, 77^ 2Sth ISIO 80\ The averages for the ensuing month are — Theimometer, maximum, 57°; minimum. 39^ ; mean, 46s Baiomefer, 29.921. Average rain-fall, 1.6 inches. PHASES OP THE MOON FOR APRIL, 1859. • New Moon, 3rd, lOh. 18m. a.m. J First Quarter, 10th, llh^ 21m. a.m. O Full Moon, 17th, 9h. 6m. a.m. .. Ai'abis albida "^ • • • '^ • ■ " ^ibcrica Cwallcre.s •• l' ,, deltoides V • j ■ ■ „ rosea* J ■■■ \-' Arenaria Diarina ] Sandwort ' f ' „ grandiflora ) • ■ '■ Aster fulvis* 1 ■■• ^2- „ noTte anglia; 1 }, " „ noTa ruber [-Stavwort ' ' I ■' ,, gi-andmorus | ■■■"'„' „ pulchellus I ' A^' „ cyaneus J ••• ,• Aubrietia deltoides grandiflora ••• ^^' Astragalus Canadensis "^ . . . i 2 . sulcatus C Milk Yeteh ' ' ' o ' „ carnosus V ... -^^• „ hypoglottis* ) ■■■ f Baptista tinctoria "" 4 ' „ australis '" o „ alba . ... -'^• Bellis perennis fl. pi Double Daisy ... ^ e . Betonica grandiflora "") " " 1 ' „ officinalis alba ^ Betony . ••^x „ alopeeurus ) ... ij (To he conilnv.ed.) -.-R ELOTi'EES. season, rjrticulavly choice Colour. Begin to bloom. White ,. July- Yellow .. July. Blue . June. White .. July. Yellow .. July. Blue .. July. Yellow ,. March. Yellow .. July. Orange . . June. , Various . , June. , Grim, and puv. . .. July. , White ,. April. . Y'ellow .. April. . Y^eUow ., May. , Blue .. June. . White ,. June. . Pink ., June. , Various .. June. , Vai-ious . . June. . Blue .. May. . Bed .. May. . Various ... May. . Eed ct Orange , ... May. . Blue & White . .. May. . Various .. May. ,. Blue & White . .. May. . Bed & Green ... May. ,. Various ... May. ,. AVbite .. , Jan. ,. AVhitc ... Jan. . Lilac ... March, .. Rose ... June. . Purple ... July. . White ... Jidy. . Crimson ... Oct. .. Pui-ple ... Sept. .. Red ... Sept. ,. Purple ... Oct. .. Purple ... May. .. Purple ... Sept. .. Purple ... April. .. YeUow ... July. .. Blue ... July. White ... June. .. Pui'ple ... July. Yellow ... July. .. Blue ... June. ... White ... June. , Various ... May. .. Red ... June. White ... June. ... Y'ellow ... July. 104 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. A CHEAP PIT FOR AMATEURS. The accompanying plans represent a suit- able pit for amateurs, who delight in having a few choice things of their own raising. Let them not thiuk, on looking at this somewhat prolix plan, that a great ex- penditure and a vast amount of skill is ne- cessary to realize what is here represented ; for that is not the case, as I hope presently to show. The plans have been designed in such detail in order to simplify the labour of the builder ; and it is estimated that the whole cost should not exceed £20, and, when carried out, would form a com- plete muUum in fano for the gardening amateur ; and, as the amount of the vari- .ous materials is given, it is hoped that 'from such data little trouble will be expe- rienced in ascertaining on the spot the exact cost of the erection ; for as prices differ according to the distance the mate- rials have to be carted, etc., a list of prices given here would not be found to answer for every locality. Fig. 1 represents the ground-plan and section of warm-pit, in the back of which is a path, h, a bed for tan or leaves, a, in which roses, lilacs, azaleas, rhododendrons as well as a supply of hyacinths, narcissus, etc., may be forced during the dull months of winter ; and in summer, achimenes, gloxinias, and many of our glorious stove-plants may be had, as well as a few pots of nice strawberries on nOAVLUTT, OF WHITWELL shelf S The roof is a fixture on the same plan as lately described for a " Cheap Greenhouse ; " whilst ventilation is secured by three openings back and front, each 18 inches by 9 inches c, over which slide boards in a groove, and -which are con- nected together by means of a stout wire, running from one to the other, with a handle at the end, so that all may be opened or shut at once by merely pidling or pushing the handle. The ends of this part maybe either all brickwork, or the front wall returned ; and above that may be glass, according to the taste of the builder. The latter would be the best-looking plan, but would cost a trifle more than brickwork. Atmospheric heat is obtained from two 4-inch hot-water pipes d, the flow rising at g, and the return descending to boiler at /, and flue formed with 9-inch drain- pipes, as lately described in " Cheap Green- house." I would here remark that where- ever an elbow occurs in this kind of flue, it is well to use a few bricks, covering with a pavement, the removal of which at any time will enable a flue-brush to be got in for cleansing the flue. It is also to be re- membered that a flue always acts best when the furnace is sunk considerably lower than the line the flue traverses, otherwise the air stagnates in it, and causes the smoke to rush out at the furnace-door. ^CALIB THE FLOEAL ^YOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 105 For the heating of these a very small boiler will do, and which may now be had second-hand of the great Loudon hot- house builders for a trifle, as they are re- moving numbers of them to make way for the " one-boiler system ;" 36 feet of 4-incli pipe, two elbows, one syphon, and a sup- ply-cistern, 9 inches square, for fixing at li, will be required for Fig. 1 ; also, two diminishing T pieces, one stop-valve I, one 2inch syphon, and 18 feet of 2-ineli pipe, for Fig, 2 ; a furnace-lront and bars may also be bought second-hand, and observe to put in small soot-doors opposite the principal flues for convenience of cleaning froni soot, and these, though their cost would be trifling when new, might be had second-hand. 180 feet will be required ; and about 40 feet of 3 by 4-5-inch scantling to lay into the walls as bond-timber. For the pitch of the ]'Oof and ventilators about 32 feet of 1 by 9-inch board for shelves h, v, and ventilators, c, five iron brackets, ditto, a few feet of spline for ventilators, and ^-inch iron rod for the same ; a ladder o for stoke-hole, one door and threshold for potting-shed, Fig. 3; also, one door, partly glass, and threshold for Fig. 1, two stakes and two pieces of rough board for potting- bench in ; 70 feet of scantling, 2| by 3 inches for spars to roof of Fig. 3 ; a few feet of pantile lath for ditto, and 100 pan- tiles ; three well-glazed 2-inch lights for Fig. 2, which can be bought ready-made and seasoned of any of the hothouse OR QUA/ O PLAN. For the building must be provided 4000 red bricks, 250 white bricks for floors, 10 feet of coping-bricks, one chal- dron, or 3G bushels, of lime, and three loads of sand, and 20 feet of 9-inch drain-pipe for flue and chimney. Fifty-four feet of wall-plate, 4^ inches by 3 inches, for the various roofs to rest upon ; and if the ends of the jjit, Fig. 1, be only bricked up as high as the front-wall, and the rest part glass, about 14 feet more will be required ; also, for the jambs and leutela for two doors, 34 feet of the same scantling, making about 102 feet. The roof of Fig. 1 to be constructed on the same plan as "Cheap Greenhouse," which see for a section of the bar, of which for roof and ends, at 8 inches apart, builders, these being the only parts,except- ing the door for Fig. 1, that requires a first-rate joiner to execute; 100 feet box of glass of the exact size required can also be had of the London houses, and which woidd leave plenty in hand for repairs. Anti-corrosion paint, the best for out-door work, with directions for using, can also be bought with the glass, as well as a stone of putty, or the latter can be made by any labourer, but is better if made some time before using. A window of some kind, which will serve for lighting Figs. 3 and 4, must be provided. Having enumerated the principal ma- terials that will be required, it remains to make a few remarks only ; namely, that in 106 THE FLOEAL WOELT) AND GAEDEN GUIDE. constructing the back wall remember to [ing moisture to the atmosphere. /", i?, 9, turn an arch where the boiler is to be fixed, to prevent the necessity of weakening the structure by cutting away ; also, to see that at least one of the hot- water pipes have a saddle cast upon it, for supply- and the dotted lines Fig. 4 indicate thc position for the boiler, furnace, and ash- jjit under the building. This plan, if pro- perly carried out, Avould secure both a useful and durable structure. ON THE SOWING OF SEEDS. BY MESSRS. HK'N'DEESON AND SO^^, AVELLIJTGTOX KTJRSEllY, ST. JOHN S "'.VOOI). Annuals are propagated exclusively from seed. They are sown after two ways : the one in the borders where they are intended to remain ; the other in prepared beds, from whence they are transplanted to the flower-garden. The former plan, although the most simple, and most ordinarily adopted, has many inconveniences ; one of the principal of which is, that the ground is occupied for a long period before they arrive at perfection. It would, there- fore, be the more advisable, if it were pos- sible, to sow all annuals in prepared beds, and afterwards transplant; but there are some, such as poppies and similar rooted plants, that do not bear transplanting, so that these, under any circumstances, must be sown where they are to flower. It is also essential, in order to insure success in raising seeds of any kind, to bear the fol- lowing important rule in mind : That the smaller the seed, the less deeply should it be covered with earth ; indeed, some seeds are so fine that they ought only to be spi'inlded slightly over the ground, and should the weather at the time be very dry, a thin layer of damp moss ought to be placed over them till they begin to germi- nate ; but there are few hardy annuals that require such extreme attention as this, such care being more intended for the raising of Calceolaria and other minute seeds in pot- culture. Annuals foe the Conservatory. — The following will bloom eai'ly for conser- vatory decoration, if sown in July and August : CoUinsia liicolor and others ; Calceolaria Californica, line winter-flower- ing ; Lobelia, of sorts ; Mignonnette ; Nemophila insignis, with its varieties ; Oxalis rosea ; Saponaria ocymoides ; Mi- OT«ZtJ.9, in variety ; Rhodanthe; Schizantlms retv.sns ; and S. retusus AhliXJS ; Petunias ; the Intermediate Stocks, red. and white, also the New Hylrid Giant Cape, and the New Hybrid Perpetual Stocks. The Schi- zanthus here mentioned are both very beautifully coloured and very conspicuous in the conservatory, the other varieties are often grown for the same purpose, but their colours are not so telling. The NemopJiilas are very ornamental and very useful for suspending from the roof or shelves, and for marginal effect around the larger baskets or vases. Mignonnette grown in pots for the winter and early spring is invaluable for its perfume ; though requir- ing some skill for thus producing it, the grand secret is to keep it moderately dry through the winter ; and though it may often flag by this observance, as well as from air, wind, and sun, it must neverthe- less be only occasionally watered, and then only in dry or mild weather, in the morn- ing hours, and never on the approach or probability of frost. After watering, which must always be done with a spouted or tubed watering-pot, to avoid sprinkling the leaves, and by drying the surface-mois- ture before closing the pits or frames, much of tlie loss otherwise sustained by canker or " damping off"," will be prevented; and those who are skilled in preserving winter- stock in frames, are aware of the vital im- portance in having the floor formed of a good under-stratumof dry brick-bats, etc., beneath the top surface of sand or cinder- ashes, to avert the injury sustained by close treatment in continued severe wea- ther, by surface-moisture and stagnant exhalation. The foregoing hints are ap- plicable to all winter management of plants in pits or frames. Autumn-sown Annuals in the open ground for spring and early summer orna- ment, especially the Californian species, may be sown in September. Tliey will stand ordinaiy winters with perfect safety, by which means the plants are stronger and flower one or two months earlier than those sown in spring, thereby giving a gay appearance to the garden at that particular period of the year when most required ; some of the most useful for this purpose THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 107 will be recognized in the following list : — AlyssHm, Calendula, Calliopsis, Candiftiifl, Ceiitaurea, Coitrnnlhus, Clarkia, Collinsia, Collomla, Eri/.timum, JUscIi^cJwIfzia, GUia, Godeiia, Jlairkweed, Heler.ium, Lejitod- phon, Nemophila, QSiiof/iera, Platystemon, Silene, Tenns LooJv'uig- Glass, Tirginian Stock, Viscaria, etc. Anaoallis. — The large-flowered varie- ties sow early to admit of planting ont for bedding ; also Antierhinum, to llower early the same season as annuals. ClilNTONIA PULCHELLA should bc SOWn with the care bestowed upon all minute seeds as previously described, and pricked or planted into stores of ten or twenty plants, which may either be grown forward in pots, or planted out, previously pinching off the growing };oints or ends of the shoots, to obtain abranclnng habit. This beautiful annual will I'cpay for any extrrt care given : though morcdelicate in growth, it even exceeds the Lobelia in brilliancy of colour. Seeds of similar character to Clin- tonia, may often require little or no cover- ing of soil, or, as a substitute, a slight covering of selected damp moss will, by its partial shade, favour the germination of seeds, peculiar to those of many rare plants. LiNUM. — Much disappointnient has oc- curred in the failure of the very beautiful Linmn grandijloriim riihrum ; to prevent this, place the seeds in lukewarm or tepid water for twenty-four hours, after which drain it off, and place successive portions of the seed between a eoarsish linen cloth, and rub olf thoroughly the glutinous coat wdiieh renders the seed impervious to mois- ture ; after which sow as any other annual in loamy soil, in the open ground, which is more efl'ectual than when sown in pots. Makygolds should be sown early, and forwarded in their growth for planting ; the seeds being gathered from double flowers may be relied upon for bedding purposes. Perilia NANKiNEiirsis. — One of the most remarkable plants for decoration in extensive pleasure-grounds ; by sowing early in March its size is still more origi- nal and effective. Rhodanthe Makglesi may be sown by April, or earlier, in pots or mild spent hot-bed, and afterwards pricked out when young into peat-beds, or on the margin of rhododendron borders, protecting it at first with an inverted pot over each plant or tuft ; with a slight protection after planting, they will form elegant little specimens. Stocks.— Sow in March and April, and treat very similar to Asters. Tlie danger is not so much to be feared from the green-fly as with them ; but in the case of all annuals which are sown in pots within the forcing-house or frames, it is of the most vital importance to have them perfectly free from the attack of the green- ily previously to planting them out. Asters and Stocks have become almost indispens- able for late summer and autumn ornament, and the success or failure in their culture depends upon attention to their first stages of growth. The thi-ee main points of cau- tion for these, and indeed for all half-hardy annuals, raised in forcing-houses or pits, are — 1st, preservation from insects ; 2nd, no sudden check of growth by too long or sudden exposure; and 3rd, a gradual hardening before planting out in genial moist weather. TnuNBEEGiA, species, sow early, to admit of a continuance of bloom, and to preserve from the red spider, syringe with tepid or warm water at stated times. The beauty of the blossom is worth all the attention. Veeoxica Syeiaca should be sown in patches or margins in the open garden ; this method is far more successful than by transplautins: it. Zinnia Elegaxs !> a fine late-flower- ing annual that should be sown early, and forwarded in growth to insure vigorous plants, and a continuous bloom through the summer and autumn. Biennials are those plants, principally hardy ones, that do not generally flower until the second summer's growth, and when properly planted out grow most vigorously the first summer and autumn, then bloom profusely the second season and die. The section includes some splen- did flowers for efl'ect, scarcely equalled in any other for decoration either in the open beds or in pots. Those which are inclined to an annual style of growth should be sown not earlier than June and Jvily, to avoid grossness of growth, which is unfa- vourable for severe winters ; such are Wallfioivers, Canterlvry Bells, Borage, Foxglove, Oenothera, Honesty, Sweet Wil- liams, Hollyhoclcs, Stveet Scabiovs, Dian- thus Veilchi, D. corymhosa, French Honey- suckle, and those inclined to a perennial or triennial duration, may be sown late in May to obtain extra size and vigour ; such are Campanula _2Jj/r(7?«;V?«ZJ.s, blue and white, Valerian, some species of DianfTtJis, T'erbascuin, Hose Campion, Antirrhinum, Bromjjton Stocks, etc. CiiMBEES, for garden decoration, should be sown in January, February, and 108 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. March, tlie earlier the better, as the dis- play for the after-seasou will be in propor- tion to their early vigour for planting out ; such as CohcBa, Maurandia, Lophospermumy Calampells {Eccremocarpus), and Tropoeo- lum, of sorts. The following sow in February and March, in 4-8-sized pots, a few seeds in each, and directly the plants are established, harden them off in cold pits, ready for planting in genial weather ; such kinds as Tropaolum peregyijinm, Convolvulus major, of sorts, SiL'eet Feas, and Nasturtiums, in variety. Abroma TiMBELLiTA "and Marttnia FRAGRANS belong to that class of seeds that often fail to germinate unless the tougli skin or integument that enwraps the interior germ be carefully peeled olf with a knife. Clematis species, amongst hardy shrubs, and Pentstemox, amongst hcrba"^- coous plants, are prominent instances of seeds which long remain dormant, often a whole year, before they grow, hence the importance of sowing them as soon as ripe. Geranittm (Pelargonium) species ; in sowing these seeds, leave the feathered part out of the soil. Eeiostemon species, and similar seeds will more readily germinate after being immersed in boilhig water, and then drained oif. Kexnedya species, and many other seeds of Leguminous plants, hardy or ten- der, are also quickened in their germina- tion by having boiling water poured upon them, and remaining in the same for twelve or twenty-four hours before being sown. LiLiujr GiGAXTEVM, if not sown until spring, Avill often remain dormant iu the spil until tlie following season, before its living germ evolves ; but if sown directly it is ripe in the autumn, it will vegetate by Christmas, and continue growing the whole season. The seeds of all bulbous flowering-plants should be sown, wlien ripe ; some of them do not retain their vitality, and others do not readily germi- nate, though sown immediately. SELECT GREENHOUSE PLANTS. nOTA CAENOSA. The Hoyas belong to the natural order Asclepiads, and are named after Mr. Hoy, formerly gardener at Sion House. They ai'e all classed as stove plants, but most of them can be cultivated in an or- dinary greenhouse. They are evei'green twiners, varying considerably in habit ; some rising only one or two feet, others six, eight, and ten feet. They are easily propagated, in a moist heat, either from cuttings or leaves, and the best soil for them is a mixture of peat and loam, with a plentiful admixture of lime rubbish and pounded bricks. Soija Carnosa has fleshy leaves, the blooms are pinkish white, and appear in July and Aiigust. Its usual place is the stove ; but as it blooms late, and can be got on with help of sun heat, and needs to be kept rather dry in winter, it very readily submits to greenhouse treatment. The way to manage it is, to give no more water all winter, than will just suflice to keep the thick leaves in a fresh state. So kept it will endure a temperature as low as 38', and no lower ; and the winter average should be 50"', say 45" at night, and 65^ in the sunshine. When the summer growth commences, water moderately, give abun- dance of sunshine, and towards autumn suspend the watering by degrees, at the same time letting the plant enjoy the fidl sun during all the hours of the day. In a moderately moist house it will endure very long drought at the root, and if well ripened and wintered with care, will bloom abun- dantly the second season. CESTRUir AUEAKTIACUM. This belongs to the great family of Nightshades, and was introduced from Guatemala in 184-2, by Mr. Skinner. More than twenty species are known, but very few are worth cultivating. Aurau- tiacum is a most beautiful evergreen shrub, usually considered to require stove treatment, but does well in a warm green- house. The foliage is of a fine, dark shin- ing green, and the flowers of a curious apricot colour, with a tint of orange. They are produced on the young wood in great abundance in October, and emit a power- ful odour of orange peel. They remain a long time without fading, and are suc- ceeded by snow white, pear-shaped berries, which are very ornamental. The flowers are most valuable for bouquets, and retain their beauty a long time after having been cut. The culture is very easy. Cuttings taken ofi" three inches in length, and in- THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 109 serted in sand under a bell-glass in spring, i casionally give weak, liquid manure, to will root with a bottom-heat of 70% and promote a strong growth. After flowering, may then be potted into the smallest pots, more to a cool house, and keep as dry as and again put into a gentle heat, and possible till February, and then prime shadecf till established, and when they fill rather close and start into growth in a the pots with roots, have a shift to the j moist heat. Repot as soon as they have next size lai'ger. A warm house with free j made good breaks, and shift into bloom- ventilation is then the proper place for them. The proper soil is a mixture of turfy peat, loam, and old cow-dung, with plenty of sand and nodules of charcoal ing pots the first week in July, after which tie out and keep growing vigorously till they bloom again. Planted out in the conservatory border, its appearance is at (Shift as required, stop and train out to a j all times pleasing, and when iu bloom, good shape ; syringe frequently, and oc- superb. {To he continued.) A GAY GREENHOUSE. ' M. C." requests growers to assist in pointing out varieties for a greenhouse, to relieve the sameness of Geraniums and Fuchsias. Early in autumn, take up some Salvias, pot them, and they will form a brilliant contrast to Ageratums, which should be taken up at the same time. Mine have been, and are now, in full bloom, with blue Isemophila (sown in November), Yer- benas, Citrus, Coronilla, Dielytras, and Tree Mignonnette, not omitting Cyclamen. A gay greenhouse is easily obtained. My Petunias are also in full bloom, and make a pleasing addition. The Nemophila grows better in pots than in beds, as rain so soon destroys their bloom. At the pi-e- sent time mine is one mass about two feet high ; as it grows, so I tie it, and it blooms to the top of the stick. A SUBSCRIBER FEOM THE FIUST. :v<:ocooccoco- CULTIVATION OF POMPONE CHRYSANTHEMUMS IN POTS. BY JAMES HOLLAND, GABDE>^EI!, TO E. W. PEAKE, ESQ., HOtJNSLOW. to damp off. Gradually harden them off to sun and air when struck, and pot on without delay, as, if allowed to get cramped in a small pot, it will much injure their breaking after the first stop, which should be at the seventh or eighth joint. Some little difference depends upon the kinds, but on an average the seventh or eighth joint will suffice ; also continue such stopping until August. Cuttings started at once will make beautiful objects for the conservatory in the dreary month of November, and not unsightly for an exhibition table if properly managed. However, as the November cuttings are now far advanced, they may not be grown so large, but as good in quality ; and as censors of this popular flower, take size in preference to cultivation and quality, it would be useless to attempt to compete. There are several methods of ti-aining ; much depends upon the place where they are intended to bloom. K for a conserva- The following is a summary of my own method of ciiltivatingPompones in pots : — The compost used consists of loam three parts, well-decomposed manure one part, and suflicient sUver-sand to take the water through ; and as cleanliness is always essential to vegetation, clean pots should be used at every change as well as drainage. Having thus prepared pots and composts, the cuttings should be taken clearly above ground, removing the lower leaves and eyes with them, which prevents a con- fusion of suckers during then' growth ; also making a clear-stemmed plant. The cuttings may be inserted singly in thumb- pots, or five or six round a forty-eight size pot ; it is but little importance which, providing they are potted on as soon as they have fairly struck, and strike they will freely at this season of the year in any shady corner whatever. An excess of moisture must be avoided until they are well established, otherwise they are likely 110 THE PLOEAL WOELD AND OARDEN aUIDE. tory, a perfect busb, -without twisting or pegging down, will be best ; if for an ex- hibition, a flat head of bloom has the greatest effect; and so on. It is very certain they can be grown in any shape' required, from a walking-stick to an um- brella. Liquid manures of a cooling nature should be used through the heat of summer, viz., cow and sheep's dung in equal parts, one gallon to four gallons of water, letting it stand for a few days, and ?tii'riug it at intervals ; and then pouring it oflj or straining it, which is better. To every gallon add two of plain water, and use it every other time of watering. Should black or green-fly make its ap- pearance at any stage of growth, and if not convenient to fumigate, syringe them with the following mixture : — Put half an ounce of tobacco into a muslin bag, letting it soak for a few hours in a pail of water. Mildew is often very troublesome, but may be easily kept under by syringing the plants overhead, and dust \vith sulpliur at night, taking care to wash it off next morning. STANDARD CHEYSAXTHEMUMS. At a recent meeting of the South Metro- politan ehrysantheinuna Society, Mr. Mills in the chair, Mr. Morgan, gardener, of Lincoln's Inn Fields, gave a lecture ou the culture of the Chrysanthemum as a standard. He said the idea originated ^vith hiin of having a quantity jjlauted out for the purpose of taking up to pot, and tluit his attention was directed to a plant of Ccdo Nulli, which had a fine large head upon a single stem, somewhat iibout seventeen or eighteen inches high. lie took it up, potted it, and the shoots being tied down it formed a very compact top, producing about sixty or seventy good blooms. This took place in August, ijoiieviiig that he could materially improve upon this in tlie following November, he tuok oil a lot of cuttings, taking the eyes carefully out, and potted them singly in a cold frame until April. He then prepared a piece of ground by dressing fully two spades deep, supplying a quantity of stone and brick rubbish to the bottom, and covering the whole over to the depth of two feet, the compost used being a mix- ture of loam, road sweepings, and a small quantity of sand ; then planting out two feet asunder. As they grew he took the eyes out as soon as they appeared, letting the leaves remain upon the stem from the very bottom, watering the foliage generally twice every day, and the roots as ofteu as in his opinion they required it. Ey the middle of June they were nearly three feet high, and the nature of the plant being to branch oif at a certain height, care must be taken to secure eyes suflieient to send out shoots to form the head beJbre it does so. He informed the meeting that he left from five to six of the above, then carefully taking off the top of his plant, the shoots soon made their appearance, and when about five or six inches long were stopped; and that he then com- menced forming the head by placing a little bast matting round tlie stem, bringing down the shoots. This process was prac- tised— namely, stopping and tying — till tlic end of July, when he began to study the best means of getting them into pots, lie took his spade, cut straight down- about half-way round the plant a little less than the size of the pot intended for its reception, keeping it well watered. In about nine or ten days after, he cut round the part remaining, taking it up, carefully potting, and abstaining from injuring the roots. It was kept in the shade for a few days, when, judging that it was going on well, he took off all the foliage from the stem, and removed it to a brighter aspect, still regularly watering, and attending, and watching, and supplying liquid manure twice a-d:iy. By management such as this he had plants three feet high, with heads pcrfecily flat, five feet in circumference, with fifty shoots full of buds, and hand- some green foliage. He then gave a list of some of the best sorts for growing as standards, among -which may be men- tioned Ccdo Kulli, Modele, Bob, Mus- taplia, Ilelene, Drin Drin, General Cauro- bert, Durufflet, and Argentine. Ill PEOriTABLE GABDENING. CaAPTEE XII. THE ONION THIBE — CTJITUHE OF ONIONS, LEEKS, GABUC, SHALLOTS, AND CHITES. Who does not like a good salad, a bit of evei'ythiDg, and four people to make it, according to the Spanish rule ; that is, a miser for vinegar, a counsellor for salt, a spendthrift for oil, and a madman to chop it up ? But the gar- dener is left out. So it takes five to make a salad, and the gardener, who has the largest share of the work, in growing pretty spring onions, crisp and well blanched lettuces, juicy ra- dishes, bright green mustard and cress, odorous mint, aromatic celery, and, mayhap, even the succulent water-cresses ; surely, when the four have done their work, he is the man Avho should eat it. But without the bowl, without the oil, without salt and vinegar, or a madman bran- dishing a sharp knife, a radish or a lettuce are welcome at any time, even to help down an early breakfast, make cold meat possible, or give a relish to the supper cheese. Gardening with- out salads is like making pies with no- thing to put in them — we don't want to have the hard crust alone. Now, as the salads range pretty wide as to character and culture, I shall confine this chapter to the king of the group, the Onion, which the Hindoos and the Egyptians regarded as a symbol of the universe, because it is a series of globes, one within another, and when cut through it shows a whole system of orbits, around which, if you can stretch your imagination so far, the planetary bodies may be seen re- volving. Thus it was sacred to Osiris, the hero of sweet breath ; and to cut an onion was enough to make a Hindoo shudder at your sacrilege. We may cut the onion, and the supersti- tion too, for if it has any use in divina- tion, it is this — that if a youth eats onions, and then pops the question, he stands an excellent chance of being kicked out at the back door, or, at least, getting " certainly not" for a quietus. Is ow, to grow onions needs no help fi'om Egyptian mysteries. Not even Dr. Howard, whose brain has been turned by the contemplation of a pil- lar of salt, can help us ; no, strong dung is better, plenty of it, good seed, a little patience, and. here are your onions . To grow a good crox^ of useful onions, it is necessary to have a bit of ground that has been liberally manured and deeply tilled ; but new, rank manure, is not advisable, neither is an excess necessaxy. If you aim at immense bulbs you can hardly have too much manure, and when growing, manure-water ought to be given libe- rally ; but large onions are not profit- able, nor do they keep well ; the crop that pays best is one of middling-sized bulbs, well ripened in the sun, and plenty of them — the latter being im- possible if they are grown to a great size. Eor all ordinary purposes, two sow- ings of onions are sufficient : one to remain for bulbing, but to be thinned in time, and the thinnings used for salading ; and another to follow, to be entirely used while young, and during the heat of summer, when salads are most sought after. If required for pickling, they ought to be grown rather difierently to the general keeping crop, as we shall see presently. The first essential to a crop of onions, is good seeds. There are few things I'especting which the choice of seed is so important a matter ; and hence, it is cjuite a common thing for onion-seed to be thickly sown and not a single plant ever make its appear- ance. It is one of the few things of which home-grown seed is to be pre- ferred, and it need hardly be said, the best-shaped, hardest, and in every other respect, the best old bulbs should be planted for the purpose ; and only one sort of onion should be in bloom at the same time, in the same garden. It ought also to be seed of the pre- ceding year, and to guard against utter failure, it is a common practice for gardeners to sow two sorts toge- ther, on the speculation that one of them may fail. As to sorts, there are 112 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. very many good ones, and few indeed, that are not j^ood ; but En'.— This beautiful gi-ass-lilce plant generally goes bare at the foot, and the best way to hide its legs is to plant Fuchsias round it, which harmonize well with its gi-aceful form. Fuchsia coraUina is one of the best for the purpose. Sow Humeas for next year's blooming next month, and give gi-eenhouse culture aU winter. Speegula piLirEHA.— C. C. and others.— Onr stores of seedlings promise well, and we shall shortly commence putting it out on our experi- mental lawn. At present we cannot add to what has ah-eady been said respecting it. Hose asks if it wiU do "where grass will not grow ?" We must know »'.% gi-ass will not grow ere we venture a reply. Boiler fob Conseetatoet.— i. ^.— Use a three- inch pipe along the six-feet length, and cover ;,^,^\t'^.*elt. With half-inch wood-work outside. Ihe boiler is quite large enough for the house. Vaeious.- Vines in Pots.— C. JB. X.— Fully and ably treated in the " Floeal Woeld," Deeem- ber, 185S. Y'our Fern is probably Polypodium virginianum. It is not usual to name Ferns from barren fronds ; there must be more or less of guess-work about it. Budding.— J'. .H".— See pages 165, ls3, and 188, of last year's volume. The Number for August, 1858, will initiate you. CcEBo Guano.— ilfm M'lir.—'We do not know what agencies are appointed. Why not write 120 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. to Lead-quarters. We have nothing to do with the sale of such things. We do not know the other manure you mention. Suhscriher. — See page 283 of last year's volume. To that we can add nothing at present. Keceived, with thanks: — "Chemistry of Horticulture," by M.G. Green; "Cottage Architecture," by W. H. Tallies.— 5«iscrJic)-.— They have been written by some illiterate Frencbmau, who could neither spell French nor Latin. No. 1 is a Gardenia, liere named floribunda, and marked " rose cdour." It may be answered — there is no iloribunda in English lists. Warm greenhouse, with moist heat when growing. No. 2 is Mag- nolia, but no one ever heard of M. oubrela ; such a word belongs to no language, living or dead, nor can we guess what it is meant for. No. 3 is a Hibiscus, called matthe, which we can- not interpret, and whether a stove or green- house kind we cannot tell. A man who would write such tallies ought to be compelled to swal- low them. W0KM.S in Pots.— i-'. 3/. P.— Trap the white larvae with shoes of carrot and potatoc, and then water with weak hme-water to fetch out any that refuse to be trapped. The soil in the pots is probably in a sour state from too much water, over-potting, or want of waimth to tU them with roots. METEOROLOGICAL CALENDAR FOR MAY. 31 1 DATS. -WEATHEB NEAR L0ND0.»(, MAT, 1858. \ 31 WEATUEU NEAR LONDON, MAT, 1858. BAKOMETEK. j TUEBMOM. WIND. BAIN. DATS. BABOMETEB. THE113I0M. WIND. BAIN. MAX. MIN. MX.MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN- s 1 29.110 -29.nil 53 36 46.0 SW .08, Tu. 17 29.956—29.928 60 53 56.5 SW .10 M. ?, 29.296—29.216 56 30 43.0 NK .05 w. 18 29.912—29.858 67 42 54.5 SW .04 3 29.625- 29.450 i 55 26 40.5 E .00 Th. 19 29.962—29.883 62 37 49.5 SW .00 W 4 29 876-29.805 57 27 42.0 N .00 F. 20 30.078-30.002 72 41 56 5 SW .00 Th. 5 30.041-29.983 66 28 47.0 NE .02 1 8. 21 29.904-29.722 73 48 60.5 SW .08 Y 0 30.290—30.250 61 25 4.3.0 NE {.00 '! S. 22 29.821-29.785 67 45 56.0 SW .00 S. 7 30.357—30.312 60 25 42.5 E .00 , 1 M. 23 29.819—29.704 66 44 55.0 SW .43 s. M. ft 33.314—30.235 59 29 44.0 E .00 1 Tu. 24 29.872-29.424 64 44 54.0 SW .48 f) 30.130—30.063 62 38 50.0 E .00 i W. 25 30.343—29.781 62 32 47.0 N •16 Tu. 10 30.070—30.022 66 36 51.0 E .00 Th. 26 30.4Sl-30.302 62 40 51.0 E .00 W. n 29.984—29.846 65 34 49.5 NE .00 F. 27 30.205—30.060 69 45 57.0 SW .01 Th ^'> 29 743-29.694 64 30 47.0 N .12 S. 28 30.094—30.077 77 41 59.0 NW .00 F. 13 29.717—29.642 67 38 52.5 SW .06 s. 29 30.103—30.040 75 47 61.0 SW .00 g 14 29.710—29.450 64 44 54.0 s .18 M. 30 30.065—30.028 80 -16 63.0 SW .00 S. 15 29.429-29.379 64 47 55.5 SW .10 Tu. 31 30.042—29.990 85 52 68.5 s .00 M. 16 29.890—29.543 66 47 56.5 SW •14 AVERAGESIFOK THE ENSUING MONTH. The extraordinary weather we have had during the last two months has thrown gardeners out of their reckonings, and to a very great extent changed the course of the spring season. The fruit crops have been cut "to pieces by frosts, and the promise of abundance given in February changed to bitter disappointment in April. Thus we invariably pay heavily for mild winters ; and all the gardener can do to obviate such disasters is to adopt such measures as horticultural science provides against the effects of such meteorological vicissitudes, and especially in regard to means of protection. Some of the portion of the arrears of raiu have been given us, and weUs are once more moderately suppUed. It should not surprise any if we have a continuance of frosts during the present May, with a heavy vnin fall and possibly a little snow. During the last thirty-two years, the highest temperatures reem-ded were as foUows :— Highest, 4th, 1833, 81^; 5th, 1857,86'; 15th, 1833,86^; 23rd, 1847, 89 \ Lowest 2nd, 1855, 20^ ; 15th, 185i, 25° ; 25th, 1839, 29' ; 31st, 1857, 32\ The averages for the month 'are— Barometer, 29.934. Thermometer, maximum, Ol""; minimum, 42' ; mean, 53\ Rain- fall, 1.9 inches. PHASES OF THE MOON FOR MAY, 1859. % New Moon, 2nd, lOh. 4m. p.m. O Full Moon, 16th, 9h. 7m. p.m. 5 First Quarter, 9th, 4h. 59m. p.m. '0. Tt. <* 122 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. scriptions." As many as 400 names were entered for the ballot whicli took place on the 15th of April last. The Appendix to the Eeport shows that the expenditure for 1858-9 has been £120 below its estimate ; but in the same period the income has been short of the estimate, though £400 in excess of the previous year. The number of fellows is now 985, and the estimated expenses of the garden and the new London office are put down at £1800 per annum. In this Ecport the favourable and unfavourable elements are pretty well balanced ; nevertheless we do not fear but that the firm purposes in which the council are united, Avill at once give to the Society a new and wider sphere of usefulness, and ultimately redeem it from delit and difficulty. That the council are in earnest there can be no doubt, for five of them, including the Hev. L. V. Ilarcourt, Mr. Godson, Mr. Blandy, and Mr. "W. Dilke, have guaranteed the payment of £2000 of the bond debts, which relieves the Society of a present pressm-e it is most unable to bear. This liberal act should be responded to by increased zeal on the part of the fellows to increase by every legitimate means the Society's income, that the debts may be ultimately extinguished, and the affairs of the Society consolidated. The vast benefits conferred by it on the science of horticul- ture, not only in this country but throughout the Avorld, give it a claim to the most generous support, and, spite of the clouds Avhich have gathered over it, we believe and hopo that very bright days for it are yet in store. THE MAY EXHIBITIONS, ETC. The Horticultural Society's Exliibitiou, held on the 12th, was one tliat indicateu no signs of dcchnc, either in the affairs of the Society or tii.c spirit of exhibitors. The confiuemeat to which the plants would of necessity be subjected, deterred a few from sending, heuce there were not many roses shown — Messrs. Lane and Francis being the only exhibitors. In Rhododendrons also there was a paucity, but Mr. Staudish, of Bagshot, faced the difficulty, as did also Messrs. Lane, with good collections. In front of the ferns and palms from the Society's garden, Messrs. Frazer had a collection of Azaleas. Below these were two fine Wellingtoneas from Messrs. Veitch, and on the lower stages a row of Rose-frees from Messrs. Lane, of Berkhampstead. Messrs. Veitch also contributed liberally in Orchids, the Aerides, Plialienopsis, Cypripediums, and Cattleyas being most beautifully bloomed. Those from Mr. Woolley, of Cheshunt, ■were also worthy of the highest admiration. Fine foliaged plants were contributed abundantly by Messrs. Veitch, Messrs. Jackson, and Mr. Young, of Dulwich ; the latter sent a finely-coloured specimen of Farfugium grande. Among the few novelties, the most deserving of notice was the New Zealand Forget-me-not, sent by Mr. Standish, of Bagshot ; Ciianthus Dampieri, Cyanophyllum magnificum, Farfugium grande, Philesia buxifolia, and Olea ilicifolia, the latter a new liardy Japanese olive from Messrs. Veitch ; some beautiful Tydajas (Achimiues) marantas, Oaladiums, vai-ie- gated leaved Salvias, and Geraniums, from Messrs. E. G. Henderson, of St. John's Wood ; a yellow-flowered Datura, aud a lovely Feru, called Todea pellucida, from Messrs. A. Henderson, of Pine Apple Place. In the list of awards, Messi's. Veitch and Mr. Woolley were first in the two classes for Orchids ; Messrs. Frazer first, and Messrs. Laue second, for Azaleas. Mr. Standish first and Messrs. Lane second, for Rhododendrons. Messrs. Lane took first prize for six Roses in pots. The exhibition at the Crystal Palace on the 18th was one that presented but few noticeable features for the horticultural critic, but as a popular fite was truly mag- nificent, owing to the abundance of plants, and the very perfect manner in which tliey were staged for effect. In the nave and transepts Orchids were numerously shown. The principal exhibitors were Mr. Bullen, Mr. Gedney, Mr. Dods, Mr, O. Rhodes, and Mr. Woolley. The Azaleas were subjects of general admiration. The most inte- THE FLORAL AVORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. t2S resting were Ireryana, Glory of Sunning Hill, Criterion, Gladstonesi, Lateritia, Periyana, Atropurpuvea, Syiumotry, Advance, General Outram, Sir H. Havelock, Prince Jerome, Duchesse Adelaide de Nassau, Model, and Petuniccflora. Roses were well shown by Messrs. Lane, Francis, Paul, A. Rowland, Esq., and Mr. Terry, gar- dener to C. W. G. Puller, Esq. Among the miscellanies was a variegated^ variety of Barbarea precox, or British Winter-cress, now coming into use as an edging for flower-beds. Messrs, Lee, of Hammersmith, sent a variegated Oolt's-foot, Tussilago farfara, for which a prize was awarded. Messrs. Paid and Son took a prize in this class for Rhododendron Dalhousieauum, a very beautiful yellow, and Mr. Summers showed Spergula pilifera, the new substitxite for grass,' which excited eonsiderable attention. In the list of awards, Mr. G. S. Dods took first prize for twenty stove and greeii- house plants ; Mr. Peed second ; and Mr. T. Page third. Extra prize to Mr. O. Rhodes, gardener to J. Phillpot, Esq., Stamford Hill. Eor twelve stove-plants, Messrs. Frazer were first, and Mr. W. J. Cutbush second. For six stove and green- house plants, Mr. Dods was again first, Mr. Young second, and lower prizes were given to Mr. J. Colgate, Mr. J. Summers, and Mr. O. Rhodes. For Roses, the order of awards was, fir.st, Messrs, Lane ; second, Mr. Francis ; third, Messrs. Paul, of Cheshunt. Mr. C. Turner, of Slough, took as usual the first prize for twelve Pelar- goniums, and Messrs. Dobson were second, Mr. Wlieeler third, and Messrs. Frazer fourth. For fancy Pelargoniums, Mi*. J. Weir, gardener to Mrs. Hodson, Hampstead, was first ; Mr. J. James, gardener to P. W. Watson, Esq., of Isleworth, second ; and Mr. J. Holland, gardener to R. W. Peake, Esq., Hounslow, third. In the Nursery- men's Class for six Fancies, Mr. Turiicr was first, Mr. Gaines, of Battersea, second, and Mr. Windsor, of Hampstead, third. In Cinerarias, the order was, Mr. Turner first, Mr. J. Slirimpton second, IMessrs. Dobson third, and Mr. J. Holland, gardener to R. W. Peake, Esq., an extra prize. Among the miscellaneous awards, Messrs. A. Paul and Son, of Clieshunt were awarded a ])rize for a seedling Rhododendron of great promise. Mr. Turner had an extra prize for Cinei-aria " Slough Rival." A.t the first meeting of the Hornsey Gardeners' Mutual Instruction Society, held on the 2nd of IMay, Robert Richmond, Esq., hi the chair, Mr. Shirley Hibberd gave a Lecture on " The Literature of Gardening, or the Sayings and Doings of Eminent Horticulturists." There was a very crowded attendance, and among the company wo noticed Mr. and Mrs. Cutbush, of Higligate, J. R. Scott, Esq., one of the Council of the Horticultural Society, etc. In the course of his lecture, Mr. Hibberd gave a sketcli of the gardens of tlie ancients, and referred to the sayings and doings of the gardeners of ancient times. He then traced the changes that liad passed over gar- dening in this country during successive centuries, and bricfiy reviewed the various old English books on the sul)ject of gardening. He then took some of tho loading brandies of horticultural practice, and reviewed the books which had been written for each ; such as tlie culture of timber and fruit trees, flowers, etc., etc., glancing at the works of Loudon, Gordon, Lindley, Rivers, Paul, etc., and relating numerovis anecdotes of their autliors. On the motion of J. R. Scott, Esq., a vote of thanks was passed by acclamation in acknowledgment of Mr. Hibberd's gratuitous services. We regret we cannot do moi-e than thus briefly allude to the event, A fuller report was published in the Gardener's Chronicle of May 14th. On Tuesday, May 21th, the first Meeting of the newly-formed Apiarian Spciefy was held in the Rooms of tho Entomological Society, Bedford Row, the Rev, S. Waud in the chair. The Secretary, \Y. B. Tegetmeier, Esq., read the Report, which stated, that the Society had established an experimental Apiary at Muswcll Hill, and contem- plated reprinting some of the most scarce and valuable books, and in various ways directing its energies for the promotion of tlie study of the Honey Bee, as well as for the encouragement of bee-culture as a profitable branch of rural industry. The Society requests donations of books, hives, etc., and any information as to its working and^ progress may be obtained on application to Mr. Tegetmeier, Muswell Hill, Middlesex, NOTES OF THE MONTH. At the London Nurseries many fine collections of popular flowers and miscellaneous plants are now on show. At Slough the Pelargoniums are in their full beauty, as they are also at Isleworth. Mr. Turner and Messrs. Dobson invite their patrons and growers generally to inspect them. The Tulip show, held on the 20th of last month, 124 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. at Slough, was a very brilliant gathering both of connoisseurs and ilowers, and Mr. Turner's bed was unanimously pronounced worth the journey of many miles to see. Mr. John Waterer will exhibit, on his own grounds at Bagshot, and also at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's Park, his fine collections of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, etc., throughout the month of June. A very fine collection is also on view at lilr, Gaines's, Surrey Lane, Battersea. Messrs. Waterer and Godfrey, of Bagshot, also invite the public to visit their seasonal display. The Earl of Stamford and Warrington has opened the grounds at Enville Hall to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays throughout the season ; and gardeners making holiday would do well to pay them a visit. The Anniversary of the Gardeners' Benevolent Society will take place on the 4th. This most useful Society deserves the pecuniary support of every friend of horticulture, and we hope that liberal contributions to its funds will testify to the sincerity of the public in a work of benevolence having for its object the relief of gardeners on whom Fortune has not cast her favours. Gardeners have not very ample means of providing for old age and the accidents of life, and this Society, by awarding pensions to gardeners and their widows, saves from destitution many who have no special claim on any but the gardening community. The Paris Socicle (V Acclimatat'ion has awarded to Mr. Fortiine a first-class medal in acknowledgment of his high services to horticulture, iu having introduced so many useful and beautiful jilants to the climate of England. Among the schedules of Shows forwarded to us, we have the Stamford Horticul- tural and Midland Horticultural, in addition to those jjreviously announced. The first Show at Stamford takes place on July 6 ; the second Midland Show, will take place at Derby on the 30th of August. The numerous Exhibitions to take place during this present June, will be found in our usual list at the end of this Number. THE CAMELLIA. Now, that the bloom of Camellias is over, is a suitable time for some notes on its history and cidture, as well as of its vari- ous uses as a conservatory, greenhouse, and window-flower, and also of its adapta- tion to suitable situations in the open air. There are not many species of Camellia, and we are mainly dependent on the varie- ties of C. Japonica for the hundreds of variously coloured flowers that decorate our houses during winter and spring. Japonica, too, is the oldest, having been introduced to this country, in 1739, from its native country Japan. The Thea, from which the Ciiinese manufacture the tea of commerce, is strictly a Camellia, and the botanical distinctions by which it is sepa- rated from Camellia are too slight, in our opinion, to warrant the division. It is commonly believed that Thea viridis, often catalogued as Camellia viridis, is the only plaut used by the Chinese iu the manufac- ture of tea ; but T. Bohea and T. As- samensis also furnish leaves of a character suited for the same domestic purpose. The Theas, however, are far less orna- mental than the true Camellias ; they are all white-flowered, nearly hardy, and flourish well in a cool house, where they require as much air and very nearly the same treatment as Ericas. Specimens of the tea- shrub have been known to survive the winter out of doors near Loudon, and, as we shall show in the course of this paper, the Camellia may also be grown in the open air, and, with some few precau- tions, used as a shrubbery and border- plant. The species of Camellia known in our collections are, Japonica euryoides, Kisii, maliflora (apple-flowered), oleifera, from which a valuable culinary oil is ob- tained, reticulata, and Sasanqua. Next to Japonica, Sasanqua is the most orna- mental, and some of its varieties, as for instance, plena alba (double white), plena rubra (double red), and semi-plena (semi- double), are worth a place in any general collection ; but Japonica leaves them all behind in foliage, habit, and the splendour of its flowers ; and it is no wonder that its varieties have been multiplied by hundreds by careful hybridizing and the accidents of horticultural practice. General Teeatment. — The majority of cultivators prefer to purchase plants of the varieties that enjoy the highest popu- larity, and but few concern themselves in IDropagation either by seed or otherwise. We shall, however, offer some specific in- structions on all the various modes of increasing stock, and raising new varieties, but here confine ourselves to such gene- ralities as bear more or less on the manage- ment of the Camellia in every season of THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 125 the year. The plants are now out of bloom, and are pushing their new growth ; this new growth will supply the bloom- buds for next season, and the task of the cultivator is to promote that growth, and get it well ripened before the season closes. An excess of light is altogether inimical to the prosperity of Camellias ; hence we see them do well in the old-fashioned dark houses, against which we are apt to level our abuse when comparing them with the structures of the present day. The buds begin to push, indeed, before the bloom is fairly out, and often under disadvantageous ciiTumstances, for the plants may be used to decorate apartments where the air is far too dry for them. In such eases, the foliage should be sprinkled morning and evening, and the roots kept well supplied with water slightly tepid, so as to prevent exhaustion till they can be got back into their proper growing quarters. The fu- ture well-doing of the plants depends en- tirely on the maintenance of a strictly seasonal action ; they will not break and bloom at any season, like geraniums and other soft-wooded plants, but must have their time of quick growth, and a long season of comparative rest. Therefore they cannot be too soon encouraged to grow after having bloomed ; and a moist atmosphere, and a temperature averaging 65" by day and 55" by night, with plenty of air, and shade from sunshine, are essen- tial to success. In such a temperature, and with free ventilation, the Camellia will make rapid and healthy growth if fre- quently syringed and kept very moist at the root. Drought at this season is ruin to it ; if the floor and walls are deluged with water, so as to keep the atmosphere saturated with moisture, the growth will be more luxuriant and healthy. As soon as the foliage is well expanded, and the bloom-buds begin to show at the points of the shoots, give more air and less water ; and at the end of June, or early in July, turn them out under a north wall on to a bed of coal- ashes, to ripen the wood. A moderate amount of sun will be good for them from this time to the end of the sea- son, but it should not reach them after eleven in the morning, or before four in the afternoon. If the pots are half plunged, they will require less attention in watering, but will still be benefited by an occasional syringing to keep the foliage clean and healthy, and must still be kept moderately moist at the root. Repotting. — This is usually per- formed at the time they are turned out to ripen the seasonal growth. Aa a rule, Camellias do not like to be disturbed at the root, and when well potted in the first instance, may remain in the same pots for several years in succession if regu- larly refreshed with top-dressings. Plants that are not doing well should be re- potted, in order to excite fresh root-action, and the increase in the size of the plants will also render increased root-room ne- cessary. As we do not expect to shift them frequently, as we do soft-wooded plants, and as excess of pot-room is an injury, the potting should be performed witli care. The Camellia likes a deep, rich soil, and if potted with the abundance of drainage-material generally used ibr Ericas and Epacrises, will never thrive. Young plants, indeed, soon get poor if their roots ramble among potsherds, which are the delight of most heaths : and the drainage should be made sure, with as few crocks as possible. The chief points to be observed in potting Camellias are, to use the compost very rough and lumpy ; to pot them as firm as possible ; to give them very small shifts, for unless they quickly fill the pots with roots, the soil will get sour and water-logged, and it will be impossible for the plants to prosper ; and never to shift at all imless you are sure they require it. Choose new pots of one size larger than those the plants are to be removed from. Soak them in water a few hours, and meanwhile prepare some clean crocks and nodules of charcoal of the size of hazel-nuts. Put over the hole in the pot a good-sized concave piece of tile, or if the pots are large use the smallest- sized unglazed flower-pot saucers inverted, as a foundation. Over this strew a few crocks, then a layer of charcoal, and then some lumps of very fibrous peat, or tough turf that has been stacked some time. Turn outtheplants without breaking the balls,and examine them well to see if the roots are healthy. Beyond removing the old crocks, you will seldom find it necessary to disturb the root in any way; but if the ball is hard, and become impervious to water, slightly loosen it round the sides with a sharp stick, and remove some of the old soil by lowering the ball into a pail of water, and moving it up and down gently till some of it has fallen out. Having got them into the new pots, ram the compost in all round as hard as you can with a thin wooden rammer, but be careful in doing so not to bruise the roots. By this firm system of potting an immense quantity of sod can be got into the pots for the roots to feed upon, and two or three years may elapse before the plants will want shifting again. They cau never 126 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. thrive if potted loosely, or if the stuff they ai'e potted in is in a very fine condition. If the new soil does not take water kindly, stand every one, as soon as potted, in a pail of water full enough to run over the brim of the pot ; after soaking in this way for an hour, the ball will be moistened quite through, and will afterwards take the water whenever it is given. Twice a year we treat all our potted Camellias to such a soaking as this : first when they are housed for the winter, when, having been kept rather dry to harden the wood, the water does not readily pass througli the ball; and again as soon as the buds begin to colour for blooming ; and having found the practice beneficial, we recommend its adoption as a regular feature in seasonal management. It is not at all necessary, however, to defer the repotting until the summer-growtli is completed. If shifted immediately the bloom is over, the warmth given to encourage growth above will also help to fill the pots witli new roots, and the stvengtli of the next bloom will be increased. I certainly pre- fer, as the result of experience, spring to summer shifts ; there is a better balance of action induced between the foliage and the root-fibres, and the buds get swelled without exhaustion of the wood, which must take place when the whole of the growth has to be completed iu the old soil. Soil. — The Camellia will grow in good hazelly loam, in peat, and in leaf-mould, with no other ingi'edient in eitlier case than plenty of silver-sand ; but none of these are sufficient of themselves. The best staple material is old turf from a fat loam, well chopped up and stacked for some mouths to rot. If iueliuiiig to clay all the better, and for lai-ge plants the lumps ought to be not smaller than walnuts. A. mixture of turfy peat and silver-sand, made rather fine, will run in between these lumps, and make a firm material for the roots to work into. Some growers use peat alone, but it is too poor, and needs a little old cow-dung mixed with it. If such fat turf as is advised above cannot be got in the district, I always leave half an incli of spare space on the surface for a mulch of old powdery dung, and when the plants are swelling for bloom, or are put into heat for forcing, I always rake some of this off, and top-dress again with similar powdery stuff of rather a stronger texture, whicli is pressed firm on the sur- face. Thoroughly rotten wood is also a good material to mix with turf and peat, as you will find upon turning a plant out some time after that the new roots liave run into the wood, before they have fairly taken hold of the turf, and as it is a material retentive of moisture, it suits the Camellia admirably ; but if not thoroughly rotten, so as to crumble between the finger and thumb, it will not do. For seedlings and young stocks, good bog-mould freshly dug, and broken rough with the turf adhering, is best, but it should be well mixed with silver-sand, and drainage se- cured by filling the pot one-third full of the most turfy portions. One hollow crock is plenty to use in potting young plants if the lowest layer of soil is of this open and turfy nature. At the next shift, bog should be again llio chief of the staple, with a little fat lumpy turf added ; and at the next shift, the mixture recommended above for old plants. An Oxb Gaedenee. THE CHEMISTEY OP HORTICULTUEE. BY MR. GEEMAN GEEEN. {Mead at a Meeting of the Hast London CJ/i'i/santhemnm Societi/.) Gentlemen, — Iu complying with a re- quest to contribute a paper on the Che- mistry of Horticulture, I feel I have imdertaken a task of some difficulty, considering the extensive nature of the subject, and the limited means in a com- munication of this character at our com- mand. What is the object of Horticulture ? It is to produce iu the most advantageous manner certain qualities, such as size, shape, or colour, in the different varieties of plants we cultivate. This object can only be attained by the application of those substances we know to be indis- pensable to the development of each part of the plant. This knowledge can only be attained by the assistance of Chemistry. What is Chemistry ? Chemistry is that science the object of which is to examine into the composition of the numer'ous modifications of matter, and to investigate the laws which govern them. The ancients supposed that all objects were composed of modifications of four elements, air, THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 127 earth, fii-e, and water. Modern chemists have proved that there are fifty-six distinct simple substances or elements, each pos- sessing distinct characters and properties. Our object being an inquiry into those which enter into the composition of plants, I shall confine myself to these more particularly. First, we have water, one of the most abundant materials in nature ; it forms from one-half to seven- eights of all animal and vegetable matter. It is not an elementary substance, but is composed of two gases, one of which is called hydrogen, from two Greek words meaning water to generate, or water- former ; the other gas is called oxygen, from two words meaning sourness to generate, or acid-former. These two ele- ments unite in the proportion of one part by weight of hydi'ogen, and eight parts by weight of oxygen, forming nine parts of wa- ter. Here wesee an illustrationofalaw which is the most important in chemical investi- gations, namely, that all bodies combine with each other in certain definite propor- tions, wjiich proportions chemists term their equivalent, or combining nmnbers. Thus, hydrogen combines with oxygen in the proportion of one part of hydi'ogen to eigiit parts of oxygen to form nine parts of water ; so one is the equivalent of hydrogen, eiglit the equivalent of oxygen, aud nine the equivalent of water. This law is universal in its ap])lication to the whole range of existing matter. Water at every stage of vegetable life performs an important part, as by its means most of those substances which form the food or nutriment of the plant are dissolved or rendered fit for the growth of the plant. In fact, it is an axiom which admits of no exception, that all substances to enter into combina- tion with, or to be assimilated, by either plants or animals must be in a liquid state. The next element which enters into the compositiooi of plants is carbon. Carbon exists in natui-e in a perfectly pure state in the form of the mineral called diamond. It forms a large portion of all vegetable matter. If any part of a plant be heated in a close vessel, it gives off water and other substances, and a black mass is left behind, which we call carbon or charcoal. It is important that we should clearly un- derstand what is the source of carbon. It must have struck you as a mysterious fact when gazing on the gigantic oak, that it has grown from the small acorn. You may have asked whence this enormous accumulation of matter! The acorn, planted perhaps an hundred years ago, is found to have accumulated fi'om four to five tons of solid matter. The soil is the same as when planted ; that is, we can trace no apparent loss. Whence, then, is it derived ? From the atmosphere. This leads us to consider what are the consti- tuents of the atmosphere, and in what manner it supplies the carbon to plants. The air, or atmosphere, is a transparent, invisible substance, without taste or smell. Viewed in masses, it possesses a slight blue colour ; the beautiful blue tint that per- vades the distant objects in a landscape and the sky are due to the colour of the air. The atmosphere is composed of two gases, oxygen and nitrogen ; 100 parts by weight of air containing 23.3 of oxygen and 76.7 of nitrogen. Besides these, the air always contains a small quantity of carbonic acid, ammonia, and water. The quantity of carbonic acid varies slightly, but the usual quantity is one part in 3000 jjarts of air. It is this substance or gas that i'ui'nishes plants with carbon. Carbonic acid is composed of carbon and oxygen, united in the proportions of six parts of carbon and sixteen of oxygen. It is formed during respiration in all animals ; in the combustion or burning of any substances containing carbon, such as coal, wood, or almost all materials that burn ; in the fer- mentation of beei', bread, and wine it is also formed largely ; it gives the shai'p, agreeable taste to champagne and other refreshing beverages we drink ; water dis- solves a large quantity of this gas ; it gives the peculiar briskness to spring water, and renders it hard, as it is called. If we place a piece of caudle, or any material that contains carbon, in a bottle and light it, we shall find, after having corked it up to prevent a fresh supply of air, that in a few minutes the light will go out ; it will have decomposed all the air in the bottle, the carbon having united with the oxygen iu the bottle, and formed carbonic acid. The same would take place if we put an animal in the place of the burning candle, as the animal would consume the oxygen in the aii* iu the process of respira- tion. After a short time the animal would die, in the same manner as the candle went out, there being no longer oxygen enough to support respiration. The quan- tity of carbon consumed varies much with the climate and the kind of food, but a healthy man consumes in England from ten to thirteen ounces daily ; so we see that a man exhales from thirty-five to forty-five ounces of carbonic acid daily. That this is 128 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. a l\icfc we can easily show : if you breathe through a tube or pipe, so that the air as it leaves the lungs passes through a solution of lime, it will render it milky or turbid from the formation of carbonate of lime. The solution of lime is a very good test for the presence of this substance, as it always renders the clear solution milky, as I have shown. Carbonic acid gas is much heavier than atmospheric air, hence it sometimes accu- mulates in wells and other places, where the stagnant condition of tlie air allows it. If we examine the leaf of a plant, we shall find it covered with minute pores or mouths, through which it absorbs this gas and other substances necessary for its de- velopment. The number of these pores is wonderful ; on a single square inch of the lilac as many as 120,000 have been counted, and the rapidity with which they act is so great, that a thin current of air in passing over the leaves of an actively growing plant is instantly deprived of the carbonic acid it contains. We thus see that it is no longer a wonder tliat the oak, with from live to ten millions of leaves, is capable of secreting so large an amount of carbon ne- cessary for its growth. But plants not only absorb carbonic acid, but decompose it. The manner in which this is done is not yet known, but the fact is certain, that for every twenty-two pounds of carbonic acid absorbed by the plant sixteen pounds of pure oxygen is given off. So we see a most beautiful arrangement, that what is rendered unfit for man and all animal life, is restored to its pure condition, and fitted to be again inhaled, by the action of the leaves of plants. But it may be asked how do plants derive their carbon which have no leaves or foliage, such as bulbs ? or in the case of seeds, how do they derive their carbon ? Tliis is easily explained. In the bulb of a tulip or hyacinth we have an accumulation of food, which supplies it with nutriment till it can derive it from the foliage. In the other case of seed, we know that most seeds contain a large portion of starch, which is rendered fit for the nutrition of the embryo plant by a substance called by chemists dextrine, which has the pro- perty of changing the starch of seeds to sugar. We know that this is applied in the process of malting. The starch con- tained in the barley is converted into sugar by allowing the barley to lie in heaps till, with tlie aid of moisture and heat, it begins to gei'minate. It is then dried in kilns, which prevents its further growth. We thus see a beautiful ar- rangement by which the starch, which of itself is insoluble, and therefore not fit to nourish the plant, is rendered soluble when the growth of the embryo requires it. But there are other elements in plants besides carbon and water : all plants bear- ing seeds or flowers contain nitrogen. This gas is, as we have said before, one of the constituents of the atmosphere : but it does not appear from recent researches that the nitrogen of plants is derived from that source, but from a substance which exists in the atmosphere called ammonia. But in horticulture we require an increased supply of food, as in the increase of the flowers we must have an increase in the materials which form them. Ammonia is derived from the decomposition of all animal matter ; the duug and urine of all animals contain it in large quantities ; other substances also yield large quantities, such as the salts of ammonia, soot. The proportion of ammonia contained in 1000 parts of each of those substances may be definitely ascertained. In a free state, ammonia is a gas, invi- sible and colourless, but possessed of a powerful, irritating smell. In its pure state it is so powerful as to be injurious and destructive to life. It is extremely volatile, as it flies off" as soon as produced. Tlie liquid sold as spirits of hartshorn is ammonia dissolved in water. Ammonia unites with most acids, forming salts, as carbonate of ammonia, or smelling salts, a substance much used in the manufacture of bread and biscuits. With hydrochloric acid it forms hydrochlorate of ammonia, or sal ammoniac, a very powerful and useful fertilizer. With nitric acid it forms nitrate of ammonia, another equally good manure ; and witli sulphuric acid it forms the sulphate of ammonia : each of these have been applied with great success as means of supplying ammonia to plants. Ammonia cannot be applied in its pure state as a manure, on account of its ex- treme volatility, as it would, if applied in that state, quickly evaporate in the air, and be lost ; to avoid this loss in dung heaps or reservoirs of urine, or any materials generating ammonia, it is desirable to fix it, as it is termed. This is easily done by the addition of any cheap mineral acid, such as sulphuric or hydrochloric acid, which unites with it, and forms salts which are more stable or fixed in their character. Lime decomposes all the salts of ammonia, combining with the acid they contain, and liberating the free ammonia ; therefore lime or lime water ought not to be applied at the same time as any manure containing THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 129 ammonia. It is from neglect of this prin- ciple that failures in the application of these manures are to be attributed, as not only is the ammonia lost, but the plant is very frequently killed by the sudden libe- ration of strong ammonia, which is in its pure state fatal to most plants. But we have other substances which con- tain ammonia, and which are equally valuable as manures. Soot is one of them. Soot contains from 2i to 4 per cent, of ammonia. The best method of applying it is to mix the soot in a tub with water, and to filter it before applying it to the plant. It is a very useful manure, one which is no expense, and may be applied with safety. Tlie ammonia in soot is mostly in the form of sulphate of ammonia. As before stated, the urine of man, and other animals, contains ammonia ; that of man contains the most ; 1000 parts of which contains thirty to thirty-five of ammonia ; that of the horse, fifteen ; the cow, nine ; sheep, seventeen ; and the pig, four parts only. The dung of most animals contains less than the urine, as in the horse, 1000 parts contain only seven parts of ammonia; in the cow, four ; in the sheep, nine ; in the pig, one part only in 1000. The dung of all birds contains a very large amount of nitrogen. This is easily explained from the fact that, owing to the peculiar orga- nization, the urine and dung are evacuated together, so that the dung contains all the ammonia. Guano is a very good sample of the dung of birds ; it contains from 15 to 20 per cent, of ammonia : so we see the great caution necessary in using so powerful a fertiUzer as bird-dung or guano. In applying hydrochlorate or any of the salts of ammonia, it is necessary to use it with caution ; a quarter of an ounce to a gallon of water is a good proportion for most plants. Some will bear it a little stronger. If we burn a plant in the air, or in any manner so as to decompose it entirely, we have left a small residue of white ash. This is familiar to all ; we know that in a fire composed of wood we get a considei-able portion left which we call ashes, which if we collect we shall find to be principally potash and lime. In countries where wood is abundant and of little value, as in America and Russia, large quantities are burned for the sake of the potash, which is purified, and comes into the market as pearlash, or, more properly speaking, car- bonate of potash. Potash is not an ele- ment, but a compound substance, com- posed of a metal, potassium, and oxygen. Potassium was discovered by Sir Humphry Davy. It is one of the lightest metals we have ; it is lighter than water, therefore it will float on water. It is remarkable for its affinity for oxygen ; it cannot be kept exposed in the air an instant without becoming covered with rust or oxide ; it is, therefore, kept in a liquid which con- tains no oxygen, and so preserved from uniting with the oxygen of the air. If we take a small piece, and throw it on water, it will decompose the water, uniting with the oxygen, and forming potash, which will be left in the water ; the other element, hydrogen, will take fire, owing to the great heat given off by the potassium in combining with the oxygen. The quan- tity of potash contained in plants varies much, according to the variety or species to which they belong, some (as tobacco, for instance), if burned, yield large quantities, which, if applied as a top dressing, or mixed with water as liquid manure, has been applied with great success as a source of potash. Potash is found in most loamy soils, varying from one to ten parts in 1000 of the soil. The principal source of potash in the soil is the mineral felspar, which contains 16 per cent, of potash. EUSTIC BASKETS. BY SHIULET HIDBEED. When wilting " Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste," I was not content with such rustic- work as I myself possessed for purposes of illustration and criticism, but visited many places where it is judiciously displayed, and also many of the manufac- turers. Nowhere did I see such excellent examples as in the yard of Mr, Curry, at Brook Street, Upper Clapton ; and folks fond of rustic-work, and all growera of hardy ferns, should manage just now to drop in there, and see the many excellent examples which Mr. Curry has of summer- houses, garden-seats, baskets, and root- stumps of various kinds of bark and timber, rough and polished. "What principally puts one's patience out of joint in regard to such things, is the injudicious Avay in which many people, who ought to know better, use them. A single bark-basket on 130 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND CIARDEN GUIDE. a terrace, or surrounded with sculpture, or even very simple stone-'ivork, will ire- quently reduce to vulgarity the entire scene ; but on a lawn, dotted M'ith trees, and surrounded b}'^ mixed beds and borders, they add very much to the general charm, both in their forms as specimens of a pecu- liar kind of art, as also because they lift the flowers to the level of the eye. This last feature should give the key to plant- ing thom. Whatever looks best when viewed horizontally is more suited for them than flowers which you need to look down upon. Thus fuchsias never look so charm- ing as when elevated; but verbenas, having fiat trusses, are seen to better advantage when pegged close to the ground. For the At the same time we were lumbered up in the potting-shed with a lot of large shallow baskets, in which shrubs and other stock had been sent up from Bagshot by Mr. Standish, and I cast my eye on these with a determination to use them for my purpose. We went to work instanter, hunted up root-stumps and logs to make legs for the baskets ; then made the baskets ready by winding round some of them a length of stout scaifold-rope ; others, which had a good-looking pattern in the difierent colours of wicker, we merely cleaned, and left as they were. To have planted in such things would have been a folly. We made the most of our pot-plants, and hid the pots with moss, and, as a finish, cut a lot of ivy, same reason as verbenas and petunias are about the worst of gay things for the pur- pose, geraniums, calceolarias, cupheas, and trailing plants, are the best. But the fact is, anything in the way of summer flowers can be used in rustic baskets if the colours and forms are well balanced, and they may be managed on the principle of the bedding system, taking the boldest and brightest eifects as preferable to any refined attempts at shading. I never knew till last summer how easily and cheaply such things as rustic baskets could be extempo- rized. On a certain day I wanted my garden dressed rather extravagantly, and I had a lot of surplus bedding-stock in frames, and quantities of ferns in pots, etc, and bound it round the edges of the bas- kets. The scheme answei-ed so well, and elicited so much admiration, that a few days after I had two of the baskets sketched, and liere they are, one stocked with pot-fei-ns, edged with pots of varie- gated mint, variegated ivies, the very pretty Linaria cymbalaria, variegated ground ivy, and green and variegated peri- winkles. The beauty of the ferns would have been marred if gay colours had been mixed with them. The other onewasfigured, not so much because of the planting, which was a mixture, as for the pretty appear- ance the basket itself presented, with a rope to give the edge a finish. The plants were thrust in with very little attempt at THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 131 arrangement, and somehow a tuft of Pha- laria in a pot, that had no business in the frame the others were taken from, got mixed with them, and gave the affair quite an odd appearance. Otherwise most of the plants were from newly-struck cuttings thrown aside when the bedding-out took place; but being packed close together with a bit of bloom on most of them, and the moss forming a lively green surface, they had a really chai-ming appearance. When the event had passed by for which they were used, I retained a few as ornaments for the rest of the season. One was filled with Tom Thumb's Bride Gera- nium, which I shall never use again for bedding. They were spring plnuta in sixty deep, inside measure. Whoever wants elegant trailers should procure this senecio ; it will not be likely to flower, but it grows at a mosti'apid rate, and is the most chaste and cheerful of all the trailers I know to dangle from a basket, whether of bark or wire. The foliage is of the shape of English ivy, of a waxen lustre, and in- tensely bright green, and its ringlets of verdure take the most graceful forms ima- ginable. Another basket was filled with Calceolaria aurea floribunda, edged with Leptodactylon Californicum, but the edging would not show well when the basket was lifted up, so that was placed only a foot above the level of the turf. People who are buying such furniture ^44^ pots, packed as close as possible, and round them variegated mint, also in sixty pots, with a plant of Imperatrice Elizabeth Ver- bena at each of the handles. This was placed on a low block of wood near the path at a turn on to the lawn, and had a very cheerful look. Another I filled with Tom Thumb, edged all round with potted plants of that Senecio mickaniiB which Mr. Thompson sent out last year. I had one of Mr. Thompson, for which I paid two shillings. I took off' the top joint, and struck it in heat, then struck the side- shoots, and in time got half-a-dozen strong plants, which were placed at eighteen inches apart all round, the basket mea- suring three feet across by nine inches should, if possible, first see Mr. Curry's stock, for there is no collection in London to equal it, and I know of no other man skilled in the manufacture who possesses so genuine a taste for such things. In plant- ing baskets, all sorts of odds and ends may be worked up, but the best effects are produced with the fewest colours. The crimson-flowered ivy-leaf geranium makes a splendid basket, at a foot apart all round, and six inches from the edge to trail over, with a dot of calceolaria in the middle. Tropteolum canarieuse does well, but its base must be hidden by some large leaved plant that will spread over its roots, for it always gets shabby near the soil. Purple verbenas make a good centre to it , 132 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. or any of the dark fuchsias. My favourite fuchsia for single pots suspended in wire is Sir AVilliam Middleton, but Banks's Glory trains down well, and so docs Nil Des- perandum. For centres to large baskets, try Fair Oriana, with a circle of Bopeep, and Coeur de Leon for an edge. The Tom Thumb Tropscolum will bo tried here in an extemporised basket made from a piece sawn off a cask, which we have lately sunk for a muck pit. The cask is fitted with a cover, and a door to keep the muck out of sight, and we had to saw off a depth of nine inches before it was pitched. This measures three feet across, and with a bit of planking for a bottom, and a stump to stand on, will be furnished with the Tro- paeolum edged with Senecio niickanias, and not an inch of the wood will be visible. Heliotropes, Zauchneria Californica, Ne- mophila insignia, geraniums of all kinds, verbenas, if trained down round the edge, Maurandyas, and Lophospermums, blue Lobelias, and hardy variegated leaved plants are the best for ordinary use in bas- kets, but nothing comes amiss in them, if bold in character or of trailing habit ; but take care if you put a strong growing trailer on one side, that you put one of the same, or of similar strength to balance it, on the other, or, when in full feather, the basket will look like a pig with one ear. Of course in properly made timber baskets the plants are best turned out into good potting compost, with a layer of moss over the drainage, but an empty pot may be sunk in the centre, into which to introduce a good specimen plant, which may be re- moved, and its place supplied by another, when past its prime. Those who wish to try their hands at rustic work, and the use of pine cones, should consult the excellent book by our very practical contributor, Mr. H. Howlett. It is entitled " Practical Rustic Work," and is published by Messrs. Jarrold and Sons, of St. Paul's Churchyard, London, and London Street, Norwich. It is illustrated with excellent examples. CULTIVATION OP THE CINEEAEIA. BY JAMES HOLLAND, GARDENER TO E. W. PEAKE, ESQ., HOUNSLOW. This gay and interesting spring flower is fast becoming a favourite at the principal spring shows, and is to be found in every well-kept greenhouse and conservatory, and well it deserves a place in any collec- tion. The attention of late given to its cultivation has been productive of re- markable results ; the well-furnished, regularly grown, and gay plant of 1859 is a totally different thing to the meagre, staring plant of the year 1850, and to this great advance we owe much to Mr. Turner, of Slough, who grows them to a consider- able extent. I may refer also to Mr. Smith, of Dulwich, who, during the last two years, has made a great stride in rich- ness and purity of colour, although the plants may be delicate in habit. As the leading kinds have been several times suc- cessfully exhibited, the work of selection to improve the stock should have immediate attention. A few of the 1859 seedlings that have been exhibited will not be at- tainable until autumn ; but enough of those of 1858 may be had, such as Mrs. Livingstone, Mrs. Dix, Wonderful, Per- fection, Purpui'ea, Editor, Mars, and Sultan. Although the three first-named are all in one way of colour, yet each has its own particular qualities. If they can be got in large GO-size pots, or 48's, so much the better, as they generally throw up stronger for stock than those grown in larger pots. Let me give a few hints on culture, for the information of the inex- perienced. Suppose a purchase to have been made in 60's, or 48 size pots, the flower and stem ready to decay, pot on into one size larger, and place them behind a south wall, upon a bed of coal ashes, or upon slabs or slates, as a preventive to worms and slugs ; they will soon begin to start into growth if the extremes of damp and dryness be avoided, for an excess in either will speak for itself in the cultiva- tion of the plant. When the grass (as it is called) becomes two or three joints long, it is fit for striking. They should be taken off a little below ground, to secure the fibrous joint which is found below the surface, and place round the edges of a pot, in a compost of half loam, quarter leaf-mould, quarter decomposed manure, and sufficient sand to take tlie water through. Pot them into a cold and shady handlight until struck, which, if in a healthy condition, will be in about three weeks. Then harden them off gradually, and pot off into 60-size pots, still keeping in the shade. I propose, hereafter, to give the treatment of the young stock, beginning with the cutting, remarking that a first-class flower is as easy to grow as a worthless variety. THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 133 BITTEE ALOES. I HAVE tried bitter aloes for greon fly and found it answer. Tlie best plan of applying it to greenhouse plants is by a camel's hair pencil to each leaf, as it is the vnder side of the leaves which is most in- fested, and by syringing the plants are disfigured, both in flower and foliage ; but to the standard roses in my garden I shall apply it by the syringe. jane k. m. [We have tried it in the proportion of half an ounce to the gallon to peaches and roses with the best result. If washed ofl" the fly soon appears again.] THE CLIMATE OF TOEQUAT. The plants, of which specimens are sent herewith, have been out for three or four years without any shelter from the frost. I have been waiting, hoping the Habroth- amnus would be in bloom, which has also been out two winters, but covered with matting on cold nights ; but it is not yet in bloom, so I pick a piece from the green- house of the same. This shows what our seasons are, and what may be done here, if plants can be sheltered from the wind. The plants sent are : — Clianthus pu- niceus, ten feet high (?) against the wall ; Acacia armata, three feet high, near a wall ; Acacia — , about three feet high, not at all a useful plant in or out, as it appears to me ; Bottlebrush, five feet high ; Beau- fortia splendcns. Torquay, May 17. A. B. S. The specimens arrived in beautiful condition without moss, loosely laid to- gether in a card-box. They are instruc- tive examples of the truly Italian climate of the south-west coast of Britain, and they are also evidences of good culture, and in every way a credit to our corres- pondent. The Acacia is an unattractive kind with which we are not acquainted. COTTAGE ARCHITECTUEE AN'D ADOENMENTS. It has been remarked that man made the town, but God made the country. Pro- vidence has ordained that you should re- side amid the beauties of creation. The book of nature is unfolded to your view, wherein you may read in legible characters her wondrous laws. You are surrounded by a vast museum, furnished with every object that can administer to your com- fort and delight. The dew-drop which glitters on the thorn, the fish which cleaves with nimble fins the yielding waters, the feathered songster which warbles on the spray, the beast that labours with you in the field, or furnishes you with food, the flower, or herb, which adorns your hedge- rows, the gorgeously-painted butterfly, the buzzing insect, nay, even the constituents of the land you cultivate, will afford themes for profitable meditation and in- struction. When a foreigner visits old England, he is not so much impressed with its national monuments and public buildings as he is with its park-like scenery, and the emerald verdure of its lawns and pastures. Those charming little cottages which are 80 often seen nestled in the woody dingle, or the deep romantic glen, the rocky valley, or the wide, the rich, the fascinating vale, also excite his particular attention. These unpretending buildings, whose whitened walls so harmoniously contrast with the surrounding dark green foliage, not only associate the ideas of rural comfort, peace- ful enjoyment, cheerful industry, robust health, and tranquil happiness, but form one of the most interesting features of the English landscape. Home is a household word, perhaps bet- ter understood in this country than in any other. To render our cottage homes still more picturesque at a small outlay is a desideratum which most of the readers of the Flokal World would hail with plea- sure, if not use their efforts to forward. This might be effected, if the talented cor- respondents of this interesting sei'ial would furnish sketches of some of those neat little cottages, with their rural adorn- ments, which are so profusely scattered over our highly-favoured country. Mr. Shirley Hibberd, in his excellent work, " Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste," has given us practical directions ; but as his remarks relate more especially to the Terme Ornee, and the price of the book excludes it from the library of the 134 THE FLOKAL WOELD AND (>ARt)EN GUIDE. cottager, a series of papers imder the re- visiou of so able a hand would be i-eceived with pleasure. In selecting a site for a residence, you must consider that health is a primary object to be attained, therefore, avoid a damp situation. The vicinity of marshy and stagnant water is a very injurious site for a dwelling, for, independent of the malaria which issues from these waters, especially in summer, they create an atmo- spheric dampness, which is a great source of epidemical disease, besides which, an injury will be committed on your furniture and wearing apparel. Near Ongar, in Essex, there is a little cottage, which, the proprietor informs us, cost him imder £10. " It is a building three rooms in length, erected on a spare nook, which could not be well turned to any other profitable purpose. The walls are built of 'clay lumps,' that is, clay worked in the same manner as for bricks, moulded into lumps twenty-seven inches long, seven deep, and ten wide, aud well dried in the sun in the heat of summer. These are laid, just as if building with bi'icks and moitar, and when, plastered over on both sides, form a wall exceedingly hard and firni, which no cold or damp can pene- Tlie best aspect for the front of a dwelling is south, or south-east, and the cellar, pantry, or dairy, should have a northern aspect. See that you have also every facility for obtaining good water. In Erecting a cottage you must, of course, be guided by yonr mcaus. If very limited, a slab-hut may suffice. Slab-huts are built of wood, or thin boards ; a frame is made, and the slabs are nailed to a wall plate at the top, and fastened to a sleeper laid on the surface of tlie crrouhd. Sucli houses are quickly madt>, cheap, and com- fortable. The covering m ly b ; either thalch or shingle, or, in lieu of tliat, prepared felt which is only one penny per square foot. Irate. Tlie roof is shaped with poles, ciit from a wood on the larra, the place of thatch-laths being supplied with strong sticks, over this an excellent coating of thatch is neatly laid, and the inside is plastered and wliitewashed. The windows are formed of large panes, a bar passing down the centre, and the transverse sup- ports of tlie glass are of lead, so that the expense of a regular window-frame is saved. The floor is composed of a sort of concrete made of the biick earth and fiiie sand, anl tlie cliimney contaujs a cosy enclosed corner for the libourcr. Ah extra window in the shape of a crOss, studded with fragments of coloured glass, has been introduced by the taste of the THE FiiOEAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. lais ai'chitect into the end of the bed-room, and answers the double purpose of fur- nishing hght and ornament. The whole length of the building is 32 feet, width 12 feet, height of walls inside about 8 feet, and to the cauopy of the ronf 11 feet. The size of the sleeping-room is 10 feet by 12 feet ; bed-i-oom, 11 feet by 10 feet ; kitchen, 9 feet by 10 fset. We come now to the actual cost. Making 300 clay lumps, at 3?. 6d. per hundred, £1 8s. ; laying ditto, at 2s. 6d. per hundred, £1 ; thatching, £1 16s. ; glass for windows, 6s. 6d. ; glazing, and putty, 5s. ; wood for doors, and making doors and window- frames, £1 !■>'. ; rough wood for rafters Roman ochre. The architraves to be merely chamfered on each edge, to cor- respond with the skirting and panelling of the rooms. The door-skirting, and other wood-woi'k inside, may be stained with Stephens' oak stain (asphaltum dissolved in alcohol), or by applying umber dissolved in beer, and afterwards well sizing and varnishing. I have enclosed two views of a picturesque little cottage atHaudsworth near Birmingham. The one sketch shows the front of the cottage. The roof of thatch projects over, supported by posts and rustic wood-woi'k. On each side of the entrance is a light trellis of wood for the purpose of trailing flowers. The and tliatchiiig, lO.y. ; rails, and forming i roof, 12s. ; claying and whitewashing, ; £1 ; chimnev-pots, 12.s. ; making a total I of £8 lO.y. G(^." I An irregular style of architecture is ■ now generally adopted for English cottages. In the old style the buildings should be constructed with framed quarterings, pro- perly and securely fixed upon, or let into a stone plinth, brick nogging being intro- duced between the quarterings. The in- side to be properly plastered, and t,he outside between the quarterings also plas- tered and rough-cast ; the whole of the timbers are to be coloured, in imitation of oak, with a composition of coal-tar and second sketch shows the end of the same cottage, with tlie pantry and wash-house. The iron window-cases might be filled with coloui'ed glass at a trifling expense. Rockery, and other ornaments, adorn the entrance. As I perceive that I shall take up too much of your valuable space, I must conclude. Willia:*! Haeeis, Swiss Cottage, Birchfield, Birmiiit/ham. [We are too apt to forget the wants of the poor man iu our plans of construc- tion and decoration, — why should not the labourer's home be a " Home of Taste," commensurate with his means and desires.] 136 THE FLORAL WORLD AND QARDEN GUIDE. DAHLIA CTJLTUEE. " Having got the first lot of plants with names aud colours, arrange them so tliat no two colours of the same class come to- gether. Put violet nest yellow, purple next orange, aud white to relieve any colour as to the contrast for which you may be in doubt. The arrangement of dahlias is of more importance than the arrangement of any class of flowers, be- cause of their boldness of colour, and tlie extent to which those colours may be heightened by proper contrasts. The bor- der or bed for dahlias should be of good hazelly loam, abundantly manured, and should be prepared long before the plants are put out,in just the same way as directed for hollyhocks. Before planting, which should be done when the ground is mo- derately dry, tread the earth firm, then press the pot down into the place where the plant is to be, and if you can make a place to receiye the plant without using a trowel, all the better ; if not, take out a little earth with a trowel and plunge the pot to the rim, and bed it in firmly. Then take the pot out of the hole, into which it has thus been made to fit, turn it upside- down and give the edge a slight tap on the barrow, and the ball will come out clean, and may be turned over into the hole without damaging a single fibre. This is the best way of turning every kind of plant out of a pot, but is particularly to be recommended in planting dahlias, because of the tenderness of their roots when young. Whatever the kind of soil in which dahlias are planted, it must be well ma- nured— a good spadeful of rotten dung to every plant, and another spadeful on the surface to keep the roots moist. I use none but iron stakes for dahlias, holly- hocks, etc. ; they are neater, cleaner, and last for ever, if their feet are brushed over with melted pitch, and the remainder of the rods painted. If wood stakes are used they should be of oak, and it is best to place three to each plant, and tie out the branches to them so as to form a round bush with a good head, and the flowers regularly displayed all over it. Plenty of water must be given all through the sum- mer, and in rainy weather it will strengthen the blooms to give a little liquid manure. Only one stem should be allowed to a plant, and any ill-placed side shoots or rank superfluous growths should be cut cleau away to the base. Plants that bloom too profusely should be thinned of their buds to get finer blooms; this is a very necessary practice where dahlias are to be cut for show, or where the highest per- fections of a choice sort are to be fully brought out. The dahlia is a robust grower, aud rarely fails to reward the painstaking cultivator. It is not much given to green fly or thrips, but earwigs devastate its foliage and bloom-buds to a terrible extent, if allowed to gain the ascendancy. These vermin, however, may be trapped with the greatest ease, for they feed at night, and on the return of day- light take shelter in any neighbouring cre- vice. Hence a flower-pot stuffed full of hay or moss and mounted on a stake, is a very efi'ectual trap ; but better still, cut bean- stalks into six-inch lengtlis and thrust them into the middle of the plants over night, and early in the morning take them out and blow the earwigs into a pot of salt and water. Crab-shells, lobster-claws, and other ill-looking devices, are used in cot- tage gardens ; but they spoil the beauty of the garden, and it would almost be better to let the earwigs eat up the dahlias root and branch than trap them with such deformities. There is an excellent imple- ment, known as '* Edwards's Earwig Trap," made by Edwards, of Paul's Square, Bir- mingham, which every dahlia grower should use in preference to the rude traps which BO disfigure a garden. As soon as dahlias die down in autumn — and the first frost will turn them black and bring their glory to an end — cut them clean over to the ground, aud lift the roots carefully with a fork. Take them up with- out bruising the fleshy tubers, and at once attach tallies to them, to prevent mistakes at next season's planting, aud lay them in some spare dry corner with a little earth over them for a few days. Then shake off" the mould and lay the roots in shal- low baskets, and store away anywhere out of reach of frost or damp. The least touch of frost will kill them, and damp, for any length of time, will cause them to turn mouldy and rot. At attic is an excellent store-room. The dahlia is of precisely the same constitution as a potato ; every eye on the tuber will make a plant, and tubers cut so as to leave one eye to each piece may be planted at the end of April or early in May, and will throw up a stem and make a good plant. But the usual way is to get them forward in heat, so as, by having plenty of roots and a stem alreadj formed before they are planted out, to get them earlier in bloom. Hard-eyed sorts never bloom well in London. — Town Gar^ den, 2nd edition THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 137 FLORISTS' FLOWEES AKD XEW PLANTS. NEW GERANIUMS. BEADTT. This is a valuable addition to tlie class of white-leaved geraniums, suited for bed- ding, and especially valuable in ribbon work and for masses in geometric planting. We saw tlie whole stock lately when visiting the nursery of Wm. Cutbusli and Son, at Highgate, by whom it is sent out, and were well satisfied of its high merit. The foliage is of a bright green with broad margin of pure white, the flowers light scarlet, in good compact trusses. The habit is robust, and it is reported as very easily kept over winter. It has been tested as a bedder with the most satisfactory results. [Price 2s. 6cl. each, or 21s. per dozen.] IMPERIAL CRIMSOX (BEATON.) Messrs. E. and G. Henderson and Son, of St. John's Wood, are sending out, for the first time, two very novel geraniums, raised by Mr. Beaton, of Sm-bitou. They are both of the "Nosegay" section, but witli none of tlie leanness of habit, which has been a standing objection to the general use of that I section. These are well adapted for beJ- I ding, and for groups in vases, and are essen- tially novel in their colouring and character. Imperial Crimson is of dwarf compact habit ; the foliage of a tliin silken character, and the well-produced trusses of brilliant carmine crimson are well held up and produced throughout the season. We believe this will soon become a great favourite for bed- ding and pot culture. [Price 3i-. Gd. each,] MODEL KOSEGAT (bEATOn). This is essentially a bedder, and the re- sult of a long series of experiments in hv- bridizing, in which the breeder has, at last, been well rewarded. It grows a trifle taller than Imperial Crimson, and is rather less comj^act in habit. The foliage is of a deep green with a zone of a darker tint faintly showing through it. The trusses are open and spreading, and the colour of the blooms a blending of pink and carmine, and suitable to give a distinct sliade to harmonize othei degrees of crimson and scarlet. It is very enduring. [Price 2^. 6d. each.] SELECTIOX OE HAEDY HEEEACEOITS BOEDER FLOWEES. !>Bell-flowev To be sown during May, June, and July, to bloom next subjects marked thus * (Cotitinued from 2}cif/e lOS.) Bidens ferulte folia,* has very fine foliage Cacalia alpina ,, suaveolens Calliopsis Ackermanni Campanula Carpatica* ~ ,, ,, alba* ,, grandis „ persicifolia „ pumila * „ pumila alba * ,, rotundifolia alba* „ tracheliam fl. pi.... ;, „ fl. alba pi. { „ pyramidalis * J „ medium ") Canterbury fl.pl. ...) Bell Catananclie coerulea „ bicolor Centaurea elongata -\ „ macrocephala [ Centaury „ montana ) Chelone barbata Cineraria lobata Corydali3 glauca * „ lutea * Cistus gut tatus * ^ „ tuberaria * I „ albidus* .'. }> Rock Rose ,, Monspeliensis * I „ salvisefolius * J season. Particularly choice ight. Coloiu'. Begin to bloom. u.. . Yellow .. July. 2 . Purple .. July. 6 .. . V\'hito .. August 3 . . Yellow .. Jidy. 1 . Blue .. June. J- . White .. June. u.. . Pale blue .. June. 2 . Blue .. July. . Blue .. June. . White .. June. 1 . AVhite .. June. 2i.. . Blue .. June. 2i.. . White .. June. 3 ., . Blue ,. June. 2 ,. W.,blue & lilac . .. June. 4 .. Blue .. August 3 .. White & blue . .. August 3 .. Purple .. June. 3 .. Yellow .. June. U.. Blue .. June. 2 .. Scarlet .. July. 2 .. Yellow .. July. 1 .. Yellow & pur. . . July. 2. Various . July. 1 Various .. Jime 2 .. Yellow . July. 2 .. . Pale purple . June. 2 , . White .. June. 2 .. . White .. June. a li 13d THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. Chrysanthemum carueum* Clematis erecta „ integrifolia „ ochroleuca Crucianella stylosa * 5, sviaveoleus Cyclamen hederasfoliiim Virgin's Bower Crosswort Delphinium azureum * J, Donkelaari ,, elatium fl. p] „ grandiflorum „ formosum * 5, sinense* „ pictum „ Hendersoui * Dianthus atrorubens 5, Dunnettii „ caryophyllus (earn.) 5, crueutu3 * „ deltoides * „ plumarius j „ superbus * \ „ „ nanus *... j „ splendens J Digitalis aurca 1 „ ferruginca j „ grandiflora | „ purpurea superba * . . . y 5, gloxincoides * „ alba „ minor J Dorycnium suffruticosum ) (needs shelter) J Dracocephalum canescens ? „ Ruyschiauum ^ Echinops spherocephalus „ bannaticiis Epilobium hirsutum "( „ Himalayaensis ) Echium Lagascanum „ Mertensii „ prostratum Eupatorium corymbosuni „ Fraseri Ivy-leaved Cyclamen Perennial Larkspur Pink Foxglove Height. ... 3 ., ... 3 .. ... 2 .. ... 2 .. ... J Dragon Globe Thistel ' ' Willow herb Vipei''s Bugloss .. 1 ., 3 . 3 , 4 .. 2 . 1 . 14., 1 . 2 . U. Colour. Flesh White Blue Yellow Red & White Yellow Pm-ple Sky Blue Blue Blue Dark Blue Bright Blue Blue Light Blue Blue & White Crimson Crimson Various Dark Red Rose Pink Lilac Various Various Yellow Brown , Lilac & Yellow Purple Various White Purple li... White i... Blue Blue White Blue Purple White Lilac Blue Red Blue White Begiu to bloom. .. Sept. . , June. . . June. .. June. .. July. .. July. . April, ,. June. . . June. , . June. . . June. ., June. .. June. .. June. . . June. .. August . . August .. June. .. June. . . June. .. July. . . August .. August .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. . . July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. .. July. ., July. .. June. .. July. .. July. . . August (i'o he contitmed.) CHEAP GARDEN ENGINE. As economy is the order of the day, the following may be found as efficacious as a £5 engine, at the cost of less than £1 : — Get a barrel that will hold about eighteen gallons ; knock one end out ; place it in an old wheelbarrow-frame, sinlchiff it about half the bai-rel iuto the frame. Purchase a French engine for 12s. Qd. (this will be found exti'a useful, as it ia so portable) ; and the barrow having but one wheel, may go between the beds, in fact, anywhere, and the engine will throw a continuous stream thirty feet. This very simple contrivance (which last dry season I sliould have doiMi/ appre- ciated) will economise time and money. My garden is nearly three acres. The engine I obtained at Deane's, Monument Yard. A Stjbsceiber feom the First. THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 139 HOW TO MAKE CHARCOAL. Cut pieces of ■wood into lengths of two or three feet, and so that they can be packed pretty closely together, and form a heap. This heap may be either placed on the level ground or in a pit ; but in the latter case three or four openings sliould be cut in the sides from the bottom of the pit outwards, in order to admit a little draught "for the ignition of the wood in the first instance. In the centre of the space several long pieces of wood must be fixed, so as to leave an opening for introducing the kindling ; or an opening may be formed by pieces of twelve or fifteen inches in length, two of which arc laid horizontally six inches apart ; two others are then laid at the same dis- tance from each other across the two first, and so on ; thus forming a rough fiue six inches square from the bottom to the top of the heap. Round this billets, faggots, or bundles of wood are closely packed in a nearly upright position. When completed, the heap should be of a round, conical form. The wood may, however, be arranged in the form of a ridge, several openingoi being left for firing. When the pile is com- pleted, it must be covered witl: :arf, which may be further closed by earth or sand, as is found necessary during the process. Where turf cannot be easily procured, old mats, or any other rubbish that will pre- vent the earth from mixing with the wood, will afford a tolerably good substitute. When all is covered except the opening at top, and some holes for air near the bottom, fire is introduced down the central flue. As soon as the heaps are fairly in a blaze, the top must be well closed, and the smoke, but not flame, encouraged to issue as equally as possible from every other portion of the surface by making holes with a pointed stick where smoke does not appear. Some portion of the wood will necessarily be consumed before sufficient heat can be obtained, but that must be disregarded. As soon as the wood becomes heated to 212', the water is given oft' in the form of steam, and the whole mass takes fire readily enough. Great care is then necessary to prevent flame bursting out ; as the heat increases, the openings in the covering must be reduced, and all must be finally closed when the charring is found to be complete. — Gardeners' Chronicle. A CHEAP AND LASTING PAINT FOIl EAILS, GATES, ETC. Two quarts of skim milk, eight ounces' of fresh slaked lime, six ounces of boiled lin- seed oil, two ounces of white Burgundy pitch, dissolved in the oil by a gentle heat. The lime must be slaked in cold water, and dried in the air, until it falls into a fine powder, then mix it with one-fourth part of the milk, adding the oil and pitch (mixed) by degrees. Stir with a wooden spatula, adding the remainder of the milk ; lastly, add three pounds of Spanish white, the whole to be thoroughly mixed. Two coats are necessary, and this quantity is sulRcient for twenty-seven yards twice over. Antwerp green, navy green, or Brunswick green, might be used in lieu of the Spanish white, omitting, or using in a much smaller proportion, the slaked lime. H. C. A HINT ON THE CULTIVATION OF THE VERBENA. BY ME. H. HOWLEXT, OF "WHITTVELL. Thk verbena now occupies so prominent a place amongst the summer beauties of our flower-gardens, that I believe any hint which may renier the preservation of an unlimited stock during the winter months more easy and certain to the amateur gar- dener than that commonly practised, will be acceptable. To that end, let me re- commend the following plan, which I have seen practised by an amateur friend, who I has but a small greenhouse, yet who ma- nages to have his crop of well-swelled grapes, and succession of flowering plants ; besides (with the aid of a slight clung- bed in spring), a capital stock of bedding plants. His plan is at bedding-out time to select two or more plants of each sort, and pot them in five or six-inch pots in good sound loam, wi!h a sprinkling of sand, but no manure. They are then 140 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN aUIDE. plunged in the garden soil, level ■with the rim of the pot, watered and staked as they may require it during the summer, but few flowers are allowed to be produced, and pinching in the shoots to keep the plant compact attended to. In autumn, when frost is expected, they are lifted, gently turned out of the pot to sec if any worms have made their way in, and if so, care- fully removed, when they are again re- turned to the pot, the pot washed, the plant dusted with sulphur to keep down mildew, and placed in a greenhouse, or cold pit or frame until towards spring. They are then put in a warm part of the greenhouse, or warm window, and as soon as they fairly begin to grow, if the dung bed, or other means, is in readiness for striking, cuttings in almost endless numbers may be taken from them, as they will produce several suc- cessive crops of shoots fit for that purpose, and verbena shoots one inch long in spring may be struck to make better plants by May than the generality of autumn struck ones. The foregoing plan is applicable to petunias, ageratums, heliotropes, and most other bedding plants, especially those which throw up freely from the root. FUCHSIAS.— LONDOI^ GARDEKS.- COLOURS. -DESCRIPTIONS OE I WAS gratified to find you had not quite forgotten a list of Fuchsias, which I have been waiting anxiously for. I find I can add but few to those I already possess. With your leave, I will just give you the names, etc., of a few old ones, which should not be discarded yet ; they are all free growers, which many of the new ones are not. This flower appears to yield to the same law of nature as all others, and the nearer it approaches perfection the more tender its constitution becomes. Prince Albert. — Profuse bloomer, ex- cellent habit, finely reflexed. Fet. — Ditto, ditto ; flower not first- rate, but very early, well reflexed. King Charming. — A great bloomer, very early, blue corolla, short flower, well reflexed, like a Turk-cap lily. Splendidisslma. — As a standard for out-door planting, few surpass this; bright Bcarlet-crimson, purple corolla. JjJxquisite. — An excellent one for train- ing against a wall, in or out-doors, for which purpose it must not be starved, but should be grown into several long rods, and spurred back. Clapton Hero. — A fine largo fellow, purple corolla. I use this for suspended baskets, but it will not do to plant any- thing else with it unless in very large bas- kets, it is such a strong grower ; slightly reflexed. Nil Desperaiidnm, — Excellent twiggy habit, polished, w^ell reflexed, deep violet corolla ; one of the best old darks, and scarcely beaten, yet excellent for small susjDended baskets. Volcano di Aqua. — Much the same ; perhaps a trifle better habit. Prince of Wales. — Fine bold flower, well reflexed. XIGHT. Silver Swan. — A very pretty smallish flower, nicely reflexed. Sir R. Peel. — About twelve years old, but good yet ; light tube, salmon-scarlet corolla, blooms by haudsful, and all the winter. Von Wrang. — A pretty little thing, very small. NgmpJi. — A very old one, but still a sweet little thing ; great bloomer. Incomparable. — White, with plum- coloured corolla ; fine bold flower, free grower ; excellent as a standard for out- doors, being very conspicuous from the purity of tlie colour. Duchess of Lancaster. — The best light yet out; pity the tube is long, a fault in all the light (soloui-ed ones ! splendidly re- flexed, and corolla finely expanded, but difficult to grow into large handsome plants. [Yes, and sometimes difficult to keep.] Fair Oriana. — A beauty; the best light with a dark corolla at present in use. Those who are not well acquainted with the many varieties of this flower should take a trip to Kew in August. They grow great quantities, and well too ; but ama- teurs must not expect to compete with them, at least in the shape of the plants ; for to grow them into a pyramidal shape requires that they be kept moving all the winter, which is out of the power of those who have only a greenhouse. For such, perhaps, the best way is to cut down the old plants to three or four inches, and train out six or eight shoots at most, growing the plants in 32's or 48's ; larger bushes being only in the way in email housea. A THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 141 few of the stronger kinds raiglit be made into round-headed standards for out of doors. Venus di Medici is a very hardy one, and may be kept growing in an ordinary house all winter ; and on this amateurs may try their skill at pyramid growing. I am much obliged to a *' iSubscriber from the First," for the information he gives me at page 109. He is not a town gardener, I see ; if he were, he would not talk about making a gay greenhouse with verbenas, mignonette, and nemopliila. Why, in the finest autumn (1857) , I never kept verbenas in bloom after the middle of November ; and as to salvias, it is very little bloom they ever refresh a Londoner's eyes with, blossoming so late as they do. [Because the Londoners treat it badly, or rather neglect it altogether, till it begins to show bloom at the same time as the chrysanthemums.] But citrus and coro- nilla, which he is kind enough to recom- mend, are excellent. These are the kind of things for town gardeners, and which I should be glad to know more of. Veronica Andersonii is a good thing for late autumn blooming ; I have a quantity of cuttings just rooted, taken, from the old plants, would it be possible to flower them this year, and how ? The " Select Greenhouse Plants" is just the thing we want, giving such full infor- mation on all points ; and I am extremely obliged to you, feeling that you have done so chiefly by my request. It has often occurred to mo that we are very badly put to it in describing the co- lours of flowers. In geraniums, for instance, one will call a flower a crimson-lake, and another a rose colour. Whether it arises from colour-blindness, which is said to aff'ect more or less every seventh person, I know not, but would suggest that the in- convenience might be greatly lessened by having a " Standard of Florists' Colours," in the shape of a card, with the various shades of colour painted thereon in the most permanent colours possible, and each shade numbered. The cards to be sold at about 1*. each. Thus, instead of purplish- violet corolla, crimson-scarlet tube, in a fuchsia, which would take one ten minutes to conjure up, we should say — Tube 25, cor. 40; and refennng to our card, seethe flower itself without the form. Thirty or forty shades would be sufficient. M. c. NOTES FOR JII]^E. KITCHEN GAEDEN. Give frequent stirrings of the soil, and abundant waterings, use liquid manure copiously, and clear off all crops that have come to maturity, and fill the vacant spaces with others for succession. Prick out cauliflowers from the seed-bed ; plant celery in trenches well manured, transplant cabbage, kale, brocoli, etc. Any of the cab- bage tribe that have clubbed roots should be dipped in a mixtui-e of lime and soot before planting, and the clubs cut away with a sharp knife. Keep onion beds clean by hand-weeding, and for this purpose, as well as thinning out the beds for salad- ings, a common table-fork will be found to be the best implement. Give onions intended for bulbing frequent soakings of liquid manure, such as house-slops, diluted, and with a little soot added, or guano- water, rather weak. Sow salads, kidney- beans, tiu'nips, broad- beans, and peas, for succession. FEUIT garden. Lay tiles or short grass among straw- berries, to keep the fruit clean. Cut all runners away as fast as they appear, unless new plants are wanted, in -which case plunge pots under the joints. Thin out superfluous shoots on vines, and train any wanted to cover gaps on the wall. Nip back the foreright shoots on wall-trees ; a week afterwards, cut away another two or thi-ee joints; and in another week cut them back to the old wood. Bud plums, and peaches, and apricots. FLOWER OAEDEN. Pinks and carnations may be piped, and seed sown for new stock. Dahlias may still be put out, and so may all kinds of bedding stock. Indeed, June is the sea- son, rather than May, in the climate of London, for general bedding out. Look over roses, and syringe with weak to- bacco-water, if infested with fly ; syringe again with clear water directly, and amou" strong standards play a powerful engine. Plunge pot-plants to prevent exhaustion at the roots. Tulips and hyacinths may be taken up, as the leaves decay. Con- tinue to strike chi-ysanthemums. Sow seeds of greenhouse-plants, and choice subjects for conservatory bloom late in the season ; also annuals for succession. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. GEEENHOUSE. Most of the plants will uow be turned out to harden ; and for decoratmg the beds, borders, windows, etc., surplus plants, after the beds are filled, may be used for jardinieres, to ornament the lawns, etc. Put up shading to prolong the beauty of plants in ilower, and to exclude bees, etc. Cut in any plants that have done blooming ; set pelargoniums out of doors to break, and do not repot till they have made plenty of short shoots. As soon as possible clear out the house for repainting and repairs. Give plenty of water to stove-plants, and air hard-wooded stock freely. New Holland plants should have shifts as required, for they are nov/ gi'owing viororouslv. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Books and Catalogues Eeceived. — " Messrs. E. Gr. Henderson and Sons, Spring List of Plants on Sale at the Wellington iS'urser)', St. John's Wood." A copious selection from the immense stock of this celebrated house, including stove and greenhouse plants, exhibition and bedding stock, miscellaneous border, shrubbery, pro- menade, and rock plants ; novelties in great variety, including new verbenas, chrysanthe- mums, gloxinias, Bouvardias, dahlias, gera- niums, fuchsias, calceolarias, phloxes, be- gonias, achimenes, camellias, etc. Among the subjects of special interest arc three new gera- niums of great beauty, raised by Mr. Beaton, of Surbiton ; a set of nine new fuchsias, raised by Mr. Banks ; a set of twenty-two new verbenas, from the seedlings of Mr. Breeze ; a set of new variegated-leaved geraniums ; a new yellow rose, called Jean Hardy, etc. The catalogue consists of 104 pages, admirably arranged, and priced throughout. — "A Tour Hound my Garden, from the French of M. AJphonse Karr. Koutledice and Co." One of the most deliglitful books for garden reading ever pro- duced ; full of thought, humour, pathos, and eloquence, and too important to be dismissed with a mere acknowledgment of its excellence. — " Moore's Irish Melodies." Edited by Pro- fessor Glover. Duffy and Co., Dublin. This is a splendid quarto edition, with the ntiusic printed on the same pages with the words throughout. As an example of printing, it does the highest credit to Messrs. Collingridgc, of the " City Press," as the editing, etc., prove the spiirit of the publisher. AVe believe it to be the best, and, considering its beauty, the cheapest edition issued. — " Supplement to Catalogue No. 65, of plants grown at the Horticultural Establishment of Arabroise Verschaffelt, Pvue de Chaume, Ghent." Aselectionof the most useful stove, conservatory, and bedding plants, in- cluding many novelties, all priced. The palms, cycads, and new flowering stove plants are entered atvery moderate prices. New petunias, verbenas, and dahlias also figure conspicuously in the list. — " Select Catalogue of Bedding and Border Plants, Climbing Plants, new Verbenas, Petunias, Fuchsias, etc., grown for sale by Edwin Cooling, Mile Ash Nurseries, Derby." Independent of tlie cxctUence of this selection, including all the best decorative, bedding, and furnishing plants, entered at very reasonable prices, this catalogue gives the heights and colours, which will be a great assistance to amateurs in choosing sorts, and help them to make their arrangements with greater pre- cision as to minute distinctions of species and varieties. — " General Catalogue of Plants and Trees offered by Milne, Arnott, and Co , Wands- worth-road, London, S." A verv full and ad- mirably arranged list of achiaienes, azaleas, cameUias, chrysanthemums, ferns, geraniums, fruit trees, stove and greenhouse plants, and every variety of smnmer stock for furnishing, bedding, etc. The achimenes include some new and remarkable hybrids raised by Mr. Breeze, most of them as attractive for their fine foliage, as for the richness and variety of their blossoms. There are above 200 of the best camellias entered at very low prices, a very full list of azaleas, and in greenhouse and stove-jjlants all the most desirable and gene- rally useful species and varieties. Brocoli after Potatoes. — IF. P. P. — You ought to manure liberally to talce a crop of brocoli after potatoes ; and if the ground is liberally manured, it will be in good heart for potatoes again, which always ilo best where manure was used for a previous crop, and not at all at the time of planting. Broken bones, soot, green refuse, and anything that will rot may lie turned to account ; and do not forget to give the brocoli the benefit of all liquid re- fuse that can be got from the house. Many people commit to the sewers what is duo to the land, and expend money in the purchase of manures which are not half so valuable as that which costs nothing, and which is wasted without a thought of its value. CuiTiNGS SiHUCK IN ArraL. — A.J3. — Inste.ad of potting off cuttings struck in heat iu a frame, it is better to let them remain where they are doing well, tiU wanted for final planting ; they thus have but one check instead of two. As you found it best last year to harden them off where they stood, you cannot do better than takealesson therefrom, for anitemof exjierience is worth more than a volume of written advices. At 3| inches apart these young plants will not crowd each other, and if the runners mix, it is easy to pinch them back, and so benefit the growth at the same time. Cuttings of gera- niums, verbenas, and fuchsias, may remain in a hot-bed at 75' to 80' for si.x weeks, if well aired and cooled down with care for hardening. Geraniums will bear moving better than any bedding plants we have, and if it be desirable to get them into pots so as to form stocky plants with good balls to turn out, pot them as soon as they begin to push their shoots well, which is a sure sign they are fairly rooted, but give bottom heat again for a fortnight. Your letter came too late for last month's Number, and it was from no lack of courtesy we did not answer it by po.st, but because we make it a rule to have no more private correspondence than is absolutely warranted by peculiar circimi- stances. The link between oiu-selves and our THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 143 readers is the book, and to reply to queries privately would be prejudicial to our readers, and to the interests of the "Floral World." Cacti. — S. A. C. — The cacti are strictly seasonal in their habits ; when they grow they grow, and when they rest, they rest. Make tbem grow when they ought to rest, aud j'ou do them harm, indeed, they may grow rotten at the base ; aud many folks lose tliem iu winter, through being afraid to let them go dust dry, or in spring, through giving water when there is not sufficient heat to enable them to absorb it. Yours are iu a good place, because they have plenty of hght, which' they like at all seasons. As yours are beginning to swell, give them a little water, by laying the pots on their sides, and di-enchiug the heads with tepid water from a fine rose. Let uone go to the root until they show that they Uko it overhead. Then moisten the soil through thoroughly, and give them aU the heat aud light at your command, and sprinkle them overhead very often iu the morning ; but never give water at the root more than is necessary to keep them moderately moist. During hot weather, when they are in full growth, give plenty of water, and as soon as the spines change colour, dry them up slowly for the winter. Whether E. rigidus will bloom or not, depends how it was treated last autumn, more than on its treatment now. If well ripened and put thoroughly to rest, it is very likely to give you some blooms. A glass shade may be used over them during July and August, and at no other time ; but a moist air in a warm house is better. Treat your aloes in the same way. Wallflowers and Acacias. — jS. J. C. — The best time to strike double waUHowers is when they are making new growth, after having flowered. Take off young side-shoots with a heel, nip off the lower leaves, and dibble them close together in a mixture of half sand and half loam, and cover with a beU glass. Sprinkle them frequently, and after a week tUt the bell glass, aud leave it otf every night for another week, and then take it away. In three weeks they will be rooted, and as soon as they begin to grow, prick them out on a bed to strengthen for final planting in the autumn. A compost of loam three parts, sand two parts, and lime rubbish one part suits them well ; and they are safest in winter on a raised bed, or on rock- work, for damp is a greater enemy than frost. Leave your seedling acacias alone till they begin to crowd each other, and then pot otf into thumbs, and when the pots are full of roots, phift into sixties, and after that give pot-room as required. Sand, loam, and turiy peat, iu equal proportions, is the proper soil for them. Waltonian Case. — C. M. — This does not re- quire a "bright sunshine;" a very moderate amount of dayhght is sufficient, because it is used only for propagating, hence your small room wUl I)e a good place for it. If you can get to it conveniently is of more importance than the amount of light; but as the cuttings root and the seeds come up, they must be taken into the greenhouse, or they will soon get drawn. The preservative pit, when filled with coal ashes, should be on a level wth the ground, or it will be too damp. If raised six inches above the level it would be better than having it below, and the pots bemg plunged keep moist for a long time. We camiot say why your azaleas should have perished, probably they were too damp at the coUar through being potted too deep, or from having a top-dressing, which rotted the wood. Lateritia and Glecl- staneai are very hearty kinds. Was the "mo- derate heat " immoderate .' We suspect it was. By referring back you -svill find many notes on azaleas. Woodlice.— F. jB., Subscriber. — Pour boiling water into the chinks they infest, and along the foot of the wall. A little patience iu hand- picking would clear them all away iu tune, because the pots are traps for them. If they get in among the crocks, turn out the ball from each pot, and destroy them. Traps may be placed for them all along the walls of a house, by means of tiles or pieces of wood, for they will collect in any dark, damp, warm spot. Gas Ume will cause them to Hit, but we doubt if it will kill them. We always depend on trapping, and use lids of baskets, or any such things that may be handy. F. It. should not use corrosive sublimate, as it may render the manure in- jurious to plants ; but boiling water will settle the woodlice most effectually. Botanical Specimens. — R. S. — You can obtaiu information as to the arrangement of a herba- rium, aud also any number of specimens for a gardener's collection, or for school pui-poses, as well as single specimens of British plants, by applying to Mr. F. Y. Brocas, botanist, So, St. Martin's Lane, London, W.C, Mr. Brocas purchased the herbarium of the Botanical Society of London, and has now about 90,0j0 British and exotic specimens, from which pur- chasers can make selection. Sets of British grasses, ferns, etc., may be had of him, at very reasonable prices, neatly mouuted, named, and arranged in classes. Planting Sets oe B-eds.— Tulip. — Plan I. — 1. Geraniiun album, edged with Lobeha eriuus speciosa. 2. Calceolaria, Prince of Orange. 3. Calceolaria, Orange Boven. 4. Verbena, Geant des BatailJes. 5. Verbena, BriUiant de Vaise. 6. HeUotropc aucubcBfolium, edged with Little David geranium. — Plan II. — 1. Geranium, Flower of tlie Day. 2, 3, i, 5, G. Tom Thumb geranium. 7. Lantana crocea. 8. Calceolaria Frostii. 9. Heliotropium Peruvianum. 10. Ageratum celestinum. Asp.veagus Knives. — Asparagus. — The heads are not better sawn otf, but should always be cut with an asparagus knife, which is the least likely to injure the crownsof the roots, besides cutting more regular, and not so deep. Those who practice Mr. Weaver's method of culture can be in no difficulty about the cutting. The heads are allowed to rise six inches out of the ground, aud are then cut level with tlie surface. Every other method injures the plauts, and sends to table a large proportion of uneatable stems. News from Canada. — I send you subscription for the "Floral World," in obtaining which out here I have great difficulty, as I have also in getting the Cottarje Gardener. Here tlie climate is very different to what we were accustomed to in the old country, and it is rather sharp work on our greenhouses with nearly six months constant tiring— the thermometer sometimes at 30' below Zero, that is, 62° of frost. There is no such journal as the "Floral World" in this country. The Iforficulfurist is a bit of an old wife, and the good things are mostly taken from the English journals. — Preston, Canada West. R. Bell. [Thanks for your note andrenoittance, which was sent to office of Cottage Gardener, aud by the editors kindly loi-warded to us. The " Floral World" is altogether distinct from the Cottage Gardener, and our publishing ofltice is 5, Pater- noster Kow, London. We have forwarded the numbei-s from February. — Ed. F. W.] Seedling Dielvtras.— ./"chc K. II.— The diffi- culty has been overcome, and Messrs. E. G. Henderson enter spectabilis in their seed list, and those who wish to raise seedlings have a 144 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. fair opportunity. In time, no doubt, we shall get Viirieties. The seeds sent us last year were not ripe, and, as we expected, refused to germinate. Erratum. — In Mr. Howlett's article on " Cheap Pit," in last number, a line was accidentally misplaced. The line immediately below Fiy. 2 should be at the top of the page, and the sentence should run thus : — " The roof of Fig. 1 to be constructed on the same plan as ' Cheap Greenhouse,' which see for a section of the bar, of which for roof and ends, at eight inches apart, 180 feet will be required," etc. Pansies. — W. S. iV.— To keep them true, you must have a succession of young plants from cuttings. Take off young shoots and strike them in the same way as recommended above for wallflowers, and either destroy tbc old plants, or move them to mixed borders. Dwarf Hollyhocks.— 5. Crew.— Yon mean the Chinese hollyhock. It grows tvpo and a-half feet high, has handsome flowers of various colours, but most usually crimson. It blooms the same season if sown early, and is generally treated as an annual. It is quite hardy. New Zealand Ku-vner Bean. — S.'C. — Yes, quite distinct from any hitherto grown. The leiivea are of immense size, and very tropical in charac- ter, and the pods may be cooked in the same way as scarlet runners. Names of Plants. — Alice. — 1, Sparganium ramo- sum, branching reed-mace ; 2, Juiicus effusus, common rush. C. II. — 1, Asplenium tricho- nianes ; 2, a Cystopteris, too imperfect for r;amiug ; 3, Asgleniura marinura. Friend in Need — 1, Lastrea thelypteris or oreopteris, but from such a mite, difficult to say which ; 3, Athyrium Filix fcemina; 3, Lastrea spinulosa : 4, L. dilatata or multillora; too small a scrap ; 5, Polystichium aculeatum ; 6, If British, As- plenium adiautum nigrum, but in too young a state to name. Double Stocks. — W.W. — You must get flr.st-rate seed, grow them well, and risk it. If plants get drawn up thin and weakly, it is a proof that they have not sufficient Uglit. METEOEOLOGICAL CALENDAE FOE JUNE. 30 DAVS. weather near LONDON, JUNE, 1858. | 30 DATS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, JUNE, 1858. BAROMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN.I BAROMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN- W. 1 30.040- -30.000 S7 47 67.0 NW .00 Th. 16 29.885- -29.781 97 53 75.0 s ■00 Th. F. S. 3 3 4 30.051- 29.920- -29.929 86 55 70.5 87 50 68.5 SE E .00 .00 1 F. S. 17 18 29.878- 30.007- -29.742 -29.993 78 42 60.0 75 40 57.5 s NW .01 .00 -29.8ol 30.106- -30.082 80 47 63.5 S .00 1 s. 19 30.088- -30.084 81 46 63.5 SW .01 s. 5 29.997- -29.943 74 50 62.0 NE .60 1 M. 20 30.157- -30.085 80 42 61.0 SAV .02 M. 6 30.129- -30.080 75 47 61.0 NE .OS Tu. 21 30.260- -30.256 84 47 65.5 NE .00 Tn. 7 30.097- -29.951 74 48 61.0 NE .00 W. 22 30.298- -30.278 86 46 66.0 NE .00 W. 8 29.870- -29.816 76 56 60.0 NE .03 Th. 23 30.326- -30.193 88 48 68.0 N .00 Th. 9 29.915- -29.841 86 55 70.5 E .00 F. 24 30.262- -30.158 73 42 57.5 NE .00 F. 10 29.990- -29.938 87 56 71.5 E .00 S. 25 30.298- -30.147 78 45 61.5 NW ■00 S. 11 29.982- -29.921 82 44 63.0 HE .00 s. 26 30.068- -30.001 83 51 67.0 W .00 s. 12 29 937- -29.886 81 44 62.5 S .00 M. 27 30.097- -30.032 79 35 57.0 N .00 M. 13 29.916- -29.879 78 56 66.0 W .03 Tu. 28 30.141- -30.032 78 41 59.5 AV .00 Tu. 14 29.879- -29.850 91 51 71.0 s .00 AV. 29 30.110- -30.071 77 40 58.5 N .00 W. 15 29.961- -29.877 94 58 75.0 E .00 Th. 30 30.131- -30.048 80 40 60.0 SW .00 AA^ERAGES FOR THE ENSUING MONTH. The copious supply of rain during the past month has done much towards restoring the balance of arrears due to us according to averages ; wells are filled once more, and there is a promise of an abundant hay crop in the counties round London. We may now consider ourselves safe from frost, and in the full current of the summer season. During the last thirty-two -years the highest tempera- tures noted were— 7th, 1846, and 12th, 1842, 90' ; 19th, and 22nd, 1846, and 27th, 1826, 93°. The lowest were— 30th, 1848, 35'; 12th, 1857, 3P ; loth, 1850, and 20th, 1855, 30'; that is, at the rate of one frosty night every eleven years. The averages for June are — Bar. 29.973, Ther. max. 71°, min. 50', mean 684'. PHASES OP THE MOON FOR JUNE, 1859. 9 New Moon, 1st, 7h. 10m. a.m. J First Quarter, 7th, lOh. 48m. p.m. O Full Moon, 15th, lOh. 18m. a.m. (£ Last Quarter, 23rd, 2h. 32m. p.m. % New Moon, 30th, 2h. 41m. p.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, JUNE, 1859. 1st, Eeadlng ; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Bath and "West of England ; 4th, Scottisli Pansy (Edinburgh) ; 8tli, Crystal Palace ; 8th, Cheltenham ; 9tli, Leyton and Walthamstovv ; 14th and 15th, York ; 15th, Eoyal Botanic ; 22nd and 23rd, Brighton ; 23rd, British Pomologioal ; 23rd, National Eose Show, Hanover Square Kooms ; 21tb, Leeds ; 28th, Hereford ; 28th, Hands'svorth (Birmingliara) ; 29tli. Colchester ; 29th, York Horticultural ; 29th and 30th, Horticultural of Loudon ; 30lh, Horticultural of Ireland. 'Z-«:^^:^^.V^cccoco->»jo July, 1859. ^OSES were, perhaps, never in greater perfection than in this present snmmer of 1859. Since the frost of May, the weather has been most propitious for the production of a splendid bloom ; certainly the cultivators, connoisseurs, and admii'crs of the Queen of Flowers never saw their favourite in so many enchanting forms, or in such individual ex- cellence, as at the second National Rose Show, held at Hanover Square Eooms, on the 23rd of June last. With his customary assiduity and enthusiasm, the Eev. S. R. Hole had planned the preliminaries with tact and forethought, and the com- mittee had co-operated with spirit and unity, and the ex- hibitors poured in the rosy wealth of twenty English counties, to remind the world of London that the growth of towns has not yet utterly ex- tinguished the country. The exhibition of last year lacked one feature which would have crowned it with completeness — a feature which, to use Lord John Russell's phrase, was "conspicuous by its absence." Invariably the flowers shown in the various classes merited the highest praise that can be bestowed on growers, who have not only to use theii- best exertions to show every variety at its best, but to use judgment also in the selection of the varieties best adapted for exhibition. But such a fete is incomplete as regards the amount of instruction it is capable of affording unless plants are shown as well as flowers. Who that remembers Chiswick in its best days will ever forget the beds of roses, consisting of pot-plants, plunged and trimmed up with turf and gravel, bearing aloft their bosses of bloom in every successive shade of colour, from the purity of snow to the deepening fire of a vermilion sunset ? This year plants were shown in pro- fusion, and we had at the National Rose Show the means of comparing the relative merits of Mr. Francis's manettis with Mr. Paul's briars, and of seeing the whole of that remarkable foliage, of which a few tempting bits VOL. II. jS^O. VII. n 146 THE FLORAL WORLD AND QARDEN GUIDE. appear about the majority of the cut flowers. Then the habit of a rose is of as much importance to the amateur cultivator as the quality of its bloom. He may know that Jules Margottin is one of the finest pillar roses we have, and that Pauline Lanzezeur is the very best for a bed, but he ■will be more likely to be stimulated to try their several values as such, when he can see in the great congress of the roses representatives of all the leading sections in their proper garb, grown in various ways in proof of their respective merits. It is an easy thing for men who grow acres of roses to select on the morning of a show any number of fine individual blooms, but many of the plants from which such blooms arc taken may have poor foliage, a straggling habit, or, what is worse than all, be so shy of their favours that the blooms shown may be the only ones they will give during the entire season. Whenever the exhibition of plants is possi- ble, they should be shown. In the case of dahlias, Ave must be content with blooms — their exliibition in pots is of necessity no criterion of their excellence, but now that the cultiu'e of roses in pots is becoming a popular pastime with the possessors of orchard-houses and other cool structures, we consider pot roses a necessary feature in a National Rose Show. We confess that the clumps of plants in pots, tastefully arranged about the tables, gave us more pleasru'e than all the beautiful collections of cut flowers Avith which the room was crowded. Besides fancy kinds on their OAvn roots, there Avere plenty of Avorked Noisettes, Bourbons, Hybrid Perpetuals, and, indeed, of all the classes most in favour, as candidates for admission to the rosary. Regarding the scene as a whole how charming was the spectacle, how fragrant the air of the place, hoAV various the tints presented by a family which, after all, is a A'ery limited one as to its range of colour. Again did General Jacqueminot assert his strength, showing too bold an eye for the florist, yet unequalled for the splendour of his intensely fulgid banners. Again Geant des Battailles stood forth un- beaten, yet annually confi'onted by formidable rivals, who have all but snatched his honours from him ; what he lacks in colour he compensates by profusion, and if he has a fame for turning blue when on the wane, he makes up for it in the A'iA'id brilliance of his ncAvly-opening blooms. We looked for some few favoiuites, and found them not. Wliere was Isabella Grey ? She was not to be seen ! Nor was Mr. Cranston's LcC'lia there, though he sent a splendid lot, in the midst of which was a boxful of the General, " not for competition." We presume that it is too early in the season yet for Miss Grey, or did the Maj frost destroy the first blooms in the bud ? or is she not equal to the contest, and so must fain retire into private life, and cease to compete for national honours ? When we had seen Mr. Francis's Persian yellow we felt despondent about Isabella Grey ; yet, as we have seen her in good trim, and had, on the day of the show, A'erj^ forward buds on young plants, in our OAvn collec- tion, Ave will continue to regard her as a bond fide addition to oiir list of choicest flowers, which we have no doubt Avill improve from yenr to year, just as Duchess of Norfolk, now a rose of the highest merit, was of but poor j)retensions in the first tAvo seasons of her career. Lord Raglan appears not to improve with time. He is too flat, and has a crushed asj)ect. We took note of him at every table where he avos to bo Been, and we can hardly^say that he is equal to Geant des Battaillcp, either on first opening, or in going off"; there is a Noisette character about hia THE FLOHAL WOELD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 147 centre, which detracts much from his many, high merits, of which, of course, colour is the chief. Mr. Cranston's Duchess of ISTorfolk was vory charming in colour and fullness, but, nevertheless, rather loose. ^ Mr. Paul's Teas were of the very best ; and the foliage about his specimens showed, as did his splendid lot of pot plants, that the air of Cheshunt agrees with roses. Mr. Cranston showed Pauline LanzC/^cur, a perpetual of dense habit, the flower full, compact, of good shape and substance, and the colour of the Geant des Battailles clnss, with a shade of purple to soften down the crimson. This will be a favourite for beds, on account of its close growth and full bloom. Mr. Francis showed Lafontaine in very excellent order. Mr. Cranston showed Louis Chaix, a very cheerful rose, unexceptionably good already, and promising to become better. Everj'" , rose grower should have Paul Ricaut ; it is marvellously fine, and to be had at every nursery in the three Idngdoms. Two new seedling roses of the highest merit' were shown by Mr. Standish, of Bagshot. One, named Eugene Appert, was highly approved by the censors. The colour is deep crimson rose, form good, very double, and excellent substance. Late in the day we observed that it was still vivid, notwithstanding the heat of the place : and we, therefore, conclude it to have substantival powers of endurance. But talce the roses as they are, spread before you in thousands, note that they come from east, west, north, and south, from cold clays, from rich loams, from dry marls, from sheltered valleys, and from hills exposed to all the winds of heaven, and the National Ptose'Show teaches this lesson, that the rose is almost as adaptable in its constitiTtion to variety of circumstances as any of the choicest kinds of hardy flowers we possess. "With proper treatment and a wise selection, roses may be grown almost everywhere, in the smoke of London, and among the apple orchards of Herefordshire, among the damps of Essex, and in the bracing air of Yorkshire ridges. Who loves not the rose, and who, loving her, would not add the smile of her beauty and the breath of her fragrance to the man)- charms that life has when embosomed among trees and flowers? RECENT EXHIBITIONS, MEETINGS, ETC. Tub Exhibition of the Devon and Exeter Botanical Society, held at Exeter on the 27th of May, T^^^s one of the best &ora.]fLHes ever held in the West of England. I^Iessrs. Yeitch contributed largely, which, indeed, would at any time be sufBcient to insure a brilliant spectacle ; but "the exhibition had its proper local support from the neigh- bouring gardeners and amateur cidtivators, without whose presence and competition such affairs, however splendid, arc, morally speaking, no better than temporary bazaara. Messrs. Yeitcli's contributions consisted of Orchids, Azaleas, Ericas, and miscellaneous stove and furnishing plants. Among the Azaleas were Exquisita, Lateritia, Iveryana, Perryana, Dilecla, Eulalia Yan Geert, and Roi Leopold. Cnpe Heaths included Ca- vendishi, Dcpressa, Vestita coccinea, and Spenceriana. The Hoses were magnificent, among which were Charles Lawson, a vivid rose ; J\des Margottin, Coupe d'Hebe, Paul Perras, Duchess of Sutherland, Madame Domage, General Jacqueminot, rich crimson scarlet, and others. Among new and rare plants were Clianthus Dampieri, with brilliant crimson blossoms and dark boss ; Olea ilicifolia, a handsome evergreen shrub from Japan ; Rhododendron Ycitchianum, a greenhouse species, with white flowers, 4 inches across ; Cyanophyllum niagnificum, a stove plant, with deep velvety green foliage ; Embothrium coccineum, evergreen shrub, with flowers of the richest scarlet (figured in the Eloeal Woeld, 1858, p. 29) ; two Belgian Begonias, argentea, and Queen Victoria, very fine. In a glass case was shown the new Pothos argyrsaa ; also a fine collection of Anoectochilus, with handsomely marked foliage. A very full 148 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. and well-written report was published in tlie current issue of Trewinaii's Exetev T'lyini) Post. Tlie anniversary festival of the Gardener's Royal Benevolent Institution took place at the Crystal Palace on the day of the flower show, June 8. The attendance was unusually numerous ; nearly three hundred ladies and gentlemen sat down to dinner. The dinner was excellently served, and a military band enlivened the feast by the performance of a selection of pieces. Mr. Justice Haliburton (Sam Slick) presided, supported by Sir Joseph Paxton, M.P., Colonel Dickson, Admiral Carey, the Rer. il. M. Bellew, C. W. Dilke, Esq., Sir Charles Fox, Mr. Charles Horsley, Mr. Earquhar, etc. After the usual loyal toasts had been drunk and responded to, the chairman proposed "Prosperity to the Gardeners' Benevolent Institution. He said, " This society was founded in the year 1838, but did not make any progress until 1840 ; since then it has steadily and gradually progressed. The pensioners of this society, I see, are allowed to reside in any part of the United Kingdom. Well, there is very little in tliat ; but I see by the number on the pension list that the average age is 73 years. Gardening must be a very healthful occupation ; if the avei'age age is 73, a great many must be over 100 years old. I strongly recommend the occupation of a gar- dener. I see, again, that no man can be placed on the list of pensioners, unless his character will bear the strictest investigation. Well, I think the society are not likely to have many applicants, for I never yet saw the mau whose chai-acter would stand the test of the strictest investigation, and I should be very sorry to trust my character to such an examhiation. The stock is invested in Government funds, and the treasurer is Robert Wrench, Esq. You must recollect that this is the object for which we have met here to-day — it is to aid the benevolent institution of the Gardeners' Society. I said before that we are much indebted to the gardeners of this country — much more that we are aware of. I have been, on a small scale, myself a practical gardener ; and I know that the progress of farming is built on the experience of the gardener. Now there are three important things which you all know must be done, if you wish to succeed in farming or gardening, and they are, make your land dry, let it be warm, and keep it clean. Those three great axioms we owe to the principles of under- draining shown us by the market-gardeners, the deep trenching, and the deep and beautiful cultivation which they practise. The object of this meeting is to raise a subscription to aid this benevolent institution ; it is no charity, and I should be sorry to call it a charity. ' Institution' is not the word you would choose to express a charity by. The ladies are the patronizers in this country of the gardeners and the garden ; they are, in fact, the great patronizers of gardening, and they could patronize nothing better. Now there is one subject I wish to make mention of, and that is, that when people employ a gardener — and no one employs them except persons of property — I hope the gardener will say, ' We have a society, and I hope you will, in addition to my salary, contribute a guinea a year to the funds.' If the gardener asks his employer to cojitribute a sum that is not to go into his own pocket, but to help to provide for his brethren in their old age, he will sufler no depreciation, and find very few to refuse." The toasts that followed were the health of the Chairman, proposed by the Rev. H. M. Bellew ; the healths of the Vice-Presidents, coupled with the names of Sir Joseph Paxton, M.P., and Mr. H. G. Bohn ; the healths of the Directors of the Crystal Palace Company ; and healths of the Secretary, Mr. Cutler, and " the Ladies." The subscriptions amounted to £310. At the Crystal Palace Exhibition, hekl on the Sth, the contributions were of a varied and interesting character, and the attendance of visitors was very numerous. The principal exhibitors were Mr. Dods, gardener to Sir J. Catheart, Bart. ; Mr. Whitbread, gardener to II. Collyer, Esq. ; Messrs. Yeitcli, Turner, Standish, Peed, Green, Page, Baxendine, Rhodes, Cutbush, Kail, Chilman, Smith, Carson, Tegg, Hamp, Gedney, Nye, Cross, Bragg, Hill, Scott, Bailey, Young, Ferguson, Snow, and Ingram. Of NewPlants, Messrs. Veitch seat the Californian Torreya myristica, andThuja Lobbii ; Farfugiuin grande, the lilac and white-flowered annual Fouzlia dianthiflora, Chamsebatia foholosa,a hardy flowering shrub from California, with handsome Mimosa- like foliage; Clianthus Dampieri, and a neiv Gyrnnogramma. From Mr. Standish came a white-blossomed Yiburnum from the north of China ; Mr. Carson, Cyanophy- lum magnificum ; Mr. Williams, the North American Goodyera pubescens, a pretty kind, which will succeed in a greenhouse ; Mr. Gedney, a handsome large rich orange- flowered Hemerocallis from Natal, with semi-double flowers, and Tachiadenus carina- tns, a Gentian-like plant with pretty violet blossoms. Mr. Barnes, of Camberwell, THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 149 had some Iiaudsome Begonias, the best of which were Queen of England, Prince of Wales, Princess Alice, Minnie, and Water Witch. Erom the neighbourhood of Win- dermere, Mr. Binder sent a good specimen of the Holly-like Desfontainea spinosa, well fiu'uished with bright crimson flowers tipped with orange yellow. The orange scarlet Embothrium coccineum, in great beauty, may also be reckoned among the meritorious novelties. The Exhibition of the Royal Botanic Society, on the loth, was in no way remark- able for novelties or subjects of special interest, though as a f(.'te, every way worthy of commendation. We saw many of the same plants we had admired at the Crystal Palace, as is always the ca3e, the specimens travelling from place to place, and often taking a succession of prizes, which make a goodly amount by the close of the season, for the reward of skilful and persevering competitors. Death of Me. Lovell. — We deeply regret to have to announce the demise of Mr. Lovell, the eminent landscape-gardener, of Bagshot, at the early age of thirty- seven. He died on the 30th of May last, of tubercular peritonitis. Mr. Lovell was the son of a gardener to Lord Yivian, and being brought up to his father's craft, he became manager of the grounds of the late Marchioness of Hastings, at Efford House, near Lymingtou. When he left EfFord, he located himself at Bagshot, and became a coadjutor of Mr. Standish in the designing and planting of grounds, his excellent taste in landscape rendering him eminently qualified for such undertakings. He was a contributor to the Journal of the Horticultural Societi/, and to various gardening periodicals ; indeed, he was engaged in writing a series of papers on designs for villa gardens, in the columns of the Gardener s Chronicle, when death called him to his last account, in the very flower of his strength and manhood. The following were the principal pi-izes awarded at the National Rose Show, June 23 :— Class A. — 1. Paul and Sou, Cheshunt. 2. Mr. E. P. Francis, Hertford. Class B.— 1. Equal. Mr. Tiley, Bath ; Mr. Cant, Colchester. 2. Mr, Turner, Slough. Class C. — 1. Messrs. Eraser. 2. Mr. Laing, Twickenham. Class D. — 1. Mr. May, gardener to C. M. Worthington, Esq., Caversham Priory, Reading. 2. Mr. Hollingsworth, Maidstone. Class E. — 1. Mr. Moffat, gardener to Viscount Maynard, Easter Lodge, Dun- mow, Essex. 2. Mr. Thomas Blake, Ware, Herts. Class F.— 1. Mr. May, gardener to C. M. Worthington, Esq., Caversham Priory, Reading. 2. Mr. Plester, gardener, Elsenham Hall. Class Ct.— 1. W. Cant, Esq., Colchester. 2. Mr. Thomas Mallett, Nottingham. Class H.— 1. W. Cant, Esq., Colchester. 2. Mr. Thomas Walker, Oxford. Class I. — 1. Paul and Son, Cheshunt. 2. Mr.E. P. Eranois, Hertford, SPEEGULA PILIFERA. BY SHIRLEY HIBBEBD. I HAD fully determined not to say a single ; wonderful excellencies, and a pinch of that word about Spergula pilifera until I could 1 seed was sown at once in a pan, and put tell the whole stoiy from beginning to j into the Waltonian case, which I was then end ; but I have discovered the truth of '. using to ti-y my plan of heating it with the adage, that we cannot have our own ' candles. This was my haste to get it up, way in everything ; for inquiries come so j that I might see a sample of it. In a thick and fast, that I must fain inform my | week or two afterwards, the remainder of friends, through the Eloral World, I the seed was sown in pans, and put on a what we have done with the Spergula at ! back shelf, with a square of glass over Newington. I must have been among the \ each. Knowing the plant to be an alp- very first who put in pi-actice the old saw, ; ine, I filled the seed pans with a mixture "Nothing venture nothing have," in re- j of fine loam, silver-sand, and some sweep- gard to this new material for making j ings of peat and rotten dung run through Turkey carpets, for I had seed of it from j a sieve, and the seed being as fine as dust, Messrs. E. G, Henderson within a few : I mixed it with some of the finest of the days after their first announcement of its compost, and strewed it thinly on the 150 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. surface of the pans. That the lu'st pan should show the first tmt of green in six days, was but a natural and proper circumstance, and tliat the others being on a warm shelf, and protected from eva- poration, should show their seedling ])lants in a fortnight, was also a matter of course, but intensely interesting nevertheless, for Spergula inllfera had excited my curio- sity and expectations as much as other people's. But my trouble was how to use it. I was almost as bad off as the geutleman in chambers who won an elephant in a ralile. What was to be done with the produce of five-and-sixpencc worth of seed, for I had a sixpenny packet first just to look at if, and then a crown's worth for a serious venture. I suppose tJiere were two thousand plants bristling over the seven or eight pans, all growing vei'y slowly, enjoying plenty of air, and taking as much water as I chose to give them ; bearing, indeed, to be lowered into a pail, and left submerged for an hour, and after that showing not the least signs of a tendency to damp off. It so happened that my garden had a rapid fall away from the house, and just under the drawing-room windows the lawn and walk were so steep that to look on a bed of fuchsias, we had there last year, was to see but half of them, the further side of the bed dipping too low to be in the line of vision. To look at flowers from a lower level is in- variably advantageous, but when they run down till out of sight, there is a fault needing correction. I therefore deter- mined to remedy this obnoxious feature, and at the same time make an experimen- tal plot for the Spergula. We struck out a circle of about seventy feet circumfer- ence, and within that another circle of forty feet circumference. If I explain why these dimensions were chosen, I must go into matters that have r,o bearing whatever on the subject befo!' us ; there- fore, let it suflice that these circles .vsre marked out at the head of the lawn, and the first task was to make it a dead ijvel. To do this the lower side had to be raised two feet, which was a mere question of earth work. The conifers in the lopsided bed were moved, the turf was stripped, and the outside ring, oi' four feet six in width, made up with fii; j loam from the kitchen garden, enriched with compost that had been made up for pottcl hya- cinths the previous autumn, and wlujh consisted of sharp sand, loam, leaf-mould, and a very large proportion of rotten dung. The inner circle, of thirteen feet diameter, was deeply trenched and heavily manured, and at once planted with fifty roses in three circles round a three-feet standard ill the centre. While the Spergula was growing and getting hardened in a frame, and the I'oses getting hold of their new quarters, the outer circle was frequently rolled, weeded, and here aud there patched up, as it sunk in places after heavy rains. The last job was to fork it over lightly, roll again, and try it with a spirit-level and line, to see that surface and outlines were true, and then to work with the Spergula. Do not for a moment imagine this was a very simple aud very pleasant task. It was not a question of finance, but of back- ache. I was determined to be iu it, and with a hand to help, we began on Easter Monday, each of us armed with a table- fork, weeding and planting the inside row next to the bed of roses. The first pan was sufficient to make two rows of plants, a foot apart, rouud that circumference of forty feet. It was a bright day, and every tuft was covered with an inverted flower- pot, and, as soon as the sun was off, libe- rally watered. In a few days those plants held up, and looked fresh, aud were com- mitted to the care of Nature. In the meanwhile, other pans were hardened off, aud circle after circle planted, till we got to the outer boundary. I shall not forget the 2nd of June, when I began, single- handed, before four in the morning, and, with a board covered with a mat to kneel on, worked on in the rain till noon, with only a short rest of a quarter of an hour to get my breakfast in the greenhouse. By this time the whole circle had been planted with little patches of plauts, afoot apart, and the first two rows next the roses had perished entirely. I think I counted only two plants left of the whole number. It was the terrible Maj- frosts that did the work, and the plants being young, raised iu heat, and coddled to get a siglit of them, were, as might be ex- pected, unable to stand it. But there were two pans left yet, and on Whit-Mon- day my curator and I went to v.ork for the last time, made good the losses, and dibbled iu tufts between all those pre- viously planted, so that they were at last only four or five inches apart all over. Ou this 2'ith of June the tufts are thickening, and beginning to show their true charac- ter. The circle has the same green hue that a sc'jded lawn has when the grass has made ten days' start above ground; and on looking closely at the plant, it is seen to be putting out a sort of runners, or THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 151 in other words, the .stems are becomiug decumbent, and promise very shortly to meet from tuft to tuft, and so complete the surfacing. I consider this, as far as it has gone, a fair experiment, and I confess myself al- ready more than satisfied as to the result. Tliis autumn, I fully expect to walk over a carpet of Spergula, to cut roses from the little collection which this subject induced me to make room for. I have not the least doubt the appearance of the flat circle with the inner circle of roses will be as good as any -we could have immediately under the windows. But what is Spergula ^llifera ? There's the rub. Look in your books, and where will you find it ? Well, look among your peat plants, or even among pot plants of any kind, which are getting rather sour and mossy, and ten to one but you find a little wiry-looking alpine sort of thing, v/ith diminutive blossoms, consist- ing of a salver-shaped green calyx, and tiny white corolla within, conspicuous enough to be easily detected, yet too shabby even to have attracted your notice be- fore. Take up one of these tufts, and pot it in a bit of fresh sandy peat, give plenty of water, and keep it in the shade, and very soon you shall have a springy velvety tuft, of a lovely emerald green, and by the time it gets,' to be three or four inches in diameter, you will perfectly understand, by its velvety softness and elasticity when pressed with the hand, that a lawn of it would be the very fulness of garden luxury. I've got sucli a tuft at this time, which I potted to show friends who came to in- quire about the nev;- substitute for grass, and it is now turned out on a little rockery, along with some very choice ferns and saxi- frages, all of the same diminutive order. As my circle of Spergula makes progress, the resemblance between the plants and my little tuft is so close that, for the pre- present, I ventm-e to say they are identical, and that Spergula pilifera is now to be found all over England, and especially where Jungermannia and Marchantia abound. Perhaps there is enough among theBagshot peat to surface all the lawns round London. For the present, I say, they are identical, and I say the same to Mr. A. Robertson, of Paisley, who has sent me a specimen in. a letter, of the same Spergula as that which you will find everywhere in shady places, where the soil is peat, ^'ay, I saw about five-and-twenty yards of it on the top of a wall, at Tottenham, this summer ; it looked starved and miserable, and no one unac- customed to note the characters of plants would believe it to be the same as my vel- vet tuft of emerald green. Like other t'nings, it varies its character with circum- stances. Until I learn from an authority no less reliable than Dr. Lindley, that the plants differ, I shall believe that Mr. Ro- bertson's tuft, and my own tuft, and Messrs. Henderson's donation to the circle of garden excellencies, are all one and the same, and that Spergula pilifera is the old Spurry, which almost every botanist, and certainly every gardener, despised, until the announcement of its virtues electrified us all. According to De CandoUe, it is a native of Corsica, and that induces me to reserve to myself the right to correct, if needful, such of these remarks as are mat- ters of opinion. But coming back to matters of fact, I feel certain that the common Spergula of the peat districts will make a perfect la^vn. Collect the plants, dib them a foot apart, in a shady part of the kitchen garden, give plenty of water, and in course of time you will obtain a stock ready to plant whenever you want a piece of emerald carpeting. It will be cheaper and a far less difficult matter, of course, to go to head-quarters at once, and get seeds or plants from Messrs. Henderson. You will thus secui-e plants by thousands, for a mere trifle, in- stead of poking about to pick up dozens ; but it is, nevertheless, a point of interest to know that we have been rooting out from pots, and throwing away in disgust what, after all, will confer upon those who have now introduced it to notice as much fame as can possibly attend a horticultural discovery. " There is nothing new under the sun!" We are not presented with a new plant, but have suggested a new use for an old one. If we are not indebted to Mr. Summers, then, for a botanical novelty, we are indebted to him for an idea. Let him have the praise and the reward. It wdl readily be concluded, from what has been said thiis far, that Spergula pll'ifera may be raised with certainty from seed, without artificial heat, and with the least possible trouble. It likes moisture, and rapidly makes root in a rich sandy soil, and will do famotisly in peat. I know many who sowed it in the open ground, but have not learnt how they get on with it, and from my own experience judge that such a plan v^as more trouble- some than at first appeared. This plant is at first so minute that weeds would overtake and choke it, unless it had almost daily attention. Therefore I advise my friends to sow in pans, plant out on a shady bed or border, and finally plant when the patches begin to get tufted. 152 PROFITABLE GARDENING. CHAPTEE Xlir. PEAS AND BEANS. These are strictly summer crops, that are very accommodating as to soil and situation, and may be produced abundantly almost every^vhere. Witli- out a good supply of peas, gardening is but sorry -work, and the finer the peas, the more we rejoice in the glori- ous summer weather that brings so many blessings with it for both mind and body, Erom the peer to the pea- sant the relish is equally keen for a dish of peas or broad-beans, or even a mess of runners ; tlierefore they are everybody's vegetables, and ought to be produced abundantly as long as the weather lasts to keep them in bearing. But though accommodating and profitable, peas occasion a little trouble to produce them well, and especially if wanted particularly early or parti- cularl}^ late ; but it is a trouble seldom grudged, on account of the value set upon the crop, while its appearance, taste, and smell are true pledges that summer really is " come at last." Let me be a little particular on this sub- ject, in the hope that I may give the practised grower a hint or two that may be viseful, and put the beginner in the right way of growing them to perfection. Peas like a deep, rich, moist soil, in which there is some amount of well-decayed manure ; they also like charred rubbish, coal and wood ashes, and liquid manure, and as the dif- ference in pi'oduce is very great between peas well grown and peas grown anyhow, the cultivator should not be spai'ing of attention in any way. Let us bcgut with the earliest crops, Mliicli the cottager seldom aims at, but which the gentleman's gar- dener and the amateur must produce, so as to have tliem on the table long before jioor people think of such things. Here again we may easily be per- plexed with the number of sorts, but it can hardly be said that there are any really bad sorts of peas ; the prin- cipal charge to be made against seeds- men is, that they give old sorts so many new names, and supply so many different names out of the same bag, that in too many eases the name is the only special virtue the seed has. Thus the old Emperor, one of the best of early peas, is made to supply no end of Champions, Racers, and the like ; every seedsman professing to have a sort which lie calls his own, and which, of course, is not to be equalled by any one else's. One or two good sorts are sufficient for any small garden, and with one early sort only a succession may be kept up all through the season by frequent sow- ing. Last j^ear I sowed Emperors — • not the best in every sense, but very certain and useful — about every three weeks. Those sown after the begin- ning of May came into bearing in about six weeks, or even less, and were cleared off and dug round ready for succession crops of cabbage, cauli- flower, etc., in some cases eight or nine weeks after sowing, and the crops were good from first to last. One early sort, and one good marrow of slow growth, will do as much, properly managed, as any small family will require. For the earliest crops there is none better than the Early Conqueror, an improved variety of Emperor. Sangster's No. 1 , Sutton's Early Cham- pion, Daniel O'Roui-ke, Prince Albert, and Shilling's Grotto are all pretty equally good; and as a few days are important in the gathering of the first crop, there is every season a bit of a race between these, and a few other varieties, in which the Emperor gets beaten, for it comes in about a week later than most of those just named, The first sowing of any of these may be made in October, and a second and third in November and December, though there is always a risk with those sown before Christmas — frost or slugs may cut them off entirely. Still, as seed costs little, and an early crop is much valued, autumn sowing should be more generally practised than it is. The first sowing after Christmas should be made in the middle of THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 153 January, and tlien for the main crop of early peas sow any time from the 1st of February to the 1st of March, accordintr to the weather and your opportunity. These, with the Empe- ror, average three feet high. To succeed these early sorts, the Blue Scimitar, British Queen, and Bishop's Long Pod are the best ; and, by timing the sowings, these may be brought to table regularly from May to November ; but there are multi- tudes of other sorts for the summer and autumn supply, of which I may name, as first-rate in quality. Bed- man's Imperial, a delicious pea, which grows only two and a half feet high ; Burbidge's Eclipse, twenty inches ; Hingwood Marrow, four to five feet ; Woodford Marrow, three feet ; and Knight's Dwarf Green, a splendid sort, three feet. Hair's Dwarf Mammoth is a new pea of high merit, four feet high, and produces splendid pods. The following excellent mode of growing early peas was recommended by Mr. Bishop, in the pages of the Gardeners Chronicle : — " In the last week of January, cut some turf in strips of three inches in width, the length depending on the width of the hotbed in which they are to be placed. Lay the pieces of turf in the frame, grass downwards, close together ; then make in the centre of each piece of turf, by pressing it with the edge of a board, a drill, in which sow the peas, which soon come up ; and then take the lights entirely oft" in the day-time, unless very cold, and shut them down at night. Keep them close till the beginning of March. When the peas are to be planted in the border, lift the box entirely oft", and the strips of turf, in which the peas will be well-rooted, and place them on a hand-bai'row, and take them to the border for planting, which do in a drill cut so deep that they shall be about an inch lower than they were in the box. It may be necessary to protect them from frost and cool winds at first, and this may be done by puttin,^ some short sticks along the rows, and laying some long litter or cuttings of evergreens over them." On very open ground, where at- tention can be given them, the tall marrows are very profitable, and pro- duce enormous pods for a great length of time, but they are utterly unfit for SQiall gardens, though we often see them doing but poorly in such places, for people will plant them on account of their large size and fine flavour ; and the}^ are among the number of tilings of which seed is frequently given awaj'' by friends, who insist on having others try them, too often without properly considering if they have the space at their command which they require. Knight's Tall JMarrow and the Mammoth Tall GreenMarrow, are the best of the class. In selecting sorts, it may be borne in mind that the dwarf kinds take up less room, may be sown closer together from row to row, scarcely requu'e sticking, and are the best for poor ground, while they occasion the least trouble, and give no shadow to preju- dice other things. Dwarf kinds should be from two to three feet apart, the latter distance for the main crops ; but taller sorts must be at least four or five feet apart, and the tallest eight or nine, for at less distances the air cannot circulate freely amongst them, and they get drawn and sickly. In all ordinary sowings the seed should be put an inch deep for the earliest, and an inch and a halffor main crops ; and as waste of seed is waste of money, and no gain in the crop, set dwarfs two in an inch, middle-sized vax'ieties three in two inches, and the largest a full inch apart. The best arrange- ment for the rows is north and south, when they are all together in one compartment, and then the sticks should be placed alternately on each side of the row. When they are grown at large distances, which is always best, they may run from east to west, and then the sticks should be put on the south side of each row. During dry weather in summer, it is best to soak the drill the night before sowing, and at the same time put the seed in water to soak till the morning. In gathering peas it should be remem- bered that they produce one fourth more if the pods are clipped ofi" with scissors ; the usual way of lugging and tugging at them is very destructive, and only pardonable in field culture. 154 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. For tlie main crop of peas, say the early and second early sorts, about which there is least risk, the culture ought to be somewhat different. If you peep into a cottage-garden some time between the middle of February and the middle of March, you will see that peas are not generally planted on philosophical principles. It is a plant that makes but a moderate amount of root, and it suffers very much from drought, so much so, that if fine dry weather sets in about the time when the Sangsters and Emperors are being first gathered, many rows will turn yellow, and go ofi" in a week, though if they bad had rain they would bear abundantly for at least three weeks longer. Now this arises from the un- philosophical mode of growing them, they are sown in drills scratched on the level surface of the ground, they are earthed up as they rise, and sticks are put to support them. Wow when the hot sun beats down on the hard bank which the earthing up has formed, the bank gets hot, burns the roots, and away they go ; for by this plan, plants that rejoice in moisture and coolness at the root, are exposed to the very influences that ruin them. Now let me advise you to plant all your early and second early sorts as I do, and I have my rows in bearing as soon as my neighbours, and they last three or four weeks later than theirs, and all the while bear much more abundantly, and finer pods. In the first place, don't grow them in a patch, but arrange your ground so that you can have the rows six feet apart for the sorts that rise three feet high, and twelve feet apart for the tall ones. This gives you a four-foot bed, and alleys between every two rows, and here you can put lettuce, spinach, or anything else you like, but till the whole breadth with a view to plant cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower, or some other winter crop on it when the peas come off. The whole of the ground ought to be trenched two spits deep by January at the latest, if in November all the better. At sowing time mark where the rows are to be sown. For the early crops they had better be north and "south, and there take out the earth and form trenches two feet deep and two feet wide. Into the bottom of each trench lay six or eight inches of good manure ; it should be only half rotten, and if a little warm from the heap, all the better, lieturn the earth, and chop it fine. Then spread along where the drills are to be, a lot of fine coal-ashes, or, better stni, wood-ashes, or charred rubbisli, small and powdery, and dig the sur- face over one spit deep, only so as not to disturb the dung. Then draw deep drills with a four-inch hoe, let the drills be four inches deep at least, and six inches wide, and for the earliest crops it would be best to have them north and south, because the seed is to be sown below the general level, and if they run east and west, the south side of the drill will cast a shadow, and somewhat retard the seed at first, but if north and south, the sun will shine full along the trench, and bring them up as quick as if they were on the level, When the drill has been well trodden, it will pro- bably be six inches deep ; stretch the line, and sow regularly, not thickly, for, like most others, peas require a little more room than they generally get. When the seeds are scattered along the trodden drill, cover them with a couple of inches of fine mould, or if you have plenty of fine ashes, fill it up with that, so as to leave the surface of the drill three or four inches below the general level of the ground. The peas will soon come up, and for a time grow like any other peas that have not had so much care ; but as soon as they get their tendrils out, you will see them push along at express speed. Earth them up as they rise in the usual w^ay, and stick them care- fully before they begin to fall about the ground ; indeed, it is best to place the sticks to them just before they put out their tendrils, then the rows can be kept very neat, for if any have to be twisted about through having toppled over a little for want of sticks, it distresses them much. Drive the sticks in firm, and allow them six inches more than their average height, for with this mode of culture they rise higher than in the usual way. They will bloom early and strong, and in their ample fresh foliage show how THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 155 tliey like to send their roots into the moist stuff that is underneath them, and as a consequence of their vigorous growth, they will fight through the longest drought without showing one yellow leaf, and give immense crops of full pods, far surpassing the ordi- nary character of the vai'ieiy grown. For peas so^^"n in summer, to come in late, a somewhat ditierent plan should be pursued. I'll tell you how I grew several sorts, in order to com- pare them as to their relative merits. Last summer, when you remember we had many stretches of dry weather, and late peas were tried a bit, I made the drills as I have just described, but they ran from east to west, and that purposel}', as you will see. The peas were sown quite six inches below the surface, and the drills kept open pretty wide at top, that the young plants might have plenty of air and light. But instead of earthing them up in the usual way, I drew a little to their stems on the north side, and banked them up as usual ou the south. This kept a channel open ou the north side of each, say about four inches wide and three deep. They were twice dressed with soot after being sticked, and along the channel a good deal of soot was left on the surface. Every evening during dry weather that chan- nel Avas fiUcLi witli liquid manure. Some evenings it was filled three or four times as fast as it soaked in, and on washing days the suds were poured into the channel quite warm, and of course these watermgs carried a good deal of soot to the roots. To prevent the water running off, the channel was stopped at each end with a spadeful of earth beaten firm, so as to form ends to the trough, and thus keep the water iu it till it soaked through. Such peas as they were I never saw before. The Old Emperor scarcely knew him- self, for he has been brought down a bit in his day, but for once he lived a life of luxury, and put on a very regal appearance, and as for Bedman's Im- perial, Bedman ought to have been tliere to see. A couple of rows of Emperors, grown in the ordinary way, without manure in the trench, and without a drop of water, came into good bearing at the beginning of August, then suddenly got covered with mildew, and gave up the ghost, yielding about half a peck of poor pods from a length of at least a dozen yards, but Knight's Tail Marrows, also grown without manure, stood pretty well through the day heat, and the subsequent heavy rains, and bore well about half a fair crop, and then yielded to mildew ; but not a stained leaf occmTed in the petted rows, which were luxuriant in growth and bearing beyond all precedent, ct least in my experience. If it is said that my plan involves much trouble, and consumes a great deal of manure, I answer that the produce pays for all this, and the ground is in splendid condition for broccoli, or cabbage, or anything that delights in a rich soil ; when the peas come off, and where the peas have actually stood, some rows of plants may be put out with very bright anticipations, seeing what there is underneath them. The fol- lowing suggestion first appeared in the Gardener's Chronicle, and was copied into Moore's Almanac. It is a recipe for growing pea-tops for green pea-soup, and may be useful to many readers of this work : — " Sow in spring as close as to almost touch each other in a box or large pan, and when they are four inches high, cut them down, and use all the tops to make green pea-soup. Use half a pint of any of the blue peas, soaked for twenty- four hours, then boiled, and smashed through a sieve. The tops of a pint of peas set to grow will equal any- thing that can be done with the green peas themselves. We do not pretend to be cooks, nor to dictate what stock is to be used ; but the tops of peas boiled iu a small quantity of water, and smashed through a sieve, and mixed with the half-pint of old ones will rather surprise even the epicure. Of course it wants all the condiments ; the grown peas only fill up the want of real green peas. They also make a splendid dish of green vegetable, boiled like spinach, but with a little mint. Spring soup is greatly assisted by the addition of pea tops, and so ia pea soup, because all the other condi- ments are the same." It will not be necessaiy to say 156 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. much on the culture of beaus, for though they are great favourites as a summer vegetable — and who does not like beans and bacon P — yet their cul- ture is quite an easy matter, and on almost any soil a fair crop may be had with ordinary care. The earliest crops require rich and dry soil, for, as they stand during winter, or are sown before winter is quite over, much damp would destroy them. But for those sown after the end of February, a tenacious soil with a cool bottom is best, and they like a pretty good dressing of old manure. The best crop of beans I ever had was grown "on a bed made up of the clearings from an old clay -hedge, the soil having been taken out to form a drain, and probably the lower stratum of it had never had a sj^ade tb rough it before. On a clayey loam that has been trenched in winter, a crop may be had of double the weight of one grown on the old surface soil. Those who do not mind a little extra trouble, and the risk of a little seed, may make a first sowing in November, and Mazagan's Longpods or Johnson's Wonderful are the bestfor the purpose. The first spring sowing should be made about the second week in January, and sowings may be continued every three weeks till the 1st of July, but after that period, though it is quite possible to obtain a crop, yet it seldom pays for the ground it occupies. Indeed, after May they are to be regarded as precarious. The main crop should be of Johnson's Wonderful, or Common Longpod, which are the most prolific sorts in (uiltivatiou, and the first week in February is about the best time to get them in. If a few Mazagans and Windsors are sown at the same time, the first will come in ten weeks, the Longpods in about twelve weeks, and the Windsors in about fourteen weeks, so as to keep the table supplied for a considerable time. The Mazagans are prolific, but the pods are small ; the Windsors are by no means a profitable sort, and in small gardens frequently fail altogether, for they need plenty of room and fresh air ; they are, how- ever, much liked for their superior flavour. There are many other sorts, such as Tokers, Fans, etc., but those named afford an ample choice, and are the best for their several purposes. When it may happen that there is no vacant ground for the ordinary sowings, they may be raised on little seed-beds, or, if early in the year, on turf-sods, or a gentle hotbed, and planted out, for they scarcely lose a day through moving, if they are taken up carefully when they have half a dozen leaves. The drills for the seed should be double, four inches wide, drawn with the hoe, and not less than two and a-half feet apart, but the Windsors, being stronger growers, should be three and a-half feet apart, to give them a fair chance of podding well. The seed should be buried two inches deep. As soon as the crop is suffi- ciently advanced for hoeing up, the earth between the rows should be loosened and drawn to their stems, and this hoeing should be frequently repeated, and the earth each time drawn up to them, so as to form a sloping bank on each side. This pro- motes a strong growth, and preserves them from being blown down by the wind. If sown in drills north and south, four inches below the surface, and with a little old manure under them, as directed for peas, they bear very heavily, but still require hoeing between, and a moderate earthing up. As soon as they are fairly in bloom, half way up the stem, the tops should be pinched, and this should be done boldly, for there is nothing gained by allowing all, or nearly all, the blooms to open. A week or so after, many of the side-shoots will want topping, and the crop should be looked over occasionally, to see that none escape this decapitation, for side-shoots continue to rise and bloom, and, unless topped, the pods will be poor. The black fly. Aphis fabm, is very efl'tctually kept in check by this topping process, for it does not care to prey on the lower part of the stem ; but should a crop get much infested, it is best to destroy it at once, or to tear up the blackest plants and burn them. Drenching with soap- suds and water in which elder-leaves have been boiled, is a speedy settler THE FLORAL WORLD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 157 for this black fly ; but the plants should be well drenched with clean rain-water the next day after the ope- ration, to wash away tlie mixture from the leaves. Kidney-beans are very distinct in character, and about the most accom- modating summer crop we have. In- deed, their fertility and hardiness is rather against them ; for since they will grow anywhere, and prove pro- ductive under the worst of treatment, they are very often dealt with in a careless way ; whereas, with good cul- ture, their produce is immensely supe- rior, and half a dozen times as heavy as when they are badly treated. Unlike peas, which are more nu- merous in name than variety, the many sorts of kidney-bean are really very much distinct. Some are chiefly valuable for the green pod to cook as a vegetable, and some for the ripe seeds, to be stewed, or used as an in- gredient in hashes and other made dishes. The earliest crop of dwarf, usually called French beans, is raised in heat, the first sowing takes place in January, in pots placed on the flue of a hothouse, or in rows in mould on a hotbed, these come into use in March and are very delicate, looking like wax models of beans, and covered with a soft bloom. Where facilities exist for tures. Sow in pots, half a dozen plants in each five-inch pot, place the pots in a warm corner, or cupboard, near a kitchen fire. As soon as they come up, place them in a window, and water sparingly. On fine days put them out to get hardened, and when they begin to fight for existence, plant them out on a warm slope in a dry soil, taking care to handle the roots tenderly. If the weather is cold put a few mats, or some litter, over them every night for a time, or, if you have plenty of spare pots, turn a pot over each at dusk, and lay an oyster-shell, or flat crock, over the hole in the j)ot, to confine the warm air that rises from the earth, and continue this until the weather is wai-m enough for their full exposure. They will soon blossom, and bear very well three weeks earlier than those sown in the open ground. The best sorts for forcing and the earliest crops are Newington Wonder, Mohawk, Fulmer's Early Forcing, and Haricot Noir. The general crop of French beans should be sown in the second week in April, and should be followed by another sowing in May ; sow two inches deep, in rows two feet apart, the seeds four inches apart, to bo thinned afterwards to twice that dis- tance. Slugs and snails frequently the early culture of French beans, it is I make havoc with the early plants, a very easy crop to manage ; they j hence the necessity for thick sowing, should be kept close to the glass, have 1 When the plants get a little fibrous plenty of air and moisture, and the i and half a "dozen leaves, the vermin temperature should not rise higher j cease to annoy them ; then the rows than 75 ' at any time, but 60' may be , should be dressed up, gaps made good considered a safe average. If planted | with spare plants, and not any two left out in beds, under glass, the rows j nearer than eight inches ; indeed the should be a foot apart, and the plants Negro, which is a very strong grower, six inches asunder. When watered, it bears better at ten or twelve inches should be with tepid water — a rule | apart. The most useful sorts for which applies to everything in process general open ground culture are — of forcing. A second crop for plant- i Negro, which bears abundantly, but is ing out may be sown in frames ; rather coarse ; Purple Speckled, boils the first week in March, and when a fine colour ; Haricot Noir de Bel- three inches high, be carefully trans- j gique, very quick growing, and good planted to a warm border, or, if the ; when quite young; Dwarf American weather be ungenial, they may be j White, almost free from string and planted out in patches, so that hand- very prolific, requires eighteen inches lights may be placed over them at between the rows, as it climbs a little ; night, for a time. Tiiose who do not ' and for the latest crop, to be sown in mind the trouble, may have a very I May, Dwarf White Dutch, early crop of French beans without j For the ripe seeds, which, when the need of frames, or heating struc- 1 properly cooked, make a fine dish, use 158 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. the Dwarf White Dutch, Flat Yellow Canada, aad Brewer's White Kidney beans. Sown after May, they should have a trench on the north side of the row, as directed for late-sown peas, to facilitate the giving of abundance of water. This applies particularly to runners, which bear prodigiously when the roots are kept moist by frequent waterings, but liquid manure is not necessary. In growing runners, the chief thing is to give them plenty of room. Ex- pert gardeners are always careful not to pack things too close ; but in cottage gardens, where runners are especially valuable, people are apt to overcrowd them, and altogether treat them very xmfairly. They shou.ld be in single rows, running north and south, if possible, and full three feet apart, better five feet apart, with a row or two of lettuce or spinach between. The seed should be sown two inches deep and four inches apart in the rows, but to be thinned to eight inches as soon as they begin to run. At any less dis- tance thin that they choke each other, and when they ought to be bearing lieavily are so matted together, that they give you only half a crop. The seed should not be sown till the first week in May, for there is nothing gained by early sowing: but in the poor man's garden two sowings, at least, ought to be made, for why should a poor man be without beans after the middle of September, when a second sowing would keep his table supplied till November? In any case three sowings are plenty, say the first early in May, the second in the middle of June, and the third in the first week of July, and better one row only of each sowing than to put in all at once, for they are things that can be eaten by everybody, and at almost anytime, and to have them grown out in Sep- tember, as I generally see them in the south of England, when they might be had as long as the frost would spare them, is very bad management. Runners may be grown either with or without sticks, but they bear better if allowed to climb about five feet, and then have their tops nipped off". The sticks should be put on the south side of rows that run east and west, and alternately on both sides of those run- ning nortii and south. When grown without sticks, they must be topped every morning as soon as they begin to put out ruiiaers. They should be taken off about the third joint, or if only a couple of joints from the root be left at first it will be quite enough, and long before the season is over they will be thickly matted together, in spite of every care. One day's neglect of topping will sometimes put them into confusion, for, after a shower, the runners rise all over them ; still they must be kept nipped down as regularly as possible, and there must be no fear of sacrificing all beyond the third joint. They come in very early with this treatment, but towards the end of the season they get very full of snails, and the beans touch the ground and get soiled, so that a few rows on sticks are very desirable. For sorts the Common Scarlet is the best for all general purposes. Where a few rows are wanted for ornament as well as use, the White Long Pod is very effective, and the pods deliciously tender. The Dutch runners are not in great favour with our seedsmen, but they are really valuable, for they bear most profusely, and the pods are all that can be de- sired, but they come in late. The White Sabre and the Large White Case-knife are two very luxuriant sorts, rather late, but immense bearers, and very valuable for use as screens, for their large bunches of white flowers and ample foliage render them very ornamental. The small \Yhite French Kunner is another useful sort, but it does not ripen its seeds in this country. As most people save seed of run- ner beans, a little care should be taken to save it properly, for they degenerate very much with those who save them from year to year, merely trusting to those which es- cape in the picking. It is best to grow a row on purpose for seed, and not to gather a single pod from them. Or part of a row may be left untouched, for the first pods formed are the finest and get well ripened before the season closes ; wliereas, if they are gathered from, the first pods ai'e sure to be taken and a later row left to ripen,and THE FLORAL WORLD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 150 these are never so good as tlie first. Hence the seeds get smaller every year, and the plants cease to be so prolific, or to produce such good pods. Those that are gathered from should be gathered close, not one pod should be allo^ved to s\\'ell ; it is better to pluck them and throw them away, than to let seed ripen indiscrimi- nately, for when once a few pods have set for seed, the plants throw all their vigour into them, and soon cease bear- ing altogether. But there is nothing easier got rid of where there is a su- perabundance. Anybody will accept a dish of French beans or runners, and if you have plenty it will not be labour lost to gather as the plants require it, and give to your neigh- bours what you do not want yourself. The seed should be stored in the pods, and for ordinary purposes a couple of dozen runners and forty or fifty plants of the dwarf kind will furnish abund- ance of seed. SELECT GREENHOUSE PLANTS. STATICS HAIiPORDII. This is a very showy member of the pretty class of Sea Lavenders, and raaj' be bloomed in the house, or used as an out-door fur- nishing plant dm-ing the summer. It may be wintered in a cold pit, or in the coolest part of an airy house. It requires a com- position of fibrous loam, or old turf, with one-fourth of peat and one-fourth of sand added, but no dung or any other exciting ingredient. Halfordii produces its beauti- ful blue flowers in great profusion, and is undoubtedly the best of the statices for pot-culture. The culture is altogether simple, and it is entered here more as a reminder on account of its merit, than with any idea that a routine of treatment need be given. 1I3IANTHUS ETTS3ELLIAXUS. This exquisitely beautiful member of the Grentian family is usually regarded as an annual ; it is, however, best treated as a biennial, if raised from seed, as it blooms much stronger if kept over winter. The most ready way of propagating it is by cuttings taken in autumn, and a stock should be kept up in the same way as ver- benas, petimias, etc., and it will be prized as a decorative feature for the house during the latter part of the summer, when many of the most showy occupants are turned out. With a steady bottom heat, cuttings are easily struck under a bell-glass in sandy peat, after which they should be grown in a mixture of loam, sand, and peat, in equal proportions. As this is a great favourite with many cultivators, who find it difficult to keep in winter, we introduce it here for the purpose of remarking that there are two conditions essential to its preserva- tion. During winter it must have a warm place, av3raging 50° if possible, but never below 45", and not a drop of water must touch the leaves. In fact, winter it in the same way as mignonette intended for early blooming, and in July it will repay you with its splendid blossoms of a rich blue, shaded with purple. When out of bloom, the foliage is sufficiently handsome to make it at all seasons a decorative plant. CHBTSOCOMA COMAtTKEA. This is a beautiful evergreen shrub of the popular family of Groldilocks. It pro- duces a profusion of golden ball-like flowers, and is most effective for conser- vatory embellishment, attaining a height of six feet when well grown. On a stage, among purple and crimson flowers, it is very striking. Take cuttings of half-ripe shoots in April, and strike them under a bell-glass in pure sand without bottom heat, in a warm corner of the house. When rooted, pot off into small pots in poor loam, witli plenty of sand, and give another shift in autumn, but be careful not to over-pot. Early in spring shiit into seven-inch pots in a mixture of loam, with one-fourth old dry cow-dung and peat added. Syringe frequently, and give plenty of light and air, and you will have abundance of bloom from July to tlie end of the season. APHEIiSXIS HUMILIS. The three best of these curious Ever- lastings are, A. humilis, purpurea grand'f flora, and sesamoides. When out of flower they are gawky, ill-looking things; but their profusion of star-shaped flowers, which last a long time, give them avery cheerful aspect, and they come in well to embelHsh the beauty of the house when a 160 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. considerable part of the stock is removed to pits in May. Take cuttings during spring and summer from firm side slioots when just ripe. Strike under a bell-glass iu sand, with gentle bottom heat. The best compost is equal parts of sandy loam, turfy peat, and very rotten dung. They require moderate warmth, but will winter in a house which is never lower than 35°. The average should be io". The great point in getting good specimens is to stop them frequently, so as to get them as dense and bushy as possible, before they begin to tlower, for the flowers come at the ends of the branches like stars, and if the branches are multiplied, the plants will present a dense array of their cheerful blossoms. Humilis has pinkflowers; purpurea, purple and large, sesamoides, purple and white. SELECTION OF HAEDT nEEBACEOtJS BOEDER FLOWEES. To be sown during July and August, to bloom next season. Particularly choice subjects marked thus *. {Concluded from page 138.) Height. Colour. Gaillardia aristata ... 2 ... Orange „ Richardsoni *■ ...") ... 1^... Orange Galega officinalis [ Goat's Eue ... 4... Blue „ alba ) ... 3 ... White Gaura Liudheimeria * . . . 2 . . . White & red Gazania rigens * ... 1 ... Orange Gentiana acaulis * "] ... f... Blue „ Catesbsea j ... 1 ... Blue „ intermedia }> Gentian ... 2 ... Pm-ple „ alpina* | ... i... Blue (many others) Geranium affine „ Altaicum „ Ibericum „ Lamberti J, Lancastriense sylvaticum J Geranium Geum atrosanguiueum ) , „ grandiflorum ] ^^^"^ Gypsophila Steveni Hibiscis palustris Iberis sempervirens * ")--, j./.. „ semperflorens* ] Candytuft Iris susiana ^ ,, Gerraanica j ,, pumila* !>Iri3 „ sub-biflora j ,, Chinensis J Inula glandiflora Lathyrus latifolius "Jt^ , ,• -n •' ,, } Everlasting Pea „ albus ) '^ Leucanthemum album Linum Lewisii * ~\ „ luteum > Flax „ variegatum 3 Lupinus magnificus „ arboreus „ Douglasi „ grandifolius )■ Lupin J, polyphyllus * „ Nootkatensis | (many others) J Lychnis Chalcedonica „ alba „ mutabilis „ fulgens 1 .., 1^... U.. U.. 1 .. 11... 2 .. n.. H.. 3 ... i 2 . .. 2 .. 3 .. Begin to bloom. August. July. July. July. June. June. March. June. Oct. July. 2i.. li.. 3 .. 3 .. 3 .. li.. Blue Pale red Blue Red Striped .., Purple Dark blood Scarlet White Pink White White Striped Blue Purple Purple Purple Yellow Purple White White Blue Yellow Lilac & white ... White and pur..,. Lilac Purple Purple Various Blue Scarlet White Rosy white Scarlet Jmie. July. June. July. July. May. June. July. July. July. May. May. April. May. May. April. May. July. July. July. June. June. June. June. June. July. June. July. June. May. June. June. June. June. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 161 Myosotii palustris "^ » ». ^^'^'^ C rorc;et-Tnc-not „ azorica V ., azurea grandiflora* J Ginothera Prazeri ") ., luacrocarpa * | „ odorata |> Evening rrimrose „ taraxacifolia | „ fruticosa J Papaver orientale ~\ „ nudicaule ( Pereuial Poppy „ alpmum t „ involucrata maxima^ Pentstemon cordiiblium * . . . "^ geniiauoides f rontstcmon „ Miirrayauum ... t „ riolaceum J Phlox Decussata * } „ paniculata » omniflora ! pf^j^^ J, nivalis j „ procumbeus | ,, Wheeleri J Polyanthus Potcntilla formosa ., in6i,2:nis „ M'Nabiana ,, piilcherrima „ Eiisselliana Primula cortusoides* "^ " t'*^'^°i'.=» C Primrose » marginata (^ „ amccua y Rudbeckia amplexifolia Salvia azurea * Flowering Sage Scabiosa australis "^ » carpatica Ucabious „ stncta V (many others) J Pedum acre I „ album I » glolmlifolium Utonccrop ,. sempervivum | J, telcphium I ., vcrlicillatum J Silenc acaulis * ') „ regia " > Catchfly „ Schafia; ) Statice formosa ') „ pseudo armeria ^ Sea Lavender ,, eximia* * Smilacina borealis "^ Smilax „ umbellata > " ' tsolidago recnrvata ') „ speciosa > Golden Rod „ pctiolaris ) Spirca filipendula "^ " P|°"^-; • ■ ■ • y Garland Flower ' „ ulmaria plena I , lovata y ght. Colour. Begin to bloom. »... Blue Julj-. AYIiite July. 1 ... Dark blue . August. X EIuc , Julv. 1^... YJlow . July. i Yellow . June. •) Yellow . June. 3. White . June. " ... Yellow . August. 3 ... Red . May. n... () ran ire . June. 3 , Yellow . June. 2J-.., , Scarlet . June. o . Scarlet . July. 1^.. . Tariou3 . July. 2 .. . Scarlet . August. 2 .. . Violet k critn. .. . July. 2 . Various . July. 3 ,. Pink . August. 2 . White . Jidy. i.. . White ,, April. 1. . Red . July. 3 .. . Flesh ,. July. *.. . Various .. April. u.. . Purple ,. June. 4 , . YelloA- .. Julv. *.. . Orange & red . , ,. Julv. X . Yeliow .. Mav. 2 . Crimson . . June. 3 ,. Red .. May. 4 .. ,. Purple .. April. .. Pink .. March. 4 • .. Purple .. ApriL 2w . Yellow & black . .. July. 3 . .. Blue .. July. U. . . Purple .. June. 1 . .. AVhite .. June. 2 . .. Red .. June. 1 .. Yellov/ .. Julv. i_ .. White .. Julv. 1 .. Yellow .. Julv. X .. Purple .. July. 2 .. Purple . . . August, 1 , .. Pink ... August, .1 .. Pink .. June. 1 .. Crimson .. June. U .. Rose .. June. 1 . .. Pink .. July. u. .. Pink .. July. u. . , Lilac rose .. July. . 1 . .. White .. May. .. White .. May. 2 .. Yellow ... Sept. 4. . .. Yellow ... Sept. , 4 . .. Yellow ... Oct. o .. White . June. , 11. ., White .. June. o .. White , . June. o .. Red .. Julv. n 2 162 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDBN GUIDE. Height. Colour. Begin to ° bloom. Thalictrum tuberosum ....... "^ ... 2 ... AVliite ... June. „ aguilegifolium ... V Meadow Euc ... 3 ... Purple ... May. „ eornati ) ... 3 ... White ... May. Veronica spicata \ ,.. 2 ... Blue ... Juue. 5> alba V Yeronica ... 2 ... White ... June. „ frutieulosa ) ... \... Flesh ... June. Viola tricolor grandiflora ...") v' 1 ^ ••• ''^••- Various ... March. » odorata j violet ___ i... Blue ...March. ^^* Sow thin, prick out to nursery rows as soon as the plants are large enough U> handle, and of all choice subjects pot a few to keep over winter in frames. Move to blooming quarters in February and March. All the above will grow in ordinary good garden soil. PEACTICAL EUSTIC-WORK. Mb. Howlett's book is entitled " Practi- cal Eustie-Work ; or, the Uses to which the Cones of the Fir Tribe maybcApplied;" and is published by Messrs. Jarrold and Son, of London Street, Norwich, and St. Paul's Churchyard, London. Mr. How- lett is an experienced hand in this branch of garden embellishments, and some short time since took a prize offered by Mr. Savage, of Winchester, for the best six baskets suitable for entrance-halls, plant- liouses, etc. Mr. Howlett has in this prettily-illustrated work given very con- cise instructions in the construction of rustic- work of all kinds ; but his chief ob- ject has been to show " the use to which the cones of the fir tribe may be applied, oifering as they do a great variety of mate- rial for rustic-work, being so exquisitely modelled by the hand of Nature, that no chisel can rival them." The instructions are prefaced by a short essay on the prin- ciples of taste to bo observed by thse who use rustic-work, in which Mr. Howlett gives his dictum, that "where the modern style of terrace and geometrical gardening is adopted, rustic-woi'k is out of the qties- tion ;" to which we subscribe most heartily. AVe have engraved two out of the thirteen designs in Mr. Howlett's work, as examples of the ingenuity displayed in their con- struction. Eespectiug the handicraft, the following is a portioii of Mr. Hewlett's practical instruction : — " Before commencing to work, it will be necessary (in addition to cones) to pro- THE FLORAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 163 videfiue-cut bi'ads, of various lengths, from half-an-inch to one inch and a quarter ; bradawls of two or thi-ee sizes ; copper wire, the finest made (for connecting the cones by, which are nailed round the edge of the plinth, for unless a small wire is run through them, they will deviate from their horizontal position), also some of the next larger size (for connecting tlie coues with, to form the handles, suspending chains, and festoons) ; some hazel, birch, or other clean and straight rods ; a few clasp uails, and a pair of bell-hangers' plyers, etc. " The cones should bo prepared by cutting their basis smooth with a strong knife, then by drilliuga hole through each with a bradawl, in an oblique direction, inserting it about two-thirds up the side of bell-hangers' plyers. Fix a nail firmly in a bench that will bear pulling against ; let one end of the wires be twisted round it ; then having one person to hold the cone firmly between them, another should twist the wires tightly round it, taking one wire in each hand, and giving them one twist round each other, as tightly upon the apex of the cone as possible ; then take the other two wii-es, and serve in like manner, the assistant holding the cone firmly in its place the while. The scales of the stone pine cone make a pretty edging for the rim. These should be fixed on with half- inch brads, and a piece of hazel-rod, so fixed as to cover the nails ; the largo cones used for the feet of these are from the cluster pine (Pinus pinaster) ; and those of a more spherical form from the stone the cone, and working it through the centre of its base ; at the same time j inserting a brad, in length proportionate to the size of the cone ; for the largest cones, Ij-incli brads ; and for the smallest, vrhich will sometimes run about the size of nuts, one-inch, or seven-eighths brads. Some cones for the outer rims must be drilled horizontally. Then, having the deal frame already painted, proceed to nail them firmly and closely on, but the frame must be supported by a bearer projecting from the work-bench, otherwise, tiie jar from nailing on of the cones will open the joints. The handles are made by encasing j cones in four wires ; the wires should be \ copper, of a moderate substance, must be ■ cut the requisite length, with a pair of I pine {fiiius piiiea). These last named must have a hole drilled through them, from the base to the apex, with a thin gimblet ; then have some spikes made from two-eighths iron wire, of sufficient length to go through the cone, and take a proper hold of the wooden frame. " The pedestal and plinth are covered with the knots and crooked points of the branches from a whitethorn hedge, that have been for many years closely clipped ; these are divested of their spines and small spray, and naOed so closely together with |-incli brads, as to cover the whole surface. " The whole should when finished have a good coat of boiled linseed oil, and when thoroughly dry a coat of ' oak varnish.' " 104 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. WIRE-WORM. Last year, I had experience of your kind- ness ia the answer you gave to an inquiry of mine as to a destructive grub in my garden, which proved to be that of the "Daddy Longlegs." Fortunately, lam rid of that pest; but, most unfortunately, it is succeeded by anot'.ier still more uni- versal in its presence, and unscrupulous ia its attacks, to wit, the wire-worm ; and I should be agaitr obliged by advise how to deal with an enemy which puts me almost " at my wits' end." Every kind of crop is injured by it ; iu some cases to the entire destruction of such things as turnips and carrots. Seedlings of ail kinds, strawberry plants, and flowers of various growth, ai'e eaten through and killed ; bulbs, beans, and peas are pierced like sieves, and become rotten before they can vegetate, or the plants are cut oif before they can attaiu any growth. I have consulted as many books as I could meet with on the subject, but the writers appear to be mostly unacquainted Avith any means of lessening or banishing the pest ; and they, as it appears to me, seek to conceal their ignorance by the recommendation of hand-picking. The idea of attempting this with any hope of success, iu a piece of laud of 800 square yards, seems monstrous, especially as it would involve the necessity of rooting up every plant of every kind to prosecute the search, besides bunting over, under, and through every square inch of tlie soil, to an indeflnite depth. If a man could tho- roughly do a square yard in a day (which I doubt), at the end of a year he would have completed half his task, and the un- completed half would still furnish such a supply as to recolonizc that which had been sifted over with so much care. Si- syphus himself would not exchange his labour for such an one as this. What is wanted is some pivparatiou whicli shall destroy the worm, and yet leave the crops unhurt. The only work in which I have met with anything to the pui'pose is Richardson's " Pests of the Farm," published by Orr and Co. The compost there recommended, and stated to have been found effectual iu Ireland, is — Quicklime, in powder, two parts ; soot, three parts ; salt, one part ; applied, imme- diately at'ier mixing, as a top-dressing. But the writer, like your Cuero Guano correspondent, does not say how much he would use — whether a ton per square yard, or a spoonful per acre. No doubt the composition would be capital manure, if applied iu proper quan- tity ; but too mucli of it would kill every- thing of vegetable as well as animal exist- ence. Again : when should it be used ? In winter, when most crops are off, I ex- pect it w^)uld be ineffectual, because then the worms seem to have burrowed deep in the earth, for there are none of them to be found in the top soil. Whereas, just now, they are mucli nearer the surface, "pitch- ing into" stems and I'oots in all directions. If a stray radish, for instance, happens to have escaped utter annihilation, you pull it up, aud find from two to six or more of tlie yellow leathery rascals at its root. They are now, therefore, much more ac- cessible to " external influences," applied in the waj' of physic. Buf, once more, it seems of no use applying any preparation, unless it be done thorougldy all over the gi'Oiuid ; for, if auy spot be left, it will serve as a " refuge for the destitute" wire-Viforms from otiier parts of the ground, and as a nucleus for recolonization by and by. I have ascertained, by preliminary ex- periment, that either salt or soot will kill wire-worms immersed in it in a few mi- nutes ; and soot also kills small centipedes (of which I have plenty) almost instanta- neously. The questions on which I (and, no doubt, many other unfortunates) would be grateful for your opinion, are these : — 1. The quantity of the preparation to apply per square yard ? 2. Whether each of the ingredients would be likely to neutralize the effect of the others ? 3. WheniowiQ it with least ri^k to crops, both seasonal and per;ua!;ont, and with most certainty ? 4. Whetiier to use it at all, or some- thing better ? 5. Whether gas -water or gas -lime would be preferable or effectual in any degree ? 6. And to advise generally on the subject. Mejt. — I have tried " tater-traps," viz., pieces of potato stuck iu about an inch or two deep, here aud there, all over a bed. It is quite true that you soon fir.d them full of tlie worms, but the quantity in the neighbourhood does not seem to be seriously diminisl;ed. Even if it were, this process, or auy other form of hand- picking, is inapplicable to any extent of surface. 7. Whether it would be unwise to dose THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 1G5 the laud so thoroughly now as to kill all kinds of "varmint," forking the stuff in an inch or two beneath the surfaoe, so as to insure its complete admixture with the soil in whieli they arc at present enjoyiug life, and take the risk of killiug existing crops, etc., rendering the ground barren till nest spring, wiien it might be trenched, 80 as to bring up entirely fresh soil? There is generally an objection to trenching among my neighbours, for this reason — that the surface soil, or " mouls,"* as they call it, is not more than one spit deep, and tlie subsoil is silt, or, rather, silty clay, which has, at some former pe- riod, been tlie bed of the sea. It is con- sidered to be inipregnated with salt, and unfit for cultivation. Whether it is so or not I cannot say from espeiience, but it certainly looks very unpromising when turned up. I think a few remarks from you on all these points would bo of great interest to any of your readers similarly situated with myself, either geologicaUy or entomologi- callji . King's Lynn. G. w. [G. W. propounds a query to which no living horticulturist can give a cate- gorical answer except in the negative. Tliere is no specific (using the term in its accepted sense) known against wire-worm. After all tliat he urges against hand-pick- ing and '•' tater-traps," that plan must be adopted by those who determine to save their crops from this pest. Take out the potatoes three times a week, and you will find them filled with wire-worms, of thefate of which not a woi-d need be said. Bui'y the potatoes again, and continue to use them till they are eaten up, and then set * Pronounced to rbvme ^ith okIi^ a fresh lot to work. Being cut, the worms scent them out sooner than if they are put in whole, and will leave almost every other kind of food to attack them. They are very fond of daisies, and a daisy edg- ing will often save from injury things of more vaUic; but the daisies should be taken up twice in the year, and replanted, in order to cleanse their roots of the enemy. We have no faith in any nostrums, except such as would kill the plants as well as the worms, for these wretches have impene- trable jackets, and a wonderful constitu- tion. Soot they do not like, and, at this season, it may bo most usefully applied ; hid It 19 not a specific. Of the preparation referred to, a quart per square yard may be used with safety, but no more. As sulphuric acid may be had at the rate of threepence a pound, or even as low as one penny a pound in some places, we adviso our correspondent to clrench his ground with it, diluted with six times its quantity of water. It should be used only on vacant plots, and where there is no fear of injury to the roots of trees, etc.; and the proper time is autumn and early win- ter, so tliat the winter rains may wash the acid out of the soil. Quick lime is consi- dered to neutralize the effects of soot, by setting fi-ee its ammonia. Use the mix- ture during, or just previous, to a fall of rain. Gas-lime will thin their numbers, but, to be effectual, must be used in quan- tities likely to be injurious to vegetation. The value of trenching must always depend on the nature of the subsoil ; and G. W.'s best mode of determining will be, to turn up a piece, and mix the top stratum with the subsoil, and put on it an experimental crop. As that answers, determine for the future.] NOTES rOR JULY. KITCHEN QABDEN'. IToE bei;ween all growing craps, and especially between potatoes. Plant tlie main crop of celery in well-manured trenches. Plant also, from seed-beds, cab- bage of all kinds, broccoli, savoys, bore- cole, etc., choosing, if possible, showery weather, to reduce the labour of watering. Top runners, and keep them well staked, but very tall sticks are not at all necessary, as they are only the more liable to be blown over by gusts of wind. Sow the last succession of runners and French beans ; also lettuce, radish, small salads, spinach, peas, and turnips. rntriT aARDEjr, Riinners of strawberries, struck in pots, may now be cut off, and the plants shifted into a size largei-, or turned out into beds. Beds made now have the best chance of becoming strong before winter, to bear abundantly next year. Continue to bud stone fruit-trees, for o.-chard and pot-culture. Thin out weak spray on all bush-fruits, and foreright shoots on wall- fruits. Maiden trees intended to be trained should be stopped, to make them break into side-shoots, as a whole season's growth is thus saved. Rub off useless shoots on vines. Thin aU fruit of which 166 THE FLOliAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. fine berries are required, either for exhibi- tion or dessert. FLOWEK GAEDEN. Another lot of chrysanthemums should be struck this month, under hand-glasses, to make dwarf plants for the window and greenhouse in autumn. The pompones are tlie best for this purpose and they may be stopped till the middle of August, to keep them dwarf and bushy. Train out dahlias neatly, but do not cut them severely, for the loss of foliage only weakens the plant. Put in cuttings of scarlet geraniums in the full sun, either in a sandy border, or in pots half tilled with crocks, to be potted singly, as soon as rooted. Get strong plants of chrysanthe- mums into their places in the borders, so tjiat the heavy rains this month may establish them. Layer pinks, carnations, and picotees, and put pipings of the same into a gentle bottom-heat. Another lot of annuals may be sown early in the month, to keep up the gaiety of the borders. Bud roses during cool moist weather. GEEENHOUSE AND STOVE. Tlie last lot of pelargoniums will be turned out this month, after being cut down, and must be kept rather dry till they begin to break, and then be syringed frequently. Shift all greenhouse plants required to bloom late, and stop any that are rather too forward. Cinerarias for winter bloom should have good culture now. Camellias may be repotted any time this month, but must have very small shifts. As pines colour, keep them rather dry ; pines shy of fruiting may be induced to fruit, by having water withheld from them, so as to check them for awhile, and then be well soaked, and kept warm and moist, and they will be pretty sure to fruit freely. In vineries, give plenty of liquid manure to plants swelling their fruit, and be careful to keep the bunches shaded with a few leaves, by tying the laterals over, where necessary. TO CORRESPONDENTS. Yellow Roses.— -S. B., J.B., and others.— These correspondeuts C(3niplaiu of the dilBculty in getting Cloth of Gold and Isabella Grey roses to hloom freely. Straufje that five correspondents should make the same complaint, and all of them agree in not letting us know where they live. Suppose S. B. lives on the bleakest exposure of the Grampian Hills, and with only an inch of soil in which to grow the Cloth of Gold, then the proper advice would be, move away, and take Cloth of Gold with you. Mr. John Bell lives at Hagley. "Well, where is Hagley? In Cornwall or Caithness P It is aU very well to have implicit faith in learned professors, but not a wise thing to expect of them superhuman knowledge. As soil and climate are conditions of some moment in regard to the growth of roses, and more so in regard to Noisettes and Teas than any others, we cannot specijically advise any of these querists ; but in the hope of proving useful to thcin, we will make a few re- marks on the general culture of these roses. The usual mode of pruning Noisettes is the long rod system, that is, to thin out all misplaced and unripe shoots to their base, and leave the remainder untouched. But this rule, evidently, does not apply iu iin unexceptionable manner to the two roses we are considering. Take the ca>es that have been reported lately in the Chronicle, the ff'Ufxhire Independent, and else- where. An Isabella Grey planted in 1857 has produced two blossoms this season, one of them very much pinched by the cold. Another specimen, now in its third year, at Torquay, has ninety blooms upon it. In both of these eases the pruning knife has had nothing to do with the result, the plants have not been pruned ■ at all. The next is Cluth of Gold, planted in 18.57, now growing vigorously, and blooms ex- pected ! Let us hope the expectation is not a vain one. Another instance is that of a Cloth of Gold growing on the rectory house, at Great Cheverell, Wiltshire. This produces, every year, au immense crop of blooms, and frequently shows 200 or 300 expanded blossoms at one time. This tree is worked on a yellow Banksia, and is regularly pruned back to two or three eyes, except when a leader is wanted to fill up a blank. It thus appears that pruning has little to do with the result either way ; but there are a few other points to Vie noted, and one of the first of these is age. If Cloth of GoUl is in a warm aspect and a good climate, and makes healthy growth from the first, it will be pretty sure to bloom when of a blooining age, and those who grow it must exercise patience. As to pruning, the chief object should be to keep the plant regularb' furnished and in decent order, so that whatever wood it makes shall lu> well ripened. Next, how should it be worked P We suspect that on this point nurserymen ami amateurs have very much to learn. We have seen Cloth of Gold bloom well the second year after having been budded on a well established briar ; but bud it on a green briar and you must wait. Then there is no dotibt if the bud for insertion be taken from a bloom stalk, a season at least will be gained; the bud im- mediately below the bloom should be chosen ; and if put on to an old, but vigorous briar, you have the same chance of early bloom as you have of early fruit, when a seedling apjjle or pear is worked on a bearing tree. But people who have these roses aheady planted are more anxious to see their own filants uo well than to consider the case ab initio, and we advise, first, protection, for all yellow roses are of delicate constitution; secondly, high feeding; thirdly, management — get well ripened wood ; and, lastly, have patience, for the tendency to bloom increases with age ; if they do not bloom when they get sufficientl}' aged, you may fairly con- clude that the climate is too cold, or that the plants have been mismanaged. J. B. need only compare a Noisette with a Hybrid Per- petual, to see the diffei-ence between them. The Noisettes make long slender shoots, and are always more or less tinged with crimson in their THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 167 steiaa aud foliaga ; their leaves are smaller than the leaves of Bourbons or Perpetuals, and they bloom in separate eilbrts, very abundantly at each effort, and are strictly autumnal. There | are other points ofdilierenoe, vrhich it would bs ; idle to describe except in a regular treatise. Hepattcas, Beddix& Verbenas. — Thorahtiyy. — | The best way to manage the hepaticas so as to | get them sorted into colour.-:, depends on how ' they have been treated. From the time they ceased floweriuar, they ou^ht to be in very tine, sandy soil, enriched with plenty of fine mulch from an old dun^ bed, to make their j growth for next season. Then left alone till I they begin to show bloom buds early the ne.x.t year, when alltiie old leaves may be cut otf, and , the plants potted into shallow geed-p;ins to bloom in the greenhouse ; such as are wanted i for ribbon-worli and systematic plantm? to be i allowed to show their colour, and to be care- fully moved immediately to the places they are to decorate. This plan ensures exactitude as to colours, and, if properly performed, in no way i interleres with the blooming, or afterijrowth of ' the plants. When crocuses get mixed they may be served in the same way, lor they move with as complete balls as chrysanthemums. The best pairs of cheap verbenas of each of the colours you name are — Scarlet, Miss Trotter and Mrs. VVoodroffe. Blue — Blue Bonnet, "Won- derful. Purple — Purple King, Leviathan. Lilac —Lady Bird, Kitty Tyrrell. P(*i/; — Bonnie Dundee (3s. 6d., E. Henderson and Son), Lady Havelock. The following are also of great value as bedders : — Geant des Battailles, crimson ; Brilliant de Vaise, crimson ; Andre, bluish pur- ple ; St. Mar;?aret's, rosy scarlet; Imperatriee Elizabeth, fancy striped, and our old scarlet friend. Defiance. Hardy Ferns.— B. T. — The following are among the most useful for garden culture: — Polypodium vulgaris, Lastrea fills mas, L. oreopteris, L. cris- tata, and L. Goldieana, Cyst^jpteris fragiUs, Athyrium filix foemina, Polystichium aeulealum, Seolopendium vulgare, Osmunda regalis, Blech- num spicant, Oualea sensitiva, Pteris aqui- Jina. The best way to secure a proper assort- ment would be to ■n-rite to Mr Sim, of Foot-;- cray, Kent, and tell him the extent and aspect of the ground to be planted, and say whether it is beside water, or elevated rockwork, or what ex- tentof each, etc., and leave the rest to him. Ton would thus obtain variety and sorts just suited to the spot. The only list of ferns lor various aspects, with heights, soil, and cultural treat- ment, is that given in " Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste," second edition, pages i.31 to •K3t. It was prepared with great care, and the result of many years' observation by the author. It would be an infringement of copyright for us to reproduce it in the Floral World. Greenhouse Plants in Autumn. — Amatei:,-. — The best plants to make your "greenhouse gay during the next few months" are scarlet Sal- vias, double Petunias, and especially the bcaii- tifid Imperialis, which is splendid when st irved in pots ; Senecios, Crassulas, Abronias, Ge-- nerias, Statiee Halfordii, Brugmansias, Erici pulehella. Geranium Cerise and Commander, Asters, Balsams, Clintonia pulcheUa, and any showy annuals that were sown in June. Later in the season, pompoue Chrysantbemums wdl come in, and make the stages very gay. In the Garden Oracle for 1859 is a list of greenhouse plants blooming every day in the year, to which every p )sse3.?or of a greenhouse should refer ; if only half a dozen were selected from the 365 named, the list will have served its purpose, and it is the best Ust of the kind in existence. Bee Keepino. — Young Sub., Frame.— Your two queries would demand the space of a number to answer them in full. In beginning bee- keeping, buy new swarms of the season, if you can get them ; if not, get strong stocks in de- priving hives. The two best amateur's hives are Tegetmeier's Bar Slide Hive, and Teget- meiers Glass Observatory Hive. None are so easily managed, or so well adapted to the work of the honey-bee. Procure the fifth edition of Taylor's " iiee Keeper's Manual," and master its contents ; and if you come to Loudon this season, procure a ticket of admission to the Apiarian Society's Exhibition at Muswell Hill, where you vrill meet with those w ho will explain and atlvise without any cost to you beyond thanks. In regard to " keeping up a regular supply of garden aud window flowei'S," the Floral World is mainly devoted to that very subject, and, as it would cost but a few shillings for you to procure all the back numbers, that is the best advice we can give you, for the querj' cannot be answered in a lew words. Books Received. — Prospectus of " Recreative Science, a Record and Remembrancer of Intel- lectual Observation." If well conducted, this work will be most successful, for the young student is utterly unrepresented in our existing p.n-iodical literature, nor is there any trust- worthy record of scientific progress adapted for populir reading. We look forward to the ap- pearance of the first number of this work with j)leasurable anxiety, the whole circle of the sciences lies open for popular treatment by writers of ability in the several departments, and in these days of telegraphs, steam-engines, and pbotographie curiosities, science is invested with a poetry of its own, which delights the ima- gination and the fancy as powerfully as its truths lay hold upon the mind. We particularly note that Natural History and Botany will be pro- minent features. Dryins Heaihs. — Xo signature. — Get some new blotting paper, and a couple of deal boards, eighteen inches square. Lay out the specimens as fiat as possible, and cut away side branches that are in the way. Place between blotting- paper with a board above and beliw, and put ou a moderate weight. At the end of twelve hours, shift the specimens into ot.ier sheets of blotting-paper, made dry and warm by holding them before the fire, and continue to change iu the same way till the specimens are dry. Plants dried quickli/ between thick folds of warm blotting-paper, changed every few hours, keep their colour most perfectly ; but the slower the process, the greater is the proba- bility that the colour will be lo.st. Blue flowers are the most likely to deteriorate : they usually change to a dirty white. Ou the contrary, yellows hold in all their original brightness. Flowering Shrubs, Fuchsias. — Snbscriber, Wisbeaok. — We will give you a list of flowering sbrubs next uionth, meanwhile, look to back numbers, and you will find many advices on the subject, as also on the culture of Fuchsias. Fuchsias like leaf mould, and very old dung, of which the compost for them should consist of at least one-third part. If liberally supplied with water, and with nioierate pot-room, fuchsias never throw off their flower-bucls. Hkebaceotts Plants.— We refer H. iV. to the "Floral World" for Mav, June, and Julv, 18.59. Various. — Stibsariher. — There is no golden rule to protect asters from the attacks of slugs. Trap and destro)'^ the vermin. Asters are safer iu pots till grown to good size, when slugs are not so voracious in eating them. — J. W.-The liquid manure you name is the best that can be used, and the amount of dilution necessary depends on its strength. We have a lnrge zinc can kept near the house, in a recess out of sight, so tliat the servants shall have no excuse for wasting what we consider i>recious. Every 168 THE FLORAL WORLD AND aARDEN GUIDE evenuig the oaa is filled up with water, and the coutents used to hollyhocks, cbrysanthemunis, roses, etc., aud v;e i-iii-ely take uote of the pre- cise strength, beiug so accustomed to use it. Say two-thirds water, added to the ori^,dnal bulk, an J you are sale. Better too weak than too strong, iu all such cases. — K. ]\^. — We can add nothing to the notice already given of Boot's Metallic Labels. We continually receive complaints by tnuleamen of our non-attention to letters, but, having nothing more to no with their goods than describe and criticise such as demand our al'eutiou in counection with hor- ticulture, we must leave the (would-be) cus- tomers to fig:ht it out. ViNCA ELEGANii.ssiJii.— .1. B. — This is one of the most beautiful of the variegated peri- winkles, and lor a fancy edging very chiste and striking. It may take the place of golden chain in many cr.ses, but to our eye is very distinct in its effect. Use one-third smd in compost for striking pansies, pinks, etc. Feen-s fob GAEDE:ys. — F. I). P., St. John's Wood. — We have given in reply to It. T., a hst of the most useful hardy ferns for garden and rockery decoration. The only preventive to cats and dogs going on beds is to protect the beds with wire edging ; they seldom go over this if it is six inches high. If cats take a fancy to any particular spot, place there a little heap of Scotch snuff or pepper, which is an effectual process of ejectment. Names or Plants. — L., IVisheach. — Your shrub with light green leaves and pink blossoms is Wei- gelia rosea ; the holly-like leaf appears to be Berberis aquifolium, but wo cannot undertake to name plants iVo n such very small scraps, un- accompanied with blossoms. The smidl-leaved plant we do not know, as sent. Let us have a better specimen, and we will give you the name. C ILCEOLAKIAS. — Livtitia. — They are dying ever^"- wh?re, as they have done the past three seasons. AVe cannot assign a cause or propose a remedy. Ice Plant, etc. — James. — By cuttings now in sand, or seed early in spring in a hoLbed. Too late now for Phlox Drummoudii. No way of distinguishing double and single Stocks until they show flower. Give them the same culture as advised for Asters in a recent number. Gi".\len F.iroiirites is the best book on the culture of choice flowers. Phlox deccssata. — A. W. W. — Sow in shallow pans, and place in bottom heat, with a square of glass over each pan till the seedlings appear. SrEiKiNGMTETriKS.— j1/. U. W. — IlaU-riije shoots will strike under bell-glasses now ia sand. We cannot read your first query. Too Late. — " Constant Sub.," J. B., and others. METEOROLOGICAL CALENDAR FOR JULY. 1 31 DA\ WEATHES NEAR. LOSDOM, JULY, 1S33. ' 31 DATS. WEATUEX NEAR LO.SDO.V, JULY, 1858. 1 s. BAROJIETER. THEajIOM. WIND. R.AIN. 1 BABOIfETER. THERMO JI. WIND. KAIN MAX. MIX. MX. ji:j. mn. MAX. MIK. MS. MX. SIX. P. 1 30.083-30.018 70 ^D 50.5 NW .00 ' s. 17 29.990—29.977 81 11 62.5 SW •20 s. 2 30.051—3^.000 71 53 61.5 NE .00 M. 18,' 30,110-30.016 83 45 61.0 sw .01 s. 3 30.139-30.111 62 41 07.5 JS'E .00 1 Tu. 19 30.126—30.028 79 42 60.5 N .00 .M. 4 30.202-29.878 ; 76 48 62.0 SW .18' w. 20 29.995—29.681 78 54 66.0 SW .03 Tu. 5 29.730-29.722 1 70 47 5S.5 sw .01' Th. 21 i9.822— 29.718 72 42 57.0 w .00 W. 6 29.673-29.595 73 39 56.0 SW .00 1 P. 22 i9.929-29.889 70 56 03.0 sw .12 Th. 7 29.650—29.619 75 45 GO.O N .0> s. 23 29.898-29.858 80 51 67.0 SAV .01 F. 8 30.633—29.500 72 43 59.0 SYf .08! S- 24 29.803—29.404 74 57 65.5 SAV .02 S. 9 23 842-29.807 70 47 58.5 N .82 1 M. 25 29.698-29.116 74 47 60.5 AV .00 S. 10 29.9-.'9— 29.805 1 61 54 59.0 N\V .OS Tu. 26 29.900—29,879 75 41 59.5 SW •00 i .\I. 11 30.091—30.012 1 79 42 60.5 W .00 W. 27 29.861-29.688 75 55 65.0 E .53 Tu. 12 30 0S7- 30.002 81 57 69.0 AV .00 Th. 28 29.976—29.763 71 35 53.0 E .02 W. 13 30.007—29.965 j 77 56 66.5 sn .Oi\ P. 29 30.016—29.995 69 33 51.0 NE .00 iTli. 14 29.951-29.856 I 81 .52 68.0 sw .oj! S. 30 30.098—30.053 78 38 58.0 NAV .00 F. 1,5 1 20.791-29.760 i !)0 57 73..5 sw .IG s. 31 30.151— 30. IIG 79 40 59.5 NE .00 S. IG 1 29-897—29.823 \ 83 51 C7.0 sw .18 AA'Eil.VGES FOB THE ENSUING MONTH. JuLT is usually a month of heavy rains, t. ith occasionally sudden storms of wind and thunder. Against all such contingencies the gardener =-,hould prepare, by securely staldng all tall plants that would be likely to suffer from sharp gusts, which in gardens often take the form of partial whii-hviuds, to tiie destruction ot hollyhocks, dahlias, etc. The highest temperature observed during the last thirty -two years were as follows :— 23rd, ISol, 83^; 25th, ISll, 92'; 11th, 1817, 931' : 5th, 18,53, 97^ Lowest 17th, 1856, 40^; 18th, 1851, 39'; 4tb, lS,jl, 1855, and 9th, 1850, and 25th, 1857, 37'; 29th, 1858, 33". Averages— Bar. 28.970, Therm, max. 73", min. 53', mean 611' ; Rain 2.7 inches. PHASES OP THE MOON FOR JULY, 1859. 3) First Quarter, 7th, 5h. utm. a.m. d Last Q'l.arter, 23rd, 3h. 26m. a.m. O Full Moon, 11th, 53m. past midnight. 9 New Moon, 29th, 9u. 44m. p.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, JULY, 1S59. 5fcb, Oxford ; 5th, Royston ; Gtli, Gardeners' Royal Benevolent, Election of Pensioners ; Gtli, Royal Botanic ; 6th, Stamford ; 7tli, Dumfries ; 7th, British Porao- logical; 7th and 8tb, Exeter; 12th, AVhitby ; 21st, British Pomological ; 21st, Sleaford ; 2Gth, Buckingham ; 26th, Handsworth, Birmingham. ^'V^'^/v/'-'"-^ *^* Secretaries will oblige hy forwardinq Announcements, Schedules, etc., of farthcoming HxTiibitions. THE >CCOC-C'C00COC-0C<^'0. 1*763. May bis memory be chcrislied and bis name reneratcd as one of the fathers of Englisli hind scape gardening. A plain mm, standing on a pedestal, bearing the following tribute of respect, is erected in the parish church of Ilales-Owen :^ " Whoe'er thou art, with reverence trcatl These sacrert mansions of the dead ; Not that tlie monumental bust, Or suiiliituous tomb here guards tlie dust Of rich or pieat : let wealth, rank, birth, Sleep unUibtinguish'din the earth. This simple urn records a name That shines with mere exalted fame. Eeader, if genius, taste refined, A native elegance of m nd — • If virtue, science, manly sen?e, If wit that never gave offence. The clearest head, the tend' rest heart, In thy esteem e'er claim'd a part, Ah ! smite thy breast and drop a tear, For know thy Shenstone's dust lies here '."' William Haeeis. Sa-iss Coiiage, BircliJieUI, Birmingham. ASTEES EATEN BY SLUGS.— HINT ON -WATERINCI. It may be of use to your subscriber who aslr in., consequently, the length of ratters and bars wtII be about 9 ft., and these to be per- manently iixed to the ridge-tree and ratter- plate. Tie each pair of rafters together by an iron rod screwed upon them at 2 ft. below the ridge-tree ; upon these may be a shelf. Obser%'e to groove the rafters for the glass on a line with the rebate in the bars, and to cut an eaves-board into the ends of the bars to support the glass. Between the studs in front of the house, bars_ may be morticed and glazed, and the ends of the house may be constructed in the usual way. If the apertures between the studs at the back were filled by lower boards, swinging on pivots let into the studs, and the boards connected together by a piece of chain, they might easily be hooked up to the rafter-plate when wanted open, would not obstruct the walk that runs at the back, and with the ventilators in front, and what never should be omitted in fixed roofs, a small aperture at the top of each gable, would place at the cultivator's command all the au' he could possibly require. In this case a square of glass left out at the highest point of each end would draw oif any bad air tiiat otherwise might accumulate in the angle of the roof. Glass 16 oz. to the foot will answer, and for price con- sult the advertisements of any respectable firm; for quantity, multiply the breadth of each part by the width, which gives the superficial contents. THE FLORAL WORLD AND O-ARDEN aUIDE. 191 Order so much glass (but not until the work is sufficiently advanced to show exactly the width required) ; there will then be sullicient left to compensate lor breakages iu glaziiij;, etc. If attention is given to the scaiitlings above given, it will be seen that Eedwood dejls, 20 It. long, 9 in. wide, and 3 in. thick, will cut all the scant- lings in the most economical way, and that about 11 wiJl bo required. Inside the house build three courses of brick on each side of the path to confine the cinder-ashes or gravel used for setting the pots upon. DWAKF Apples and Pears. — A. B. — To obtain well furnished and fruitful dwarf trees, procure this autumn nursery plants of the sorts you want ; the pears on quince stocks, the apples on the paradise. They should be worked just above the collar, and not have been disbudded on the main stem. V/hen planted, trim them with a priming-knife to a regular shape; any long shoots cut back to an outside bud, and ill- placed shoots cut clean away. Next season, as they make growth pmch them back — that is, as fast as new shoots acquire a length of a foot or fourteen inches, nip out the pomt, and repeat this occasionally till August ; after which pinch. no more but let the wood ripen. The knife ought never to touch them after the first pruning from the nursery, and they should be taken up and carefully, but not severely, root-pruned every other year. With good soil, good sorts, and good aspect, this plan is sure to prove suc- cessful. We have a large stock of such dwarf trees that are models of shape and proportion, none of them more than six feet high, that have been managed iu this way. They have never seen the knife since their first x^kmting. — Sow Phlox decussata now, and keep the young plants over winter iu a jpit to be turned out next spring. No heat reqtured. Pests of the G-eeexhouse. — -L. Jf. D. has a greenhouse, and is greatly annoyed by the green- Jly and other insects. Seeing the enclosed in a newspaper, she begs the Editor of the Florai- AVoRLD Avill state his opinion, in the August Number, of the ingredient of the black paint, if he approves of its use : — " A gardener having occasion to newly paint the wood-work iu the interior of his greenhouse, determined to make trial of the theory of the absorption of heat by black colour, with the view of promoting the maturity of his plants and shrubs by means of a greater quantity of caloric. Iu the prei^a- ration of the black paint he used coal tar, that is to say, tar produced by the distillation of coal in the manufacture of gas. This coal tar, be- sides the advantage of its colour, otters con- siderable economy in painting, being about one- eighth of the price of the material generally used in mixing black paint. The painting here in question was executed before the sotting in of wuter. On the retiu-n of spring the gardener observed, with no less surprise than satisfaction, that the spiders and other insects which had in- fested his greenhouse had totally disappeared. He, moreover, remarked that a vine, trained on an espalier which, for the space of two years said, been attended by the same excellent re- sults."—T/te {London) Bidlelin. ."The nigra- dient" of the black paint is stated in the above to be " coal tar," and that is the only uigicdient necessary to make a very lasting coat ot so- called " black paint." A greenhouse so tieated would have a queer appearance, but insects would be very etfectually banished lor at least one season. Very many plants would be banished too, if they were put in before the rank smell of the coal tar had gone off. Plants m a state of rest sulier no injury from coal tar, as we know from having dressed wall-trees with it in winter. A. M. D. will find at page loO, a wash described for fruit-waUs which may also be used for old waUs of greenhouses. Books amd Catalogues Received.— Kecrea- tiva Science," No. 1. This more than realizes the expectations we had formed respecting it. It is beautifuUy got up, and is a most suitaOie work for the drawing-room table in every wtel- lectual circle, and especially where there are youu" people amlntious of attaining scientitie knowledge. "SVe observe among the autfiors who have contributed, Mr. Lowe, of the liign- field Observatory ; Mr. WiUiam Kidd, the orm- thological magician of Hammersmith; Professor Malone; Dr.SpencerThomson; Mr.Hain^ris- well; Mr. Noel Hmnphreys; Mr. Tufien West; and Mr. Shirley Hibberd. The articles vari- ously embrace every one of the physical sciences, and, though learned and copious m their tone, are nevertheless well adapted to interest the most youthful philosopher. That marvellous instrument the gyrasoope is ably figured and described by Mr. Wood. Here is a "ew field opened in current hterature; we wish the tillers of it a joyful success.-" Descriptive Catalogue of Hyacinths and other Bulbs imported by Messrs. Cutbush and Sons, Highgate Nurseries, 1859 " This is an admitable list, especiaUy ot hyacinths, crocuses, and tulips, of which many new and well-proved sorts are introduced, to take the places of many old kinds that have been superseded. Messrs. Cutbush enjoy the fame of being the leading growers ot the hyacinth, having taken first prizes in regUiav succession every season for many years past. They now announce a second exhibition ol their own at the Homa Nursery, Highgate, com- mencing on the 12th of March next. Magnolia— Gold Fisu.-- S'.iJ., Tipperar;/.— Yon may move the Magnolia, as it is a young one ; but they are awkward things to deal with on account of the fleshy nature and paucity of then- roots. Nine-tenths of the gold fish introduced as di-awinQ,--room ornanientsperish through star- vation. They are supposed to feed on ammal- culte, but they really require something more substantial. Tell the gardener to supply you with small red earth-worms of not more than an inch long, and let them have a lew every day, but no more than they can eat, or the ^yater will be rendered foul. A greenhouse is the worst possible place for an aquarium, unless the vessel is well shaded, and kept cool. The "Bookot the Aquarium" is very decisive on this point. had been sensibly decaying, and which he had [ Cucumbees in a 'Viseky.—E. M., Banburj/. A ■ '■ ■ ..... I hot water tank in a forcing-house, fifty feet long, is just the place in which to make sure of iirst- rate cucumbers without diflicidty, unless there be some pecidiarity in the structure or ar- rangement to justify the gardener in refusing; to grow them. Cissus discolor requires a winter temperature of about 50', and if estabhshed is as easy to keep as a vine. In spring it must 03 cut back, to keep it within bounds. ^\ hy set your heart upon it when we have so many noDie creepers and clunbers to choose from ? proposed to uproot for the purpose of plantin; another in its place, had acquired such renewed health and vigour as to he oapable.of producing excellent table grapes. Having applied hisnew paint to the props, treiUages, and espaliers of all his sickly trees and shrubs, as well as those which, though in full bloom, were being de- voured by insects, success again crowned his experiment. Caterpillars and snails disappeared as rapidly as the insects had vanished from the greenhouse. The fruits produced by the trees thus treated have eUcited the approval and eidogy of purchasers. Similar experiments tried on the vineyards of the Giroude have, it is _creepers ; St. Martin's Lane, has just added to his stoeic some extensive collections of foreign plant., m- 192 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. eluding Is'ew Zealand ferns, mosses, and flower- in;^ plants, lichens, compositte, heaths, etc., from the Cape, and other collections from nearly all parts of the world. These are offered at very moderate prices, and you could not do better than make an early inspection, and select ■what you want. Burnt OBA^-uE Leaves. — 3Iifs E. J?., Carlton Mall. — The leaves sent have been burnt by the sun, and appear to have stood under the drip from rafters. One of them has a larjje spot, which looks as if it had received a drip from iron-work, and we might thereljy suppose-that the conservatory has an iron roof, or it may be from an iron tye-bar. Certainly, none of the thi'ee exhibit any sijns of having been touched by insects, nor has a particle of tissue been eaten. EosE Stocks.- J. A. P. — The Banksiau some- times answers as a stock for fast-growin"^ noi- settes, but there is nothing like the briar for hybrid perpetual?; even Manettis would not be preferable to the dog-rose on your soil, and in any c.iso they require very peculiar management. The Celine stock answers well for a few delicate rosea, and the beautiful rose Descartes is a capital stock for any of the per- petuals. LiLitTM LiifCiFGLiuM. — JV. 5'. — If theseare turned out in your stiff clay, it is hardly possible for them to thrive. Winter them in a cold pit, and turn them out again next summer into a mix- ture of jieat, sand, and old cow-dung. They will improve as they get older. The materials you propose to use for the asparagus bed will answer ■well; use pleutyof sand andraunure well chopped up with the garden soil, as you can hardly use too much o( either. West Indian Seeds. — A. S. S. — Coix laohryma, or Job's Tears, a fine perennial stove grass, winter temp. 55'; >'apoleoaa, .store evergreen shrub, six feet, winter temp. 55"; Ochroma, evergreen tree, twenty fei't, winter temp. 60'; Mirabilis dichotoma, or Four o'Clock Flower, is the forked Marvel of Fern ; culture well known. The last named we cannot read. Ice Plant.— .-1. 3/. Z).— This will stand any amount of sun, and during hot weather should h'lve plenty of water. All the Mesembryanthe- mums are good window plants, and if not allowed too much pot-room, a,: e as easy to manage as geraniums. How TO Dye Moss. — -John Li/le. — This correspon- ^5 50 67.5 I 83 50 69.0 I 80 45 62.5 1 70 51 eo.5 75 53 64.0 I 80 42 61.0 SW i ?v I K I NE 1 NE I >:e I SW I XE ! NE 1 SW ■ w. Th. F. .09 ii S. .00 !1 s. MAX. 29.771- 29.705- 29.700- 29.871- 29.84;;- M. Tn. vv. Th. F. S. s. M. Tu. .01 HW. .0-J ■ I 22 ' 29.961- 23 ] 30.075- 24 30.133- 25 30.017- 30.085- 29.914 29.770- 29.791- 29.709- 29.733- I MIN. |MX. -29.630! 83 -29.620 83 -29.6511 80 -29.777 i 71 -29.653 I 63 -29.774 ' 69 -30 0181 75 -30.049 I 75 -29.974 i 72 -29.093 I 69 -29.834! 65 -29.747 67 -29.692 [ 67 -29.637 I 69 -29.695 70 ERMOM. WIND. . MN. MS 1 56 69.5 S 55 69.0 S 57 68.5 SW 49 58.5 NW 51 57.0 W 41 55.0 SW 41 58.0 E 1 53 64.0 NK 41 56.5 W 44 56.5 X 41 53.0 iS\V 35 51.0 s 47 57.0 SW 39 54.0 >l- 45 57.5 SW •00 1 .01! .00 i .00, .3S .00 .00 ■ .00 .00 •00 .00 .00 .16! .01 I .00 AVEltAGES FUR THE ENSUING HOXTU. IS'ight frosts occasionally occur in August, but usually the weather is a continuation of the heat and thunderstorms of Jidy. Last year August came in very cold, and a good deal of mildew pre- vailed. The boite a houppe and a supply of flour of sidphur should be ready for use against such ■visitants. The averages for August are :— Bar. 29,973, Therm, max. 72', min. 53', mean 61'. The fall of rain is apt to vary much in different years ; the average in London is 21 inches. The most notable readings of the thermometer during the past 32 years occurred as follows : —Highest, 1st, 1345,92'; 10th, 1342, 93' ; 13th, 1812, 92'; 23rd, 1857, 86'. Lowest, 13th, 1839, and 21st, 1346, 32'. PHASES OP THE MOON FOR AUGUST, 1839. 3) First Quarter, 5th, 3h. 22m. p.m. ([ List Quarter, 21st, Ih. 4gm. p.m. O Full Moon, 13tli, 4h. Sim. p.m. O -^ew Moon, 2Sth, 5h. H:u. a.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, AUGUST, 1S59. 2a'l, Oxford; 3rd, Chesterfield Cu-natioa Show; ith, British Pomological Auuual Meeting ; 9th, Bradford ; 23rd, Handsworth, BirmiLigliam ; 21th, Claycross, Maiiclicstcr ; 25th, Bristol and Clifton; 30th, Bunbury, Stoke Newington ; 31st, Ktading, Cottingham and District. Ssjretciries will oblige by forioarding Aiinoimcemeid'i, Sc,'i.o:l(des, etc., of forthcoming HxJiibitions. THE ©AKOEil §0 c-c^i-»«05^c-c-?e-»co!>oooooDC s^c- September, 1859. HE Aphis tribe occasion the gardener more trouble and ^' annoyance than all other pests put together, and have ^ hitherto been as difficult of destruction as any. Their '' sudden appearance, their enormoiis fecundity, and the ) voracity of their appetites, render them a formidable ,,p , plague. Incessantly sucking from the plant its vital juices, )l-y ^ they seriously check its vigour, retard its growth, and impo- > verish both bloom and fruit ; and the gardener who allows them to have full play, to settle, to multiply, and to depart as they please, need not expect any very satisfactory results, however excellent his practice may be in all other respects. But how to destroy the pest has ever been a matter of difficulty. The smart dash of a powerful engine proves water to be a veiy efficient agent when used with force, and among garden-roses and fruit-trees the engine will continue to be the best aphis devastator, because it promotes the health of the plants besides removing their enemies. The great objec- tion to tobacco is, the expense attending it where it needs to be exten- sively used ; it is jjrompt and effectual ; and whether used in solution or as a fumigating agent, needs only moderate caution to insure success. But it is a troublesome remedy ; a slight mistake with it may result in serious disasters, and it is of no avail whatever against many other of the plagues by which plants are beset during the season of active vegetation. The announcement in The Floeal AYoeld by om- correspondent C. C. H., that bitter aloes possessed all the properties of an aphis destroyer, gave rise to inquiries and experiments neither small in number nor trivial in import- ance. In the course of a few months afterwards, the value of bitter aloes was discussed in all the gardening periodicals, and those who have some responsibilities as advisers on such matters, began to test its value and the proper modes of using it. Many of our correspondents put the matter to proof, and informed us of their progress whether towards success or failure. We tried bitter aloes on peaches, cherries, roses, greenhouse plants, cine- rarias, etc., etc., with no apparent result whatever. After being tho- roughly drenched with a solution of two ounces to the gallon, green fly VOL II — yo. IX. K 194 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. remained ai^parcntly unhurt, or at most only sliglitly disturbed, aud at the end of six, eight, twelve, and twenty-four hours, had increased rather than diminished, so there was nothing to be gained by waiting for results. The solution was tried in dry weather, in wet weather, at early morning, and at raid-day, and in eveiy case left the foliage and the aphis alike unhurt. But our correspondent vras not altogether in the wrong either, as we soon discovered when we varied the experiments. C. C. H. advised the use of half a pound to four gallons of water, that is, by apothecaries' weight, one and a half ounces jier gallon. We found that a solution of four ounces to the gallon told a tale among the aphis : thej- writhed as the bitter draught was j)oured upon them, and in a few minutes began to fall in clusters, and a second washing, after an interval of one day, thinned away many of the full-grown insects which had resisted the first dose. We selected a few common roses, and drenched them Avith the dregs of six gallons of the solution. The fly disappeared, and the thick, resinous liqiiid dried upon the foliage like a black varnish, which made the ti'ees unsightly until the next rains came. In no case was the aloes washed off, and in no case did the foliage suffer beyond discoloiu-ation. But the fly appeared again in the course of a week as thick as ever, and once more we voted aloes a very unsatisfactory and uncertain remedy. We then tried a mixture of aloes and soda with much better results. Two pounds of soda were dissolved with one ounce of aloes, and when cold, added to a gallon of water. Into this sve dipped soft- wooded green- house plants that had been shut in on pTirpose to be well covered with fly for the purpose. The young insects soon let go their hold xipon the shoots, and as the plants were laid on their sides, on some clean tiles, they were soon covered with their dead bodies ; but some of the plumper aphides remained, apparently unhurt, for an hour or two, and tlien gave waj', and added their corpses to the heap. Some primulas and cinerarias on Avhich the solution was allowed to diy, became discoloured, shrivelled, and tlie forward bloom-buds went blind ; but those that were well syringed with tepid water next morning were unhurt, and had that healthj^ green- ness and vigour Avhicli invariably accompanies the use of alkalies in solu- tion when not overdone. Thrips and red spider also yielded to the attacks of this solution, but it is one which must be used with care, and, unlike the solution of aloes alone, must be washed off in the course of a few hours. Another method of using aloes is to combine with it soft soap, in the pro- portion of four ounces of each to every gallon of water. This mixture proves to be an effectual '-'settler" for vermin on wall -trees, and hard- wooded plants of robust habit, but it injures soft- wooded plants aud tender newly- grown shoots of all plants, especially vines, but, with proper caution, may be adopted as one of the well-tried and proven remedies, especially against ravages of aphis. It Avill be found best in all cases to use Earbadoes aloes, which can be had in quantities at from Is. 4r?. to Is. Sd. per lb. Cape aloes may be obtained at 8d., as stated in these pages in December last; they are very inferior to the othei', and no cheaper in the end. While experiments of this kind were going on in many other quarters, besides in our own garden, Mr. G. Wilson, of Price's Patent Candle Com- pany, electrified the horticultural public by the announcement of the virtues of a material called " Gishiu-st Compound." The cry of " Eureka ! " THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 195 might well have been raised as a proclamation of death to all the tribes of aphis, thrips, red spider, and even to the inclusion of the myriads of microscopic fungi that, under the general term "mildew," commit such havoc in our gardens and plant-houses. Gishnrst Compound has been extensively tried and variously tested, with the most satisfactor}' results. "\Ye have used it on roses, chrysanthemums, asters, v^'all-trces, and green- house plants, and can report, without holding one doubt in reserve, as to the certainty and safety of its operations, provided the strength of the solution be suited to the subjects to which it is applied. Sir. Pavers uses the Gishurst Compound at the rate of two otiuces to the gallon for the tender shoots of trees, bending the shoots down into the liquid. Cherry, plum, and rose-trees are speedily cleansed by it without injury, provided they are syringed with clean water a few hoars afterwards. In the course of a few daj-s, the operation must be repeated as Avith tobacco, to destroy those produced from ova since the first application. According to the robustness of the ])lant, the compound may be used at the rate of two, three, and four ounces per gallon. The last-iiamed quantity appears to be the maximum, and is too strong for any but the ripest wood of trees in the open air. Under glass three ounces to the gallon may be considered the maximum, and two ounces the safest for a general rule. It is, perhaps, still riiore interesting to learn from such an authority as Mr. Eivcrs, that out-door grape-vines infested with the oidhm, were cntirelj^ recovered by the use of the compound with the syringe. The mixture w^as of the niaximum strength, four ounces to the gallon, and "some of the shoots appeared to be killed," but since June, when it was applied, " they have entirely recovered, and are now full of fruit." Another caution necessary to be observed is never to let it touch paint. Several of our correspondents have written to say that when used in the houses, the sash-bars and painted wood-work show every splash, and if by accident a painted surface gets thoroughly wetted with it, the paint blisters off, and is so discoloured that repainting is necessary. In every case, then, it must be used with catition. Thus we may consider ourselves at last delivered from one great enemy. Aphides will continue to appear in myriads at the seasons favourable to their return, but we have a cheap, certain, and safe remedy in '•' Gishurst's Compound." S. H. XOTES OE THE MONTH. HoRTicULTrRAi, SociETV, Jnlif 28. — A meeting of tlie Floral Committee of the Society was held at No. 8, St. Martin's Place, the Rev. J. Dix in the chair. Holly- hocks were shown in beautiful condition by Messrs. Paul and Chater. Of new kinds, the best were Leonora (Cliater), deep rose, shaded with buff; Brunette (Paul), deep claret ; Perfection (ditto), motiled lilac ; Countess Dowrger Jane Summers (Chater), fine yellow; Harriet (ditto), lilac ; Novelty (ditto), dark purple-crimson, edged and mottled with blush; Warrior (ditto), bi-illiant crimson; and Exhibitor and Joshua Clarke, botli good kinds. Of Yorbenas, Clara (Perry) was the only one honoured with a reward. It is delicate pink, v/ith green eye. Among Miscellaneous Plants ■was iiussehia WoUnstoni, bearing a branched panicle of dull brown and yellow- flowers, from Messrs. Veitch. The same firm also sent the pretty Selaginella Lobbi and S. atroviridis. August 10. — At this meeting of the Fruit Committee, Mr. Turner exhibited the Scarlet Gem Melon, which is now admitted to be one of the very best of the scarlet 196 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. fleshed kinds. From the same grower came specimens of a new Runner Bean, the pods of which measured seven, eight, and nine inches in length. Compared with the New Zealand Runner (now known to be an old European variety), this new one of Mr. Turner's contrasted so favourably, that it will probably put the New Zealand Runner aside altogethei*. Atignst 11. — At a meeting of the Eloral Committee, the Rev. J. Dix in the chair, Mr. Keynes exhibited twelve blooms of Dahlia William Dodds, colour gold yellow, fine form ; also, a new one called Lady Douglas Pennant, bright primrose, and likely to prove a first-class flower. Mr. Turner sent Mrs. Colouol Yyse, white ground, tipped with purple, very showy and promising. Mr. Chater sent a seedling hollyhock called Alfred, on which very favourable opinions were expressed. Messrs. Carter sent a yellow Tom Tiiumb Nasturtium, of tlic same dwarf habit as tlie scarlet (?) Tom Thumb. A resolution has been passed by the Council of the Horticultural Society, to the effect " that the terms of Her Majesty's Commissioners be accepted as the basis of a lease, and that the solicitor of the society be instructed to act in their behalf in ils preparation." This resohition was arrived at in consequence of the assent given by Her Majesty's Commissioners to an alteration in the claims preferred by them, but objected to by the Society. It is consequently now regarded as certain that the scheme will be carried out, and the new gardens formed as originally contemplated. Sub- scriptions to the amount of £28,000 are stated to have been already tendered to the Council. Isle of Wight Hoeticulttjral Society. — The second and last exhibition of the above came off on Wednesday, the I7th of August, in the grounds of Westfield, the marine residence of Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford, Bart. The show of flowers was not so good as was anticipated, notwithstanding the attendance was numei'ous. A military band enlivened the occasion. Prizes were awarded to the following exhi- bitors, viz. : — Captain Duff, gardener Mr. J. Taylor ; Right Hon. Lord Burgbley, gardener Mr. Mew ; Mrs. Johnson, gardener Mr. Thompson ; Colonel F. Y. Harcoiirt, gardener Mr. Mecham ; J. Cornwall, Esq., gardener Mr. Harvey ; W. H. Nmin, Esq., gardener Mr. J. Wood ; P. Mahon, Esq., gardener Mr. H. Hnyles ; Sir Wm. Martins, gardener Mr. Whitton. Prizes were also awarded to several cottagers. POETSEA Island Horticttltueal Society. — The autumnal show in connection with the above society was held on the 19th of August, at the King's Rooms, Southsea. There was a very full show of plants, fruits, vegetables, etc. W^e have not space to enumerate many of the productions of the exhibitors. Mr. Alfred Oakley, nursery- man, of Southampton, had some sjjlendid plants, which elicited a great deal of atten- tion ; ]\Ir. Cobbett, of Horsham, exhibited some fine roses ; and the displays of Messrs. Legg, of Gosport, and Mr. Lock, of Southsea, were of their usual first-rate character. There was a large attendance of visitors, and in addition to the floral attractions, the band of the Royal Limerick Militia was present. Prizes were awarded to Mr. Alder- man Robbins, of Mile End Lodge ; Mr. White, of North Grounds ; Major Valkncey, of Clarence Parade; Dr. Miller, of Devonshire House; T. E. Owen, Esq., of Dover Court ; J. Dennisdu, Esq., of Kingston ; Rev. S. E. Phelps, of Cosham ; Mr. Lock, of Southsea; Mr. Legg, of Gosport ; Mr. Crockford, of Bucklands ; Mr. Alfred Oakley, of Southampton ; Mr. Way, and Mi*. Knight. Salisbury' Exhibition of Juvenile Industry. — The annual exhibition of the fruits of juvenile industry in connection with the schools of all denominations in Salisbury, W'ilton, Downton, Breamore, and surrounding neighbourhood, was held in the large room at the Council Chamber, on Wednesday, 17th August. lu addition to a large variety of maps, specimens of writing and drawing, articles of clothing of various descriptions, needlework, etc., there was a competitive show of wild flowers, which added greatly to the attractions of the exhibition. After the award of the prizes, a task kindly undertaken by Mr. Doiity, of Wilton, Mr. John Harding, of Salisbury, and a committee of ladies, the doors were thrown open to the public, and an address was delivei*ed by the Rev. Newton Smart. The chair was occupied by the Mayor, P. Cother, Esq., and amongst the company present were Sir E. and Lady Hulse, the Very Rev. the Dean of Salisbury, the Hon. and Rev. Canon and Mrs. Waldegi'ave, the Rev. Prebendary Smart, the Rev. T. H. Tooke, the Rev. John Ellis, the Rev. Mr. Chancellor, and T. W. Gilbert, Esq. In his address, Mr. Smart spoke of the objects which the exhibition was intended to promote — industry, application, and the attainment of skill. He held up he example of George THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 197 Stephenson to his youthful hearers as worthy of their imitation, and showed them that he owed everything, under the blessing of Grod, to his diligence and perseverance. Mr. Smart next adverted to the importance of cultivating a taste for flowers, and of the antidote which pleasure, derived from such a source, would be to the acquirement of habits of vicious indulgence. After severally addressing the successful and unsuccessful competitors in terms of encouragement and advice, the Very Reverend the Dean moved, and the Mayor seconded, a vote of thanks to I\Ir. Smart for his address, which that gentleman acknowledged in appropriate terms. A list of prizeholders was read to the meeting by Mr. E. "Whitlock, the honorary secretary, and the prizes, consisting of writing-desks, workboxes, books, etc., were distributed to the children on Friday morning, 19th of August. PoMOLOGiCAL. — At the meeting, held on the 23rd of June, LIr. Hogg in the chair, the first premium of a guinea was awarded to Mr. Turner for the best collection of strawberries. The most remarkable variety in this collection was one named Oscar, a seedling, exhibited for the first time last year, when it was highly commended. Oscar produces a very large fruit, ovate, angular, colour very dark, seeds deeply imbedded, flesh red throughout, solid, firm, and juicy ; flavour very rich, like Underhill's Sir Harry, but an improvement on it. Oscar appears well adapted to bear carriage, on account of its firmness, as samples of it were esliibited by Mr. Bradley, gardener to W. F. N. Norton, Esq., Elton Manor, Nottingham ; and though the footstalks were withered during the journey, the fruit was still plump and uninjured. It is reported to be an excellent cropper, next in earliness to Cuthill's Black Prince, and some days earlier than Keen's Seedling. Mr. Turner is now sending out plants of Oscar, and we anticipate thei*e will be a large demand for it. THE JOY OF A aAEDEN. ■ A wilderness of flowers arouud us Ijdng, Tangling our steps the bidden pathway throng ; Jlyrtles and vines bloom there above thee, sighing, As the wind wakes their fibres into song. Life here is Eros, that hath ever been, The sigh of Death forgot, the shadow Time unseen." John E. Seade. O BLINDING sunshine and green coolness ! O fresh morning air and dew-powdered gossamers ! O wakeful colours and sleepy odours ! O shivering leaves and rustling bird's-wing ! 0 joyful dawn, with hum of voices ! and 0 sultry noon, with dead still- ness, silent and oppressive ! O mossy turf ! O sparkling fountain ! O dark mould, that, out of thy dead heart, send- est up the joy of summer, in flowers that rise like souls released from the sepulchre ! O emerald spring, crouching in sliyness ! O lusty summer, confronting tlie sun in thy bold strength and ardour! O fiery autumn, gathering the glories of all sea- sons to thyself, to swell the grandeur of thy flaming sacriSce ! and O hoary win- ter, magician and destroyer, by whose touch the world is hushed to rest, and the grave of beauty garnished with a i-obe of whiteness ! Where, but in a garden, shall we see and hear, and press to our heart of hearts the precious wealth of a whole creation ? ^\'here, but in a garden, shall we meet with genuine heart-ease ? Where, but in a gnrden, learn the sweet idleness that seems like a dream of Eden ? Where, but in a garden, acquire the quick action and the anxious thought that prove us to be fallen ci'eatures ? Where, but in a garden, realize our dependence upon God, and understand the links that bind us to Him ? Where else see the lilies " how they grow," and the sparrows that fall not but at His bidding ? Where, but in a garden, have the full remembrance that man fell from God in the very morning of his creation, and is brought back, when, like the grass, he is cut down, or like the fig-tree, accepted for his fruit ? Where, but in the world of greenness, and life, and everlasting change, and the growth on growth of things indissolubly linked to- gether read the true lesson of God's love for us, and see the upward yearning of all things that teaches us we may be saved ? 198 THE FLORAL AVOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 0 heaven aud O earth, in the garden is your meeting-place, for there God talked with Adam, and there the Saviour wept in agony for all. O jiolur frost, and 0 torrid sunshine! O briglit orient, and O mysterious Occident, your delicatost dar- lings here blossom side by side, and shake their honey-bells together ; for a garden is a microcosm of the world, a living map of climes and seasons, a gathering of all things curious, and useful, and beautiful, from " the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that groweth on the wall;" and if it may be looked on as an open scroll of pictured emblems by Almighty fingers, it also illustrates the parti-coloured struc- ture of the human brain, whieli draws its j knowledge from far sources, and spreads ; abroad ten thousand busy hands to grope and gather from darkness many sources of liglit and power. O moist palate ! longing for luscious fruits. O dainty eye ! seeking festivals of colour. O heart ! panting for a lovely ministration, and ex- panding in the bliss of this hushed autumn beauty, seek your joy in tlie garden, where the voice of God may still be heard among the trees, and a deep sense of peace shall possess tliee. A garden is a Divine institution, a Biblical reminiscence, a pi'esent solace, a refuge, a retreat. It is a joy all the year round, it keeps the mind active in inven- tion, the hands diligent in labour, and 1 he heart warm in its capabilities for love. It is the first hope of childhood, aud age clings to it as an anchorage to earth, for in its presence it seems as if we could not die; for wc talk of "next simimer," when death is already clasping our hands in his; and as the chiil of mortality freezes up the sources of life, the sight of a flower seems to dispel the darkness, and bring light and warmth from the very source of all things. If I were to recount all that is comprised in the joy of- a garden, I should have to sketch cut a complete catalogue of human pleasures, from that highest and first of all, the contemplations of the Deity as He is revealed in his word and his works, to the hopeful labour of an infant committing, for the first time, a spoonful of small salad to the soil. But, apart from things too high and reverend to be treated lightly, or tilings too trivial for a grown man to flitter his brain upon, I think the first and chief pleasure of a garden is tha t it compels one to be a gardener, which, of all worldly occupations, is the noblest, the most useful, and the one vibich teems with the richest mental and ma- teri;il rewards. Compare the life and habits of a man who loves a garden to one who never in his life felt one touch of enthusiasm on the subject. Your gar- dener is a healthy, jovial fellow, with a hearty word for everybody ; when he laughs, you hear him, fur he cannot simper ; when he greets you, it is with a grip of the hand that makes you feel, for he IS incapable of a touch of finger-tips, or a slow squeeze of cold palms, and it will be a rare thing if he does not live a " righteous, godly, and sober life," at peace with the world, and happy in the bosom of ills family. A garden compels a man to be patient, diligent, and temperate — there is no compromise possible. The day-break is no signal for a "second sleep," but a call to fresh air and exercise, and one day's neglect may cause the ruin 1 of things that represent many months, per« } haps years, of anxious care and attention. I This out-door life not only keeps the I blood in a healthy glow, and the brain active in its search for knowledge, but the meanest tasks are elevated even to dignity i by the fact of their necessity. Hence a 1 man who is a thorough gardener feels no ! shame in handling the spade, or in wheel- { ing rubbish to the pit ; for though his I means may enable him to enjoy all the re- finements of life, it is his pride that there '■ is not one manipulation but he can perform himself, and so a brown skin and hard hands give him no fear that he shall loose his claim to the title of gentleman. And the world is very forgiving on this matter — its sympathies are tcHh a gardener. Here it is that a striking social and political feature arises out of gardening — that is, the levelling nature of it as a pm*- suit. In the presence of things for which men's sympathies are mutual, they forget distinctions of birth, and rank, and condi- tion, and measure each others worth only by their several degrees of skill, so that if Hodge adorns his fence with a new rose of his own raising, my Lord will drop all superfluous dignities, and discuss its merits with him as a neighbour and a friend. This genuine feeling of manly regard, measured by worth only, ought to rob rivalry of every bitterness, and make even professional competitors glad of each other's success ; that it does not do so is to be charged against the fickleness of human sympathies, and the natural sor- didness of man's heart ; for gardening in itself suggests the purest ethics. It would indeed be a folly to say that bitterness never did creep into the minds of rival florists, but it is the exception, not THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE, 199 the rule, for every grower knows that what one Hoes, another can do, and to acknow- ledge merit is to pay homage to intellect, and patience, and vigilance, and instead of hating the man for bis success, we leara to emulate his virtues; so that rivalry in gardening is a school of practical morals, in whicli the pupils increase in excellence as they make progress in the successful prosecution of their favourite art. This truly fraternal feelhig, to which every petty pride yields up the ghost, manifests itself in a thousand pleasing wayp, w lich proves that gardening, whe- ther foliov.-ed as a livelihood or as a plea- sure only, is an art that ennobles all who share in its exercise. Make note of a man who has attained to high excellence in any one department, and measuring him by the world's rule, you will not expect him to impart to you one jot of information which may help you to similar success. But put the thing to experiment, and once let him see that the spirit of a true gardener moves you iu questioning him, and he will lay before you his whole rou- tine, will show you his compost, and fell you how it is prepared ; will tell you when and how to make your cuttings, let you into the secrets of stopping and training out, and put you in the way to beat him, if you can, with his own weapons. Look at our leading nurserymen, one and all, they do their best to help the amateur in his pleasing occupation ; the results of years of observation and experience are placed at the disposal of all to whom they may be useful, and they would be as in- capable of any paltry exclusiveuess as they would be of paltry dealings and low chi- canery. A spirit of generosity is a most di-s- tinctive feature iu the character of a gar- dener ; he is perfectly miserable if he can find no one to accept a pinch of seed or a few cuttings of some choice thing ; to keep it to himself, is as much agony as a boy endures when he sees no opening for the investment of his pocket-money. Gro through the whole catalogue of gifts, and what can equal flowers and fruits ? It is not only a diffusion of God's bounty, but a sacrifice to friendship of the most valued labour of our hands, so that if we have toiled a whole season to pro- duce a noble crop, we find oui' highest pleasure in giving it away. You will find that the genuine gardener, who enters heart and soul into his work, has no selfish manner of enjoying the results of it : he grows many a row of beans and peas, many a score bunches of grapes, many a j dozen melons and cucumbers, expressly to give awaj' ; and if you were to watch him when he packs xip the hamper for a friend, you would see thut he chooses the best, and i-eserves those that are ill-shaped, badly-ripened, or in any way defective to the eye or palate, for himself. I believe I have given away a good third of all I have grown for many years past, and I do hope my heart will not so shrivel up that I shall ever cease to dig, sow, train, and reap expressly for those among whom I esteem as dear to me, who have either no opportunity or no skill to produce choice things for themselves. A thousand anecdotes of the aotive nature of the genei'osity that grows up in a garden might be told here, and no end of historical events might be shown to have their chief interest iu conuectiou with such things. I shall never forget how Margaret Fuller describes her " first friend," as heightening the ideal beauty in which she floated before the child's imagination by her pi-ecious gifts of flowei"s. Here is one passage from her diary to the point : — "She has just brought me a little bouquet. Her flowers have sufiered greatly by my neglect, when I would be so en- grossed by other things in her absences. But not to be disgusted or deterred, when- ever she can glean one pretty enough, she brings it to me. Here is the bouquet — a very delicate rose, with its half-blown bud, heliotrope, geranium, lady-pea, heart's- ease ; all sweet-scented flowers ! Moved by their beauty, I wrote a short note, to which this is the reply. Just like herself! — " ' I should not love my flowers if they did not put forth all the strength they have, ingratitude for your preserving care last winter, and your wasted feelings over the unavoidable 'effects of the frost that came so unexpectedly to nip their bloom- ing beauties.' " If the toils of a garden were not to be ranked among the highest pleasures of life, their reward would be found in the joy of giving away the fruits of our labours, for in this above all things the words of Holy Writ are lovingly verified, that " it is more blessed to give than to receive." Then look at the knowledge one gains in all this. The gardener must learn the exact limits of adaptability in the vegetable kingdom, so as to make plants of opposite habit and different constitution, natives of diverse climes, and naturally accustomed to soils of the most heterogeneous nature, prosper side by side iu one common soil and climate. He must learn how to sub- 200 THE FLORAL WOKLD JCsD GARDEN GUIDE. due luxui'iancc in oue, aud promote it in another; Low to hasten this plant into a state of rest, and how to prolong the growth of another beyond its natural season ; for it is by such coaxing, forcing, checking, and persuading that we are enabled to adapt to our own peculiar seasons and temperature so many interesting produc- tions of the world ; aud whether they come from the regions of everlasting snow, or ' from the burning jungles of the tropics; ■whether from the cool clefts of alpine soli- i tudes, where nature waters them with the trickling of glaciers, or from the dry lava of volcanic sites, whei'c perhaps rain never falls, to compel them to shake hands as friends, and cease all disputes about the superiority of their native lands and sea- sons, in full content with the circum- stances with which the vigilant gardener has surrounded them. It is at this point that gardening rises to the dignity of an art. Let any one take a survey of one of the best modern gardens, in the height of the season, and say whe- ther gardening should not be classed as one of the highest of the fine arts, for it paints not ffom life, but with life ; it models not after a form, but into endless forms of grace and symmetry and power, and it performs its best woi'ks by the aid of sub- jects that are foreign to our soil, our sea- sons, and even, in some cases, to the very sunshine under which they grow ; yet the gardener has so moulded their habit and altered tJieir constitution, that they take to the conditions as if they were " to the manner born." Then, if we go a step higher, and consider how a few poor pelar- goniums, dahlias, chi-ysanthemums, tulips, hyacinths, and other such things, which at their first introduction were not much more attractive than the commonest weeds, have, under the nninipnlations of the hybridizer, become the parents of thou- sands of varieties, to which every season makes additions of still belter ones, we shall see that, in a set ondaiy sense, the gardener is a creator as v eli as a modeller of bt aut j^ Give him a thin, ragged, and almost colour- less weed, and as soon as his sharp eye de- tects its capability for improvement, he marries it to some kindred flower, or to one of its own family which may present desirable qualities ; the progeny will be one step in advance, and, by steady repetition of the process, the platit will at last rise to the dignity of a florists' flower, its varieties will be counted by thousands, and glad eyes will gaze upon myriads of gorgeous blooms set out on the exhibition stage, little dreaming that the parent of all these variously coloured and diverse varieties was but a poor, slender, unnoticeable thing which a passer-by would have spurned with his loot as " a weed " worth- less of attention. ^Vhat would the first dahlia, or the first half-dozen pelargo- niums, or the first chrysanthemum now appear if placed beside a few of the best of their progeny raised of late years. Aud who, except for the proveableand admitted nature of the fact, would believe that the thousands of different varieties, glowing in all the hues of the rainbow, aud conform- ing to severe rules as to forms and proper- ties, are the descendants of such unat- tractive things as were for the most part the pai'cnts of what are known as florists' flowers ? Nor can one fail to feel astonish- ment at the patience which has been shown in attaining such results. It may take twenty years to convert a " self," or one- coloured tulip into a "feathered" Cower, and it is seldom that they " break" in less than seven ; yet look at the collec- tion of such a man as the late John Law- rence, or go over the ranunculuses of Tyso, or the chrysanthemums of Salter, or the pelargoniums of Turner and Hender- son, and remembering the original mate- rials, it will be almost hard to believe that human agency alone has brought such results about. It might seem absurd to drop down from the consideration of these high departments of the art to the humblest example, as seen in a cottage plot ; but the best joy of a garden is, that it levels all distinctions, and makes eveiy sincere labourer, however mean under ordinary comparijons, alike meritorious. Look at the old Granny in her mobcap and gray gown : she is a picture of the past, worthy to live fcr ever on Frith's canvas, and call tears to the eyes of many in the future; but see hew, in spite of age, wrinkles, and indigence, a little of the poetry of youth clings about her dear, old heart, in the love !:he btars her half-dozen flowers. She has known kteu want, for her home is an almshouse; she has lost all that wei'e dear to he: of kindred, and in her night- watches counts over the last words of her [ dear Betty, who died in childbed many, many years ago; over her mantelpiece is the old-fas^hioned black jjaper profile of him who was her stay on earth, her friend, aud companion, and to vhom she gave herself with all her heart, in the freshness and fullness of life's first love. She looks on it as she sits smoothing her apron at her daily meals, and wonders whether God will call her to him " this winter," for her THE FLORAL WORLD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 201 cough grows woi'se, and she thinks she cannot Uve through another ; and with all her weight of painful renienibrauces, and with all her bodily alllictions, age has not so chilled her feelings but that she loves her window pets as much as ever. Her geraniums are no one knows how many years old, their stems knotty and dark, and you would think, if you were to see them in January, that all life had departed out of them. But Grranny knows to a day when they will begin to break again, and she goes out into the road on the first sunny spring-day, and gathers a little fresh goil in a fire-shovel, and dresses up their roots, and brings them into the light again, and gives them but little water at first, and this year they will grow as bravely as ever, filling the whole of lier window with a leafy screen, and blooming to a certainty on Midsummer-day. Her heliotrope is just as old, and is grown like a shrub, and she says it always comes into bloom about Lammas-day, and she half believes that the boys make their oystei'-shell grottoes on that day, in cele- bration of the opening of her sweet-scented flowers. God has not left her utterly de- solate ; she can still read her large-print Bible, and as long as she can keep on her feet, those precious flowers will sweeten her little room with their fiagi ance, anl shed a soft light on her pathway to the grave. Look at her prying into the buds to see if any thing has come to hurt her darlings. Her white cap, and twinkling eye, and gray hair, make her beautiful as the sunlight glances on her, and one might believe her to be an angel tarrying for but an hour on this side of heaven, beguiled by the love of something so suggestive of her proper home. And she is one. You can almost see the glory of a better world shining on her brow as it did on the brow of Stephen. Her stay beside these ilowers will not be Lug. But who can tell the joy of a garden, who but those who know, through sweet experience, can realize, either by remem- brance or anticipation, the hearty fullness of life in which a gardener's happiness con- sists ! Tiike the year round, with all its lights and shadows, and what pursuit can offer so many joyous hopes, so many glad realizations, so many exquisite pleasures ! Look at the dark, crumbly, fertile mould, how it rolls over from the spade, smelling rich and earthy, and showing a promise of plenty as it falls into friable powder in the ridges ! Look at the well-dressed border, ■when hoed over for the last time, ready for the seed that is to be committed to it ; it is nothing to a passer-by, but its neat, swelling outline gives a pleasure to the gardener's eye that is not of the moment, but one of future promise. Then with wliat faith is the seed committed to the earth ; a few grains as fine as dust thrown by the skilful hand, and left to the care of the elements, in the full assurance that Nature will do her best to reward the husbandman ! Then there is the daily observation of the growth of things, whe- ther they be the commonest kitchen crops, or the choicest flowering exotics, how we rejoice to see a bud break here, or a shoot start there, or on a sudden, and as it were ill a single night, a potted plant sends up from every joint its bold trusses that are to cover it with glory, and prove before the world that patience and skill, spent on worthy objects, are sure to bring their good rewards. And the pleasure of eating choice fruits and vegetables of our own growth ! How sweet and crisp the lettuces just cut for the table, how cool and deli- cious the cucumbers snipped otf in the very nick of time before a single seed has been formed in them, how tasty the winter kale or the Brussels' sprouts, that make one leap from the garden to the pot ; and the new potatoes, who that has grown them will ever forget how they taste au hour a!ter they have been tumbled out of thi rows ! Then the peas ; you have only to tell a friend yoti will dine on such a day on peas " out of your own garden," and he'll go any number of miles to taste your marrowy, bright green beauties, that have never been fermented in bushel baskets, or shaken out of flavour by the jolting of the market-Ciirt. Talk of high art and classic gardening, the sight of a row of well- grown kale, or a broad patch of kidney beans just coming into flower, or well- trained fruits on a south wall, swelling with luscious juices, and almost crying "Eat me, eat me," is one that cheers the heart of man, and appeals as strongly to the sympathies of a noble duke as to a ploughman iu want of a dinner. The matrons say, "TLie way to a boy's heart is through his belly ;" but the adage applies to human kind of any age. We do like to see something eatable in a garden ; and the man who makes a hobby of raising the best kinds of edibles, whether of the class of necessities or luxuries, adds to the pro- ductive power of his native laud, increases the national resources, and in his day and generation does some good for the world. To enjoy a garden, a man must be a student of Nature, a good weather prophet, ! something of a botanist, very quick-sighted 20^ THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. ia matters of vegetable physiology, ac- customed to observation, and that " fore- casting of the whole " which Cowper notes as so essential to success. Those wb.o dabble with little town plots, and never soar beyond paternal laurels and sweet- williams have an idea that the gardeners' season begins in May and ends in Septem- ber ; but y our genuine gardener finds as much to do, and as many pleasures in his work in the depth of winter as in the height of summer. I do not know but what the winter pleasures are the best, as they certainly are the most intellectual. Philosophers say, tliat "anticipating" is a greater joy than " realizing," and when a man sits down to sketch out his scheme of culture lor the next season, to plan his beds and arrange his planting, he has to exercise some very high faculties of mind. Perhaps he has done verbenas and gera- niums, and lobelias, till he is sick of the repetitions, and now he means to -^^'ork out a new style of bedding altogether. He looks orer his st0!;k, and by a strong effort of imagination pictures out a plan and sees it planted in i^3 proper colours. Here, however, " is the rub," and the man of experience must be the man of inven- tion ; for when his plans are ail conceived, the colours marked, and tlie scheme com- pleted, the thing liaa yet to he done in actual plants, and, strange to say, no gar- dener, however talented and rich in ex- perience, can predict to a certainty how any scheme of bedding not before tried will answer. It must be done first, and judged on the ground ; and hence the risking of a whole season, and perhaps thousands of plants, on an idea, is a bold adventure, and success proves a far-sighted sagacity. But consider the anxiety of the winter work where new patterns and styles are tried every year. Think of giving a man a bit of golden leaved stonecrop, or a new variegated balm, or ground ivy, the gift being perhaps a mere scrap of an inch long, and what would you say if you were to see a hundred yards of it forming the most delicate edging to geometric beds next summer? Yet this is just the sort of achievement in which an earnest gardener delights. Your scrap of something new or curious is made to root iu heat ; then the top nipped off and struck, and then every stem, as fast as they appear, taken off and rooted again, till in the course of a few months your valued gift has been multi- plied a thousand-fold, and a simple sport ! of Xature, which an unobservant eye would have passed unlieeded, is, once secured ' in its entirety, converted into garden-stock, and the splendour of a grand show made perfect by it. The vigilant gardener is always on (•he look-out for novelties and improvements. He observes an early pea come into blossom before any one in the row shows any signs of bloom. He does not look at it in idle wonderment, but at once secures it as a prize. He tears down the whole row, clears a space about it, gives it extra light, air, and nourishment, and ripens its pods a fortnight before any of the rest, and he secures seed of an earlier sort, and lays the foundation of a fortune. But apart from the daily work, apait from the seasonal change and the call for various operations consequent on the growth and decay of things, what a joy is a garden as a place of retreat from worldly cares, from anxieties and worry of all kinds ! There is our school of Nature, where we watch the first greening of the leaf, the growth of the full summer's verdure, and the slow but sure passage of autumn's " fiery hand " among the branches. There are tlie glittering constellations, and the soothing odours, that beguile one into the belief that God lets some fragments of heaven fall upon man's lot, that when he feels "of the earth, earthy," and the pres- sure of sordid musings, or the fever of worldly ambitions eat up the heart, and threaten to crush every tender emotion out of it, he may in the freshness of the innocent woidd of flowers feel that life has its lovely compensations, and its rewards liere^ and that the words of the Saviour appropriately answer his complaints — " If God so clothe the grass of the field, how- much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Think of the morning walk, all cool- ness and fragrance ; think of the mid-day lounge under embracing branches, where the mind sinks into sweetest dreams, and all our past readings of old lore, poetr3', and Holy Writ take shapes, and fioat before us like realities. Think of the mid- day summer glow of all things when the parterres burn with colour, and the cool greea grass defies the sun to brown one ravel of its mossy carpet ; think of tlie " quiet cigar," all alone in seraphic contem- j plation ; think of the indoor readings of the works of men who have loved gardens, from Bacon to Wordsworth, whose avenues of hollyhocks were the pride of Eydal ; think of the summer visits to the gardens of friends to make notes of comparison ; the trips to botanic gardens, not forgetting fetes and exhibitions, where the genuine THE FLORAL WORLD AND QARDEN GUIDE, 203 gardener has pleasures that the mere sight- seer knows nothing of; tbink of the pride with whioh you show your friends over your ground, and display your stock to those tliat have sympathies kindred with your own ; and think of the fame you ac- quire in your circle as a clever gardener, a man of worth, a gentleman, and a Ciiris- tian, for you must be all these to love a garden rightly, and then say if there is any pursuit besides this that can match it in its fullness of joy, that can take its place for even one hour; for it comprehende the love of Xature iu its most extended meaning ; it comprehends tlie love of man in the reality of affectionate kindness, good-will, and sober _behaviour ; and it comprehends the love of God, in the daily witnessing of His works in their loveliest of aspects. Who would not be a jolly gar- dener ; who would not have at least some living flowery thing to set an earthly love upon ; who would not ever keep at least one flower near tlie heart, to cheer it in a gloomy hour, and read it an easily- learnt lesson of love and duty to man and God! Surely, -without a garden, life is hardly possible ; with it all the foes of man may rise up against him, and he may turn aside for a moment and catch a glimpse of his roses through the open window, and say, " My peace is there, there will I seek God, my refuge," ShIBIEY HiBBEIiD. SEED OF DIELTTEA SPECTABILIS. You lately mooted the question whether | three, sometimes live, pods haug from every raceme. They are long, spindle- shaped, acuminate, often curved, and I swollen at the spots where the seeds are ; each pod contains from one to six ripe j seeds, vv'hich ai-e black, polished, with a j large fleshy Idlum. I beg to forward two j or three pods for your inspection, and : remain, your obedient servant, i P. H. GossE, E.E.S. I [^Sandhursl^ Torquay. 1 [As probably few of our readers have seen the seed-pods of Dielytra spectahilis, we have engraved one from those so kindly I forwarded by Mr. Gosse. With us it lias I not yet seeded, but it has its proper place \ in several seed catalogues, and is, there- 1 fore, no longer a rarity. It is represented Dielytra spectahilis seeds with ua. It natui'al size ; A the pod, B seeds removed ripens with me in sufficient quantity. Two, [ from it. — Ed. F. W.] TEEE MIGNONETTE. A FEW remarks upon this truly useful plant, as an inmate for our houses during the dreary months of winter, may prove valuable to many readers of the Floral World. As a general favourite, it is to be found in the gardens of most amateiirs. The following hints may be acted on at once : — • As they are generally grown in beds or patches, select some of the strongest plants, prune the side-shoots into about half-an-inch, leaving only one stem to form the tree. Prepare for the compost equal parts of good yellow loam, leaf-mould, or dung, miied together with a little sand. Large 60-size pots are very suitable. Put them iu a close box to root afresh, and , to break their new growth ; after this is j accomplished, gradually harden them off I till the time arrives for them to be put in : the greenhouse. During the winter, great care must be taken that they do not sufler j from damp ; on tlie other hand, they must never get dust dry, and it is advisable net to allow water to touch their leaves. I have found them to do best on the cross shelves at the ends of house near the glass. By following the preceding re- marks, the operator will be amply repaid by the fragrance of this simple, but inva- luable plant through the early part of the year, when our flowerci are but few. William Glotkb. South Lambeth. 204 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. GIDNEY'S HOUSEMAID'S BAEEOW. House sewage is getting into such general I an open vessel could not bo tolerated, and use, and the stupid prejudices against it the liquid poured into it as soon as re- are so rajjidly disappearing, that we f^hidly moved from the bed-rooms, for use in the call attention to a contrivance invent ed by I garden, or wherever required. It is fur- Mr. Giduey, of East Dereham, Norfolk, well known to our readers from previous descriptions of his excellent tools and im- plements. This may be stood in a shed, or any odd corner, near the house, where uished \\iiii a galvanized iron tunnel, and the distribution can be regulated as the barrow is driven. It will also be found useful for watering lawns either with liquid manure or water alone. [Price £1 15s.] CUEEO GUANO. I USED Cuero guano last year I must con- fess very much by the old-fashioned rule of thumb, but by recollection of what quantity, or, rather, how many handfuls, it took to empty the jar in which I carried it, I conclude, having measured the said jar, that I used it by the ounce to each yard, not square yard, but lineal yard, ia sowing peas, spinach, and other crops. I sowed everything in drills. Perhaps this is too liberal, but the efiect was excellent. Can you tell me what the insects are which I send herewith, and how to get rid of them ? Neither quicklime nor soot seem to have any effect upon them, and my crops are all being destroyed by them. Nothing comes amiss to them ; they seem to eat everything, especially peas and let- tuces. R. T. Kent. Alma Villa, Sydenham Moctd. [The insects were young wireworms, respecting which several papers have ap- peared in these pages. — Ed. F. W.] FLOWEES IN SUCCESSION. BY SHIELEY HIBBEED. What will you do with your beds when the summer-flowers are all potted and housed? If they are kept neatly raked over and quite clean all the winter, they may look quite respectable if the turf is good, but the extravagance of the day de- mand that tliey should be planted. "J.D.," of Clapham, and a few other correspon- dents who will see that their wants liave been considered without separately nam- ing them, are now in a small quandary as to the best method of procedure on this point. The chief difficulty, nay the only one, arises through viewing the subject in connection with the old-fashioned way of planting a thing and a-doue with it, in- stead of combining with the idea of suc- cessioual display tlie system of true suc- cessioual culture. Any number of beds, borders, and ribbons may be kept gay the year round if expense is no object, but as a very small space, so decorated, demands a large piece of reserve ground and con- siderable labour to keep it going, there THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 205 are not many people equal to it. My pri- vate opinion on the matter is that, like all other hobbies, gardening may be over- done, and ia the desire to accomplisii great things, the cultivator may burdeu himself with anxieties, and lose the enjoy- ment altogv-'ther. Engaged as I am in numerous enterprises that keep me in action sixteen or seventeen hours out of every twenty-four, I find it requires great caution to keep hobbies in subjection; and in the face of the extravagant fashions that now prevail in gardening, as in all the other elegances of life, I am often tempted to pronounce the whole affair a bother, for the sake of one quiet hour of repose and contentment. Yet in them- selves the various details tliat fit together to form a system arc legitimate and healthy, and there can be no more agi-ee- able or remunerative object among worldly pleasures than the keeping of a certain suitable portion of the garden in the best possible trim every day throughout the year. It is like turning a wheel ; the centre of the wheel is your own head, and the spokes are the several classes of plants that come successively to the top, and then disappear to make room for others. Take one bed as an example. It is now gay with geraniums, verbenas, p?tun!a=, or what not. O^'tober is coming, and the whole mast be taken up and potted, or consigned to the rubbish heap. With thousands of people who take great pains to preserve these plants, the latter process ■would be preferable. Say the bed has in it at present a hundred plants. Thei'e can be nothing easier tliau to have ready from summer-struck cuttings a hundred pompone chrysanthemums, in 48-sized pots, of three or four sorts — say Briliiaut for crimso.'i, Cedo nuUi for blush white, Riquiqui for purple, aid Driu diiu for yellow. There's your bed; but to obtain it you must have the trouble of striking, potting, and growing a hundred extra plants for that one change. By the fi st week in December the beauty of the bed is gone, and now for another change. It is a very trifling task to take up the pom- pones and stack them away under a I'ence on coal-ashes, and if cut down and cor- rectly tallied, they need not be looked at again till Mareh next. Tlien, as the next course, you want a lot of dw.irf, bushy evergreens, and, according to their size, the bed -will take filteen, twenty, or twenty-five, but not one of them need be in pots, because if grown and kept ibr furnishing, the frequent moving does them good ; they come up with balls complete, are planted firm, make fresh fibres, and in spring may be again lifted and transferred to the nursery or reserve-ground ; and the only point of importance in their culture for svich uses, is to grow them in mulchy sort of stuff", such as turfy loam and dung, with a mixture of half-rotten moss, in which they form compact masses of roots, and lift without any of the soil crumbling away from tliem. Aucuba, laurel, laurustiuus, Portugal laurel, holly, and phillyrea, may be called the leading things for such work, and everybody has stock plants from which to take summer and autumn cuttings for furnishing stock. But there are a few subjects of even greater value than these, and amongst them Grieslinia littoralis should stand first as the handsomest evergreen shrub in cultivation. The colour is a I'cfreshing yellow green, the leaves glossy and thick, the style of branching regular, compact, and the entire plant rich in a luxuriance peculiarly its own. During that tremen- dous frost that cut things to pieces last May, I had newly -planted specimens wholly unprotected out doors, and not a leaf was injured. Conifers do not move ■well ; so if a pretty abies or cedrus were wanted for the centre of such a bed, it must be had in a pot or tub, and plunged ; and on this point I shidl have something to say next month. The question that n?xt arises is, how are we to have a succession of spring flowers ? To plant them in the bed in autumn is possible only to a certaiu ex- tent. If in clumps, crocuses, hyaehiths, and tulips would look amaziugly well among the evergreens, and all might be removed at the end of May to make room for summer bedders. It would be better to maniige that way than to gro'^v the bulbs in pots for plunging, for such things never bioom so well as in the open ground, with p!e ity of manure undemeatu them. But if they are to bj u?3 1 oq the bidding sy-tem in masses of colour, there is no other way but potting them. Let them have large pots, rich compost, and plant thickly, and in the colours of which the bed is to be con-tituted, and success will turn upon two points — those are, planting early and plunging the pots to the rim, so as to get strong roots before the spikes rise, if they caa be got through the winter with only the protection of mats during froit iu a preservative bed, they will bloom stronger and later. If they are pushed on so as to bloom before the severest of the frosts are over, the bed may be ruined at its very best moment. 20G THE FLOEAL WORLD AND aAEDEN GUIDE. Therefore there is notlung gained by ! and perennial candytuft, all in nursery, hurry ; let them grow as slowly as they ready to be moved to their places for will, provided they have good feeding and blooming ; and with reserve ground, protection from frost, for potted bulbs : trenched and manured, to ^receive them suffer sooner than tliose planted in the ; back again for the completion of their open ground. But "J. D." wants autumn- : growth ? We have only considered the sown annuals, and the occupation of the | work involved in the management of one bed during winter by the evergreens need ' bed, because the routine is the same, whe- not prove an obstacle. There are two , thcr we have to keep up a succession in ways of accomplishing it. Sow the an- one or fifty ; and if the task is one of nuals at onco on a raised bed made of, extent, the despised, because common, turf sods, grass side downwards, beaten 1 spring-flowering perennials mast all come firm, and watered with boiling water ; j into the system, and be grown in hun- then sow on it, in lines, the annuals of j dreds instead of solitary patches here and which the bed is to consist. The best ! there in the borders. All these things effect will result from the employment of a few striking colours. The best for small beds are Nomopbila, Scliizanthus, Nolana, and Clarkia. Tiie two candy- tufts, white and purple, make a superb bed, and last in their prime about four weeks, and no longer. Purple for the centre and white outside, nothing can beat it. The moment it begins to show seeds, root it out and plant, afresh. It will be a simple affair enough to take up these turves in strips, cut them into patches, and plant without loosening a particle of enrth from any of the plants. Of course the longest of their roots v.ill be come far better from cuttings than from seed ; they may be struck by hundreds on a shady border, from tlie merest mites of the new growth, and if grown in muichy stTiff, are sui'e to bloom when their season comes. Dielytra moves as well as any hardy plant we have, and what could be better for the centre of a spring bed, or for a bed alone, or with an edging of the perennial candytuft, for both bloom to- gether? Tlie early aconites, primroses, double yellow pansics, common wliite and yellow alyssum, wallflovrcrs, and a few of the showiest of the saxifrages, only need to be worked into a system, and grown cut through in taking up the sods, but j in sufficient numbers to make a bedding that will be the better for them. A good j scheme for the spring equal in effect to soaking from the water-can, or, better still, that about wliich we are all so much con- a week's rain, would give them a iresh cerned during summer and autumn. Work start, and bring them into bloom early j into the system some of the early bloom- enough to make the garden gay at the | ing shrubs, such as Daphnes, Eibes, very commencement of the season, and double almonds, and that best of them all, allow of the bedders having a shift out of their starvation pots, to get thoroughly strong before the annuals were over. A safer method is to sow in shallow pans, and winter the seedlings in a cold frame, keeping them as much exposed as possible to harden them. They should have only just as much water as will keep them alive, and may be turned out into their blooming quarters without the least check to their growth. But while this sort of work goes on, Azalea araiBua, which has the foliage of a myrtle, but more dense and compact, and comes out in a sheet of small blossom j of the colour of unique geranium. Plenty of plants is of more consequence than va- riety, and the difficulties all resolve them- selves into space to store them, when re- moved from the scene of display, and the labour of preserving, cultivating, and in- creasing tiicm. Without an ample re- serve ground, the thing must have narrow limits, and once entered on, must be pur- let us not ibrget what we may consider sued liberally, and on the best nursery the legitimate plants for such work. If we did justice to a few of our old Eng- lish friends, we should have little need for autumn-sown armuals, except for the bor- ders. AVhere is the amateur who can at this moment point us to his fifty or sixty yards of pui'ple aubrietia, yellow alyssum, principles. i?lenty of water, a good store of pots of all sizes, good turfy peat, and a well-kept compost-yard, are essential ele- ments, and the rest depeuds on taste to use judiciously the many elements that have thus been brought together. 207 While all the wise people are hurrying out of town to apple orchards, and grassy valleys, and sea-side sands, and breezy hills, most breezy on the shady side, let us dullards, who remain fixed to the spot, like sea anemones, by " urgent private (and public) aifairs," consider how we stand in regard to green stuff. Since tlio first pub- lication of the Citt/ Press, the spirit of CITY GAEDENS. were circumscribed and limited by law, gardening has undergone a vast change in the City of London, which now has its own annual exhibitions of chrysanthe- mums, of which Messrs. Broome and Dale are the presiding genii, and all the summer long, exhibitions of roses, linie- trees, mignonette, rhododendrons, day lilies, and candytuft, are to be seen here, urban horticulture has manifested a fresher | there, and everywhere— under brick walls, in little back yards, set out in promenade style, with verdant turf and shining gravel, peering over the tops of houses, screwed-up between Towers of Babel, or flourishing on window-sills and balconies,^ according to the several circumstances of the exhibitors and the subjects of compe- tition. But the best of it is, that City gardening is not an affair of mere risk and guess-work — in its way it is reduced to a science, and the sum and substance of what the science teaches is, that some things will grow in cities, and some other things won't ; and further, that those that will grow need a peculiar sort of management, and then " all goes merry as a marriage-bell." In the first number of the C/Vj/ Press, we devoted a column to reviewing a hook known as the "Town Garden," ar;d have the pleasure of ouce more giving place to a notice of it, owing to its appearance in a new form, wholly re-written, beautifully illustrated, considerably enlarged, and "complete in every department." [After a lengthened analysis of the "Town Grarden," the writer says : -] " Spite of what we see in the gardens of the Temple, in the Bank garden, and in the open squares about the inns of law, and in tiie rear of some of the City Com- panies' Halls, we could never have sup- posed that the subject would admit of such ample treatment ; yet there is not a word in excess in the whole 200 pages— sometimes, indeed, we think the author somewhat too brief. Two things we hope and expect. First, that with this work, within reach for a few shilhngs, the citizens of London will cease to regard horticulture as a pur- suit incompatible with urban life ; if there is but a square yard of uncovered ground, have some livuig green thing on it. Se- condly, we hope to see a third, a fourth. life than it ever had before, from the time it was nearly extinguished by the pressure of bricks and mortar. London grew and elbowed the green meadows further and further off, and by degi'ees, such few gardens as the streets encircled got smoke- eaten, and, like oases in the desert, were dried up, and all but disappeared. The City was threatened with the speedy anni- hilation of every green leaf it had hitherto hidden and sanctified, as a morsel of na- ture entombed among the monuments of art. But every generation is blessed with a few wise men — men whose hearts refuse to become wholly encrusted with the cares of mammon, and these, in their several places, had each his box of mignonette and his I'eal lime, elm, or ash tree, just to remind the masses around him that a sly corner cf his heart was unoceupied by thoughts of things that pass away and re- ceptive of influences that abide for ever. " Grod made the country and man made the town," and as Clod's words transcend in glory those of human fingers, so do the influences they shed around us and within us, tend to lift us up from the things of time to reflections on creation and eter- nity. When the Government befriended us by compelling the big chimneys to swallow their own smoke, the few enthusiasts who had tried to defy the smoke, as Ajax defied the lightning, found themselves suddenly relieved of an incubus ; their crushed pets held up their heads ; there was a new — or rather an old, because natural — music in the rustling of the leaves, and plants that had been for years living in smoke sick- ness, suddenly made a new start, and, wonder of wonders! blossomed ia their season, as if not a single inch of frowning walls encompassed them. A small man undertook to "ignore Spurgeon,' but Spurgeon continuedlo shine and grow I an infinity of editions in rapid succession ; more lustrous ; whereas, the roses at the Temple G-ardens did ignore London with- out liaving vowed to do it, and so nature was superior to human vanity in that par- .V.. those who leave us when the day is over have their pretty gardens out of town, which they may make tenfold more pretty after a careful perusal of Mr. iiib- ticular. Yes, since the atmospheric blacks I herd's volume."-- C/^i/ Press 208 ALWAYS BE STICKIXa IN SOMETHINa," Should be the motto of those who pride themselves on haviug their garden well stocked, and during the present month, especially the early part of it, is, above all, the time to put it in practice, as great numbers of things will not now refuse to strike root, whilst the ground is warm and the nights moist. I might give specific dii'ections for the propagation of each tribe or variety of plant, but this would lead to a prolixity of detail beyond my present purpose, wliich is mainly to induce young hands to make an attempt, knowing that if only partial success attend their efforts, it will prove an inducement to further and more minute study and expe- riment. Let, then, a piece of ground on the north or east side of a wall — or failing that, the north side of an espalier fruit- tree — or temporary screen, placed for the purpose, have a good coating of pit-sand dug and thoi'oughly mixed into it, and when so done, a slight covering spread upon the surface ; ti'ead the whole evenly and rake smoDth ; it will then be in readi- ness to stick in the cuttings as they can be procured. The following, with many other similar things, will readily strike without any protection ; indeed, with the exception of weeding and watering occa- sionally, they may be stuck in and left to Nature until this time next year, when it will be time to look out places in the gar- den for many- of them, and placing the rest in mirsery beds to strengthen : — Common laurel, laurustinus, aucuba, tree box, double furze, yews, holly, varie- gated and common ivies, lavender, coton- caster, with roses of all kinds even down to the old Provence. And amongst Herbaceous Plants, sweet rockets and phloxes may have their flower stems cut into lengths of two or three buds. Cuttings of Pentstemon, Digitalis, Allysum saxatile, Iberis, wallflower, etc., may all be put in. And with the addition of a liand-light, or oiled calico screen, the following with others of a like nature : — Taxodium sempervirens, Juniperus of sorts, Arborvitse, Jasmins, Passifloras, Lo- niceras, Cratajgus pyracantha, Berberis of sorts. Hydrangea, the hardy Fuchsias, etc. But rather than extend this list to gi'eater lengtli and then leave it imperfect, I would say, "Stick in everything" that can bo got hold of, using the current year's wood ; cutting close under an eye or at the junction of the present and last year's growths ; cutting off the leaves as far as the cutting is to be inserted in the ground, and many of the large-leaved things will be the better for haviug part of their large leaves cut half away. By adopting the above motto, stock will always be on hand to fill gaps, clothe ugly walls and fences, cover a bower, or convert a rough post into a " pillar of beauty." H. HOWLETT. WIEEWORM. I SEND you a recipe which I met with, for the total destruction of the "Wire worm. I give it as I found it, and if those of your readers, who are troubled with these pests, will try the efficacy of the mixture, etc., they will be able to report thei*eou. M. Westcott. To destroy this pest (Wireworm) most effectually, the writer says : — " Towards the end of last year, when my carnations and other plants had all been removed from my flower beds, and previous to the i latter being turned up for exposure to the winter frosts, I took sulphuric acid, in the proportion of 0113 gallon to twenty of water, and applied the mixture plentifully j to the soil. In two days, I again repeated the operation, having previously turned up | the soil, and seen that it had been well ! pulverized. After the lapse of ten or four- teen days, I gave a plentiful application of powdered lime, and shortly after turned it up in ridges as usual. The result has been that it is now a rare thing to see a wireworm, where previously I had killed a hundred in half-an-hour, and where my plants were eaten up in a wholesale manner. Let anyone collect a number of these most destructive pests, and put them among soil in a box, and then apply the above mixture ; let him look for them next morning and communicate the result ; or indeed in half-an-hour after. This can be used on a large scale as well as on tlie small flower-beds." "A Hint."— Circulating the contents of the eighteen numbers of the PloraIj WoELD, by subscribers, per post, is a good plan to make it known ; but I will humbly suggest another, by which its sale may be THE FLORAL WORLD AND G-ARDEN GUIDE. 209 materially increased, and that is, if many of its readers, who are in the habit of borrowing, would purchase it for them- selves. Then they would be doing justice to the proprietor, and encouraging the editor, as well as having the book for j reference, etc. ; for surely, if it is worth reading at all, it is worth the small pittance of one penny per week. I merely throw out the hint, as I verily believe that the parties referred to "borrow" more for want of thought, than a disinclination to buy the book for themselves. Perhapa they will take the hint as kindly as it is given, by one who wishes the FiOEAii World the wide popularity it deserves, as the only cheap monthly serial devoted to garden interesting. W. A LADY'S HYBEENATOET FOE BEDDING PLANTS. BY AV. II. nOWlETT. In designing the accompanying plan for a Hybernatory, I have kept in view the wants more especially of the lady gardenei-, who may not be blessed with a lord sharing her love of flowers, and to whom her pet gera- niums and fuchsias, occupying all the win- dows and, maybe, sundry other parts oftLe house, are not at all times agreeable ; to say nothing of the patient tending and watch- ing they require from her own hands — to guard from frost, to clean from dust, and then the yellow sickly appearance some of them will assume in spite of all her care, beautiful green dress that her admiring friends "can scarcely believe them the same they have seen in the parlour win- dow," who will not at once set about one ? And here is the plan, so that no great architect need be called in to accomplish it, but the commonest tradesmen in the village can do it all. And when done, all the fuel that must be used is the cinders Mary sweeps up from the parlour fire, for the less heat, so long as damp is dissipated and frost kept out, the better ; and this will be best applied during the day when 10 would surely dishearten any but a true votress of Flora. Now, if for £5 a pit where her favourites can be safely stored from the time when stern winter first asserts his sway, until the time when he is driven from his throne by the gentler seasons ; and once again the large globe fuchsia takes its place safe in front of the arbour, and the less hardy kinds are plunged in the border under the parlour window ; and her geraniums begin to expand into fine broad bushes, and to throw up innumerable stiff trusses of flowers, and all wearing such a the lights may be slightly tilted at the same time, unless the weather is actually frosty. On looking at the plan, I fee'l doubtful if any remarks upon the construc- tion is necessary; but lest some of my readers should not be so well acquainted with plans, I will give a few details. The walls are four-inch brickwork; and in order to make them more secure against frost, as well as improve their appearance, I should recommend a bank of earth, one foot wide at the base, and sloping upwards lo the sill, to be thrown agaiust them, and neatly 2 K ilO rilR FLORAL WORLD AND ftARDEN GUIDE, turfbd over; the furnuce is sunk below the ground level, in a pit at the end, sis indi- cated by the dotted lines, wliicli communi- cates with a flue running along the inside of the front wall to the chimney. And let me say here, that a moveable brick should be let in at a and h, for the purpose of clean- ing the flue. A common furnace, such as is used for a small copper, will do ; and the furnace-pit should becovered with a fold- ing lid. On the top of the pit-walls is a wood sill, 4^ inches by 2i inches, and cross-bars to slide the ligr.ts upon ; the whole covered with three well -glazed lights. The plant stage inside the pit may consist of simple boards, which can be raised or lowered, according tothewants of the plants, by placing them on blocks of wood. NEW STEAWBEEEY " OSCAR. Mk. Charles Tuiinek, of the Royal Nur- sery, Slough, is now offering plants of this fine strawberry, of which he possesses the entire stock. "Oscar" was submitted to the Fruit Committee of the Horticultural Society, July 5, 1858, accompanied by the following statement : — '•' The plant is strong and healtli3% and bears better than the British Queen in our soil, which is very strong. The fruitwillattainalargersize than those sent, the best having been gathered .'ibout a week ago. The fruit appears ripe j several days before it actually is so. I can- I not exactlystate its parentage, as I gathered i .seed of British Queen, Keens' Seedling, and Alice Maud, and saved all together." The ' Committee reported on its merits as fol- lows : — "Fruit large, ovate, frequently flattened on the sides, or cockscomb shaped ; shining dark red, flesh firm, flavour supe- rior, remarkably sweet, with a brisk aroma; it was considered a valuable variety worthy of cultivation." It has been honoured by a silver medal av/arded by the Royal Botanic Society, .June 15, 1859, the prize for the best seedling Strawberry by the Pomo- logical Society, June 23, and the first prize for best dish of Strawberries at Nottingham, June 30. We sti'ongly recommend Oscar for its beauty, flavour, and long duration. [Price 423. per 100.] INAECHma PASSIPLOEAS. "London Subscmbeu" asks about the temperature in which the plant grows, on which I added the varieties named by inarching. The plant of Passillora edulis was growing at the back of an early vinery, where it receives considerable warmth in summei'; doubtless, "Subscriber" may also graft or iuai-eh in the same manner upon his P. cajrulea, in a cool greenhouse, any of the following varieties, viz. :— P. ca^rulea racemosa, purple ; P. ca^rulea augustifolia, white and blue; P. cterulea cbinensis, I white and blue ; P. Andersonii, striped ; ! P. palmata, white and blue ; P. Loudonii, purple. To bloom them, keep the roots j within reasonable bounds by cutting in ! winter, and spur back the branches in early spring ; after which treat liberally with water, both at the root and over the foliage, during the growing season, for they will not bloom if starved, or infested with red spider. If the desired varieties can- not now be procured for inarching, try grafting in spring. H. ; o c-o-c-c-o ~ c-c-ic o-Doc-o-c-o c z< EENEALMIA NUTANS. Like the query about Nesbris Japonica, which proved to be Mespilus Japonica, the above-named plant is inquired after by "E. C," under the mis-spelt name of! Einalmea nutans. Renealmia nutans, or i Alpinia nutans of Sweet, belongs to the I tribe of Giugerworts, and is a valuable ' stove herbaceous perennial. There are about thirty species of Alpinia known in i English gardens, but there is only cne i that will do well in greenhouse tempera- ture, and that is penicillata. They all require liberal treatment, soil, rich sandy loam and peat, with abundance of water while growing, and no stint of pot-room. They should be shaken out and repotted every year, as they exhaust the soil by their voracious feeding during a season's growth. After flow oriug, the stems should be allowed to die down without cutting THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 211 when they require a month or two of rest by withlioldiug water. The best way of propagating is by root division in a moist store. If " E. C." can forward a small piece of the root to Mr. Hibberd, Stoke Newington, London, N., it will be very thankfully accepted. ANEMONE SPECIES. There are, perh.nps, few genera that have so great a variety in their flowers as the Anemone. The conunon garden anemones, as is well known, are of different shades of pink and purple ; the wood anemone is white ; the Anemone palmata of a bvilliant yellow ; and A. apL-nnina of a celestial blue. But none of these flowers, though they are all beautiful, can be compared in splendour with the Anemone Japonica, the flowers of which are of a bright rose colour, and as large as a Rosa gallica. This splendid plant, which is quite hardy, and which grows in favourable situations to the height of three or four feet, was in- troduced from China, hj^ Mr. Fortune, in the year 184-1 ; and though it was first kypt in the greenhoiise, it is now found to produce much larger an;! ilner flowers in the open air in this month. In Japan, it is said to be found in damp woods, on tlie edges of rivulets ; but it appears also to grow in mountainous places, both in Japan and China. COLLECTINa AND PSESERVINa EUNOI. Colleclhuj for tits Table. — First pro- cure an oblong flat-bottomed wicker basket, about I'rom four to six inches deep, but with no lid, such as is commonly used by butter salesmen in country markets. Have a clean cloth large enough to line the whole of the basket, and form two folds over the top. Also procui^e a sharp knife and a hovise-painter's brush. Select dry weather, if possible, and go out as early in the morning as you can conve- niently. When you reach your collecting- ground avoid most cai'efully ali fungi that have been broken by cattle or other causes, also all which from their shrivelled appear- ance, change of colour, or otherwise, indi- cate they have passed their prime, select- ing only those which are still attached to the earth or other substances, and are still living and in a growing state ; collect each separately ; first cle.iu away v.ith the brush all dirt, dust, grass, or foreign sub- stances, especially flies; next, cut olf the root a good inch from the extremity, and thi'ow away with it ths attached mould. You will now readily see, by the porous- ness of the stems, which are attacked by maggots. Such will always be the oldest, and had better be kept in a corner of the basket by themselves. The cloth should be constanily kept covered over the fungi, both while collect ng and returning homo, to prevent the attack of fli3=, etc., which are always on the look-out ; in fact, where they are in any abundance it is well to collect and prepare them in heaps on the ground and put theni all in the basket at once, as by constantly opening you may truly shut in instead of out many of youv greatest enemies. The above directions will stand good j for most of the agarics, helvellas, moi'ells, ' boleti, lycoperdons, etc.; there are a few exceptions, however, as Agaricus atramen- i tarious andcoruatus, which are of such a I juicy ov deliquescent nature that in a few hours or Icvs a large portion of the fungus turns to liquid, and would make, a miser- i able mess and confusion in a basket Avith j other species. They should, therefore, be collected in a large pie-dish, or some other earthen vessel. I Tlie truflle will require a very dilTerent I proe-ss in collecting, the task beiug gene- rally left to dogs trained for the purpose, and known as truffle-dogs. The truflle- I hunters in ITamnshire (where they are I rather common on tho chalk, and especially ! under beech-trees) are furnished with a j stout ash stick, about the size of an ordi- I nary broom-handle, and tapered at one I end to a i-ather stout, blunt point ; this ; point, for about three inches, is iron, in I the form of an extinguisher, and firmly I fitted on the wood. With ih s, wheu;;the ! dogs have indicated the whereabouts by j scratchhig, the collector grubs them up. ! As they are of a solid nature, and in form 212 THE FLORAL WORLD AXD GARDEN aUIDE. and size somewhat resembling potatoes, of a dark colour, with an irregular, ■warty surface, they may be collected in a bag, basket, or whatever is most con- venient. Having now collected and con- veyed home our specimens, our next aim is either to preserve or prepare them for the table. Of course, I now allude to the thirty species which, with proper treat- ment, are known to be wholesome, and which are natives of our land and com- paratively common. Salting and Ticldinc). — They may be preserved in a variety of ways for the table, the most usual being dried in the open air strung on strings, or preserved iu oil, vinegar, or brine. Agaricus proce- rus. Boletus edulis, and Tuber ciberium may be even prefen-ed raw ; while others, as the helvellas, having somewhat the cou- sistence of leather, are decidedly injproved by cooking. There can be little doubt we have poisonous species, as Boletus luridus, Agaricus muscarious, etc. ; care should, therefore, be taken in collecting, and all brine, vinegar, or oil in which they have been preserved should be thrown away, as it is supposed that the poison is extracted by the liquor in which they have been preserved, while the fungus, even in poisonous species, becomes a wholesome food. Preservation of Fungi in JLiquids. — The higher orders of fungi rarely appear in the herbarium, from the erroneous im- pression that it IS impossible to dry them. It is quite true that many are of so deli- cate, Iragile, and watery a nature, that it is quite impossible to dry and press tliem ; for these there is but one simple process, that of immersing them in bottles of a solution prepared lor that purpose. There are many of these solutions in use for botanical, zoological, and anatomical pur- poses, but only one or two I find can be even moderately depended upon. Most spirits defy nearly all eflorts to prevent evaporation, and they extract and destroy the colour of the plants, by which they lose their transpai'uncy. On the other hand, most solutions, from a combination of chemical salts, become opaque, and form a crystalline deposit round the mouth of the jar, which, from contact with the air, gradually feeds upon the covering oi the vessel; nor are acids always to be de- pended upon, extracting the colour and more or less destroying the most delicate and deliquescent species, especially if ex- posed to agitation. Where expense is not studied, one evil is, to a certain extent, remedied by throwing away the solution in wliich they have been preserved for about a month, and which by that time has extracted the colour, then replace it with fresh, and there is not that danger of the liquid being discoloured. A few will be found of such a solid and dry nature as to require no drying, and must be kept in a cabinet, or drawers, as tliey will not flatten by pressure. We now come to a large bulk of the higher orders, which, although it is not absolutely necessary to keep them in solution, it is looked upon as a laborioiis and difficult task to dry and press them, and when done, the sections, etc., usually taken are but a Immble apo- logy for tlie whole plant. For these I can recommend the following methods as far superior to those in general use : — Drying Fungi for the lEerhariirnt. — Procure a wire cage, such as is used by rat-catchers, about twenty-four inches long, twelve wide, and twelve deep, with a shelf of the same material in the centre, or of smaller dimensions, according to the requirements of the collector. Let the wire be sufficiently close to keep out the ordinary flies, but no smaller, as we re- quire a free ventilation ; should the flies still get, in, cover with a net sufficiently fine to exclude intruders. Arrange the fungi in rows with stems downwai'ds, resting on strings crossing from side to side, and each Iree from its neighbour. Let this cage be susjiended in the air if possible, as from a clothes' line, and iu a draughty situation, as a passage between two houses ; a cool, shady spot being pre- ferable, as it is the air, and not heat, which we wish to dry them. The surface of the fungi may be also pricked freely with a darning needle. As soon as they com- mence shrivelling, or show symptoms of drying, remove them from the cage, bend down the stalk in the direction of the pileus, or cap, and gently press them for twelve hours ; remove them from the press, and again lay them flat in the cage, and expose them to the air till they appear sufficiently dry to bear further pressure. Again remove them, and lay them be- tween flannel three or four times double ; ou this put a thin layer of cotton wadding, another layer of flannel, then a fresh layer of fungi, and repeat the layers of flannel and wadding as long as you have speci- mens. Put them in a box of suitable size, and subject them to pressure by placing a sheet of paper over the whole, and spreading sand lightly over the sur- face till the whole is covered about an inch and a-half deep. Leave them for about two days, then remove them, and press THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 213 between drying paper, pnt on perfectly hot, for twelve hours. Drying in Sand and Lime. — There is another process, not generally known, by which they may be preserved cither in their natural form or flattened for the herbarium. Take the -whitest sand, nine pounds, powdered lime, one pound. Mix tho- roughly and sift through a fine sieve ; let the whole be well dried and kept in an earthen vessel closed against the air and damp, ready for use. Take tin boxes, of different sizes, per- forated freely with holes, large enough to admit a moderate-sized pea, on the top and on all sides, from the top to about two inches from the bottom, but no lower ; next, take some sheets of blotting-paper, drying paper, or flannel, line the sides of the box as low as the holes, but no lower ; put a layer of the mixed sand and lime in the box (not heated), then place your fungi stems upwards, gently shake in the mixture till it reaches the edge of the pileus or gills, but not to cover them ; now take a few strips carelessly torn from your paper or flannel, sufficiently long to cross the gills of the fungi and touch all sides of your box, like the medullary rays of au exogenous stem. This, by means of capillary attraction, will absorb the moisture from the gills of the fungi as •well as that taken up by the sand, and convey it to the paper at the sides, where it will evaporate through the holes and escape into the atmosphere ; the box should be filled with the mixtui-e to within half an inch of the top, but do not cover the top with paper. When all the boxes are prepared let them be stood in a slow oven, on the hob of a fireplace, the funnel of a steamer, the boiler of an engine, bath-room, or any situation where there is a regular and not too high a temperature. Take especial care that the temperature is not excessive, and that the sand is not put in hot. I have little faith in drying by pouring heated sand upon them. It is not a sudden and high temperature we require, but a low continuous heat, and that from beneath, driving the moisture to the surface, where it will evaporate. To ascertain if they are sufficiently dry, hold a piece of clean dry glass over a per- forated box at a tolerably high tempsra- ture. If moisture is still remaining it will soon be indicated by a foggy appear- ance on the glass. With respect to flat- tening, as fungi are generally of a tough leathery texture, they may ba flattened with care in an ordinary press, and I believe that their form, like that of most cryptogamic plants, may be restored by boiling water.- Specimens to be collected tor the hei'barium should not have the roots cut olf. Fungi on tlie Stems of Trees, — The parasitic and epiphytal fungi demand but few words. They are mostly on leaves of plants, and wdl simply require to be col- lected between the leaves of a folio book, and pressed by means of a string tightly bound round it. Many on the bark of trees, stems of plants, decayed wood, etc., may simply be shaved off by a chisel or sharp stiff knife, and dried in a warm room, or in the sun, and pressed if in- clined to shrivel. Those found in or on the surfiice of liquids will require a very differiint treatment ; when first removed from the liquid they must be placed on a pad of blotting-paper, six or eight sheets thick, and laid on a sloping board to drain, and during intervals as much must be absorbed as possible by gently pressing blotting-paper on the surface. No attempt should be made to press them till as much moisture as possible is absorbed by ex- posure to the air, and take especial care to keep them in a moderately cool tempera- ture till the liquid appears absorbed ; they should then, if possible, be placed on the paper intended for mounting, and paper and specimens together put between folded sheets of blotting-paper, and pressed very tenderly and with care not to rub off the bloom. If very delicate, or of an irregu- lar surface, they ought not to be pressed, but dried by the air, and protected on the herbarium paper by a light wooden frame surrounding them. Those that are found on bi'ead, cheese, potatoes, and other decomposing provisions, should be dried by exposure to the air, and mounted for the herbarium in white card- board boxes with glass lids ; many of the extremely delicate must at once be mounted between glass for the microscope, being the only way to preserve them. Many of the agarics and other fungi may have their delicate colours preseiwed by absorbing any moisture on their surface with a piece of blotting-paper, and varnishing them with a hard transparent varnish immediately they are removed from the ground, or wherever they grow, and suspended with strings in the air. Where the whole plant is co- loured, and sevei'al are collected, different parts of each should be varnished, as the moisture cannot evaporate through the varnish. — (From an admirable paper on "Fungi," by Mr. F. Y. Beocas, in No. 2 of S^creative Science.) 214- NOTES FOE SEPTEMBER. KITCHEN GARDEN, Continue to plant winter greens from the seed beds. Thin winter spinach to three inches apart, to bs thinned again to six inches. Prick out cauliflovTers into patclies, to be covered with hand-lights, four inches apart. Take up potatoes as the haulm decajs ; take up carrots and beetroot as wanted, the main crops may remain in the ground till next mouth. Parsnips may be taken up and stored if the plot is wanted for winter gi'eens. Onions that are thick in the neck should be broken over close to the ground, and left to ripen. Sow winter spinach and Saladings, and the last succession of hardy lettuce. TEUIT GAEDEN, Grather all fruit suiFicieutly ripe for storing. Store only those that are without bruises, or damage of vermin. Gather in dry weather, and during sunshine. Most liardy fruits will be ripe a fortnight earlier than usual this year. PIOWEB GAEBEN. Border plants of questionable hardi- ness should be taken up and potted, to keep over winter in frames, where they are more safe from damp. Pot rooted layers of carnations and pieotees, and rooted offsets of auiiculr.s, to ^et them strong before winter. Propagate bedding jjlants, and to get struck cuttings into small pots. Calceolarias should be struck in shallow pans, in a compost of leaf-motdd, peat, and sand, to be kept in the pans till early spring. Get tender plants under glass, but give plenty of air. Plant the first lot of hyacinths, tulips, and daffodils, as soon as the bulbs are obtained. Sow hardy annuals on firm ground, to stand the win- ter, for early bloom next season. OllEElNnoirSE AND STOTE. Get hard-wooded plants, %\ell ripened before housing ; if heavy rains set in, cover with a spare lisrht. Cinerarias and pri- mulas for early blooming mu«t be got into the house ; give plenty of light and air. Pines must be kept growing vigorously in a humid atmosphere, with plenty of manure-water. Remove the shading from them. Shade grapes intended to hang any length of time. Tines iruited early will shortly start of their own accord, encourage them with a temperature of about 55' to 60' bottom heat ; for pines in growth, 84'. PITS AND EEAME^. These should be cleaned out for the destruction of vermin, and renewal of the material used for plunging. Give a coat ot paint where necessary, and mend broken glass, and see at once to the store of mats and otjier protecting materials. Where cucumbers are giown for winter supply, be careiul now to promote the growth of an ample and healthy foliage. Cucumbers may be struck from cuttings to provide plants for succession. TO COEEESPONDENTS. GfiAPES Deficiekt in Colour.— J". A. C. — Har- 1 lefton. — The sample (jerries sent are much better i than your description of them. They are qnite | healthy, of tolerable flavour, deficient in colour, | and perhaps under average size. Under the microscope they show not the s!ij;htest trace of fungi ; but at the very first inspection of them we said, " Border too dry, not enough syringe ;" and believe that therein v. e have said all that is necessary us a guide fur your practice next year. Tour practice, asdeseiibed under the several heads in your nute, is wrong in three particu- lars. Heat increased from .5-5' to 70=' as soon as the buds burst was too sudden a rise. You had better wait a little fcr ciicumbers than run .such a risk again. The ventilation should be im- proved if possible by the admission ol air at the back wall, it the structure of tlic house admits of it; on this point you might, perhijps, get a practical bint trom some of Mr. Howlett's sketches, which have appeared iu former iiura- bera. Keeping the heat up to TO"" at night when the June sunshine made 95' by day was good pnictice. Be more particular about the thinning next year, and thin with courage, but touch the berries as httle as X50?sible with the hands. Use the syringe more freely night and morning; if afraid of scorching, shade. Lastly, let every bunch have the shade nature intended ibr it ; that is, one thickness of leaf, and your berries will colour more efiectually. i-.very bunch of grajies, no matter of what sort, shoiildbe shaded from the sun by one thickness of healthy leaf; the full glare of light is by no means essential to the production of a full tone of colour, else how should the sprinji-shoots otmany plants acquire a deep purple coloui- before they emerge from beneath the surface of the ground ? Candles roit Waltonian CasiiS. — P. It. S.— The candles have been adiipted to burn eight and twelve hours respectively, and are found to answer admirably. Mr. "^Vilson thinks he shall THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 210 be able to produce a light much cheaper thau ■ these candles, and Mr. Hil>berd will give the subject his attention. Thei c is very little occa- sion to put a Waltouian case in use till Januiiry at the cariiest; from Feb. uary to April is the period in which it is most usetul ; but it should Be obtained in good time, and a few seedlings and cuttings started in it, even if iliey are ol no «se when roo ed, just to gel the hiind in before entering on a sirious campaign. The caudles will be offered through the agents of Messrs. Price and Co. You had better water the straw- berries on your top-shelf with a syringe, as the way of watering by capillary attraction is very inconvenient ill a house. Youmay get the squaie pans, and any other garden potteiy, of tirst-rate excellence, of Messrs. Adams, the Kilns, Belle Isle, Kiug's Cro-s, Loudon. Peesebv.vtive Bed.— C. M.—ln what respect do you wish for further particulars;' Wedonotsee that much can be said about it beyond what has appeared already. To turn roses out of u green- house into such u bed would be a likely way of losing them altogether. You had better winter them in a br ck-pit, or well-protected frame. A preservative bed is only adapted for things that are nearly hardy, or at least to keep tender things in till the turn of the year. It is, in fact, a mere contrivance, to be resorted to in a ease of ditiiculty, when the stock of potted plants ex- ceeds the accommodaiion under regular glass structures. In your chilly climate yuu had bet- ter not risk daturas and verbenas in it ; salvias and veronicas might do if pretty hardy already. Coal-ashes certainly do not prevent the ravages of snails, unless a new layer is put on every week or ten days. Ihey will not travel over them while they are fresh. 'We do not know of any one in Loudon who supplies Haythorn's hexagon netting. Sawdust .is Ma>"uhe.— S. J. TV. — Sawdust from some kinds of wood reqidres a couple of years to rot ; other kinds decay more quickly. It is of very little value as a manure, but a good mate- rial to soak up house-sewage or the drainage from stables and cowsheds. The appearance of mycelium an;ong decayins^ wood appears to be local; in some districts such a thing is never i-een, and wood rots into a jieaty sort of mould of great value to the gardener. lu others the smallest chui has a net-work of white threads after a few weeks' exposure to damp, and any living roots that may be near are pretty sure to suffer. Our advice is not to use sawdust among fruit trees at all ; put it at the bottom of the muck-pit, and when that is cleared out you will see for yourself whither it has rot.ed suf- ficiently to be used as compost. The excellent apple " Oslin" may be obtained of Messrs. A. Paul and Son, the Nur-erie?, Cheshunt. F0BP.C0UKT IX THE Four Mile Ciecle. — S. B. — The chapter on Forecourts in the " Town Garden" Wi mid afford you some very valuable practicable hints. Say, next the road, ever- green, privet, and limes. In front of that row, aucubas, laurels, and --ilver birches. In front of that, a few clumps of Prinos lucid.i, Thuj i com- pacta, Taxus adpressa, hollies, daphnes, and Berberis Darwini. If you w^iut a centre-piece for the grass plot, nothing better than Abies deodara. It your tenancy terminates suddenly, you will not lose much by this plan of planimg. Campanula pyramidalis should be raised from seed every year to bloom next .'■eason, and always dealt with as a biennial. The Uielytras may be left in the ground till they break in spring ; then pot them, and with a little warmth you will have a splendid l:»loom. Hoses for Beds.— if. B. — The two Tery best roses tor beds are H. P. General Jacqueminot, and II. P. Geant des BataiUes. On their own roots they agree in habit, and give two shades of the same colour. H. P. Jules Margnttin is a superb bedding rose, and makes a good match for the General, though more of a cherry tint, but it grows so fast in some places as to be troubleaome in beds. Its first bloom is un- equalled, but its late blooms are ueituer plen- tilul nor first-rate. But the General ^uid the Geant are good till tne la.-t, and will hold on with a llower here and there till alter Chri>tmas. Fuchsias Diseased. — E. G. W. — We really can- not siy, in the absence of facts to as.-ist us in forming an (jpiniou, what is the cause of your fuch.sias perishing. Are they in a good com- post ? l5u they have enough water ? Are they burnt by undue exposure to the sun ? Are they starving in pots too small for them ? These queries may suggest to jou some error to be avoided in future. We give the names of plants winning at shows when such are likely to De of general interest. Very often it would be a dull repetition of the same things from mouth to month, and from year to ye..r. Peaks Eaten. — J. A. B. — We should suspect the wasps, even though you beheve there are tew in your neighbourhood. The ants are not the ini- tiators of the mischief; they come into the field only v/heu the sugar is set flowing by the real enemy. Try the efi'ect of a few pieces of sugar stuck about near the best fruit. The wa--ps will not touch a fruit while they can get sugar. A few breadths of Haythorn's netting would pay for themselves in ono season in the saving of fruit alone, besides the value they would have as protectors in spring. Greekhouse roR Vijies. - A. B. C. — A south aspect would certainly be best in the climate of the West Riding of Yorkshire, but if your west aspect is a good west aspect, with plenty of suu on the alteruoons of the long days, you need have no fear at all as to the vines doing well. The best sorts for you are Royal Muscadine, Esperione, and Chasselas Musque. We consider the last-named the best "grape for cool houses and open walls, and next to it the Esperione. Grape Vine Disease. — A. T. .B.— All your dis- appointment is the result of neglect when mil- aew first appeared. A dose 01 sulphur then woidd have made all right for the season. If this pest is not promptly got ri'1 of, the very con- stitution of the vine must suffer. Get some of the best wood well ripened this season by ex- posure to all the sun you can get, and trim away some of the rai.k growth, but do not cut away ail at once. Ferns in Winter. — C. B. K. — However diverse in character, you may observe one rule with safety, and that is to let them rest during winter. Many of the more delicate, even among hardy ferns, perish entirely if frequently watered in winter. They s..ould not be dust-dry ; those that keep growing aU winter will need more water thau tho.se mat die down ; they need not have the best places as to hght, and should never have siagnant water about them. Nerium Oleander. — H. B. Y. — Your plants are stalled, and that is why the buds fall off. Grow in peat and loam enriched v,'ith cow-dung ; they like warmth a.ud pleiiii/ of water. If you do not think it necesssiry to repot your plants, give them a top-are>sing of three parts rotted cow- dung, removing some of the lop soil to make room for it. Sand fob Plunging. — 2fose may use sand if tan is not procurable. But coai-ashes are more manageable than sand, and preferable in some respects, though sand is the cleanest. The principal objeciion to it is that the plants are apt to root through, and to sutler on being re- moved from it. Names of Fekns. — Conalant Sul/scril/er. — l. Asplenium adiantum nigrum, 2. Adiantum I puhescens, 3. Adiantum hispidulum, 4, Scolo- 216 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. pendrium vulgare. " Moore's Haudbook " is the best cheap illustrated work on British Ferns : the author is one of the leading authorities on the subject. EooT-HonsE.— iJ. T., Oasington. — Your queries shall l:;ive attention; the subject w.U keep for a mon'.li. If we attempted to deal with it while we art; just making up the present number, we could not possibly do so in a way to be useful to our reiider.-< generally. Vahious. — M. Maltbi). — You can obtain any quan- tity of Spergula seed or plants of Messrs. E, G. Henderson, St. John's Wood, Loudon. Wil- liam Glover. — Thanks for your land note. C. Sedgicick, Jun. — The specimens of wireworm sent are larvse of JIemir!i!p/:s lineatus in the first year of its growth. It is most destructive in newly-broken pastures, and laud recently recovered from a WListe condition. There is jio wholesale method of destroying them known, nor is there any specific to counteract their ravages. All that can be done to thin their numbers has been stated in recent numbers of the Floeal Wokld. C. JI. Aiisdell.—The rose moss is probably a Sedum of some kind, which we shall name and figure shortly. JE. L. L. C. — Knowing nothing of the circum- stances under which the vines are tirown, we cannot hope to form a correct opinion. We suspect the border is too poor, perhaps too dry, and as the Cannon Halt Muscat requires a. liberal amount of heat, that also may be defi- cient. We should be inclined to write " starved" upon them, especially as the foliage is poor. "Sanders on the Vine" is the best. G.Marris. ■ — Almost anything will strike now -without bot- tom heat, or rather with the heat naturaUy sub- sisting in the earth. Be quick about it ; cover with hand-glasses, and take up as soon as rooted. Y'oung fleshy shoots usually strike quickest. METEOROLOGICAL CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER. 30 1 s. 1 WEATHER NEAR LONDON, SEPT., 1858. ; 1 30 DATS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, SEPT., 1858. | DAT BAROMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN.! SAROSEETER. THERJIOM. WIND. RAIN. MAX. MIN. MX.MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN Th. 1 28.718—29.654 70 35 52.5 sw .00 ' F. 16 30.074—29.883 80 54 67.0 E •00 F. 2 29.851—29.634 68 58 63.0 svv .00; s. 17 29.771—29.616 78 49 63.5 SE .08 S. 3 29 801-29.727 74 60 67.0 sw .OM s. IS 30.077—29.914 70 33 51.5 SVV .00 R. 4, 29 785-29.721 60 47 58.0 sw .18 M. 19 30.110—29.989 64 .50 57.0 an .27 M. 5 29.780-29.780 73 37 55.0 sw .12 Tu. 20 30.174-30.130 67 50 58.5 JN .00 Tn. 6 29.856-29.733 72 49 60.5 sw .00 W. 21 30.184-30.037 69 57 63.0 E .00 AV. 7 29.794—29.761 74 53 63.5 sw .08 Th. 22 29.787-29.631 71 47 59.0 E .26 Th. 8 29.974—29.807 77 38 57.5 NW .00 F. 23 29.742—29.597 71 52 61.5 SE .00 F. 9 29.967—29.924 75 57 66.0 sw .01 a. 24 30.429-30.046 66 34 50.0 vv .00 S. 10 29.934-29.919 ; 73 56 64.5 SAV .00 s. 25 30.508—30.400 68 38 53.0 w •00 s. 11 30.139—30.104 66 44 55.0 SVV .00 M. 26 30.417-30.314 71 52 61.5 NK .00 1\T. 13 30.198-30.061 86 40 63.0 sw .00 Tu. 27 30.273—30.115 66 47 56.5 W .00 Tn. 13 30.042—30.000 84 45 64.5 E .00 W. 28 30.183—30.030 60 48 54.0 iNE .00 W. 14 30.145—30.110 78 46 62.0 iNW .00 Th. 29 30.001—29.725 73 52 62.5 W .03 |Th. 15 30.163-30.074 77 45 61.0 B .00 F. 30 29.875—29.572 61 31 48.0 W .00 AVERAGES FOR THE ENSUING MOMTH. 2^'iglit frosts are not frequent in September, and when they occur they do little h-jrm except to the most tender plants, owing to the warmth of the earth and tlie general robustness of vegetation. In September, 18.b8, the lowest temperature near London was 35^, the highest 77^. A ver_y remarkable reading occurred on the 11th, 1828, when the thermometer rose to OS''. S. and SW. winds prevail, hence the usual mildness of the weather in this the most agreeable mouth of the j-ear. The highest and lowest temperatures observed during the past 32 years occurred as follows : — Highest, 25th, 1832, 82'; 12th, 1841, 81^; 1st, 1843, 85'; 11th, 1828, 9.5'. Lowest, 7th, 1855, 38'; 4th, 1850, 30'; 17tb, 1810, and 20tb, 1856, 29'; 27th, 1828, 24'. PHASES OP THE M00^' FOE SEPTEMBEE, 1859. 5 First Quarter, 4th, 4h. 5m. a.m. J Last Quarter, 19th, lOh. 14m. p.m. O Full Moon, 12th, 8h. 31m. a.m. 0 New Moon, 26th, Ih. 56m. p.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, SEPTEMBER, 1859. 1st, British Pomological ; Horticultural of Ireland, Dublin; Liverpool Horticul- tural ; 2nrl, Bishop Auckland ; 6tb, Hereford ; Huntingdon ; Alnwick ; 7th, Gainsbo- rough; Cheltenham; York Horticultural; Leicester; Colchester; Norfolk and Norwich; 7th and 8th, Newcastle ; Swindon; Crystal Palace ; 8th, Towcester ; Dumfries Horti- cultural Society Floral Committee ; West Bretton ; 9th, Exeter, Leeds, Saffron Walden; Bath; 12th, Islington Amateur Dahlia Society; 13th, Whitby; 14th Leyton and Walthamstow ; Weston ; 14th and 15th, Brighton and Sussex ; Oxford ; 15th, Roystou ; Aylesbury ; 20th, Horticultural Society Fruit Committee ; National Dahlia, Aston Hall, Birmingham ; 22ncl, British Pomological ; Horticultural Society Floral Committee ; 29th, Welliuborough. *^* Secretaries iv'dl oilige by forwarding Announcements, Schsdules, etc.^ of forthcoming JExhihitions. THE ^hnwEn ao OCTOBEE, 1859. I AHLIA shows are apt to lack interest through same- ness and repetition. Beautiful as is the spectacle pre- sented by well-filled stands, rich in all the colours of the rainbow, stretching along a great room in lines of mixed colours, the eye soon wearies of it, and, unless we have an interest in the details, it must be counted as one of the least interesting of floral fetes. It is so oughly _ out of the question to exhibit plants — for those that come in pots are, of course, only apologies for plants — that there is little beyond dahlia devices, and such furniture as constitutes no proper part of the show itself, to give cha- racter to the scene. There is certainly a field open for the ex- ercise of ingenuity in making a dahlia show attractive to the eye of the artist. That it attracts growers is a matter of course ; it would be strange if it did not. That it attracts a mixed public is also a matter of course, for 'the love of flowers is universal. The dahlia is a popular favourite, and a glowing mosaic of colours has charms that are not to be resisted, apart altogether fi'om the views of those who have to do with the direction of public taste. The jS"ational Dahlia Show held at Aston Hall, Bii-mingham, on the 20 th of September, was no exception to the established rule, and yet it was perhaps the best exhibition of the kind ever got together, and deserved to be so, seeing the length of time it has been in preparation, and the strenuous exertions that have been made to insure success. Nor was it ill-judged to select a spot suited to the convenience of northern and midland growers, however inconvenient it must have been to the men of the south. But the southerners had their way last year, at St. James's Hall, and it was but right they should now take second place as to distance from home, and the getting of their flowers in good condition to the arena of competition. "We write this at the moment of having left the show, with no leisure for any attempt to portray the splendours of the scene, or even for reference to the notes made during an inspection of the flowers ; engage- ments calling us quickly away, and the exigencies of publishing demand- TOL II. — NO. X. L 218 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. ing that what we have to say must be said at once. Deferring, therefore, till next month siich particulars as wc may think it necessary to add to this notice, let us at once assure our readers that the conveyance of the southern flowers to a distance from London did not prevent the southern tweezers going with them. There were so many evidences on every hand of skilful manipulation, that wc began to wish the dalilia altogether extinguished — blotted out from our lists of exhibition flowers— because it offers itself as an inviting subject for fingers accustomed to falsify. Hard-ej'ed flowers were there as perfect as if modelled in Avax ; and persons unaccustomed to comparisons of a critical kind would pronounce them models of excellence, and so they were, but they were not grown so. Some had been allowed to blow nearly out, for the sake of centres, and, by dint of clever treatment, were well up in the crown, and altogether respectable, until lifted out of their tubes, and then they could tell their own stories as truthfully as people who wear cork limbs do when stripped. As to coloui', wc noted many, especially among the tipped and fancies, that were models of beauty and regularity ; and if they had had the gift of speech, wc would have asked them who arranged their petals ? — ^how long did it take to remove the faulty ones ?- — and how many such flowers were there left on the plants they came from ? "We have not the slightest objection to the dressing of flowers, to any extent that patient amateurs and persevering nurseiymen may choose to carry it, provided the dressing is acknowledged, and the unwary purchaser put upon, his guard against risks, and directed safely to certainties. This time last year, we called attention to the dressing of chrysanthemums, and had the satisfaction of seeing the subject immediately taken up by two influential horticultural journals, and at several of the shows — the Crystal Palace, and tbf I'ast London especially — flowers were shown as cut from the plant, a:. a with foliage attached, as additional attestation of their genuineness. "We believe the public only need to have pointed out to them the consequences that inevitably follow from this system of " gilding refined gold," to demand that the metal shall be shown in its native excellence, or if embel- lished to suit the whim of an artificial taste, that the itntouched virgin lump shall stand beside it for comparison. Let it be imderstood, then, by all novices who make up lists from flowers shown on exhibition tables, that, as long as the present system of tampering with dahlias is allowed, the buyer has no guarantee that the plant he purchases will reward him with the excellencies it professed to possess when he first became en- chanted with it. When fairly understood, an evil of this sort must work its own cure. If the public— who, after all, are the real customers, how much soever raisers may depend on the trade for custom in the first instance — if the public once adopt a thorough Scotch caution, the trade in novelties will fall ofi^, and will have to be recovered by honest means. Dressed flowers may be shown to the end of time. AVe shall praise the man who can di'ess them best ; but he must join us in the acknowledg- ment that they are di'essed, and, the secresy being at end, we can have no ground for charging him with moral obliquity. It may be asked how it is that the horticultural journals have so long winked at the practice ? and thence argued, that as they make no com- plaint, that therefore it cannot be. We reply, that it is sufficient for us if the fact be a fact, to stigmatize it as a baneful fact, and let the public profit thereby. It may be, that certain commercial interests stand iix the THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 219 way of plain speaking in some quarters, and that there is some amount of danger in exposing a system in which so many ha^^e a community of inte- rests. Wc, who stand apart from such things, can look on and make observations independently ; and we should prefer to incur the displeasure of every exhibitor in the three kingdoms, rather than fail in the trust reposed in us by a large and increasing circle of supporters. But we know that the majority of those who show dahlias and chrysanthemums would gladly be emancipated from requirements that come accompanied with unpleasant musings as to right and wrong, and would gladly abandon a system in which they accj^uiesce on the insufficient plea that " whatever is, is right." The expertness acquired by a certain number of exhibitors, fires the rest with emulation instead of evoking an indifferent remonstrance, and so long as there are buyers at high prices, for flowers that have no fame beyond that acquired on the exhibition-table, florists will continue to vie with milliners and hairdressers in all the little arts that belong to false adornment. If chrysanthemums can be shown on a foot of stem, why cannot dahlias be shown on stout branches with leaves, buds, and flowers in situ ? Ezhibitors who are wedded to existing usages, will, of course, vote the proposition to be absurd ; but if we can ciit a branch from a plant in our own gardens, why should not such a branch stand up in honest competi- tion for its proper share of a hundred guineas ? Look at a flower of Lady Popham, which rarely requires even to be touched ; it is so perfect in form, such a capital centre, the colour is so clear and delicate, there is nothing to beat it in its class. But put beside the cut flower, a branch, with, say, three blooms on it, from tlie same plant, and in an instant you sec that it is fit for showing only when cut, for the blooms are too heavy for the stem, and they all hang down with their faces to the earth, so that you rarely see anything but its outer circumference. Treat Jupiter in the same way. "When you cut it, it is perhaps the noblest tipped flower ever raised, its boldness and brilliancy entitle it to a royal name ; but he would be a fortu- nate man Avho could cut a branch with even three true flowers on it ; and if fairly cut, there would be at least two windmill blossoms, with large open orange centres, and very ill-arranged petals of a respectable maroon colour. Then what a gaunt sky-rocket style of growth it has, as if it would hurl its blossoms to the sky either in shame at their falsity, or to call down the fiery responses of the father of the gods. Take Lord Palmerston, again, which though lai'ge, even to coarseness, is a grand flower when "well shown;" it will always fiumish blooms that need no fingering, but there will be plenty left behind with hard green centres, and its habit is such that it ought to range Avith Jupiter in a back row, out of reach of close criticism. For one dahlia possessing as good a habit as Royal Scarlet, which grows as symmetrically as any of its race, and holds up its well-shaped, well-coloured blossoms, so that not a single one is hidden, and there need be neither disbudding nor disleafing, we have hundreds that charmed the eye on show-tables and afterwards disgusted it in the garden. The raiser of an unexeeptionably good thing, is entitled to a substantial reward; and if the public could depend on the lonA fides of what they see at exhibitions, there Avould be more profit realized by the sale of the few than is now attained by the vending of all the wortli- less novelties -with which we are flooded from year to year. A mere comparison of catalogues will prove that scarcely one flower in ten holds 220 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. its ground. It is not the march of improvement that sends them out of cultivation so much as the fact that they were never worth it; they looked worth it for a moment, as many a pretentious flower has done this season, but the piu'chascrs find themselves deceived, and instead of bujing again when real excellence is offered them, they wait till the variety is proved and cheapened ; and thus the profit, which must mainly be obtained in the first season, is in great part lost altogether. We say, advisedly, that on the present plan there are no definite means of judging the excel- lencies of dahlias but by purchasing and waiting the issue ; the exhibi- tion of dressed flowers and even of cut flowers alone, if undressed, affords no fair criterion for an estimation of their comparative merits. NOTES OF THE MONTH. HoETicULTXTEAL SOCIETY, Aug. 25. — At a meeting of the Floral Committee, the Rev. J. Dix in the cliair, First Class Certificates were awarded to several new Dahlias from Mr. Turner aud Mr. Keynes. A Verbena named Dr. Sankey, raised by Mr. Edmonds, received a First Class Certificate. It is a large rosy puce kind, with a lemon eye. A handsome Phlox, whife, with a well-defined rosy eye, named Mrs. Standish, came from Mr. Staudish, of Bagshot, as did also some charming cut spikes of new kinds of Gladioli. Sejit. 8. — The Floral Committee again met. A flue double Fuchsia, named Marquis of Bath, from Mr. Wheeler, of Warminster, was considered a valuable addition to flowers of its class. Mr. Veitcli sent Caladium Veitchii, a fine foliaged plant, sent from Borneo, by Mr. Lobb. The leaf is peltate, arrow-headed, deep purple on the under side, dark greeu above, with white border and white veins. It is pro- bable it may prove not to be a Caladium, which cannot be determined until it has flowered. A model showing how the ground will be laid out in terraces for the garden of the Horticultural Society, has just been placed in the South Kensington Museum, at the north end, near the entrance to the ornamental art rooms. Between the Kensington Road and Cromwell Road the ground falls about forty feet, and using this fact in aid of a general effect, the ground has been divided into three principal levels. The entrances to the gardens will be on the lower level, iu Exhibition and Prince Albert's roads, and the central pathway, upwards of seventy-five feet wide, ascending through terraces to the third great level, will lead to tlic winter-garden. The whole garden will be surrounded by Italian arcades, each of the three levels having arcades of a different character. The upper, or north arcade, where the boundary is semi-circular in form, will be a modification of the arcades of the Villa Albani at Rome. The central arcade will be almost wholly of Milanese brickwork, interspersed with terra cotta, majolica, etc., while the design for the south arcade has been adapted from the beautiful cloisters of St. John Lateran at Rome. None of these arcades will be less than twenty feet wide and twenty-five feet high, aud they will give a promenade sheltered from all weathers more than three-quarters of a mile iu length. The arcades and earthworks will be executed by the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851, at a cost of £50,000; while the laying-out of the gardens and construction of the conservatory or winter-garden, will be executed by the Horti- cultural Society, and will cost about the same sum, the greater part of which has been already raised. Crystal Palace, Sept. 7 and 8. — This was the third exhibition of the season, and included flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Fine foliage plants were shown in abundance, flowers were scarce, orchids plentiful, and in excellent condition ; fruit uniformly good, but scarce as lo pines and melons. Among the ornamental plants were Cycas revoluta, some scarce Berberries, several of them in fruit, Dracaenas, Cissus discolor, Crotons, Yuccas, Caladiums, and a new Begonia called Marshalli, the leaves boldly blotched -w ith silver. The exhibitors of these were Messrs. Young, Rhodes, Oubridge, Nicholson, Summers, and others. Mr. Sim, of Foots Cray, had a splendid collection of Fems aud Lycopods, and Messrs. Bimney, WooUey, Milne, Arnott and THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 221 do., and ilally also contributed collections. Tho Gleichenias were superb, Dictsonia antarctica good, Nephrolepis davallioides, Davallia cUssccta, peutaphylla, and aculeata Tcry beautiful, the last as thorny as a bramble. Tlie best of theLycopods came from Mr. Higgs, gardener to Mrs. Barchard. Messrs. Veitch sent Pteris argyrea, a new- silver fern, strikingly marked with silvery gray along the centre of every pinna. This will prove a plant of note, especially for exhibition. Among the flowers, Dahlias took the lead. Mr. Turner stood first for fifty blooms. The next twenty-four came from the Rev. C. Pellowes. They consisted of Pre-eminent, Wallace, Miss Caroline, Touchstone, Miss Watts, Satirist, Lord Palmerstou, Rosebud, Pandora, Chairman, Duchess of Marlbo- rough, Fanny Keynes, Deutsche Wiirde, Mentor, Golden Drop, Robert Bruce, Standard Bearer, Lady Franklin, Goldfinder, Emperor, Dr. Gully, Lady Popham, Mr. Critchett, Purple Standard. From Mr. W. Dods, of Salisbury, came Duke of Roxburgh, Pan- dora, Chaii'man, Lord Bath, Royal Lilac, Lord Clyde, Golden Drop, Cherub, Dr. Simpson, Emperor, Mrs. Church, Sidney Herbert, King, Lord Derby, Hon. Mrs, Trotter, Sir H. Havelock, Venus, Miss Pressley, Lord Palmerstou, Seedling, Sir G. Douglas, Touchstone, Lady Franklin, Mr. Critchett. Mr. Turner and Mr. Keynes contributed collections of seedhngs. Among the cut flowers were some excellent asters, roses, and hollyhocks, but the latter were at least a fortnight past theu' best, Mr. Bragg sent the Californian sunflower, which we can recommend as a magnificent annual. The colour varies in different specimens, frcm pale straw or amber to deep gold-yellow ; it has no disk, but is i-ayed from the centre in the most symmetrical manner, and has a superb and stately aspect. We have plants bearing heads 30 inches in cii'cumference. As it seeds freely, and the seeds are as acceptable to fowls as those of the common sunflowei', it will be as useful in the cottager's garden as it is ornamen- tal everywhere. Among the vegetables there was nothing worthy of special note, except a potato, called Stafford Hall, said to be the finest variety for productiveness, keeping, and for culinary properties ; otherwise the vegetables were generally excellent, and well shown. Grapes took the lead among the fruits ; Hamburghs, Muscats, and Black Prince were especially good. Mr. Drewitt, gardener at the Denbies, near Dorking, took first prize for white grapes, with Cannon Hall Muscat. The bundles were a foot long, and the berries two inches in circumference ; they were grown on a border heated with hot-water pipes. Mr. Fi'ost, of Preston Hall, also sent the same grape in fine condition. The heaviest bunch of grapes came from Mr. Strachan, gardener to Captain Senhouso, Nottingham ; they were not tallied, which ought to be a disqualification. Tho Golden Hamburgh was also shown in fine bunches, three of which weighed 91bs., proving the variety to be worthy of a place in aU choice collections. Peaches, nectarines, Morello cherries, and plums were nume- rous, and generally so good that we could almost doubt if this has been so bad a season as most of us know but too well it has been. Stoke Newington, Aug. 30. — There were two exhibitions held simultaneously, one in the Floral Hall, "Hare and Hounds," the other in the grounds adjoining Abney Park. At the first, Mr. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, carried off the silver cup for dahlias ; Mr. Pope took second prize, Mr. Green third, Mr. Burgess fourth, and Mr. Hunter fifth. All the stands were good, and the best flowers in them were Miss Watts, Lady Popham, Sir J. Paxton, Bathurst, Touchstone, Perfection, Sir H. Havelock, and Mrs. Seldon. Two other prizes were awarded to Mr. Le May and Mi-. Cook. Among the nurserymen, Mr. Legge, of Edmonton, stood first, and Mr. Shenton second. The first prize for twelve dissimilar fancies was carried off by Mr. Perry, with a really splendid stand, in which the colours were judiciously placed. Astei's were finer tliau at the Crystal Palace, and Messrs. Smith, Hayes, Ward, and Francis divided honom-s between them that were well deserved. An extra "challenge cup" was awarded to Mr. Allen for a fuchsia, Yenus de Medicis, struck in February last. It measured eighteen feet in circumference, and was in a 15-inch pot. Unfortunately it met with an accident in being moved to its place for the show, and much of its original beauty was thereby destroyed. Some fine foliage plants from J. Harker, Esq., added much to the completeness of the scene, which evidenced admirable taste and judgment, especially as the space for the exhibition is a limited one. The show at Abney Park was held in two tents. In one was a good collection of ornamental plants on a central table, excellently grouped, from Mr. Rhodes. Among these were Caladiums, Crotons, Begonias, and other showy kinds, in the very best condition. On one of the side tables was a group of greenhouse ferns from Mr, €hitty, nurseryman, of Stamford Hill. Among these Adiantum cuneatum had a 22^ THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. striking effect. A fine plant of Favfugium grande, and a collection of curious gourds, attracted much attention, as did also a Stewarton honey-box, weighing 22 lbs., labelled "Stoke Newington Honey," sent by Mr. Shirley Hibberd, as an example of what may be accomplished in the three mile circle. Among the dahlias the successful com- petitors were Mr. Legge, of Edmonton, Messrs. Eraser, and Mr. Greening. The flowers included Comet, Annie Salter, Princess Charlotte, Eanny, Fearless, Flirt, Comus, Dandy, Orb of Day, and Miss Pressley. Messrs. Wortley, Eadley, George, Hodson, and Batten took the lead with asters, some stands of which were the finest we have seen. Messrs. Fraser sent some cut roses, and Mr. Rhodes a fine collection of fuchsias, including Rose of Castile, Duchess of Lancaster, Autocrat, Wonderful, and Fairest of the Fair. Princess of Prussia fuchsia, white corolla, and pink sepals, confirius all we said in its praise when it first came out. It attracted a large share of the attention of the visitors. As the weather was unfavourable, a collection of rustic furniture, shown by Mr. Curry, of Brook Street, Upper Clapton, received less attention than it merited through not being under cover. Carisbeooke. — The second Isle of Wight horticultural exhibition was held at Carisbrooke, August 30th, when the admirable arrangements made for the occasion met with the warm support of a large portion of the public, among whom were the elite of the island. The fruits and flowers were exhibited in a spacious booth erected in the Castle, and the band of the Waterford Militia attended, under the direction of Mr. Haydn Rogers, and performed several selections. Her Majesty sent some liliums and fuchsias from Osborne House, which proved most valuable acquisitions to the show. The fruit was fine ; the peaches exhibited by the Rev. E. B. James were the best, as were also the pines belonging to Sir John Simeon. A contribution from the Misses Gunter consisted of fuchsias, cut flowers, balsams, asters, and a brace of cucumbers, the finest in the show. J. Jackson, Esq., sent a box of cut flowers, and an excellent floral device came from Mr. Kentfield ; it consisted of two cones raised on a flat surface, the cones composed of tubes containing choice flowers crowned with red geraniums, and in the centre of the device, between the cones, gladioli were placed, in bloom, thereby heightening the already pleasing efiect. Messrs. Jackson and Mew, the energetic secretai-ies, stated that the society is steadily progressing in public favour, the present show nearly reaching, in point of receipts, that of last year. The greatest difficulty found by the society is the want of competitors. The principal prize-takers were H. W. Nunn, Esq., W. H. Patterson, Esq., Henry Pinnock, Esq., Sir J. Simeon, Bart., Rev. E. B. James, General Evelegh, J. C. Jackson, Esq., Messrs. Edwin Upward, William Matthews, John Roach, R. Read, E. Brook, J. Tayler, T. Kentfield, G. Grapes, J. Odger, B. Sanders, and F. Cooke. Basingstoke. — The seventh annual meeting of the Basingstoke Horticultural Society was held in the grounds of Richard Wallis, Esq., Eastlands, September 1st. The attendance was very numerous, and the display of fruits, flowers, and vegetables equal in al) respects to former shows. The baud of Her Majesty's 9th Regiment of Foot, from Aldershott, attended. This society ofi"ers one hundred and forty prizes to be competed for by the artisan and labourer, thereby keeping iu view the first and original intention of horticultural meetings. LANapoET. — The first exhibition of flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables of this Bociety took place, August 31st, in a field near Hill House, Langport. Seven mar- quees were erected for the reception of the flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc., of the various competitors. This ancient little town may be considered as consisting of one street, runniug, as the visitor enters it from the station, from west to east. This long street was planted with an avenue of fir-trees, given by two or three gentlemen in the neighbourhood. Upon entering the town from tlie station, the first decorated arch was opposite the Welcome Inn, and had for its motto, " Welcome." Number- less flags, arches of evergreens decorated with flowers and mottoes, met the view at almost every step. Some of the arches had evidently been erected with much care and at considerable expense, as well as with good taste. Amongst the most elaborate and eff'ective were those of Mr. Gillett, grocer, and Mr. Woodward, the hon. secretary of the society. With very few exceptions, the tradesmen of the town gave to the occa- sion all the gay appearance that evergreens, flowers, and bunting could bestow. E. Quekett, Esq., the vice-president of the society, kindly opened his valuable Museum in the Hanging Cbapel, gratis, to all the purchasers of the Horticultural Society's tickets. The president of the society, Vincent S. Wood, Esq., of Hill House, aided by an efllcient committee and hon. secretary, had done everything in his power to promote the comfort and pleasure of the visitors. Prizes to the amount of £60 were THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 223 oflTered foi* competitiou, and the splendid band of the Royal Marines, from Plymouth, performed during the afternoon. At four o'clock the admission to the show was only 1*., and when the clock struck such a rush was made for precedence of entry, as to necessitate the greatest exertions upon the part of the police. A brilliant display of fireworks took place in the evening. Upon the whole the Langport Floral Show was a very satisfactory one, and in its results will bear a favourable comparison with any of its older neighbours. In No. 1 tent was a collection of wild flowers, beautifully arranged, and correctly named, by Miss Kelway. The outer row was composed of thirty sorts of grasses, found around Langport, and in their centre were other wild flowers of the locality, some very rare, amounting to about seventy sorts. On the opposite side was a collection of greenhouse and stove plants, intermixed with cacti ; the centre appropriated to fuchsias, from the gardens of W. H. Helyar, Esq., of Coker Court. No. 2 tent (nurserymen) was the largest on the field. In this Mr. Tiley, of Bath, showed his roses in first-rate condition, as did also Messrs. Garraway, Scott, and several others. Among the best were Souvenir de la Malmaison, Souvenir de la Eeine, Leveson Gower, Baronne Prevost, Bai'on Heckeren, Jiiles Margottin, La Reine, Alexander Beckmeteff", Queen of Bourbons, Sambrieul, Adam, Acidale, Auguste Mie, and William Jesse. Yellows : Solfaterre, le Pactole, Sofrano, Viscountess de Cazes, Isabella Grey, and Cloth of Gold ; this last was in Mr. Scott's stand. Mr. Scott had a collection of about eighty verbenas. Another feature in the nurserymen's class was the collection of" Ferns." Among tbe fruits, Mr. W. Pragnell showed and got a first prize for a Queen pine. The cottagers' tent, although more humble than its more gaudy neighbours, bespoke not less of England's greatness, as developed in the honest industry of her labouring rural population. Bhighton and Sussex, Se2jt. 14rt and \^th. — The sixth annual exhibition took place in the Pavilion, and was well attended, as it deserved to be, seeing that there was never a better exhibition, of the kind, held in Brighton, As the Pavilion did not aflford sufficient space, a considerable number of plants were staged under tents on the lawn. Fine foliaged and stove plants were contiibuted by Messrs. Scougall and Mills, Young, Parsons, Atkins, Gilbert, Cameron, and others. Farfu- gium grande stood out boldly among begonias, dracsenas, and hydrangeas. Meyenia erecta, with gloxinia-like flowers, was much admired, as was also Dipladenia splendens, an excellent conservatory twiner, with rose-coloured blossoms. Mr. Rhodes, of Stam- ford Hill, sent some respectable ericas ; there were very few orchids ; a fine bank of begonias; achimenes and gloxinias in plenty; and some well-trained verbenas, from Mr. Evans. The best fuchsias were Queen of Hanover, Souvenii- de Cbiswick, Fairest of the Fair , Little Bo-Peep, Snowball, and Wonderful. The same firm also furnished a handsome plant of Venus de Medici, which was shown as a single specimen. Mr. Winton sent Fau-est of the Fair, Wonderful, Rose of Castile, Tristram Shandy, and Venus de Medici. From Mr. Gilbert came Banks's Glory, Venus de Medici, Souvenir de Chiswi(!k, Pearl of England, Autocrat, and Silver Queen. Messrs. Balchin and Nell took the first prize. Dahlias were well shown by Messrs. Turner, Keynes, Hopkins, Perry, Kimberley, and others. The sorts were much the same as mentioned above. The best roses were from Messrs. Paul and Son, of Cheshunt, and Mr. Mitchell, of Piltdown. A novel feature arose out of the ofl'ering of prizes for designs for flower gardens, for which there were several competitors. Fruit was abundant, and its general excellence indicated the superiority of the climate of the south of England, most of it being from gardens in the neighbourhood. Maidstone, Sept. 1th. — The autumnal exhibition was held at the Corn Exchange, and was fully equal to that of previous years. In the subscribers' class, Mrs. Randall carried ofi" the first prize in fuchsias ; the ferns exhibited by Mr. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Espinasse, and Mr. Monckton, were pre-eminent for grace and beauty. A selection of stove and greenhouse plants, eight varieties, shown by Lady Julia Cornwallis, was much admired. Dahlias were admirably shown by Mr. R. Greenhill, Mr. W. Mercer,. Mrs. Wayth, and the Earl of Romney. The device of flowers which took the first prize, was exhibited by Lady Julia Cornwallis ; its design was very simple, consisting of a circular pattern formed of verbenas, enclosed within a border of calceolarias. Mrs. Wayth took second place. A pagoda formed of flowers by Mr. Monckton Avas awarded an additional prize. The fruit class was exceedingly good, and the vegetable stands filled to overflowing. In the nurserymen's stands Mr. Masters- exhibited specimens of the Thea viridis, Thea Bohea, Coflea Arabica, Cycas revoluta (sago-tree), and Musa Cavendishii (banana). In the class of cut flowers open to all England, some splendid dahlias were exhibited by W. Kingsford, Esq., W. Mercer,. Esq., Mrs. Wayth, and the Messrs. Masters. 224 PEOPITABLE GARDENING. CHAPTEB XIV. — ASPAEAGUS, SEA-KALE, AND EHUBAEB. I CLASS two tilings of similar charac- ter witli one that is very dissimilar, because they are crops that occupy a permanent place, and will gene- rally be allotted a compartment where they are to remain side by side, and there undergo nearly the same course of culture. For these three most useful things the best piece of ground you have must be set apart ; it can hardly be too rich, too deep, or two fine in tilth ; for, of either of them a poor crop is worse than a poor crop of most other things. Cabbages are good when they have but a few leaves, so are lettuces ; celery is eatable, and certainly useful for soups, if ever so small, and lettuces are welcome even from the seed-bed. But asparagus, sea-kale, and rhubarb ought to be fine, else a man gets sick of growing them, and in shame at his own produce, and vexed at the remarks of the cook and the visitors who may partake of them at dinner, there is a fear that he may come to a conclusion that anything higher than French beans is out of his reach. Now, rhubarb is a thing to be met with everywhere, and a right good thing it is for at least eight months in the year, though commonly used during only three. A skilful cook can make of it one of the best preserves ; for ordinary use, in tarts and pud- dings, it is invakiable where there are children, the juice can be converted into a wholesome and acceptable wine, and in cooking it can be mixed with almost any kind of fruit to advantage. About London the culture of aspa- ragiis for market is an important part of the routine of a market-garden. As is the case with many crops grownfor sale, there is a more anxious desire to please the eye than the palate, and most of that sent to Covent-garden and Spital- fields is coarse, overgrown, and defi- cient of colour and flavour. In a pri- vate garden the endeavour should be to produce plump, short, tender, and highly-coloured stalks ; not the rank growth (in the fashion of drum-sticks) that too many people are ready to pro- noxince "fine." The market-grower knows pretty well how to grow it; he is obliged to produce it for market in a way not promotive of its highest excellence at table, but, as you have nothing to do with professional pack- ing and market usage, you can have it doubly delicious from your own bed by taking the crop just at a certain moment of its perfection, which the market grower dare not do. Having selected a very open posi- tion, with a deep light soil, trench it two and a-half spits deep, turning in plenty of manure at the first trenching, and in making up the bed adding more, so that every movement of the soil shall help to mix it thoroughly. If the ground is a little sandy, the plant will like it better, but, if heavy, a good deal of sand and broken old mortar should be mixed with it, for when once planted, the bed remains with no more deep digging, and hence it must be made light, open, and very rich from the beginning. If the soil is wet, or the drainage inefiectual, either put down a set of drain-pipes, or take out the soil to a depth of four feet, lay down one foot of broken bricks and build- ing rubbish for drainage, and return the soil on that. But a proper drain- age is better than any make-shift, and wiU always pay in the end. To gather a hundred heads at a time, eight square perches must be allotted to asparagus, sixteen square perches will afford two or three hundred every day ; and from these figures, you may judge what space to set apart for this crop, according to your family re- quirements, or intentions as to grow- ing it for market. Now, the best bed of asparagus ever seen by gardening eyes was from seed-sown plants, not from trans- planted roots ; and to make a bed this way Mr. Barnes's plan is the best. Get some good seed, and sow about the 1st of March, or earlier or later a week or so, according to the season. Sow two feet apart, and in drills one inch deep. This will produce a regu- lar and easily-managed crop. At the proper time every other row can be THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 225 taken up for forcing, and this will leave I the permanent row four feet apart, and between these any of the light summer crops may be grown with benefit to the asparagus, because the earth will be stirred between them without da- mage to their roots, and they will enjoy M'hatever additional manure, solid or liquid, is used in the culture. Another method of raising seed- plants, and one, perhaps, better for a small garden, is to mark out the beds four and a-half feet wide with three feet alleys between. Then on each bed to sow four rows of seed one foot apart, and of course with no intention of growing anything else between them. After sowing, the ground must be kept clear by hand-weeding, and during hot, dry weather a little shade must be given by means of some loose litter or green boughs, but the young plants must not be injured in the slightest Plant them very carefully in rows one foot apart, and cut with the spade six inches deep. The line side of each drill should be cut perpendicular, so that the roots can be placed upright against it, as in putting in cuttings of roses. Arrange the roots very evenly along the drill one foot apart, and with the crowns two inches below the sur- face. Spread out their fibres regu- larly, and draw a little earth over each as you place it, so to keep it in its position, and when the row is com- pleted, draw the earth over, and make the surface moderately even, so that you will not have to tread on that part of the bed again ; then proceed with the other rows, and, lastly, rake the bed over, and mark the alleys de- finitely, three feet wide, and nicely chopped down on the edges. Any carelessness in the planting will be very hurtful to the crop, and above Water occasionally if necessary, but ! all things let no foot go on the bed not with liquid manure until the plants have made some little progress, and then give them a sprinkling of salt once a month, and, as long as they are growing vigoi'ously, soak them every week with rather strong liquid manure. Towards the beginning of Novem- ber the herbage will die down, and it must then be neatly trimmed off, and two inches of well- rotted duns: spread equally all over the bed. Early in March let the bed be carefully forked over between the rows, with great care not to go too deep, and to refresh and aerate the surface only. The plants may now be thinned to one foot apart, and another plantation made of the thin rings This brings us to the formation of a bed in the usual way, which is bj' planting roots. Prepare the bed as before, and let it be ready a couple of months before planting; then dig it over again, manure again, and dress it liberally with salt. Plant towards the end of March, or early in April, but not before the plants liave really be- gan to move. Take up the plants carefully with a fork, so as not to in- jure their fibres, and let them lie about tlic ground as short a time as possible, for the air injures their x'oots even more than it does roses. after it is planted, for if the ground once gets hardened about the plant, it ceases to thrive, and is a sure failure. Frequentwatering with liquid manure, and a monthly dressing with salt will be necessary, while the plants arc in full growth, as already described. If you purchase roots, give the preference to those two years old, for though they will move at three, and give a crop at once, there is a little risk about it, and as exposure to the air is bane- ful, get the roots from the nearest place on which you can depend for them, and have all ready for planting before giving the orders. Now we come to the more pleasant part of the affair, the cutting of the crop. If the plant has had very liberal culture, it may be cut in the second year, but not severely ; in the third year it is in good bearing, and if the culture has been a little poor, it ought not to be cut tiU then, so there is a very special reason why every neces- sary care should be taken to promote a strong and healthy growth. When asparagus is cut for market, it must be taken when it is just rising above the surface, and it is then cut below, and the lower portion is generally sticliy; but for the private table the proper way to cut it is to wait till it is six inches above the ground, and 226 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. then cut it off level with the surface. This mode was first suggested by Mr. Wheeler, aud is a great impi-ovemeut on the plans recommended in the older works on gardening. Indeed, in old times, asparagus was very mucli hacked about by those not ex- pert in cutting it, and the plant nuich mjurcd by the process of those who were expert. The new plan is a de- cided improvement, and supplies a dish of exqixisite flavour, to which the greengrocer's bunches bear no sort of comparison. The cutting takes place from early in May to about the 10th or 15 th of June, in no case should it be continued after the end of June, otherwise the plant will not have time to recover itself during the season. After cutting, let the bed be well weeded, and then allow the stems to rise and grow as they please, giving plenty of liquid manure, and a monthly dressing of salt as before. There are many ways of forcing asparagu.s, either in pits formed for the purpose, and heated with dimg or hot water, the latter being the best, or in the open ground. The plants for the purpose should be four years old. Take up the plants at the end of November, and by succession as required, without injuring their roots, and, above all things, do not bruise the buds about the crown, for these are to supply the shoots for the table. A gentle heat is all that is necessary, but it should be constant, so that if a hot-bed is made up for the purpose, it must be of sound stuff, with plenty of stable litter in it to supply material for fermentation. Put six inches of leaf-mould, or old tan on the bed, and into this plant the asparagus, and cover them very slightly, and keep one foot from the glass. After a fortnight add about four inches more of old tan or leaves, so that the crowns wiU be quite six inches under the surface. As soon as the shoots appear through this, give regidar waterings with tepid liquid manure, with once a week tepid water in which salt has been dis- solved, at the rate of two ounces to the gallon. Another bed should be set to work in a fortnight after the first, and so on, to keep up a succession till the crop comes in from the open ground. Asparagus seeds very freely ; the finest berries only should be selected for use, and, when ripe, the seed should be well washed away from the pulp, and dried in the sun before being stored away. The culture of sea-kale differs but little from that of asparagus. The bed is to be prepared in the same way and with the same kind of manure, for this also rejoices in liqiiid manure and in frequent dressings of salt. Sow the seed in patches two feet distant from each other, and when the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to three or four plants in a patch, leaving of course the strongest in the ground. If plants be preferred, one year old are best, planted triangularly three in a patch, in the same way as seedlings. Cuttings from the crown may also be used, and a very good bed made of them. The end of March is the best time to plaut. They may be cut from or forced in the second sea- son, and the plantation will continue fruitful for many years. pi^^^c^C'i-^f^^c^ : IXIA AND SPAEAXIS, Ik the south of Englaud, and iu favoured Bituations, tliey will succeed very well in the open border ; but as they are Uable in severe seasons to suffer from frost aud wet, care must be taken to obviate such disas- trous consequeuces by precautionary cover- ings with litter, and by ample drainage. My ovFn establishment not containing a soil naturally well adapted for their growth and development, I am obliged to have re- course to an artificial one ; prepared with one-third good turfy loam, one-third river sand, and one-third peat, leaf-mould, and rotten manure, all well mixed and incor- porated, but not broken fine, laying this eighteen inches thick on a weU-prepared drainage in a sheltered situation, with a south aspect. The month of November is by some considered the best time for plant- ing 5 but I prefer the middle of October, THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 227 as after that period no advantage is gained by allowing them to remain above ground. I make drills three inches deep across, the beds already prepared, wherein 1 plant the bulbs three inches asunder, covering them with sand, and raking the beds, even when the work is completed. In my nursery, I have devoted a nine-light frame to this class of plants, with compost as described, by which I am enabled to protect with glass when circumstances may dictate its necessity. Of course, when glass is not at hand, mats or other covering can be em- ployed. I also grow a great quantity in pots, the soil used being similar to that already described, with a good and efficient drainage. They are placed in a cold frame, where they are allowed to remain during the winter months, but on the approach of spring can be removed to the greenhouse or conservatory. Before blooming they must receive a good supply of water, but after flowering only a moderate quantity should be given, when they may be placed in the open air until such time as the bulbs have received the returning sap from the leaves, when they should be taken up and placed in paper bags in a dry situation till the next planting season arrives. Sparaxis and Ixia are readily increased by offsets, which are produced iii abundance. If an amateur wishes to succeed with the least expense, he should pay every attention to the growth of offsets, as by them he will be enabled to maintain a good supply of blooming bulbs. I plant the offsets in deep seed-pans, about an inch below the soil, where they are allowed to remain for at least two years ; if any of the bulbs seem disposed to send up flower-stems, they are im- mediately taken off, thereby retaining strength to the bulb, which would have been exhausted in the production of a pre- mature blossom. On this point many per- sons have failed, and consequently given up their cultivation on account of the pre- sumed difficulty of maintaining strong blossoming bulbs. When procured from the nurseries, they are bloomed, and pro- duce offsets ; with this effort the bulbs are deteriorated in size and strength, and, consequently, not blooming so well as the preceding season, they are with the whole tribe discarded as not worth cultiva- tion ; but, if the offsets are encouraged year after year, a regular succession of strong blooming bulbs will be maintained. The Sparaxis and Ixia produce seed abundantly, and by hybi'idizing new varieties are ob- tained ; but several years intervene before the seedling bulb acquires strength to bloom. They are cultivated to great per- fection in Guernsey and Jersey, where they flourish admirably in the open border, without the least protection. W. E. Rendle, F.H.S. WINTEE PROTECTION OF BEDDING PLANTS. At the end of September, or early in Oc- tober, is the best time for placing half- hardy plants under protection ; for not only the coldness, but also the dampness of the weather, as it usually occurs after this period of the year, is very hurtful to deUcate plants in pots, when they are fully exposed ; the pots become saturated with water. The consequence of this is, that the roots perish, and the plants ai'C there- fore rendered sickly, and frequently perish on the arrival of winter. In providing a pit for their protection through the incle- ment season of winter, a place should be selected for it, which may be rendered as dry as possible, and where, at the same time, it would be sheltered from the north winds ; it should be so constructed that the plants would be elevated above the surface of the exterior ground, and not sunk beneath it, as is frequently the case, and this will provide for the more ready emission of dampness and free circulation of air. The bottom should be concreted to the thickness of six inches, and the surface should form an inclined plane to- wards the back, for the damp will more readily escape there ; a channel should be made to extend the whole length of the pit, connected with a small aperture through the wall at the lowest extremity ; above the concrete put on a layer of coarse gravel or stones, regulating its thickness by tlie height of the plants, and on the top of this place a thin layer of coal-ashes. In making these arrangements, always bear in mind that plants require to be placed near the glass, not only to secure a due share of light, but also to secure an additional advantage of no small import- ance, viz., the drying up the damp, from the effects of which far more plants perish 228 THE TLOEAL WORLD AND GATIDEN GTIIDE. during tlie winter than from any other cause. In order to exclude tlie frost, make up a thick casing quite to the top, and all round the pit. This may be formed of dry leaves and fern, or any other dry litter ; it will be necessary to provide some portable covering to prevent the wet from getting into the casing ; and the bottom should be rendered available for the egress of moisture from the wall of the pit. The test covering for the glass is dry rubbish, hay, and a mat on the top of that to keep it dry, and prevent its being scattered by I the wind. These materials should always j be placed under cover, when it is likely to be wet. Particular attention should be ! paid to having the pits uncovered when- I ever the weather will admit, and also to I give air copiously on every favourable op- portunity. "W, Anseli. ALPINIA (RENEALMIA) NUTANS. This beautiful exotic was introduced into our collections as long ago as 1789, and, from the shape of its leaves and stems, was supposed to be an amomum. It was nearly ten years in this country before it was brought to flower ; but at last it was flowered by Mr. Grimwood, at Kensing- ton, and Mr. Colvill, at Chelsea, nearly about the same time. As tue blossoms arc remarkable in form, beautifully co- loured, and large in size, the young plants ■were readily sold, and extensively circu- lated ; so that there aro but few stove col- lections at present in which the plant is not to be met with. It was not till some time after it flowered in England that bo- tanists were agreed about its name; in fact, it bore several names, until at last it was described and named by Mr. Roscoe. Although the plant is not at all rare, it is seldom seen in flower, which is owing, perhaps, to its not being generally known that it is a half aquatic. In its native country, the southern provinces of China and India, it is invariably seen growing on the sides of the ponds, in gardens, or ■on the banks of canals in the oj)en coun- try. In those situations, and in rich ;alluvial soil, the stems rise to the height of six or eight feet, and the nodding spikes of flowers aro magnificent. From these circumstances, it will be seen that the readiest way of flowering this plant would be to keep it rather dry thi'oughout the depth of winter, and, about the first of February, shift it into a large pot — a six- teenth size at least — and in a compost of strong loam well enriched with rotten dung ; then plunge in a brisk bark-bed heat to prompt a vigorous growth by daily suppHes of tejDid water. Or, if planted in a trunk, in the corner of a bark-bed, the plant would have a good chance then to perfect its flowers. Our plant belongs to the first class and first order of sexual botany, and to the natural order Scitaminefe, and is easily propagated by division of the root. It is hardly necessary to add that there are many other stove plants which seldom or never flower under the ordinary stove management, but which are weU. worth a little extra labour to bring them into flower, and partievilarly several genera belonging to the same natural order to which the alpinia does. J. Main. M'EWEN ON THE CULTtrRE OE THE PEACH. ;?roTflhe least of the regrets that mingled with ithe general sorrow we all felt at Mr. M'Bven's death in the prime of Ins man- hood, and the moment of his highest mflu- ence and usefulness, was that arising out of tfee fact that his then newly-commenced series of works on fruit culture must have an end in their very beginning. For many years honoured and deferred to as a man rich in experience in all the higher de- partments of horticulture, and especially in the culture of fruits, he was just then extending the cii-cle of his fame by the wise direction of his energies in the garden of the Horticultiu-al Society, on which, as superintendent, he had laid a firm hand and a determined will to eflect complete and ne- cessaryreforms. Deathmakes nodistinetiong or he would have spared such a man at least for a few years, to accomplish the important task he had accepted, and for which there were so few whose experience, intelligence, integrity, and patience were so admirably combined as they were in him — a man of THE FLOKAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 229 amiable character, and tborouglily sound in the most advanced branches of his chosen science. The " Culture of the Strawberrr," the first of tlic scries wliich Ml". M'Ewen projected just previous to liis death, was reviewed at length in these pages at tlie time of its pubhcation. It was uni- versally pronoimced the best treatise on the subject ever penned, and has, we beheve, had an extensive circidation. Fortunately for fruit growers Mr. M'Ewen had partly pre- pared a treatise on the culture of the peach, ■which was neai-ly ready for pubhcation at the time of Ills lamented demise. The manu- script was placed in the hands of Mr. John Cox, F.H.S., gardener to \YiIliam WeUs, Esq., of Eedleaf, and is now issued under his able editorship.* Here, then, we have George M'Ewen' s legacy to the gardeners of Great Britain, and it is one they may accept vrith proud remembrances of the man, and with signal benefit, let us beheve, to themselves and their employers ; for, like the " Strawbei-ry," this is the best book on the subject, and marvellously brief. We can see at a glance where the manuscript was defective when it came into the editor's * " The Culture of the Peach and Nectarine." By George M'Ewen, late Superintendent of the Horticultural Society's garden, at Chiswick. Edited and enlarged by John Cox, F.H.S. London: Groombridge and Sons. hands, and he has shown a wise discretion in filling in the blanks between brackets, so that, wliile the text is completed and the treatise made entu'e, the editor's words stand visibly apart from those of the original, and there is no shifting of responsibility upon one who is beyond the reach of either praise or censure. The treatise comprises chapters on out- door culture, cultm'e in cool-houses, and forcing ; on the culture of stocks, and the best practical methods of budding and grafting them ; on summer pruning — Mr. M'Ewen abhorred the knife, and in- sisted on summer pinching — out-door and in-door training ; management of peaches in pots ; the eradication of vermin and mildew. To which are added a calendar of operations, hsts of sorts, and notices of new American and French varieties, by Mv. Rivers. The subject is compressed into a nutshell, and yet every contingency has been anticipated, and the treatise is in every sense a model of a master's modeof teaching. The portrait of Late Admirable Peach, ui Mr. Andrews's best style, gives adchtional and proper grace to a work about which there are, to us, attractions apart from the subject. It is George M'Ewen's unpre- tentious monmnent, and may be looked upon as an imperishable headstone to his grave. YINES IN A CAEEION BOEDEE. 1 HATE a great number of vines under my care, and they are all in a wretched state ; suffering from the effects of mildew and other diseases so much, that on more than sixty vines thei-e is not a grape, and several of the plants appear to be in a dying state. What is the cause of failure I cannot tell. They are in a cool house, well ventilated, aspect south-east. The soil in the border is of great depth, and it has been plentifully manured with layers of dung every two or three years, and the carcases of dead animals have been put in, and yet it appears as if there is not sufiicient root-action going on, as some of the plants have made no growth whatever. Do you think it would be wise to exa- mine the roots, and if by so doing there be fungi found at them, or any other disease, what would you propose as a remedy ? And what kind of compost would you recommend as a new layer, and what treatment would you subject them to from this time? W.B.N. [There never was a more fatal step taken than the introduction of the system of dressing vine-borders with carrion. The man who brought that system into note left a vast collection of vines completely ruined by it, and they are now being re- covered by his successor, who has adopted a reversal of the plan which all but killed them. You must do as they have had to do at the place we refer to. Lift the roots, cut away all the dead and cankered parts, but take care of every fibre near the sur- fi\ce. Remove the whole of the soil to a depth of four feet, and you will find it to be a sour paste, in which it is impossible for a root of any kind to make healthy fibres. Then lay down a foot depth of large tiles, brickbats, etc., and on that another foot of rubbish from a building- yard, and then fill up your border with a mixture of turfy loam, plenty of sand, and a quarter-part broken bones, old plaster, and charred rubbish. Replant, a-nd lay out the fibres with care, and be content next season to lay in a little good wood, and the year after you may expect a crop.— Ed. F. W.] 230 JAEDINIERES AND EDGINGS. BT SHIELET HIBBEED. This has been one of the best seasons we have had for many years past for trans- planting evergreens and making improve- ments, owing to the absence of heat, and a pretty continuous fall of rain. Evergreens planted since August have not sliown the slightest indications of the change, and will get settled so soon and securely as to start next spring as if nothing had hap- pened to them. Those wlio have not yet begun their planting should begin at once, while the ground is warm and moist. Gret in evergreens and Americans first, and then go to work with deciduous trees and shrubs of every kind ; for at the end of October, fruit trees, roses, and other things, the removal of which is iisually deferred till they have shed their leaves, really do better if taken up while a mode- rate amount of leaf remains on them, un- less the ground happens to be dry and the wind in the east, when it would be better to wait to save them from hurtful exhaus- tion. The probabilities are that we shall have westerly winds and plenty of at- mospheric moisture for the next two mouths and every tree moved within that period will have warm feet and a moist head, and whatever fails after mov- ing may be reckoned to have been care- lessly taken up or carelessly planted, be- cause the elements are altogether favour- able. The folly of delay will be painfully evidenced hereafter, and wherever the state of the ground admits of it — barring dahlias, chrysanthemums, and bedders left out to tlie last moment — whatever alterations are intended should be com- menced at once ; first, the planting of all large subjects of a woody kind, then, as the weather grows more chilly, such other work as will do a man good by keeping his blood in healthy circulation. There are two great faults common to English gardens — the general flatness of the ground, and the absence of architec- tural embellishments. Some of the best terrace gardens, where boundary lines in stone are esseiatial features, are positively poor in this respect ; and people get to say that sculpture is expensive, and that the climate is unsuitable, whereas the very opposite may be stated broadly as the truth. The true principles of taste in gardening are not sulRciently understood, else we should never see, as we do too often, fine stone vases in proximity to crooked apple-trees, and rough bark bas- kets facing Grecian porticoes ; a mixture of the artistic, the rural, and the rustic is painful to an educated eye, and no source of instruction or real pleasure to the eye that is uneducated. That excellent motto ought to be inscribed on all our garden books, and over many a garden gate, " The garden is an extension of the house." It would set people thinking, and instead of planting a hollow pollard filled with ferns beside the entry, or under the drawing- room windows, they would discover that rugged forms do not harmonize with for- mal lines, and the shape of the house would have some influence on the shape of the garden in contiguity with it. If Sir Joseph Paxton had adopted the method of thousands of folks who take credit for possessing taste in such matters, he would have had the lower lake and all its oolitic and post-diluvian monsters grimly ensconced where now the noble tei-race steps lead the way first to a land of flowers and architectural elegancies, next to scenes made up of lawn and shrub and water, and next to bosky wildernesses and the wildness of nature, where the megatherium and his fossihferous brethren are properly at home. If all goes well, grautmg money, wisdom, and no mishaps, we are to have an architectural garden at Kensington Gore ; and if that be well I done there will spring up a taste which I ought indeed to be in high feather at this very moment, for garden arcliitecture and good masonry will be deemed of as much importance as good trees and good grass and good flowers. If we were to proceed on the plan of the great old Italian fami- lies in constructing terraces and balus- trades and alcoves, we might whisper about expense and cUmate. Karely do we see the snowy marble exposed to the frosts, the damps, andthe four winds of heaven, submit- ting its sculptured tracery — "the blossom- ing of dead stone into the beauty of eternal flowers "—to the rude influences which in this non-Italian climate, and this age of coal consumption and sulphiiretted air, would soon mar its outlines and eat away the best touches of the artist's work. It is a positive fact, that luarble does not long withstand the destructive influences to wliich it must be submitted when exposed to the open air in England ; and as we are slow to move in gardening as in politics, THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 231 so the abnegation of sculpttire is hereditary, I cover it -^vith some vitreous coating, but ■when in reahty the case has been utterly painted wood would do as weU ; we don't changed. The only safe way to preserve want to see the VandaUsm that church- expensive stone- work is to paint it, or | wardens delight in —whitewashing or 232 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GQIDE. painting every bit of stone that a rcne- rablo antiquity has bequeathed us — we don't| want to sec this sort of tiling in gardens, but wo do want to see substantial terrace lines, noble vases not out of place, flowing lines of snowy tracery, and balus- trades a little more foliated than town councils use as "railings" for bridges. The question turns plainly enough on this : if stone decays, gets weather-stained, and gives to the atmosphere what was meant for mankind, how arc we to introduce it more largely into the formal and highly decorated portions of our garden — how make the terraces and flower panels con- 1 iuuations of the architectural lines of the house. The question was answered long ago in the Floh.vl World, by the introduc- tion of a notice of Rausonie's imperish- able siliceous stone, which, as a substitute for stone, accomplishes the desiderated cheapness ; as a material intended to wear for ever and defy the elements, proves, after many years' experience of its use, altogether uninfluenced by atmospheric agencies ; and, as now worked up in an almost endless variety of designs of the highest artistic merit, brings pure art and imperishable sculpture straight to the poor man's door. I know the constitution and history of most of the so-called " substi- tutes for stone" which at various times have been offered to a discerning public. Some consist of common plaster faced with Portland or Roman cement. The summer sun causes a slight separation, perhaps invisible, between the two ignoble materials. The winter rains send a little trickling of moisture into the interior. The frosts cause the moistm-e to expand, and the thaw converts the urn, or goddess, or Newfoundland dog into a heap of frag- ments, or, perhaps, only peels off the cement and leaves the interior plaster dummy in its native grace. There are some good substitutes for stone, but the best are bad ; within five miles of a town they lose their proper colour in a year, and become more and more like dead compo', and people at last get disgusted with them, aud either paint them, and so spoil the idea of stone, or else let the moss grows in their crevices, which sooner or later crumbles them to powder. Ransome's patent imperishable stone is now no novelty. It has stood the test of many years' wear and many severe experiments. Most of our eminent geo- logists have consulted the mystery of its manufacture with a desire to get a clue to reading the histories of saiidstone strata, and the chemists of the whole world are now turning Mr. Ransome's name over in connection with the great question of soluble flint, which some of our readers may have made acquaintance with through Recreatioe Science. We are not deal- ing with a mere shop fabric, but with a great invention, the principle of which is to make stone, not to imitate it, and to accomplish the end in such a way that the stone shall be made ready sculptured. Tiiough an artificial product, this is as genuine a stone as flint; and in plain truth is flint, for it consists wholly of silex moulded in a loose form to any desired design, aud then rendered solid and unchangeable by a process analogous to that by which the flints themselves were made in past eras of geological history. Its manufacture does not con- cern us, but its uses do ; and I hope every reader of the Floeal Woeld who has a taste for, and desire after, high art embel- lishments in their gardens, will discover in Ransome's imperishable stone a solution of all the difficulties arising out of expense and durability, and, let me add, design ;for apart from the most exquisite sculptures in mai'ble, there never was so much pure art expended on a manufactured product before. Let those who doubt go to the show rooms at Cannon Row, Westminster, or to the works at Ipswich, and detenniue for themselves. Here is a sketch of a garden which not long since I laid out for a friend, who wanted to enjoy a varied scene, and desired good places lor the best bedders and best out-door furnishing plants — a good culti- vator, but admittedly deficient in ideas of design. Without going into the detail of the plan, let the print sufiice to explain that with a tasteful wealth of shrub and wood the affair simply resolves itself into gravel, stone, and flowers. There is breadth ; you can breathe freely, walk freely, and every subordinate feature falls into the scheme without ajar. The square is bordered all round with trees and shrubs, with ribbon lines in front. From the foreground we enter by a flight of steps, aud at the other extremity get into the mixed garden by a walk arched over, so that the scene before us is a thing com- plete and distinct in itself; it derives no help or injury from remote objects. It is walled in by branches and edged round with one of Ransome's kerbs, here repre- sented in detail (Fig. 2). The centre is occupied by that best of all Mr. Ransome's contributions to the garden, the Jardiniere, round which is placed a set of four flower- THE FLOEAL WOBLD AST) GABDE2f GUIDZ. 233 boxes (Fif . 1), also in siUeeoas stone. At to it. If joar garden is aUogeiher oi » the Chisnrick sbov last jear there vere rustic dianeter, it voald be b^er to go aereral jardiaieres and porte flenrs horn to Mr. Carrj, and order some of bis bark Tarions BMUinfartmerg. This of Bansome's houses and pine-cone corered baskets ; for was there also, and in grace, finish, and et. and withoneofthemai^ EaitaUe edginga, of : wfaieh fbor iDnrtntioBs are here giiesL CkangraTd is better flam bad giacs; bold ^._ Hnesof moaldedmaaomj mne agraeafale ver- to the ey^ and better wear^ than cither box . — i- or botehetB* broom. So dtip can hurt it ; T it is dean and ^'Ipynt when the flowers are gone; and as to the flowers them- selres, a moderate eappif goes farther; and ther shor tbeoselres with teafiiid L 2 2S4i THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. more effect, than by means of any otlier framework. There is no better effect to be had in the way of colours in gardening, than in using stone as a contrast of gray against blue, or purple, or scarlet. A box edging, neat as it is, only gives the hue that we have everywhei-e as a ground colour ; but stone gives its own striking gray-white ■with precision and unmistakeable effect ; and nearly all the plants we vise for front lines in ribbons tell beside it wouderf\illy. My forecourt is edged with Hogg's tiles, surfacing of fresh green moss. They have had their day ; out with them, and plunge a }nixture of cinerarias, hardened first in an airy pit, witli four three-year-old plants, of Cjtisus Atleeana, at equal distances round the deodara. The weather may soon pinch these, for our springs are trea- cherous, but they are pretty sure to hold till you get the lively Alyssum saxatUe and Aiibrietia purpurea nearly into bloom ; then make the change again with pot plaiits, plunged as before, and the pots hidden with fresh moss. Put the yellow next the now no longer manufactured. They are kept white by means of an occasional wash ■with masons' dust, and the first line of the ribbon is Lobelia speciosa in front of Flower of the Day ; the fu-st from seed sown last March, and in full bloom on this 20th of September, though in many places near here it has been gone a fortnight. My friend, whoso garden is here sketched, manages his jardiniere on the same plan as I manage mine — a constant succession all the year round — making it, in truth, a "little garden/' which the seasons are cedar, and the purple round next the rim of the stone basin, and you have the best spring bed ever planted, from materials that you may buy almost for pence, or grow in any quantity for nothing. By clipping olf dead blooms these will hold their ground until you get pot annuals of autumn sow- ing into bloom, and another mixture may take their place. Or, as the plants are neat-looking things, let the Alyssum and Aubrietia remain, with a few stray blooms upon them, till you plant the bed for the summer. Strange to say, white-leaved ge. m4 not permitted to lay a withering hand upon. Let me here give the planting of my jar- diniere for twelve months roiind, premising that the bed measures eight feet through. Begin with the hyacinths. Cedrus deo- dai-a, two and a-haif feet through, in pot, plunged in the centre. Next tliat a circle of white hyacinths, then a circle of cherry- pink, then an outer ring of purple, say Baron Fitzallan — one of the grandest we have for a mass. The hyacinths are all in pots, plunged, and the pots hidden by a ^X. ranimns, white -leaved Alyssum, the silvery Cerastium tomentosum look well next this bright sihceous stone, provided there are strong colours next them for support ; and if the jardiniere is to be done in geraniums, Mangies's makes an exquisite edging either to Cerise, Ignescens superba, or Mr. Bea- ton's new Imperial Crimson, which will be, perhaps, the best geranium ever raised for I planting m a bed of this kind. Not that I have used it so, but I have it in a line next to stone-work, and its dwarf habit and rich crimson colour are perfection for THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 235 the purpose. The Model Nosegay, that was sent out -with it, is, in my soil, a rank cabbage-looking thing, not worth garden room. But the best summer furniture for a stone jardiniei-e is fuchsias. These must be planted out, not plunged, and the stufl' should consist of turf, maiden loam, and plenty of old manure. Mine has, this season, been planted with Roi des Blanches in the centre, five plants; then a circle of Bo-Peep ; and next the stone rim a circle of Little Treasure and Cathe- rine Hayes, and it has been splendid, but is now on the wane. Next year, instead of using a white centre, though I liave Duchess, Fairest of the Fair, Fair Oriana, and a dozen other whites, to choose from, I shall use a dark fuchsia of a little taller habit than Bo-Peep, and prefer one colour to a dot in the middle. Fuchsias never hold out well till the end of the season, but Hendersonii and Scarlet Grem, and a few other early chrysanthemums, bloom in September, just in time to replace them, and there you have another change, in- volving only the striking of three or four dozen cuttings in spring, and having the plants well stopped and potted oif for the purpose by the middle of July. These go oif just in time for the full tide of the pompones, and then put a fine plant of Cedo Nulh or Algerie, in an eight-inch pot, for the centre; round it a circle of DrinDrin or Canrobert, and then an outside ring of Riquiqui, and you have a bed that cannot be beaten. Brilliant and General Lafont are fine for the purpose : so is Bob, and indeed there is no end of them, and all the colours in the rainbow, ex- cept true blue and royal scarlet to choose from for variety ; but the plants must be grown on purpose, well stopped back ; with only such few invisible sticks, as will enable them to hold up during storms, and the set for the outside edge must be in nothing larger than 48's ; bushy plants in go's will be better, because you can pack them close, and defy curious eyes to de- tect that they are not planted. The last turn brings us to the season of yule logs. If friends have fled dui-ing the dripping days of December, the garden bell will be agitated for a week before and (how ?) many weeks after Christmas, Let people see that decorative gardening is to be pursued the whole year round, and let the jardiniere give proof thereof. Order in, from some first-class grower, who has a taste for planting, a set of conifers for potting. Have ready a good heap of compostj consisting of turfy loam, well broken xip and mixed with gritty sand,* free from lime and iron, and sweet leaf- mould, but not a particle of dung, either new or old. Pots of six, eight, and tea inches diameter will be required ; and if you are in any difHculty as to pots suit- able for trees, order in at once a supply from Messrs. Adams, of Belle Isle, King's Cross, London, and you will have ware that may be rolled down Shooter's Hill without breaking. Here is a set of plants for the bed : centre, Abies deodara, soft glaucous green, pensile and elegant ; two Liboccdrus Chilensis, compact, conical, and silvery, to stand one on each side of the centre ; two Abies Menziesii, dark green, bold, brauching, and symmetrical, to stand on each side of the centre alter- nately between the Libocedrus ; then four Pinus cembra, rich holly green, long leaves, compact habit, and striking, to place at equal distances all round ; tlisu four Cepaalotaxus I'ortuni, deep green, shining, regularly branched, and oriental, to stand also at equal distances ; then four Juniperus sabinoides, dense silvery fretwork, a sort of arboreal frosted chasing, to make up twelve plants of these sorts, placed in order, one of each all round. Plunge them deep enough to bring the rims of the pots two inches below the level of the outside rim, and moss the surface. There you have the best winter bed that can be had by either prince or peasant, and you have only to warn the children not to appropriate them for Christmas-trees, to be at rest until flowers come in once more. They cannot hurt unless crowded above, and in want of di-aiuage beneath. If water-logged they will show the eliects of it in spring, and if overcrowded the inner branches will get blanched. I take out a few barrowfuls of stuif, and make sufficient depth to stand the pots on a bed of loose bricks, in which no water can lodge'; and as to crowding, that depends on the size of the plants. Order them for a bed of seven feet diameter, and give the order in which they are to be placed, and you will have them picked to fit by tailor's measure. If the least doubt remain, tell the nurseryman to read this number of the Floral World, and all his judgment and genius will be at your service. Of coui'se there are hundreds of ways of planting such beds. A lot of laurels, * The sweepings of gravel paths, sifted as soon as wheeled away, aud saved iu a heap, ready for use, is the best sand that cau be used iu potting trees and shrubs. It consists of sharp suud and miuute pebbles, and is already well wastted by rain. 236 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. aucubas, and liollies in pots, which may bo raised for the purpose on the premises, •will make good winter furniture. But the best of all evergreens for winter furniture, is one I had of Mr. Standish last spring, Grieslinia litoralis, a thick leaved, shining, dense growing bush, that will do wonders in a fat loam, stand any amount of frost, and jDut the whole family of ordinary evergreens at an immeasurable distance by its splendid colour and compact habit. It •was first sent out by Mr. Yeitch, and ought soon to be in every garden in the three kingdoms. So, in the way of flowers, there need not be so many changes as I have indicated. If the bed remains empty all the winter, it only needs to have the mould raked over now and then to keep it clean, and it is still an orna- ment, and crechtablc to even the best es- tablishment. But instead of one jardi- niere, lay out your terrace for a set of four or five, with flower-boxes and the best of the siliceous edgings, and where is the limit to the variety you may obtain in matching the excellence of this stone with suitable flowers ? Good stone never dies, never "misses " after planting, never grows dingy, but forms a permanent framework to whatever picture you like to place with- in it, and without the picture, is still — if you have the right material and the right patterns — an object on which the eye will rest with pleasure ; not so soon noting the deficiencies of the planting, yet enjoy- ing good planting all the more because of the brave white belt of masonry that sur- rounds it. I am not forgetful of people who can only afford shillings where they would spend pounds. Good masonry is expen- sive, though Eansome's, with all its me- chanical and artistic excellencies, is as cheap as any of the good cements. There is au increasing demand for manufactured edgings, and speaking for myself, I prefer them to box, grass, or whatever else in the Hve way is used — except in peculiar cases that need not now be' cited. Those who want a substantial cheap edging cannot do better than use the cable tile, some time shice described and figured in the Flobal World. It is made by Messrs. Loomes, Whittlesea, Cambridgeshire, and suice our notice of it, the manufacture has been im- proved and extended, and the makers are prepared to supply it in any quantity at fivepence per yard. Here is a figure of a tile made to turn corners, a figure of the ordinary straight tile will be found at page 20 of this year's volume. I am now about to put down 200 feet on the border I keep for dahlias and chrysanthemums, and have just received them from the pottery. Though cheap at first cost, carriage, owing to their weight, is an important item. My lot cost 13?. 2fZ. fi-om Whittlesea to my garden gate, so you may reckon the cost about 7of?. per yard to London, which, considering the neat appearance, durability, and the ease with which an amateur gar- dener may, if he chooses, put them down liimself, is as reasonable as any edging, live or dead, yet introduced to notice. NOTES POR OCTOBEE. KITCHEN GARDEN. This is a time for earnest work in every department. Make a general clearance of the ground wherever there are vacant spaces, and ridge up all plots not to be planted on during winter. Get a waste corner clear for heaping up manures and composts, where they can be turned over during frosts, and, if convenient, empty the muck pit, and cover the rotted stuff •with a layer of soil to throw off rain ; the ■whole to be turned two or three times cfore using it in spring. Plant out the August-sown cabbage ; leave the weakest in the seed-bed for future planting. Plant out lettuce in a warm situation, take up potatoes, carrots, beets, and parsnips, earth up celery. Use the fork, spade, and hoe as much as possible to keep all pots clean, and destroy the large crops of weeds that the autumn rains will bring up. Lay cabbages and broccolis that are forward with their heads to the north ; fork over asparagus beds, and mulch the crowns with rotten dung. Get cauliflower plants under hand-glasses, and pot a few to keep in frames. PEUIT GAEDEN. New plantation of goosebemes, cur- THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 237 rants, and raspberry bushes may be made towards the end of the month. Get the ' ground ready for fruit-trees that are to be i planted next monih, let it be well drained and deeply trenched, but, iinless the soil is poor and exhausted, use no manure whatever — pure loam is preferable to an i enriched soil, for all trees intended to bear j early and Uve long. You need not wait | till next month if your ground is ready ; trees may now be moved, even if they have not shed their leaves, and will make fresh roots immediately. PLOWEE GAEDEN. Let chrysanthemums be securely staked; train out plants in pots, and make tlien\ neat and tidy for blooming, give plenty of water. Where required to take the place of bedding plants, get them into their places without delay, and lift carefully with good balls. Plant hyacinths, tulips, crocuses, scillas, crown imperials, liliums, gladioli, narcissi, jonquils, daffodils, and snow-drops. Part and plant out peren- nials in the borders, get auriculas and car- nations under glass for the winter, but give plenty of air. This is a good time to plant American shrubs of all kinds. Remove decaying leaves ; keep walks and lawns tidy. GKEEXHOTJSE AND STOYE. House at once whatever is to be win- tered under glass. Remove the shading, give plenty of air, and whenever green-fly orthrips appear,resort toefTectual methods at once, and much future annoyance will be saved. Plants that are to bloom during the winter should have the best place as to warmth, and if fires become necessary, let them be got up brisk, so as to dry the house, and allow at the same time of a current of air. Reduce the heat among pines, so as to keep them growing slowly. Be careful not to push pines into too rapid a growth. Keep the air very dry where grapes are hanging. Bottom heat for pines, 85". Cinerarias should be kept growing freely, and be regidarly stopped to pro- duce good specimens. At this time of year, they are very subject to mildew and green-fly. Use the proper remedies as soon as there are the least signs of such plagues, and keep the plants well-aired to induce robustness. Iveeping the outsides of the pots clean will do much towards ensuring their health. Dahlias should be correctly tallied preparatory to taking up. Make up your list for next year, while the flowers are in bloom, and tlirow out every one that has not realized your expectations. When there are so many good ones, it is a folly to tolerate any that are of questionable merit. Keep them well tied to promote bloom to the last. Pelargoniums, for spring exhibition, will now want another shift. Get them into their blooming pots at once, use good turfy loam and old manure, plenty of drainage, and, for a fortnight after shift- ing, give very little water. Bedding Plant smaj still be propagated, but the stock ought to be complete by this time. Calceolarias put in now will make good plants for bedding next summer. If geraniums are wanted, put in the ripest shoots you can get, five or six round the sides of five-inch pots, and place thein on a top shelf. They will root in time, though slowly. Of course, they must be kept moderately dry. TO COREESPONDENTS. Pit for Beddixg Plaitts. — Constant Header wishes to build a pit or house for the preser- vation tiurin,? winter of bedding plants, etc. He has a vinery heated by hot water, and could put additional pipes through the new structure, to be heated by the same boiler, but, as the ex- clusion of frost is all that is desired, he wishes to know if it will be sufficient to make the flue of the present chimney run round the new structure, and if so, of what construction, bricks or pipes ? There is this diificidty in heating a pit for bedding plants by a flue from your hot- water apparatus, that during Xovember, De- cember, and January, when you want at least to dry up damps in your pit, you will not require heat in your vinery, unless j'ou force very early, but, Bhould you do so, you may use the flue, observing so to fix dampers as to be able to turn the heat through the flue, or up the I chimney at pleasure, otherwise it would be best to connect a moderate amount of pipe to your boUer, and, by means of valves, turn the heat in which direction you please. Where expense is not an object, we should recommend pamments in preference to drain pipes for flues. The waste of heat up chimneys is caused principally through want of skill in the fixers, and their not providing easy access to the flues of the boiler, for the purpose of keeping clear of soot. MULBERBY PEODUCIXG MaLE BlOSSOMS. — Cour- land. — I have a large mulberry-tree, planted some thirty-five years ago. Every year about four-fifths of its branches are covered with male blossoms only, while the remaining fifth arc full of the female blossom. What can I do to make the unproductive branches productive ? The subsoil, which lies within eighteen incli.-s of tho siu-face, is sand, and then giuvel. Is there any 238 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. work on the mulberry-tree ? — In order to render your barren mulberry-tree fruitful, moderately thin the shoots, if very thick, in order to expose the remainder more elTeclually to the ripening influence of the autumnal sun, then tie back as many of the branches as possible in the con- trary direction to which they grow, and if they get slightly twisted or cracked in so doing, all the better— now is the proper time. AVe know of no work specially devoted to the mulberry. House fob Vijtes. — P. B. says, " I am con- structing a glass-house mainly for vines, but shall attempt to combine plants with them, and 1 am desirous of knowing the best slope for the roof, also whether you consider Hartley's rough plate glass the best to use for the roof." Witltu of house, 13 ft. ; height of front, 7 ft. 6 in. ; height of back, 14 ft. Kind of glass recom- mended, British sheet, 16 to 20 oz. to the foot, and to shade from April to end of August with Shaw's titfany, made up the size required, with a stout cord round its edges (or strength, and tucked on to the roof. lioui;h plate is expensive, and not required for a vinery; for sjme de- fcriptions of plant-houses de=!iiable. Witli 7 it. 6 in. light in front you cannot get a proper plope or pitch with less than 14 feet of light at back ; 6 to 12 inches more than that would be better, if expense is no object. If you can reduce the light in front, the back may be lower ill proportion. Kb>ealmia nutaxs. — E. C. remarks that the plant, respecting which information was sought, " never dies down ;" that is ihe reason it has not flowered for several years. All the plants of this tribe with which we are acquainted re- quire a month or two's rest, when they die off, and, after having been shook out and i"epotted, grow again with vigour ; and, with due encou- ragement as to shifting on, and supplying libe- rally with water, put up a vigorous bloom. A very important item in the management of plants of this tribe is, that the young oft'sets only wiU aiibrd bloom, those which are produced at the extremity of the rhizome should be taken ofFand encouraged, and the old stems discarded. Perhaps E. C. has retained the old steins, and for that reason has had no bloom. Mr. Hibberd feels greatly obliged to E. C. for forwarding a plant. lie will prize it, and before twelve months are over, if all is well, he hopes to be able to otter some practical remarks about it. Second Crop of Figs. — A. It., JVanstead. — The only chance you have of saving a portion of the crop is at once to remove all the large fruit, and leave the smallest to brave the winter. If the whole are left, the probability is that the whole win fall, but by removing half, or two- thirds, you may keep the rest. The best method of treating a flg on a wall is to keep it on short diet, say chalky loam without manure. All superfluous shoots should be removed when about three inches long, reserving those for fruiting which are the shortest jointed. This should be carried on all the season, so that the wood reserved will be well ripened by due ex- posure to the sun. About the end of August pinch the ends of the shoots between the finger and thumb, and finish training for the season, Verbenas are of little value for winter bloom, but plants struck last July or August may be got into bloom in the house by giving them good places, and ceasing to stop them. But you will have, along with the bloom, plenty of green-fly. Flowees for EyTKA:NCE Hall. — Constant Sitb- tcriber. — We fear you have not light enough to make the lobby a permanent home for plants ; and to keep it gay, it would be better to intro- duce plants in flower from time to time, re- moving and replacing with others as soon as their bloom declined. From the present time to Christmas, pompone clirysaEthemums, scarlet salvias, ericas, and tree carnations would bo best ; then, on the turn of the year, camellias, cytisus, primulas, and other spring flowers ; and for the summer whatever pleases your eye most. Have a few potted evergreens, such as Buxus Balearica, golden Enonyiuus, Azalea amcena, and well furnished camellias to fill u]i at any time when flowers are scarce. Pot otf a few hya- cinths and crocuses at once, and also place a few hyacinths in water. Such places as halla and vestibules should be kept gay by succession : first because sameness would weary the eye ; and, secondly, because few plants can be pro- perly gro>vn in such places, though' it does them no h.nm to abide there while in flower. Gas Tae os Apple-trees.— jffec. J. llanncnj. — You need be in no fear of your trees dying through being dressed with gas tar to flit the ants. Several of our trees have been dressed with it over and over again, after stopping their wounds and earwig holes with a paste made of clay, cowdung, and common salt, and they have improved immensely, and this year borne heavy crops, while most other trees in the same dis- trict have been barren. But the best thing we ever did for half-exhausted apple-trees, wiis to open trenches round them, till in with fresh earth for them to make new roots into, and then scrub them from head to foot with a dandy brush and strong brine. These trees have since grown young again, and are nialcing new wood of the very best character, and, as just re- marked, have borne lieavily during this present • unfruitful season. Make your mind easy as to the safety of your trees. We do not think it advisable to negotiate for gardeners wanting places. The best course is for gardeners and employers to advertise their wants, and re- spectively to bear their own responsibilities. It is a matter we have often thought about, with a desire to promote the interests of both parties, but we do not see that we can render any service. Sizes of Pots. — J. L. — This is an important mat- ter, because some societies, in offering prizes for plants, give sizes of pots, according to the number of the cast, and not by measurement. 1 he knowing exhibitor will take advantage of this, and go to a pottery which makes the largest pot of a certain designation. If a plant is to be in a 24-pot, those who can get a 24, 8^ inches wide, will prefer it to the regular size of 8 inches, and may do so without infrmgemeut of rules. The sizes of pots vary at different pot- teries ; but the following sizes of the pots made by Messrs. Adams, of the KUiis, Belle Isle, may be considered as about the best standard : — Nos. This. : 60. 160, 54, 4S, 40, 32, 23, 24, 16, 12, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1. Idchcs Diameter: 2f, •6\, i\, 4f, b\, 6, 6*, 7, 8, 9, 104, llj, 13f, 1.5, IGJ, 17^, 19. A Thousand Qleeies. — J. M. — Vi'e know of no thoroughly good book to meet your requirements, as you st.ate them. Perhaps you expect more from books than it is possible for them to give you. You cannot do better than procure Sweet's " Hothouse and Greenhouse Cultivator." As to inarching or grafting the Eugenia upon the myrtle, we would remark that Eugenia grows well on its own roots, and may be struck in any quantity all through the summer in a frame. It is, moreover, very hardy. But if you prefer to work it on the myrtle, the best season is from February to the end of May, and keep close, warm, and moist, lUl the union is completed. W^e prefer inarching. The seedling Tac- sonia will have a better chance of flowering if worked on a well-established passion flower, and allowed room to run and ripen its seasonal growth. We think you may expect bloom in your lifetime if you are not already past the allotted term of threescore years and ten. GisnuBSi CoiiPOUifD. — A. 3. — It does no harm THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 239 if a little gets in the soil during the operation of syringiug. The mixture of soda should be as stated, 'A lbs. of soda to 1 oz. of aloes for robust subjects, and to be quickly -washed off. The inixtui-e of soft-soap and aloes was left on all night and washed away in the morning ; per- haps, if washed off quickly, it would do no harm. We turned the pots upside down, and dipped the heads of the plants into the solution, holib'ng them in it suiEeieutly long to get every part well wetted. Pot plants of any size should always be dipped in preference to syringuig, as it wets them more thoroughly, and none ofthe mix- ture gets to the soil as they are placed between two laths, head downwards, to drip for awhile. MAGXOLiA.^Jlfrs. Thomson. — If your plant be- longs to the grandiflora section it will need no covering in wmter. The soil that suits it best is a very sandy peat, with a dry subsoil on good artificial drainage. They will do, however, in stiff loams, but should then be planted in peat- sand and leaf-mould to give them a start. If the leader is of suiUcicnt length to fcol the action of the wind, tie it in at ouce to prevent acci- dents. The Maidenhair fern does no good in the open air when under cultivation. It should be potted in a compost of turfy peat, largely intermixed with sdver-sand and nodules of charcoal and broken flower-pots of the size of hazel-nuts, and smaller, and then covered with a bell-glass. It is a free grower in a warm, moist air, with shade, and the best Wardian Case fern we have. Books a>'d C'AiALOGrES Keceived. — "Autumn Catalogue of Dutch and Cape Bulbs, to be had of James Carter and Co., 237, High Holborn." This is a great improvement on the " Bulb Catalogue" previously published by Messrs. Carter, and will be found a most instructive guide to persous makmg selections of Ijidbs for garden and greenhouse culture. In addition to the popular kinds, of which Messrs. Carter are largo importers, there are hsls of rare and curious flowering bulbs, alphabetically arranged, and accompanied >vith descriptive and cultural notes, comprising all the best species and varie- ties for stove and greenhouse. A very full list of herbaceous and alpine plants adds to its value. — "Lists of Bulbs, and other Flower Roots, imported by E. G. Henderson and Son, ■Wellington Road, St. John's Wood." A well- printed book of eighty pages, containing all the good varieties of hyacinths, tulips, etc., besides choice Cape bulbs, herbaceous plants, new fruits for present planting, and a chapter on the cidture of Spergula pilifera. — " Descriptive Catalogue of Roses, cultivated for Sale by A. Paul and Son, Cheshunt, Herts." An admi- rable digest of one of the best and most extensive collections of roses in England. Persons about to plant roses should procure this Catalogue, ■which will be forwarded in return for one postage-stamp. — " AVilliam Chafer's List of su- perb New Doulde HoUyhocks, Saifron Walden Nursery," contains about 150 of the best, with descriptions of colour, height, etc., with notes on cidture. TiNERT. — Snip. — The best plan for a vinery must be determined by circumstances. A late vinery may be erected at less cost than one for early forcing. For late grapes, the plan given in No. 13, if carried two feet higher, back and front, with openings left in the front wall to admit the vines, and wires run under the roof, eighteen inches below the glass, woidd answer well. The best kind of grapes to plant must likewise be determined by the same rule, and for the cultivation of the vine, see pp. 33, 3J!, 92, 91, and 273 of last year's volume. The sub- ject will receive attention again shortly. HoLLTHOCK.s, Exc. — B. T.-^The Chinese and Italian hollyhocks are of the same duration as the show kinds. Sown one season they bloom the next, and any that are extra fine should then be propagated from cuttings, and the old stools destroyed. Everlasting flowers should be gathered when quite dry and fuUy expanded, tied in bunches, and suspended head downwards in any dry airy place. Dust and damp soon destroy their beauty ; but there is no secret in preserving them lor winter bouquets. Helens saccharatus is an annual, but if it has not flow- ered the roots would keep if taken up and potted at once. The Guernsey lUy, Nerine Sarniensis, grows from September to May, and needs a good place in a greenhouse. As you have no greenhouse, you might grow them in the win- dows of a warm room. Tuberose. — SuLsciiber, Wisheach. — There is only one certain way to flower the tuberose, Polyan- thes tuberosa, and that is to get old bulbs from Italy every year, plant in rich sandy loam, and when fairly in growth give them a com- fortable bottom-heat to bring them into flower for the drawing-room. In the open ground it can- not do more than produce such leaves as the one you send. The best bulbs to grow in moss are hyacinths, crocuses, and jonquils. Any kind of moss ^vill do, and it must be kept moderately saturated with water. CrCUlIBEES UNDER VlNES, Eic. — H. JI., Bail- huri/. — Very glad to hear that you took our advice, and have a show of fruit so soon. We must now help you along as you have become your own gardener, and we beg you will not be afraid to ask questions. If you keep the tatdc at work too late iu the season it may cause the vines to break, and do them much harm. They begin to want cold instead of heat, and you must not hazard next year's grapes for the sake of winter cucumbers. When achimeues die down, lay the pots on their sides where wet cannot reach them till the end of January, and then start in a gentle heat ; and, when the shoots are an inch long, pot every six into a sis- inch pot, using equal jiarts of peaty loam, leaf- mould, and sand. Your allamandas will bloom when they get older. Amaryllis. — W. Ou-en. — We suspect the reason why your Ackermauia audvittata do not flower is that you do not feed them well enough when growing. They requii-e to be grown iu a mix- ture of turfy-loam, leaf-mould, old maniu'e, and a liberal admixtiu-e of sand. Good greenhouse temperature ; and after growth to be kept dry for eight or ten weeks, and warm also, and not to be repotted till they begin to grow again. You will find a treatise on hollyhock culttu'e by Mr. Chafer in our volume for last year. Heating GEEE>-norsE. — H. L. F., Siumimdhian. ■ — A furnace and flue is the usual plan adopted for a small house, and is the method which everybody can manage. Gas is the cleanest, and more under control than any other system, if properly carried out, but the flame must not be in the house. Hot water is rarely used in small houses ; in large houses it is always best. You caunot do better than look over the various articles on the subject that have appeared in these pages. Hyacinths fob Glasses. — A. Smith. — You wiU find a list of the best at page 233 of last year's volume. The following six will suit you : — Waterloo, fine pink; Duke of Wellington, pale rose ; Keizer Alexander, dark blue ; Laurens Koster, bright indigo; Anna Maria, French white ; Prince of Waterloo, pure white. You hud better not have any yellow or orange, they are of no use except in a large collection, as, iu truth, they are of no colour at all. Passifloras. — B. J., Ci-eice. — Your seedling plant that has run fifteen feet must be left alone till April, and then be cut back to withiu six inches of the ground, and allowed to run again. Tlio 240 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN OUIDE. best time to plant out a Passiflora is the end of April or first half of May. Namks of 'F:E-Rys.— Constant Subsenber.—l, Poly- stichum aeuleatum ; 2, Davalliapyxidata ; 3, Coc- nopteris viviparis ; I, Lastiea filix-mas ; 5, Athy- rium filix-foemina ; 0 Adiantum cuneatum. SEEDtiNe Plants and Stocks for Roses. — T. R. J. says, " I have three seedling Dielytras from seed which ripened the summer before last. I have seedling plants of Acacia lopantha several inches high from last year's seed. The sort sometimes called c»sia does not jirogress rapidly or healthily. I iind I can produce tall scarlet geraniums on a single stem straighter and thicker from seed than cuttings, with less tendencytothrowoutlateralbraiiches. 'J hereiip- pearstohavebeen thissmnmera greater quantity of seed than usual on the geranium. I have sown some Boule deneige. Princess Alice, and Kings- bury Pet to increase my stock, without cutting up my few plants. Will they come true .^ [Acacia coesia requires the heat of a stove to do any good : geraniums cannot be depended onto come true from seed ; but there wiU usually be a large proportion true, and a few of those not true may be better their parents, and many will be worse. The Manetti rose is an Alpine spe- cies from the south of Europe ; it grows in the form of a bush in the style of a China on its own roots, and is budded close to the ground, and afterwards planted, with the insertion below the surface of the soil, so that the base of the bud forms roots for itself. Contrary to what has been said, it may be used for standards, by getting strong rods on established plants ; but we have yet to learn how long such standards live. In your light soil the Manetti will probably prove of more service than the dog-rose, and it may be had in quantities from almost any nursery at a low price. It comes from layers quicker than any rose we know. BEDDitfG Plants. — J. L. will find no difficulty in keeping fancy geraniums in a greenhouse. They only need to be secured fiom frost, to have but little water till they begin to grow with the turn of the 3'ear, and plentv of li'^ht and air at all times as weather permits. See pp. 93, 202, 213, and 230 of last year's volume. Various. — Thomltx Hill. — We appreciate your kind offer, but have no desire to overwhelm you with applications, not a fourth of which you would be able to comply with from one plant. — A. F. — The best treatise on the carna- tion, pink, and picotee is in No. 9 of" Garden Favourites and Exhibition Flowers." — A. B. — The best book on English Ferns is " Moore's Handbook," published by Messrs. Groombridge at 5s. — A. B. — Kemp's " How to lay out a Gar- den," is the best best book for your purpose. It is published by Messrs. Bradbury at 12*. THE GARDEN ORACLE AND ECONOMIC YEAR-BOOK FOR 1860, Will be published on the 20th of October, and will contain, in addition to the usual Almanac information, a List of Ericas to liloom every day in the year ; a Treatise on the Culture of Ericas, Lists of the Winning Flowers of 1859, Notes on New and Old Annuals, Descrip'.ive List of New Plants, introduced during the past year, Notices of New Fruits and New Flowers, Culture of Sper- gula pilifera, illustrated with engraving?, etc., etc. The portion devoted to domestic economy will contain instructions for making British wines ; articles on Bees, and Poultry, and vari- ous matters relating to the household. Adver- tisements will be received up to the 15th idt. METEOROLOGICAL CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER. 31 day WEATHER NEAR LONDON, OCT., 1S58. 31 DATS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, OCT., 1853. 1 s. BAROSIETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN. BAROMETER. TIIERMOM. WIND. RAIN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN. S. 1 30.019—29.990 62 41 51.5 SW .00 M. 17 29.807—29.765 58 36 47.0 NW .22 S. 3 30.021—29.978 67 47 57.0 w .00! Tu. 18 29.795—29.712 54 43 50.0 NE .10 M. 3 30.034-29.959 70 51 60.5 SW .00 w. 19 29.616—29.5.52 56 51 53.5 NE .14 Tu. 4 29.943—29.757 70 41 55.5 SW .07 i Th. 20 29.Ui)4— 29.629 59 37 48.0 NE .00 W. 5 29.861-29.784 62 35 48.5 SW .18 1 F. 21 29.891—29.820 60 42 51.0 E .00 Th. 6 30.011—29.857 65 45 55.0 w .10: S. 22 30.009-29.974 61 35 48.0 NE .00 P. 7 29.490—29.313 65 40 52.5 SW .24 s. 23 30.039-29.907 61 42 51.5 E .00 S. 8 29.840—29.538 61 26 43.5 w .00 M. 24 30047—30.003 58 4.0 49.0 E .00 s. 9 29.921.— 29.681 61 38 -19.5 SW .00 Tu. 25 30.205-30.197 59 36 47.5 NE .00 M. 10 29.590—29.341 53 36 -47.0 SW .09 W. 26 30.263-30.221 60 35 47.5 NE ■00 Tu. 11 29.715—29.512 55 26 40.5 w .00 Th. 27 30.245 - 30.122 58 37 47.5 NAY .00 W. 12 29 985-29.885 56 46 51.0 w .02 F. 28 30.056—29.951 54 34 44.0 SW .24 Th. 13 30.070—29.961 65 45 55.0 SW .05 S. 29 30.258—29.951 50 26 38.0 NW .00 F. 14 30.181-30.120 64 53 58.0 SW .00 s. 30 30.536—30.341 53 27 40.0 NE .00 S. 15 30.096-29.899 61 38 49.5 SW ,00 M. 81 30.529—30.430 44 24 34.0 NE .00 s. 16 29.815—29.691 59 47 53.0 s .00 AVERAGES FOR THE ENSUING MONTH. This is the wettest month iu the ye.ar, the amount of rain sometimes amounting to four inchc, and being very commonly as much as three. Frosts are not of more frequent occurrence than in September. The lowest registers of the thermometer in 1857 occurred on the 30th, thermometer 27^. On the 6th, 1857, it fell to 33\ The highest was 69\ The prevailing winds are S. and S.W. The temperature of October nearly approaches the mean of the year. Averages: Barometer, 29.859 ; thermometer, maximum, 58'; minimum, -43'; mean, 50'. PHASES OP THE MOON FOR OCTOBER, 1859. > First Quarter, 3rd, 8h. 32m. p.m. (C Last Quarter, 19th, 5h. 43m. a.m. O Full Moon, 11th, lib. 51m. p.m. O New Moon, 20th, 12h. 32m. a.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, OCTOBER, 1859. Thursday, 6th, British Pomological Society; ]3th, Horticultural Society, Floral Committee ; 27th, British Pomological ; Horticultural Society, Floral Committee. *#* Secretaries ivill ollige by fonvarding Announcemeiifs, Schedules, etc., of forthcoming Exhibitions. THE SABOEH §yiDE. c-^c-c-cc coc; ffT'^r^o':!, 1:1 X"'^ NOYEMBEK, 1859. r-^(i "-^HE Horticultiiral Society has passed through so many ^i ^M' chequered phases, that it is quite a comfort to hear b that the bold proposal to form a promenade garden at I Kensington has met with very extended and gene- ? rous support. The expansion of the society in the form of a providitor to the public appetite for exhibitions will, we much fear, considerably contract its proper sphere of usof Illness as a teacher of horticultural practice and a promoter of liorticultural botany, because, to a certain extent, the actual advancement of science must be incompatible with the act of providing popular recreations ; but we are assured that experiments are not to be summarily banished from the society's programme, and we cer- tainly feel convinced that popular taste, and, let us add, popular morals, must be benefited by placing within easy reach of the great masses of the meti'opolis good examples of the results of horticultural science. A good garden teaches in a variety of ways ; and of all the secular lessons needed by English people, none arc more required than lessons in form and colour. Statuary and tlowers, combined with correct taste, may be expected to play an educational part, therefore, when the grand garden shall be com- pleted. To this consideration may be added another, that by successive internal convulsions and external assaults the society had become so nearly defunct, that only by some such scheme of boldly catering for popularity could it have been held together according to the terms of the charter. Like a patient in the last stage of atrophy, it needed to be dealt with on the principle of kill or cure, and there is at least a fair prospect of the cure being accomplished. According to the Chronicle, which is favoured to the exclusion of the rest of tlie horticultural press, the amount already promised is £44,210, which places beyond all doubt the realization of the required £50,000, provided the public continue to favour the council and the scheme with unabated confidence. The fashionable loccde chosen for the site is, of course, all in favour of the enterprise, so far as subscriptions are concerned. The wealthy Avill encourage an enterprise which promises to provide them with a source of pleasure near home, and at the same vox. II.— KO. XI. M 242 TnE_FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. time tends to improve the A'aluc of property in the snrrounding neighbour- hood. It is expected Ihat a garden superintendent will shortlj' be ap- pointed, and that preliminary operations on the ground will be commenced forthwith. Already many trees likely to bear removal from Chiswick have had their roots cut back to prepare them for lifting; and all the public have to do with the matter is to supply the money, discuss the merits of the plan, and wait patiently for its accomplishment. A correspondent desires information respecting the frequent appear- ance in seedsmen's windows of little pots filled with soil, and all carefully tallied, which are removed and replaced l)}^ others as soon as the seeds sown in them are fairly sprouted. He has also seen small Wardian cases sown over with what looked like mustard or rajie, and wondered why Buch things should be grown there, especially as they appear to have no further attention bej^ond getting them into the seed-leaf. In reply, we inform him and others that the little pots and the Wardian cases are ready means adopted by seedsmen by which to ascertain if samples of seeds they have purchased, or may be about to purchase, are alive or dead ; and their reason for doing so will be fully imderstood from the following observations : — The seed trade may be said to commence its season about this time, and as February approaches the bustle will be at its height. At present private purchasers are in no haste to send orders to the seedsman, but that does not prevent him getting ready for the rush that will be made upon him from the beginning of February to the end of March. It would form a curious chapter in the history of trade to unravel all the secrets of the craft, and they ought to be unravelled, for the public paj^ a high price for the secresy in which they are enshrouded. Fraiuls upon the public are of two kinds, namely, the selling of good seed under false names, and the selling of dead seed to increase bulk. All but the com- monest and cheapest seeds are liable to be sent out mixed with sorts of inferior value. The grower may have set his heart upon a crop of early peas, and from a good list have selected sorts for the purpose. He is prepared to pay an extra price for what he supposes to be of extra value, but by and by he discovers that his pet crop is no better than, older and cheapor sorts with which he has long been acquainted. The secret of it is that he never had the sorts he paid for ; the labels on the bags were lies — the seedsman cheated him. There are men in the trade who never scruple to take half-a-dozen kinds of peas from one and the same bin, Avho will get a dozen kinds of cabbage from the same drawer, and charge a different price for each ; and as' for old, lifeless seed, a bit of new is mixed up witli it, and the grower, finding that what does come up is true, con- cludes that the rest perished through his own mismanagement. We know a case in which a person sent to a dealer, whose name we could give, for a supply of potato sets. The person who made the purchase complained that they were " very small." " Oh, never mind," says he, " put in two instead of one." It is the buyer's fault when impudence and imposition go together openly in such a way, but it is rather hard upon the buyer if he pays a high price for seed that has been previously steamed or baked on purpose to kill it. Strange as it may seem to many, there are ovens always hot and boilers always at work expressly to hiU seed for the benefit THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 243 of dishonest seedsmen. Suppose a noted house sends out for the first time a new cauliflower, cabbage, or kale. It is, perhaps, ah-eady notorious through having been cxliibited at shows and reported on in the journals. The price of course is high, buyers are plentiful,, and every seedsman is asked for it. The original house Avill send out the real thing, and numbers of seedsmen will sell it again precisely as they had it in the first instance ; but others obtain a little and make much of it, by mixing it with a seed of similar shape and coloi;r, and out of every hundred seeds so sown the grower may not get a dozen plants, perhaps none at all, so large is sometimes the pi-oportion of dead seed added to the bulk. Good rape mixed with a new kale or cabbage would inform against the vender as soon as it sprouted ; therefore the rape is killed by heat, and dead seeds tell no tales. As to the giving new names to old sorts, and selling old sorts for bond fide novelties, the system is carried on to a far greater extent than we could well expect the public to believe. We have heard of a house that . sends out the British Queen pea, one of the best tall peas for a late crop, every year under a new name. As British Queen it is worth 2s. per quart, but with a new name it realizes 5s. a quart, and so produces a fair reward for ingenuity in cheating. In peas, and annuals for the flower garden, the substitution of okl sorts for novelties is carried on to perhaps a greater extent than in any other classes of seeds. Packets labelled " Californian sunflower. Is.,"' produce the old sunflower, of which the grower has at least a bushel by him to feed his poultry with ; and the Emperor pea does duty for hundreds of sorts, each one, according to the seedman's description, earlier and better than all the rest. That this nefarious system does harm to the honest dealer v>"ho can doubt ? What chance has a man who honestly puts but a dozen seeds in a packet, and charges a shilling or half-a-crown, against another who offers a handful similarly labelled for sixpence ? His only chance is, that ha'S'ing been found true to his word, and having supplied, though at a compara- tively high price, that which the grower wanted, he Avill keep what trade he has and extend his connection, through the fair fame his dealings secure for him. Now and then it happens that the best houses in the trade send out sorts that are not triie, because a good deal of mixing is done on the Continent ; but as a rule, the mixing, the re-naming, and the scooping of a dozen sorts out of one sack are confined to a certain class of men who would cheat, no matter what line of life their lot were cast in. The purchaser of seeds must expect to be cheated if he yields to the temptation of low prices. He must expect to be cheated if he puts im- l^licit faith in names and descriptions pasted on bulky packets ; but he will not be cheated if he trusts himself to men who have a name that must be kept sweet, and a fame that their own conscientiousness would not allow them to tarnish. Though the trickeries extend far and wide, and number their victims among gardeners and farmers all over the country, the leading London houses would sooner put up their shutters at once than descend to nefarious practices knowingly ; and there is, perhaps, not a second or third-class town ui the kingdom but in Avhich a reliable seed-merchant may be found to sell what he has true to name, and what he has not to refrain from pretending to supply by surreptitious practices. There are difficulties enough between the sowing and reaping. It is hard, indeed, if we have all the while been labouring with a wortii- 244 THE FLOKAL VVOELD AND GAKDEN GUIDE, less subject, to the loss of money and time and tlie mibapproi^riation of the land. We say again, buy your seeds of men who are known to he trust- worthy, and be in no haste to catch at a bait, whether it be u fine name or an apparent bargain. NOTES OF THE MONTH. PoMoroGiCAL SociETT, (Se^;/. 1. — Mr. Hogg in the chair. Various premiums wore offered for special subjects, but they were not all competed for. Prizes were awarded to Mr. Whiting, of the Deepdene, and Mr. Newton, of East Lodge, Enfield. Mr. Whiting's collection comprised Trebbiana and Raisin de Calabre Grapes ; Bellegarde and Noblesse Peaches; Tioktle Ilative and Elruge Nectarines; Belgian Purple, Cooper's large Eed, and Imperial Diadem Plums. Mr. Newton's fronts were Black Hamburg and Morocco Grapes; Grosse Mignonne Peaches ; Violette Hative Necta- rines; AVilliams's Bon Chretien Pears; Kirke's and JeiTerson's Plums ; Bed Quar- rendeu and Kerry Pippin Apples ; and Eed Dutch Currants. Mr. Elvers exhibited some fruits of seedling Peaches, and Mr. Pye exhibited a seedling Peach raised by the late Mr. Holbcrt, of Gloucester. On the subject of Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots, Mr. Pye desired to call attention to an old but almost forgotten method, by which he had retarded and pro- tected the blossoms of tlic trees on walls for several years past. About the middle or end of January, he selected the longest of the untrimmed brushwood intended for pea sticks, such as Hazel or Elm ; the tliick end thereof being sharpened the same as if intended for peas ; he had them fixed in the ground in Iront of the trees, about eighteen inches from the bottom of the wall, and leaning against it at top, affording a partial shade to the trees, preventing the blossoms irom expanding too early in spring, and remaining until the fruit begins to swell. Under such treatment the blossom is about three weeks later than if uncovered, and during and after fiowering a slight protection is afforded ; and by these means he had secured this year a fair average crojD, while his neighboiu-s had lost all. When the sticks are taken from the wall they are cut up for pea sticks, so that nothing is lost. This is, of course, a very cheap method, and may be used with a chance of advantage in ordinary seasons ; but it is not to be compared to glass, or a covering fixed on rollers of Hght sheeting, frigi domo, or some similar material, as they not only furnish a more perfect shade or shelter respectively as the case requires, but they admit of full exposure to cold when retarding is desired, and to warm spring sunshine vhen it is beneficial. National Dahlia Show, Aston Hall, Biemingham, /S'ej^/. 20. — The following is a correct list of the varieties exhibited in the leadmg winning stands, respecting which we need only remark that the flowers generally were in admirable condition, and the ari-angements in the best possible taste. The nurserymen's classes consisted of 50 and 24 varieties, exhibitors in the former not being allowed to show in the latter. In the fifties, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Turner, of Slough, for Commander, Lady Mildmay, Mrs Huntley, Lord Bath, Sir E. Bruce, John Dorey, Lord Palmerston, Pandora, Chan-man, Eosebud, Duchess of Eent, Sir Henry Have- lock, Dr. Gully, Daughter of the Morning, Peerless, Disraeli, Goldfinder, Midnight, Emperor, Flower of the Day, Sir J. Franklin, Sir Charles Napier, Mrs. Church, Mentor, Conqueror, Lord Cardigan, Hon. Mrs. Trotter, Triomjlie de Peeq, Lord Eversley, Miss Pressley, Pluto, Merveille, Eachael Eawlmgs, Eclipse, Lollipop, Touchstone, Sidney Herbert, Beauty, Standard Bearer, Cherub, Pre-eminent, Miss Watts, Per- fection, Lady Taunton, and six seedlings ; 2nd, Mr. Keynes, Salisbury. In 24 varie- ties, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Walker, Thame, Oxon, for Empress, Colonel Windham, Miss Pressley, King, Marmion, Triomphe de Peeq, Sidney Herbert, Chair- man, Miss Chetwode, Sir J. Paxlon, Yeuus, Grand Sultan, Touchstone, Satirist, Mrs. Wheeler, Fanny Keynes, Goldfinder, Admiral Dundas, Annie Eawlings, Hon. Mrs. Trotter, Lollipop ; 2nd, Messrs. Wood and Ingram, Huntingdon. Fancy varieties, 24 blooms : IstjMr. Keynes, Mith Baron Alderson, Countess of Derby, Zebra, Charles Perry, Cleopatra. Oliver T«ist, Leopard, Flirt, Triomphe de Eoubaix, Madame Alboni, JFavourite, Marc Antony, Bayadere, Duchess of Kent, Lady Paxton, Conqueror, Sporlsnian, Miss Frampton, Jessie, Pretty Pollj Eev. Joshua Dix; 2nd, Mr. Tui-ner. THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 245 In 12 Fancies, for Nurserymen not exhibiting in the class for 24, the first prize was awarded to Mr. Legge, for Marc Antony, Lady Paxton, Miss Herbert, Triomphe de Roubaix.Papilio, Pigeon, Baron Al lerson, Cleopatra, Tiger, Duchess of Kent, Comus, Butterfly. In the amateur classes, the first prize for 2i varieties was awarded to the Rev. C. Fellowes, for Pre-eminent, Yenus, Mentor, Chairman, Touchstone, Peerless, Fanny Eeynes, Sir J. Paxton, Miss Pressley, Triomphe de Pecq, Pioneer, Satirist, Sir Robert Bruce, Miss Caroline, Commander, Lord Cardigan, Lemonade, Knight of the Bath, Golden Drop, Rosebud, Lady Popham, Wallace, Lord Palmerston, Mrs. Church ; 2nd, Mr. C. J. Perry, Birmingham. In 12 varieties, the first prize was awarded to Mr. J. Lofley, Brigg, Lincolnshire, for Pandora, Admiral Dundas, Miss Watts, Mrs. Church, Lord Cardigan, Gold Drop, Commander, Chairman, Lord Palmerston, Fanny Keynes, Sir H. Havelock, Yenus ; 2nd, R. Hopkins, Esq., Brentford. In fancy varieties, the first pr^ze was awarded to Mr. C. J. Perry, who exhibited Lady Paxton, Countess of Derby, Cleopatra, Charles Perry, Flirt, Duchess of Kent, Miss Framp- ton, Favourite, Butterfly, Oliver Twist, Inimitable, Countess of Bective ; 2nd, Rev. C. Fellowes. Six fancies : First prize, Mr. Hobbs, with Baron Alderson, C. Perry, Lady Granville, Lady Paxton, Gloire de Kaine, Jupiter ; 2nd, Mr. Cooper. Seedlings formed an interesting feature, they were both numerous and good. Not less than three blooms each were shown. First-class certificates were awarded to Harlequin (Grant), a striped fancy, yellow ground, with bright red marking, the colour most evenly and beautifully distributed, form fine; Lilac Queen (Grant), pale lilac, finest form; Lady Taunton (Turner), white, edged with bright crimson, full size, great depth, and new; Sir .J. Radeliti'e (Giant), maroon; Pluto (Turner), dark fancy, maroon tipped with white, of great depth; Alba multiflora (Turner), a pure white kind for bedding ; Quean Mab (Turner), fancy, scarlet and white, large and fine; Mrs. H. Yyse (Church), white edged with purple. The two latter received second-class certificates. The above were contributed by Mr. Turner, of Slough ; Mr. Keynes also sent a large number of seedlings. First-class certificates were awarded to Lady Pennant (Keynes), pale yellow ; Mrs. Wellesley Piggot (Keynes), pure white, very fine flower; Vv'illiam Dodds (Keynes), deep yellow; Sir George Douglas (Dodds), yellow, tipped and veined with red ; and second-class certificates to Leopard (Keynes), striped fancy; Mr. Boshel (Eawlings), buff; and Jenny Austin (Keynes), lilac. Mr. C. J. Perry received a first-class certificate for Acme, a pleasing light flower, of good form, and Earl of Shaftesbury, a light mottled purple, of good size and form. Mr. S Hodges. Cheltenham, received a first-class certificate for Model, a small buft' flower, of good outline. The same award was made to Mr. Addis, Gospel End, Wolverhampton, for Oscar, a red flower, with fine petal and outline. In addition to the certificates just enumerated, eight money prizes were awarded _ for seedlings, six blooms of a kind. These were awarded as follows ; — 1. Lady Taun- ton (Turner) ; 2. Acme (Perry) ; 3. Lady D. Pennant (Keynes) ; 4. Jenny Austin (Keynes) ; 5. Mrs. W. Piggot (Kevnes) ; G. William Dodds (Keynes) ; 7. Miss Chetwode (Walker); 8. Sir G. Douglas (Dodds). HoRTicuLTUEAL SOCIETY, Sejit. 20. — The Fruit Committee met at the garden, Mr. Edwronds in the chair. It was announced that C. W. Dilke, Esq., would place at the disposal of the society next year two prizes of five guineas each, for the best specimens of such new fruits the committee may select. Mr. Ayres, of Frome, sent his improved Cashmere Melon, the usual weight of which is from 4 lbs. to 7 lbs. The fruit measured 10 inches in length, 5^ inches in diameter, slightly netted, yellow mottled with green ; rind very thin ; flesh crisp, melting, and tender. Messrs. Yeitcli exhibited Syrian Peaches and Nectarines, ripened on an open wall at Exeter. These were compared and tasted, and found to possess very high qualities. Mr. G. Hood, of Manhead Park, near E.\eter, sent a dish of Stanwick Nectarines, part of a crop of 120 fruit on a bush-tree in a 13-inch pot, ripened without fire heat. — Oct. 11. Rev. L. Y. Harcourt in the chair. Yarious fruits were exhibited, and among them the Salway Peach, ripened on an open wall, and which was dry and flavourless. 246 PROTECTIOli OF rEUIT-ErSHES mOM lUllDS. I5Y II. IIOWI.ETT. Now that the fields are stripped of their produce, and man, in the exercise of that foresight which God lias given him, has stored up his yearly supply of food, and thereby deprived the feathered tribe of that ready supply they so lately enjoyed, we shall, as a natural consequence, soon find the sparrows and linnets flocking to- wards our homes aiid our gardens. Look, then, to your gooseberry and currant- hushes, for so soon as the leaves begin to fall they will be busy, either for foo'l or mischief, picking at the buds ; and so thoroughly uill tliey accomjjlish what they once take in hand, that we shall look in Yain for fruit next summer, unless we use means to ward oft' their attacks. This may be done, in a considerable degree, by gathering togetl'.er the branches, and tie- ing them up like a i'aggot with a strong ozier or hazel withe, or a piece of tarred cord. Their being gathered into a close bunch prevents the birds getting at the greater part of the branches. They may remain thus tmtil the sharp weather leaves tis, and the buds begin to break. This is one of the simple means that cost nothing, therefore may be used by every one. Other and more expensive plans may be adopted with, perhaps, more perfect results ; but as the Flokal Wokld is published principally for the purpose of assisting the man of small means, we point out such simijle plans in preterence to the more expensive or troublesome. The next in point of simplicity is to hang rags of gaudy colours all over the bushes, and another to bind white worsted in difierent directions about them ; but the first of these is highly objectionable in appearance, and the second the birds soon cease to regard. The best, though most expensive method, is to place five or six stakes round each bush, with their ends sloping over the bush, so as nearly to meet at the top ; then put round them old fishing-net, which will both protect from birds and to some extent from the spring frosts, \\hich sometimes do them moi-e harm than the birds. M'EWEN ON THE OTJT-DOOE CULTUEE OF THE PEACH. Whatever may he the conditions under which ihey flourish in their natviral habi- tat, I have found them succeed best in a dry, airy situation, free from damp both ■at root and branch; to require no pruning but what tlie finger and thumb may effect during tlie growing season ; and that they Avill endure our coldest winters with im- punity, if the wood is well ripened. In considering the subject closely, it will be found that to attempt tracing the failures in peach culture to any one source is futile, and that the evil in most cases arise from a combination of causes, such as soils, borders, pruning, kinds, etc., in all of which the greatest discrimination will be required, for neglect on any one point may render the rest nugatory. As tlie making of the borders and the composition of the soils are essential points, I propose discussing them at once. Dilferences of locality and climate will in most cases regulate the condition, for out- of-doors culture, as to the soil, texture, and depth, and thus prevent me from recommending a " universal cure ;" but for in-door cultivation the necessary con- ditions are similar in any locality, and in every case a warm soil and a dry situation are imperatively necessary. Draining is essential, and imparts heat to the roots, by withdrawing the water from the sub- soil, and admitting air into the border. Drains should be from three to four feet deep, being regulated by the depth of the border, which may vary in particular cases. They may either run through the centre of the border, or along tlie front where the border terminates ; in the latter case, cross-drains, at intervals of twenty feet, must be led into it. Concreting is chiefly useful in preventing the roots irom getting too deep, or into a bad subsoil. An equally good plan is to cover the bottom of the border with six or eight inches of open rubble or broken bricks ; and covering this with straw or turf, pre- vious to putting on the soil, so as to prevent the drainage getting choked, on the same principle that a pot plant is crocked with potsherds. The width of the border should be regulated by the height of the wall, or the space for train- ing the branches of the tree. For a wall THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 247 of twelve feet in height, an eight-foot border is ample ; in houses orimdci' glass, where evaporation is always less, much less space is ne9e3sary. The depth of soil is a vexed question. This may be partly reo^u- lated by the nature of the soil itself, as light soils, in some situations, may be made thirty inches deep with advantage ; where- as a heavy soil is too deep at twenty-four inches. My usual depth is twenty inches. Soils. — T recommend a rich, unctuous loam, free of manure, not pulverized, but roughly mixed up with turf or cut straw. In all my peacli borders I add full one- fourth part of charred earth, not burnt to ashes, but only singed. This charred earth, if previously soaked in liquid ma- nure, becomes intensely rich, and is calcu- lated to give great warmth and durability to the soil. By its use we have produced bearing wood two inches in circumfer- ence. It must, however, be used with caution, as very strong, immature wood, in dark structures, or in damp and late situations, ought to be avoided ; they are always the result of too much stimulation and excess of moisture at the roots. I desire to repeat, that the charred earth is calculated to give warmth and durability to the borders. It is easy to make peach- trees thrive for a year or two in any fresh soil ; but the practical gardener must aim at making a permanent, and in some de- gree a self-sustaining medium, wherein the roots will thrive for a succession of years. In further S2curing the openness of the soil, and the continued action and reaction of the inexhaustible resources of the atmosphere, lumps of cliarcoal, bits of stones, brickbats, wasting bones, broken drain-tiles^ and smashed flower-pots, are i all very serviceable. The end to be sought after is to prevent that cheesy texture of soils in which water and air stagnate, and wliich is a grand predisposing cauitii coloured eyes, at 4*. per do::eii ; this we trust will be esteemed a desirable consummation, as it will render possible at a moderate cost a beautiful and effective out-door arrangement of this richly-scented and favourite flower. When the bedding-plants are removed the beds should be innnediately dug up to the depth of a foot or eighteen inches ; when finished the beds should stand considerablv above 252 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. the level, as moisture is injurious. Five inches of soil may be removed, tlie ground marked out in squares of from sis to nine inches, the bulbs placed thereon with some silver-sand under and about them, and the soil which has been removed cast back over them. Or, without removing any soil, mark the beds as before, and take out the place of each bulb with the old- fashioned tulip-plauter, which makes a hole about five inches deep and three inches wide ; drop some silver-sand in each hole ; more sand laid thereon, and the holes filled up. On tlie approach of severe weather it would be advisable to put on a covering of two or three inches of rotten leaves ; or, when the growtli of the bulb appears above ground, immediately cover it with silver-sand. — James Carter and Co.'s Aidumn Catalogue of Bulbs. A BELGIAN'S COTTAGE GAEDEN. It does not matter whether your piece of ground be square, oval, or round ; plant in the centre a strong plant of Pyracantha. Its handsome red berries standing out against the white snow in winter will sup- ply the place of flowers in the early part of the year. In May surround your Pyracantha ■with a row of Phlomis Leonurus, wliich towards the end of the year blooms as freely as its flowers are handsome. Canna indica, with its different varie- ties, should form, our third row ; for their beautiful foliage and magnificent flowers are charming objects to look at. Follow up these plants with a col- lection of red geraniums, zonale, roseum, and album, and they will afford you an abundance of flowers during many months of tiie year. A row of Dielytra spectabilis, a charm- ing Fumaria, should be placed next to the geraniums, for the lovely clusters of pink flowers contrast well with the delicate glaucous green of its leaves. It is impos- sible to give an idea of the beauty of a large specimen of this plant. A good many small patches of Deutzia gracilis should be arranged round the clus- ters of Dielytra. Corydalis formosa produces its flowers in May and June, and its delicate foliage is seen to advantage against the deeper green of the other plants. In January and February tlie amateur will be satisfied with a row of Hellebores. Finally, all round tliis flower-bed, full as it is, plant a circle of Ilepaticas, Snow- drops, and Primroses. In this manner you will have from the 1st of January to the 31st of December, without much ex- pense and with very little labour, a spot of ground always covered with flowei'S. The principal part in your flower-bed will be played by Phlomis Leonurus, a superb Labiate, whose rich golden flowers, arranged in wdiorls, will furnish you with beautiful blossoms for the autumn. The flower-spikes of this plant grow from twen- ty-four to thirty inches high. In November remove it with balls of earth round its roots into a greenhouse, a sitting-room, or even into a cellar where vegetables are kept, provided it is protected from damp, and from a very low temperature. This plant, considering the very little care it requires, deserves to be much more generally culti- vated. It should be well cut in in the month of May before being planted in the open border. It may be propagated by cuttings, or easily raised from seeds, which may be procured cheaply enough in the south of France. " I admired," says Mr. Michel Keuens, "the Phlomis Leonurus for the first time in October, 1857, at the chateau of Wal- bourg (in Dutch Limburg), the property of the Baroness de Bredeesel d'Eisenbach ; and I was not a little surprised at the extraordinary effect produced by this plant. I must, however, add that the wonderful effect was quite accidental, and not owing to its having been grown according to rule ; for, instead of being planted in open ground, it was placed in little flower-pots, through the hole in which the strong roots had forced their way so as to derive abundant nourishment from the soil beneath, and thus produced the magnificent vegetation I was so much struck with." — Journal (V Horticulture Pratique. 253 SUCCESS IN CULTIVATIJ^G ERICAS. Success with Ericas greatly depends upon three points, viz., air, water, and shifting, respecting each of wliich I will give the result of my experience in the cultivation of tliis very interesting tribe of flowers. It is a practice with many to nurse them too much, or, as the gardener would say, " coddle them," which is quite opposed to their nature, for they love airland light, and have little liking for artificial heat. I will commence upon their treatment at the pi-esent time and henceforth. Plants should now all be comfortably housed, and in such | a way that they may have free ventilation. | Watering must be performed \\ith great care ; always endeavour to give them rain- I water, and take great care that they do not flag too much. On the other hand, never let them get soddened. The best time to water is early in the day, so that the damp wijl dry up before closing the house. If this is not attended to, mildew will appear, which is a very destructive agent, and must be checked by dusting with sulphur the parts aflected. This is often produced by placing the plants too thick together, thus preventing a proper circulation of air to pass between them. During the win- ter months care must be taken in giving air tliat they do not have too much when they arc likely to catch easterly winds. At such times give it on the opposite side if a span roof house. Where a house is en- tirely devoted to Ericas, the frost just kept out is sufficient. When they have done blooming cut them back ; if free-growing kinds, do not spare the knife. Where gar- deners use the garden shears they are termed barbarians, but not justly when used in moderation ; wlien they have made their new growth gradually harden them off. It is a good plan where there is a pit vacant to put them in while they are breaking ; after which shifting must be attended to. Plants that are in a good condition at tlie roots require a good shift ; see that the pots are clean, allowing a good drainage of broken crocks ; on the top of the drainage put screenings of peat in a rough and lumpy state ; fill up with a mixture of good peat passed through a half-inch sieve, with about one-fourth of silver-sand, and a moderate amount of fine pebbly grit ; in tliis mixture they will root freely. In shifting do not allow the stem of the plant to be lower than what it has been previously, as they are apt to die off" at that particular part. Fill the pot about one-third with the compost ; then with a round stick, about an inch thick, ram the mould quite hard, and so continue till finished. It is not requisite to keep them under glass after shifting, as it is seldom that drenching rains are prevalent then, but the more tender kinds will do best in a cold frame. As it may be useful to some I would recommend a few good, free blooming kinds as follows: — Regerminans, Gracilis, Vernalis, Autnmualis, Caven- dishii, Hyemalis, Sindryana, Lambertiana rosea, Colorans nana, Willmoreana, Per- soluta alba, Propendens, Tubiflora, and Diosnipea eapitata. I find July a very good time for potting. Independent of what others may adopt, I feel persuaded that success will result from the adoption of the pi'actice I have recommended above. It is a very bad plan to begin housing Ericas (in fact, any plants) too soon, for the nights during the early part of autumn are exceedingly beneficial towards promoting their vigour. The middle of October is a very good time to put them in their win- ter quarters; see that the surface of the mould is free from moss, etc. If this is not attended to, symptoms of ill health will appear, as you cannot tell whether the plant is in want of water without ringing the pot, which is no proof w hen the pot is small. To conclude, I would venture to say that the lovers of Ericas will, by taking notes of this article, have their plants in a green healthy state, as I have for many years past. It is because I see my plants doing so well on the plan of culture here recom- mended, that I offer it to readers of the Floeal Wobld. William Glotee. South Lamleth. CHEAP GARDEN ENGINE. ly your June number for 1859, page 138, j Deane and Co. state, that " the French is a description of a cheap garden engine, ! engine is about twenty-four inches long, price 12s. 6d. In consequence of reading but certainly is not strong enough to that notice, I wrote to Messrs. Deane, in- ' attach to a water-cart, but is used in a tending to order one. In reply, Messrs. ' pail. Its cost is about £3 ds. complete, 254 THE FLOSAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. and will throw water thirty feet." No'.v, the discrepancy between your correspon- dent's statements is so very unaccouufable, that I feel assured you will excuse my asking for some explanation. I had pre- pared the barrel and wheel-barrow frame. How great then was my surprise that, in- stead of 12.S. 6cl., I was to read about three quineas ! Brigg. W. T. D. ["Sib, — The notice that appeared iu your number for June last is quite correct. In ausweriug the Rev. Mr. D.'s letter, we stated that £3 3s. would be theprobable cost of an engine fixed to a water-cart complete. It is obvious that there must be a consider- able difference iu fixing the French engine to a water-cart and attaching the same to the frame of a barrow, as noticed iu your June number. We regret that Mr. D. did not call our attention to your sub- scriber's letter, which would have pre vented the error. — Your obedient ser- vants, " D£A>-E & Co. Londoti Bridge."'\ OX THE TREATMENT OP UJSTEUITFUL TEEES. Gexekally young fruit trees on walls, especially pears and plums, and not xm- frequently peaches and nectarines, after being planted two or three years, get into such a vigorous and gross state of growth that their wood more resembles willows grown for basket-making than the firm and short-jointed wood which we look upon as the precursor of a plentiful supply of fruit. Then to depend on the pruning-knife, as usually applied to the branches of such trees for subduing tlieir unruly luxuriance, is a fallacy ; for whilst their roots riot in the full enjoyment of a fresh-made border, without check or hindrance, so long will they contiiiue to renew their gross and un- fruitful growths, as they penetrate deeper year alter year, getting further from the influence of the suu and air, and if the soil is wet, the cultivator looks in vain for pro- duce other than canes for staking his flowers with, and even on a dry, well- drained soil, they often are several years in outgrowing this over-luxuriance; but apply the kniCe to the root, iu conjunction with the sp:ide and digging-fork, carefully removing the soil from their roots, lifting one by one all the fibrous roots towards the surface, and those that take a decided downward direction into the subsoil, get up if possible, and place them horizon- tally, or, if that cannot be done, cut them entirely through. If, however, the tree be not too large, say not more than four years planted, they will often be benefited by being entirely lifted, placing them again in the hole after the bottom is levellefl, but if the soil is stiff or wet, fill up the hole, mixing a portion of porous soil or charred refuse during the process, and then place the tree on the surface, raising a small hillock of soil over the roots, and u[)un that place a imdchiug of litter, iu order to protect them from winter's cold and sum- mer's heat. Now is the very best time of the year for proceeding with the operation, as the trees have yet sufficient vital force left to re-establish themselves before they shed their leaves, and the sap becomes inactive. If performed skilfully, this will generally have the desired effect of throw- ing the tree into a moderate state of growth, which will result in well-ripened, fruit- bearing wood, but if unskilfully or care- lessly done, the result may be the loss of the tree. Remember a tree can no more bear to be ruthlessly torn up than a man can bear to have his feet torn off. AYatering will be required both at root and over the branches, and tliey must not be forgotten iu that respect in the following summer. It is a very common complaint that pear- trees in buddings produce no fruit, save a few at the extremity of their branches ; the cause of this may most generally be traced to the want of sun and air to the root, either theu' roots are paved over, and by that means kept in a damp and cold soil, or they are got deep into a wet sub- soil, from which they draw a too free sup- ply of crude watery sap for the tree to properly digest and assimilate. Much might be done for such trees by raising the pavement, if any, getting up some of the roots towards the surface, cutting through tap-roots, that is, those that pro- \ cecd immediately from the tree in a down- ward direction. Replace the earth re- moved in so doing by fresh, and if it must be so, lay down the pavement again, but such trees are generally badly furnished with small fibrous roots ; care must be taken not to cut too many of the large roots through at one time, lest the balance between demand and supply, being too much iutcrfered with, result iu the loss of the tree. I reiterate this caution, lest the I inexperienced in such matters, being too THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. ardent in their dcsiie to rectify one evil, i should fall into auother. In ciiscs where very old or large trees are to be dealt with, i it is best to take two years to the work, and do one-half at a time, or, in the first mstaiice, to dig a hole three feet square and three feet deep, directly in front of the stem of tlie tree, and at about three yards i from it. Then proceed to dig at the same width and depth towards the tree, taking care of all roots met with in so doing. By this means the very large roots that proceed from imder the stem downwards may be got at and cut, whilst those that spread on either hand, in a more horizon- tal direction, will be preserved to cater for the tree. If after a year the excessire vigour be not sufllciently restrained, it may be proceeded against on cither side in the same manner. On again filling the holes, a portion of fresh soil should be used, and such as is dug by roadsides, being critty and porous, makes an excellent material for the purpose; but as unfruitfulness some- times proceeds from debility and weakness, let me say that in such cases rich soil and thoroughly decayed manure should be lightly dug in among the roots with a fork, mulchings of horse-dung laid over them, and insjiring and summer waterings of warm liquid manure should be given, until sullicient vigour is obtained. ITekky Howlett. BOXES POR OEANGE-TREES. I HATE a great many orange-trees under ^ roots of the trees, remove old and replace by my care, and a few very large camellias, i fresh mould, prune the roots, see whether and other conservatory trees. The tubs they are iu a proper state as regards mois- are very old and decayed, and I want to , ture, etc. The last particular I think provide myself with new ones, and ask very material to their health ; the sides you for a pattern. My employer is liberal, and will not object to the expense in jus- tice to trees he is proud of, and whatever you advise he will cheerfully pay for. We are to have a set of Ransome's flower- baskets on the terrace, and hereafter I shall give you an account of the planting, to which you have already ofi'ered us a key. B. B. B. [Messrs. Beck, of Isleworth,make boxes of slate, which are neat, durable, and very moderate in price. The best model for woodenboxes is that originally described by Mr. Charles Macintosh, of which he gives the following description : — " Tlie advan- tage that this sort of box has over those in common use is, that you can with so little trouble take them to pieces, and examine the folding down, you can, as oiten as maybe proved necessary, paint or pitch the in- sides, which \m11, if properly attended to, make them last, if of good wood, for twenty years. Another advantage they have over the boxes alluded to is, that you can take the trees out of one box and place them in others without taking them to pieces, which you cannot do with those that are made of strong framed posts, so firmly joined together, that it is impos- sible to take out your trees ; and, be- sides, only two of the sides are moveable. In taking this box to pieces you have only to pull up the two iron bars, and gently pull out two of the sides («), the remain- mg sides lift up. I generally fill up the bottom of the tubs with broken bricks, tiles, and turf for draining, so as to be level with the top of the bottom bars.] 25G SELECT GEEENIiOUSE PLANTS. lESCHENAULTiA SPLENDlNa. , part?, sandy loam one part, and cliarred The Leschenaiiltias take their family | ^"I'f o^e part. They mutt be stopped name from an eminent French botanist, ^^''b'l '»"tl ugain and again stopped, as the They are evergreen shrub.s from Australia, [ ^i^^e branches push, till the plants are and belong to I he naturalorder Goodeniads, i dense, bushy, and symmetrical. Tubiilora and to the Linnajan, Pentandria Mono- ! ^'""'"^ i" May, and produces a profusion of gynia. They are greenhouse evergreens of searlet epacris-like blossoms at every joint, very distinct and delicate growth, and the ' liolding on in good condition till July, best of tliem are biloba, arcuata, formosa, Whether in bloom or out of bloom, it is oblata, andsplendens. Of these, splendens' i """^ °^ ^'^e most beautiful of greenhouse is the most showy, and the best habited • j ^^lirubs, and as easily managed as the com- biloba is the next best, but more rambling ! iiaonest erica, in its growth When making new growth i lAGrKbTB.EMiA INDICA. the pomts of the young shoots strike readily ' in sand under a'bell-glass in a moist bot- , -^ greenhouse evergreen shiub from tom-heat. When struck, they should be ; China, named after M. Lagerstrscni, a potted in turfy peat, kept open with fine | German. It belongs to the natural order sittings of pol sherds and silver-sand, but i Lythraccfe, or Loosestrifes. Propagated with no admixture of loam or manure, i ^7 inserting cuttings of small firm side Use the smallest pots at first, and shift i slioots in sand under a bell-glass in spring, only as the roots require it, being at all I "^^'*li ^ ^i''sk bottom-heat. Soil, equal times careful not to over-pot them. In ' P^''** of turfy peat and turfy loam, and winter they require an average tempera- i I'eq^ii'es plenty of water at the root and ture of 15% with plenty of air, and when overhead, except when in flower, when the of good size will bear a temperature as i ^oo^s alone should be liberally watered, low as 35" or 33' without injury. In ! I* ^^^^ hitherto been usually grown in the summer theyrcqnire to be partially shaded, ; stove, but its proper place is a cold grceu- aad to have very free ventilation. The ; J^ouse, where, under proper treatment, it most important point in growing them is ^ Produces abundance of its white or rose to stop frequently. If lel't to themselves, ' I'lossoms in August and September. There they ramble into very weedy shapes, there- ^^^ ^"'o varieties, Indica alba and Indica fore pinch out the points of the shoots of ' ^'^^^^^j '''"^ ^o^^' "''^ desirable. Success in the young plants, and, after blooming, rut \ ma"f>gcment turns very much on the old plants back regularly, so as to induce a '. treatment after flowering, when it requires bushy growth for the next blooms. The stopping of young plants should be con- tinued until they are quite bushy and sym- metrical, and they should then be allowed to push into bloom. Splendens produces an abundance of its pretty scarlet blooms under the above course of treatment ; but biloba, which has blue flowers, should be stopped before it is two inches high, and every shoot stopped again at the same length, as it is more inclined to ramble than the otliei-. STTPHELIA TTTBIFLOEA. A useful member of the popular family of Epaeris, which takes its name froni to be pruned, and allowed a season to rest, and to be kept then rather dry. It may be wintered in ordinary greenhouse temjiierature, and started in spring with a brisk heat to ensure plenty of bloom in the autumn. Managed as above, it flowers in great perfection at Kew. GLOXINIA TUBIFLOEA. This is an old friend, long since all but discarded as out of fashion, but which it would be a pity to lose entirely. We had not seen it for many years, but two tubers came at last in a parcel of plants to be named. We knew it at once by its potato- shape, deep set eyes, and gcnersil contour. siyphelos, referring to the hardness of its 'One (uber was given to a friend, and the wood. It is a greenhouse evergi-een from ' other was thrown on to the sand tray of a Australia, and there are four good species Waltonian ease, along with dahlia tubers, in gardens, namely, epacrioides, tri latifolia, and tubiflora. The first and the last are the two best. Tliey are propagated by inserting young shoots, taken off with a heel, in sand, in March and April ; to be potted into small pots in sandy peat four where with them it started well, and had plenty of roots formed before it was potted. Whoever can flower a gcsneria or gloxinia will find tubiflora a willing and remunera- tive subject, and if we ask why it should be elbowed aside for novelties, we can see THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 257 but one fault in it, aud that is a plight ! warm place to keep them going, is just the degree of gawkinoss in its length of stem :' beginning and end of gloxinia culture, but in a good display in the stove or and this may be accomplished by the aid greenhouse, tal) subjects are as acceptable of u Waltonian case in a greenhouse, or a GLOXINIA TVBIFLORA. as dwarfs, and the snow-white blooms and ; well-managed dung-bed in a pit. So short elegant carriage of this gloxinia entitle it i a summary may, perhaps, not be sufficient totenderremembrance. With a bottom heat ' for nil our readers, and we shall, therefore, of 75= in January to start them, and a deal with the subject at length sliortly. u 2 258 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. PLrMBAGO lARPENTiE. This and P. Capensis are two good things for general usefuhiess. They both bear bunches of pale flowers in the style of a phlox. The best soil for them is sandy loam, leaf-mould, and old chippy cow- dung. Instead of loam, peat may be used, but they can be grown witliout it. Capensis likes a little extra Avarmth in spring, but will bloom fairly in an ordhiary cool house. To get bushy jjlants they need regular stopping and shifting, and extra attention to secure a healthy foliage. In the south of Britain Larpentfe proves quite hardy, and is a beautiful plant for roekwork. When planted out, it should be allowed to remain undisturbed, as its beauty depends on its being long established. NEW PEAE-BEUEEE SrPEEEIN. This is one of the Continental seedling large, handsome, skin coTcred with russet, pears introduced of late years. The tree ' with a warm tint of red on the sunny side, is hardy, a robust grower, bears when The flesh is sweet, aromatic, juicy, and quite young, and does best, either for the i melting, but it does not continue rei-y long wall or as a pyramid, on the quince stock, j at its best. An excellent pear for either It is ra her earlier than Marie Louise, | large or small collections. 259 BAEOIS-NE DE IVIELLO. This is also known as Beurre Yan Mons and Adcle de St. Denis. It is a tlioroughly useful pear, very hardy, succeeds ou the colour; flesh melting, juicy, but not high- flavoured. Its season is from the bc^in- ning of October to the end of November. quince, and, with very little coaxing, forms a handsome pyramid. The fruit is of me- dium size, and generally of a bright russet It will be found in most good nursery catalogues under the second syuonyme above quoted, HOW, WHEN, AND "WHERE TO PLANT ROSES. The Eose is as luxm-iant in its habits as in its beauty. It will not be starved, and it will disdain shabby treafmeut of every kind. It thrives in greatest perfection on a deep, strong, well-drained loam, and that must be liberally enriched with thoroughly- decayed manure. As the Rose is some- what of a gross feeder, any of the stronger manures uuiy be advantageously employed in its cultivation, pigs' dung, night-soil, super-phosphate of lime, and stable dung, but fresh manure of any kind ruins it speedily. The dung must be well rotted and perfectly sweet, and it must be tho- roughly incorporated with the soil before the Roses are planted. But it does not follow that even if the soil of the garden is a deep strong loam, that therefore Rosea are sure to succeed on it. Leaving out the questions of aspect and climate, it is more a matter of actual experience than calculation, as to whether Roses will flourish in any particular spot, however well the soil miy appear fitted for tlicm. The Roses umst be tried on the soil, and until actual experieuce has proved its fitness for t'liem, choice expensive kinds should not be pliiuted in it. Tliis point, however, is not often a difficult one to settle, for the mere observation of the condition of Roses in neighbouring grounds wliere the soil is of the same character, will generally determine what may or may not be done ; but the fact should not be lost 260 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. sight of, that there is no mode of prejudg- ing by the mere texture, depth, or charac- ter of the soil, even iu conjunction with clunate and situation, to what extent the spot is adapted for Rose culture. Deainage. — But supposing that you possess a deep strong loam, the first point is to ascertain the state of the draJEagc. Though Roses are as fond of Avater as any of the choice garden plants we have, they will not endure to have it stagnate about them. The continuous winter rains lodg- ing in a tenacious soil ruin tlicm at the root, and devastate tlie collection ; and unless there is a good natural drainage, means must be artificially devised for car- rying off quickly all superfluous moisture. In laying out a Rosary the proper drainage of the soil would be the first consideration, and an efficient arrangement of drain-pipes would be the best mode of ellecting it, imless, as just remarked, the sub-soil was of a character such as to render artificial drainage unnecessary. In growing them on a small scale in beds and borders, it would be as well to take out the soil three feet deep, then to lay down one foot of building rubbish, and above that two feet of soil for the roots ; the most copious waterings and the heaviest rains would then be attended with no danger. Impeovement of Unsuitable Soils. — Supposing the soil to be unsuitable, there would be great caution necessary in making the selection ; and however care- fully the selection may be made, it will still be necessary to improve the soil by any means available. The top spit of a pasture, especially of a loam inclining to clay, would be just the thing to cart into the compost yard, and lay up for Roses. If turned once or twice lor a season, and then incorporated with a liberal allowance of well-rotted stable dung, or the clearings from cucumber and melon pits, or v^ith dung from a sheep-walk, gathered six months previously, it would form an ad- mirable material in which to cultivate Roses. This would have to be used ac- cording to the nature of the land requiring improvement. On a soil unfit for Roses merely because exhausted and poor, a layer of six inches turned in would per- haps be sufficient, especially if every year afterwards the plants had a dressing of dung ; or if a few Roses were wanted on a lawn in a soil too lean or hungry for them, holes might be dug two feet deep and tvio feet across, and filled up with such soil, and the Roses planted iu them. In any case the soil ought to be brought to such a condition as to be fit to grow wheat or hops, and a good wheat soil is the very stuff iu which Roses are pretty sure to delight themselves and their pro- prietors. Peecautions. — When the utmost has been done to improve the soil, it may still be quite unsuitable for many of the choicer kinds, and where there is any reasonable cause for doubt it would be rash to plant extensively, and especially with expensive sorts — in fact it is not possible to decide to what extent Roses may be grown on even tlie best soils until the thing has been tried, and therefore on one wliich bears the appearance of unfitness, let actual experi- ment determine before you risk much in the adventure. Many Roses will make a good start iu soils quite unfit for them, and when the first flush of youth is over they go off, and become worthless, or die outright ; and on the best of soils for general purposes there are some sorts that refuse to make themselves " at home." Where Gloire de liosamene does well, you are pretty sure to find that La Seine turns consumptive, and vice veisu. Mrs. Elliott is another that you cannot make sure of at all times, let the soil be what it may ; nevertheless, in spite of sucli exceptional cases, those who love Roses should take heart and wise counsel, and persevere cau- tiously, and there are but few spots in the i whole area of the British Isles, where skill i and patience will not succeed. j Roses on Sand. — In the planting of a dry sand with Roses, those worked ou Bofi Rose stocks are pretty sure to fail, for the Dog Rose demands a cool, moist, * rich loam ; sand or any kind of loose shifting soil it abominates. Here it is that Roses on their own roots prove espe- cially valuable, though the old Cabbage and JMoss Roses, whether on their own I roots or worked, are sure to fail in it. I Hybrid perpetuals on their own roots are , very accommodating, and when an uncon- I genial soil has been made the best of, j those are the Roses to risk upon it. In- ; deed, wherever there is a doubt about the suitability of a soil, Roses on their own roots are to be preferred, for those that are worked are iu an artificial condition, and less able to battle with adverse influ- ences than such as from head to foot are " all of a piece,"' and carry their sap in continuous cmTeuts, the warfare between stocks and inserted buds being often greater than appears for a time, and even if trifling and of no moment when all external influ- ences are favourable, every unfavourable circumstance aggravates it, and a bad soil most of all. THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 2(51 Roses on Clay. — The other extreme of a heavy, wet clay bottom, is to bo met by an opposite practice in planting. Dog Roses bear the effects of a wet bottom better than choice Roses on their own roots, and if worked with strong-growing Roses that otherwise would not survive on such a soil, the strength of the stock and its love of moisture will enable them to endure it ; and Cabbage Roses on their own roots will be the best kinds for dwarfs, because they also can fight against stagnant water better than most other kinds. Still, if you want Eoses to flourish and to last, you must secure the best pos- sible drainage, and provide two feet of rich, strong, hearty loam for every Rose root you intend to plant ; they like to bite the ground firmly ; they like good living, as all showy people do; and the only royal road to the Rosary is in securing, as far as possible, the conditions which expe- rience proves to be requisite. As to situation, Roses do not bear ex- posure well ; they like shelter and sun- shine. A south-cast aspect is the best ; at all events they must be protected from the cutting cast blasts that tell so severely against vegetation of all kinds in early spring. In open grounds, bcecli, yew, or hornbeam hedges are good screens, but they do not bear the drip of trees well, and need a full circulation of air about them to keep them healthy. The best season for planting is the early part of November ; but when it is not convenient to plant then, they may be safely put iu as bte as March. I have frequently moved Roses late in April, and have had them break well at the beginning of June, and get hearty in time to be gay all through the autumn ; but there is no- thing like early planting ; it is the only safe course; and whenever planted, they should be kept out of the ground as short a time as possible. Quarter-day has a good deal to do with gardening matters, and the wise gardener, when " on the move," fixes on Michaelmas as the safest season for the transference of his stock. At that time Roses of all kinds may be trans- planted safely, even though full of leaf and covered with bloom ; but they should be first pruned in closely, and the branches that remain should be disleafed. I have seen Roses moved at the end of August, being first pruned and then stripped bare, and do well, but November is the season ; every week before or after that time is too soon or too late for the insurance of a good result. — HihhenVs Garden Favour- ites; No. 6, the History and Cultivation of the Rose. NOTES FOR NOVEMBEE. KITCHEN GARDEN. The frost has made an end of runners, marrows, and everything else except the hardy winter stock, and a general clear- ance must be made at once of everything destined for the muck-pit. Use the hoe, spade, or fork, wherever an opportunity presents itself, to keep the ground clear and open among standing crops, and let the frost into plots that are cleared for the winter. This is a good time to throw up slopes for early peas, radishes, etc., to get them well settled before sowing time. Get manures together under cover ; clear out the rubbish pit, and lay the stuff in a heap to be frozen. Avoid as much as possible putting manure on the ground now, for the rains \\ill wash away the best of it before spring. Hunt for vermin, I trim up patlis, turn over the beds of ashes used for jjlunging pots in, and study tidi- ness in every detail. Early peas and beans may be sown this month by those who have the courage to risk it. FHUIT GARDEN, Begin at once to put iu canes of cur- rant and gooseberry trees, that they may get rooted well before spring. Fork be- tween the bush fruits to kill weeds ; prune whatever requires it, and burn the prunings with turf, clay, etc., for surface dressings. Plant fruit-trees and bushes as soon as you can get them ; scrub old apple-trees that are infested with blight with a strong brine, rather warm, and stop th.e holcj" with a mixture of clay, sulphur, soot, and cow-dung, beaten together into a tenacious paste. Put stakes to everything 262 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. frcsli planted, or, belter still, three lengths of tarred rope fastened to pegs driven firmly in the ground. I'LOAVEK GAKDEN. The chrysanthemums about London are terribly cut up by the October irost, and the shows in private gardens -will be shorn of their accustomed beauty. A little protection in the way of a screen formed of canvas or frigi domo, will be useful both against sun and I'rost while the blooms last. Go on planting all kinds of hardy bulbs, and take a little pains to arrange the colours for effect. A bed of standard roses is an excellent place Ibr a display of hyacinths regularly planted in clumps betwec'i the trees. Take up dahlia and marvel of Peru roots, and store away when quite dry. Gather any seeds that remain out, and clry indoors. Set about any intended alterations at once, that the consequent planting may be done before we get frost and snow. GHEEKHOTJSE. This will now be crowded, and great care must be taken to prevent mildew and damping. Give as much air as possible. Do \^ithout fire as long as you diire, but use a little in foggy weather, to cause a circulation of air. Be gentle with plants that are to be forced ; if put into b at too suddenly, the bloom-buds will lall off or burst. Vines that are started must have steady heat, and the syringe pretty often. TO CORRESPONDENTS. MtrsHEOOMP. — O. 2f.— They may be grown on shelves as you propose, and ia Barclayaua. Hkubaeia. — Wisbech. — A solution of corrosive suhlin.ate in alcohej will destroy the insects. A plasterer or bi itklayer w ould make the moultts it he liad plain instructions. EcciiEMOCAHrus.— ^. Ihciiipson.^—Sovf in heat in February, and pot the seedlings in light sandy soil. Is the acacia a greenhouse or stove species ? It probably wants warmth. Gkape ViNi.s. — E. U. — Your vines do not get suiUcieut water when Ihe berries aresuelhng. Kext season give them jilenty of srap-sud Books Heceitfi). — " JI. Vers- chaflelt's Catalogue and Price Current for the Autumn of 1859 and Sprin? of ISGO." Aweil- arrauged index to the principal stock in the celebrated nursery at G-hent, iucludinij plants of the st.)ve and ereenhouse, azaleas, rhodo- dendrons, ornamental shrubs, hardy fruits, new I'oses, ferns, and lycopods ; and select bulbous and herbaceous plants lor the borders. Col- lectors of palms, orchids, epacris, ericas, and gloxinias wdl find this a most u^'elul list, and to cami'Uia growers, the list of the best varieties sent out during the past ten years, and fli^ured in Verschaft'eil's " Iconographie," will prove I ■vaUiable. — " Descriptive Catalogue of Koses cultivated for sale by John Cranston, King's Acre, Hereford, 1859 — 60. Our readers have | heard of Mr. Cranston's marvellous roses, by means of our reports of the rose sho.vs. This catalogue is, we are inclined to tiiink, the best work of tbe kind yet published, eerlainly better than Messrs. Lane's ; the silectious are made with the sa i.e care as in Messrs. Paul's, hut the printing is ten times better, and what we want ws can find easier. The list cmtains all the best of the new roses, — " Cata- logue of Plants, Trees, Slirubs, e'c. offered by Hugh Low and Co., Clapton, Lo idon, N.E." A beautilul.y printed catalogue of seventy-six pa.'es, we'll airangeil, and comprising every variety of garden stock, from tbe rarest stove pi lUts to the most useful fruits and border flowers. Messrs. Low announce that they can supply seedling pla ts of numerous choice con fers, such as Picea amab lis, P. grandis, i etc., at very lov prices. — " Catalo^rne of Prin- cipal Plants sold by John standish, Royal Nursery, Bag!>hoi," contains many ver}' choice shrubi, io-es, and comfers, but is especi.illy valuable tor its lists of rhododendrons, gladioli, and grape vines, of each of which Mr. St indi>h is an extensive grower, and of rhododendrons the first breeder in the country. Among the border shrubs we see entered Grislinia litoralis, one of the most 'eautiiul shrubs ever introduoed. — "Ca- talogue, No. 66, of thf Horticultural Establish- ment of Ambroise V'oi schaHelt, Gheut." Very useful to growers of s ove plants, orchids, ferns and canieliias, of which there are good Usts, as also of miscellaneous plants for cool houses. Too Late. — Received on ihe 25th: — " G. H.," " W. P.," " Subseril)er," " C. H." WALTOjJiAif Cases. — Devoniensis.—T'he size of the tray gives the inside dimensions, which are only jiist sufficient to allow of the tray being lowered easilv. the height at back is one foot four inc les, front one foot, inside measure. Wc cannot give a section of the internal construction of the boiler, I a^■ing never opened it ; cor should we feel justified in probing to secrets which cost the maker (Mr. West) a vast amount of dilii- culty and manj' experiments to accomplish. The boiler, casing, and tray are all in one, and life out together. The flame enters between the bottom of the boiler and the outer zinc casing, anil we believe the heat winds in a zig- zag under the bottom of the boiler before it escapes to the flue. The boiler, that is, its outer caiitjg, mci surcs one foot seven inches by one foot. The tray rests on the plain wooden bottom of the case, ^nichis perforated vi here the hole in the boiler tits over the lamp. The fliime enters directly ;nto the space hplw^cn the outer zinc ca ing and (Le bottom of the real boiler. The lamp rests in a tin Ijox, a-; represented in the engraving.—^. B. — lour diHgr m A u c is cor- rect. We apprehend the flue is but a termina- tion of the spai'e between A and b ; bnt we have nc-\er seen insnle, and s'aoukl fed it unjust to the inven'or to dissect a thing not protected by patent. Certainly the flue comes through the sand-tray about an inch, and a moveable piece of pipe fits ou it, as shown in the original drawing. The inside measure of the wick tube is three-quarters of an inch across, and not quite a quarter of an inch wide, which takes a flat three-quarter inch cotton to burn Colza oil._ — J. S. Peii-r-r. — All your trouble arises out of using the Waltoniancase at this s ason of the year, when bedding plants are not in a sta'e to hear propagating m such a way. You might have gtrueli cuttings by thousands witliout any_ artificial he.it whatever from July to the end of Seutember, and it was an injustice to the case, and, the plants too, to put them into artificial heat'. Even now ripe shoots of geraniums put in roimd the sides of jiots will make roots belore spring. One thinir i-i certain, that the little ex- perience you have had will be all to the good, sad as the story is, when the turn of the year comes. Calmly make light of your losses as the result of want of judgmen', and set the case to work again in Eebi uary with as much confidence as if nothing had happened. Then you shall see what you shall see.- G. F. — The candli'S answer admirably, and cost double the price of oil for the limp. Mr. Hibbcrd will shortly take up the whole question ; meanwhile, if youwant candles for use, write to Mr. ColscU, of' Bishopsgate Street, for a supply of Palmer's single-wick night-lights, and 1 imp to burn them in. The 1 imp Will cost 3s. 6d., and the candles about 9J. per pound. Fuchsias. — Alice. — Fuchsias will come from cut- tings at almost any season of the year, and from green shoots and ripe wood alike. But the best way to propagate is to cut them in and start them into growth in I 'eceraber ; then, as soon as the new shoots are three inches loi g, to lake them off with a heel, and strike in a mixture of sand nnd leaf-mould, with an inch of pure sand on the surface. "We do not see th.it you need check the fuchsia that blooms so abund utly. 'Ihe best season to divide fern roots is in spring, when they are just about to break for the season. CoMitELiffAS.— P. H. ©. — The common and very beautiful C. caslestis may be kept over muter, in sand, in any part of Britain in the same way as dahlia roots, but in the south it may be left in the open ground all the winter, if protected with a little heap of leaves. If taken up it is best not to separate the fleshy spindle-shaped tubers, but to plant them entire in spring, when they make fine plants. If increase be an object they may be started in a gentle heat in March, then separated and potted sepaiaiely, to he planted out m May. We recommend Cochlios- tcma odoratissimum, a beautiful stove spider- wort, recently introduced by Messrs. Veitch. Composts.— .i. 5.— It is very rarely that any grower measures the ingredients of a compost with minute accuracy ; and as to pressing down (he measure, such nicety is out of the question. Of course :;n inexperienced hand pan do no harm in using a measure when the instruction is "one part loam, two peat," etc., etc. ; but if there appears to be a spoonful more than the measure of any one material, the plant will never find it out. The measures given, therefore, are r/encfal guides, except in very particular c.ises, wlien it is the duty of the writer to warn the grower to measure out the materials exactly. FuxGi IN Feun Case.— iff. H. C— We cannot advise you to disturb the roots of the ferns at this setison, unless you can remember whether, in any part of the case, there is any half-rotten wood" that yuti could get at easily. Probably the mycelium is ramifying through tlic case fi om one point, the removal of which would put a stop to the nuisance. One thing is certain, if you remove them daily, as fast as they appear, the supply will soon be exhausted, and you will 264 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. be rid of the plagite. Davallia bullala is Rf ue- rally an easily managed fern, and is probably only suffering from tLe check given in planting it out. Laege Radish.— C. II. — The radish weighing 3J ounces, and measuring 5\ inches in circum- ference, is not " the largest on record." "VVc have had plenty of similar size and excellence in 8i:ch a wet autumn as this. The largest radish on record is the one " from Japan, that takes two donke3S to carry it to market," but we don't know what it measures ; its diameter, perhaps, is equal to the string of a long bow. It is not too late to plant spergula, but we should prefer to wait till April. It is too late to soiv seed. Seedling Potatoes. — Mr. Simeon StocJc, Wire- drawer, Lundley, near Huddersfield, says, " he has raised a new seedling polatoe, flat, like the Fluke, Mith rough skin like the Kegent. From one seed, in 1807, the produce was 14 oz. ; in 1858 those produced 12 lbs. ; in 1S59, 25 stone, of 16 lbs. to the stone. SuLpnrn Dustings. — A. B. — The action of sul- phur is to kill microscopic fungi in their incipient stages. It should be washed off, after a few hours, or it will interfere with the healthy action of the leaves. It may be used to the extent of covering the leaves with a faint yellow film. The Boite a houppe is the best sul| hur dui>tir when sulphur is used on a large scale, but your match-box, covered with muslin, is just the thing to us° in a small house. IS'ames of Plants. — ^/i't-i?,— Centranthus ruber. A. a. S., Torqiini/. — Qr.ercus pedunculata, terminal bud rendered abortive, probably by an insect. Various. — F. ParJcer.—'We could not find any of the insects you speak of, and jiut the plant aside for further examination, but still without finding them. — E. G. — If there are any points on which you want information, we shall be glad to attend to them. We hope .chorlly to treat Dendrobiums and Stephanotis at proper length.— .1. S. C, DulUn Ctist!e.~-The nuts appear to be good specimens of Cosford, and we expect the change you notice is explained by " change of residence." The filbert can be propagated from layers, cuttings, and grafts; the latter in precii-ely the same way as apples and pears. The common hazel is the best stock. ; Z >C-C0-0-C-0COC<>C->C-0-CCC-CC'C< METEOEOLOGICAL CALENDAE FOE NOYEMBEE. 30 DAYS. WEATHEK near LONIjON, NOV., 1858. ' 30 DATS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, NOV., 1858. BAROMETER, j TIIERMOM. WIND. KAIN.; BAROMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN- MAX. MIN. MX.MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN Tu. 1 30.475—30.355 40 27 33.5 W .00 w. 16 29.429—29.293 38 30 34.0 E .00 w. 2 30.369-30.292 j 46 24 35.0 .NE .00 Th. 17 29 4.50—29.538 39 27 38.0 E .00 Th 3 30 318 - 30.246 \ 52 31 41.5 NE .00 F. 18 29.718-29.601 40 18 29.0 E .00' F. 4 30.231-30.173 i 58 40 49.0 H .01 1 s. 19 29.821—29.807 36 17 26.5 SW .00; S. ."> 30.163-30.116 i 57 36 46.5 N .00' s. 20 30.025-29.942 43 24 33.5 NW .00 1 s. 6 30.288—30.228 1 52 35 43.5 JS'E .00 M. 21 30.097-30 0(9 34 18 26.0 E .00 M. 7 30.355—30.309 : 48 36 42.0 ^K .01) ' Tu. 22 30.132-30.011 38 12 25.0 E .00 ' Tu. 8 30.281—30.265 i 49 33 41 0 N .00 W. 23 30 063—29.924 28 9 18.5 E .00 1 W. 9 30 3S7— 30.342 . 44 21 32.5 NK .00 Th. 24- 29.849—29.627 34 29 31.5 SE .00 Th 10 30.351—30.292 | 46 24 35.0 NE .00 F. 25 29.487—29 236 50 45 47.5 SE •02 F. n 30.289-30.132 1 48 23 35.5 E .00 S. 26 29.292-29.216 57 36 40.5 SW .02 8 ^?, 30.100-29.862 1 44 26 3.5.0 E .00 1 s. 27 29.045—29.975 51 39 45.0 s .04 i s. 13 29 643—29.360 \ 44 40 42.0 SE .00 i M. 28 29.208—29.049 50 40 45.0 w .00 M. 14 29.523-29.372 43 33 38.0 W .00' Tu. 29 29.205—29.103 52 42 47.0 s .01 Tu. 15 29.653—29.531 45 35 40.0 E .00 VV. 30 29.317—29.203 46 39 42.5 w .02 1 AVERAGES FOR THE EXSL'ING MONTH, 'ihe weather is usually verj'true to averages in November, and the gardener has more occasion to fear rain than frost. The year 1^58 was an exception, ior a severe frost came at the end of O.tober, and continued to the 3rd of November ; and again on the 9th, which lasted till the 12th, and (I'd much mischief. On the 18th the plass was as low as 18', and on the 23rd it fell to 9\ which is the lowest temperature recorded during the past thirty-two years. Averages for the month : Barometer, 29.923; thermometer, maximum, 49'; minimum, 38'; mean, 43^^ Rain in London, 2.3 inches. Prevailing winds, S. and W. Storms of wind and rain are usually frequent. PHASES OF THE MOON FOE NOVEMBER, 1859. J First Quarter, 2nd, 4h. 19m. p.m. ^O^OOt-^C^Q-T^^^OOZ- Decembek, 1859. JS" the completion of the second volume of the Floral World V AND Garden Guide an expression of sincere thanks is due to subscribers, correspondents, and contributors, by whose co-operation this work has attained to a position of stability. In the production of a periodical work, success is inseparable from usefulness, and the wider its field of operations, the more extended are the benefits it may confer on the community. The project of a monthly work on gardening, combining the ability of a first-class work with the jmpctitive power of the loAvest priced among popular periodi- :-als, has so far succeeded, that, instead of lessening our expenses on the ground that the work is established, we have determined to increase them, that we may be worthy of increased patronage, and of that high jjlace in the literature of journalism which has been unanimously assigned us by those who have watched our pro- gress, and taken interest in our prosperity. The very low price at which this Avork is produced has rendered very careful calculations necessary, that the cost of paper, engraving, and authorship should not exceed the produce of its sale, for it is the only illustrated work of its class, and is published at one-third less than works of a similar character, which are without illustrations. We shall not sacrifice a fraction of the esteem in which we are held, nor abate the con- fidence reposed in us, if we here confess that, however general and enthusiastic are the expressions of approbation which reach us, we have never yet been satisfied as to the way in which this work has been pro- duced. Though it is impossible for any periodical to succeed unless conducted with spirit and ability, it would be easy enough, in the grati- fication of editorial whims and fancies, to make the outlay exceed the returns, and the close estimates we are obliged to make has com- pelled us to use a poor paper and an inferior class of printing to what we should have adopted if the work had been published at the usual price of sixpence. Very many correspondents have from time to time endea- voured to impress upon us the advisability of increasing the price to that VOL, II.— NO. XII. N 266 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND aAEDEN aUIDE. amount, assuring ns that the circulation could not possibly decline, because the Floeal World is a proved necessity. It is our desire to gratify these friends and our own whim on the subject by an improved style of production, better engravings, better paper, and better printing ; but we must set our faces against any alteration in the plan of the work, and especially against any increase of price. "We jJurpose, therefore, to commence the new volume on the same model as its predecessors, but we intend to give the work a better appear- ance ; and, having made our arrangements with several of the most suc- cessful exhibitors of plants and florists' flowers for contributions to our pages, we shall ensure a still greater variety, and, if it be possible, a higher tone of practical iisefulness. It is required of a journal, as it is required of a man, to grow wiser as it grows older, and if we promise to consider the wants of our readers with even increased assiduitj^ and anxiety, we trust the promise will be accepted on the faith of what has been done alreadjr. To carry out om' intentions, it is necessary that our circulation should be considerably increased, the work is too cheap to maintain its footing by the suiiport of a merely " select" circle, and we appeal to our readers to assist us by continuing to recommend the Tlokal Would as the best and cheapest monthly work on gardening. The steady increase of our sale during two years, the continual demand for the last year's volume, and for back numbers, is sufficient proof that the field of our usefulness is widening rapidly ; but we consider the increase of correspondence the best and most satisfactory criterion that the Flokal Wokld is looked to and depended on, and that it has really accomplished its intended object of combining authoritative teaching Avith the provision of a means of intercommunication among all ranks of the horticultural world. If we ai-e gratified at the support given us in the best establishments in the country, where oiu' communications on new plants and cultiu-al processes are valued, we are not the less gratified that the thousands of working gardeners and amateurs of humble means have at their command, at a cost of less than a penny a- week, a source of intelligence of what is doing in the horticultural world, as well as a safe guide in all the prac- tical operations of their employment and pursuits. If we endeavour to meet the views of all classes by improving the book without any increase of price, we have no fear but that an increased sale will be the result, and we ask of every reader to give us as much help as lies in his power. The Flokal AVoeld is in no way connected with trade interests of any kind ; it is independent of every influence except those of tnith and fan- dealing. For this reason alone nurserymen and seedsmen may advertise in its pages without fear of any secret interest associated with its manage- ment or proprietary to nullify their solicitations for orders. A trading- editor will of necessity gather many waifs of commercial custom in his net, to the prejudice of those who advertise in his columns, and no dealer would involve himself in the anxieties of journalism except as a means of extending his connections among the piu'chasers of plants. We thank those of the trade who have hitherto supported us with their advertise- ments, and we remind those who have not yet availed themselves of oiu- advertising pages, that our circulation is very extensive, and continually increasing, among the purchasers of plants, and there is therefore no better medium by which to make kno-mi the natru-e of the stock they have on sale. As the Gardener's Chronicle is the best medium by which the THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN aUIDE. 267 trade can commuTiicate with each other, so the Floril "World is the best medium by wlunh the trade can communicate with the general public, who, after all, are the real supporters of the trading interests. We shall probably have nothing further to say as between ourselves and readers until the year turns round again, with its new hopes and new prospects. "We hope to merit more and more the liberal support awarded us ; and, as heretofore, we purpose to keep our pages free of personalities, free of abuse, free of everything which might interfere with the earnest discussion of the principles and events of horticulture. "We extend the friendly hand to the thousands of friends who keep us company, and wisU them all x Meket Chkisxmas, a Happy New Year, " The Rose Aniotal for 1860 " brings up the history of the Rose to the close of the present season. ••'' The embellishments — beautifully executed in colours — are four in number, and comprise the four new Roses which Mr. Paul considers the best of the season. Their names and descriptions are as follows: — " Anna des Diesbach," H. P., raised by M. Lacharme, comes nearer to Souvenir de la Reine d'Angieterre than to any pre-existing kind, yet differs from it in many respects. The colour is pure rose, clear and decided ; the flower is well cupped, very large ; the petals of good size and substance ; the growth robust, and the plant furnished with handsome foliage. It was an attractive Rose while imder trial, both in the open ground and in the forcing-house. It has the fault of showing the stamens, and florists will probably raise objection to it on that groimd. The popu- larity of General Jacqueminot, which has the same fault, proves that it is not sufficient to prevent the general adoption and recognition of a flower, which, in other respects, possesses distinguishing merits. ''President," T., promises to supersede that excellent Tea-rose "Adam," from which, however, it difi'ers in several points decidedly. It has plenty of that peculiar salmon tint for which Tea-roses are sought after ; it blooms very early, is very sweet-scented, and is so much hardier than "Adam," that it will probably succeed in districts where hitherto it has been found next to impossible to preserve Tea-roses through the winter. This Rose is wholly in the hands of Messrs. Paul. " Eveque de Nimes," is a new Rose, already somewhat known beyond the nurseries and exhibitions ; its colour will speedily ensure it a jjlace in every rose-garden in. the three Idngdoms, for it follows in the wake of the " Geant," the " General," and others of that notable class. "Eveque de Nimes " was raised by M. Damaizin from seed saved by M. Plantier. The flowers are of the colour of red sealing-wax, fading to the same tint as Lord Raglan ; the petals are arranged in the form of a hexagonal Camellia ; they are very thick, and, though sometimes crumpled in summer, smooth and well-formed in autumn. The habit is robust, and the foliage singularly handsome. The " Queen of Denmark," H. P., was raised and introduced bj' M. Granger, of Seine-et-Marne, and it is known under another name, " Etoile de Maria." The flower is large, full, and though sometimes cupped, is usually globular. The colour is transparent flesh, warming into rose in the centre, and shaded -with lilac on the outside. It is hardy, and of moderate growth. The letterpress of the "Rose Annual" is occupied with notes on * "The Hose Amiual for 1859-60." By AVilliam Paul, F.H.S., author of "The Eoso Gai-tlen.' London : Piper, Stephenson, and Speuce. ^68 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. the -weather of the past season, notes on ''Early Eoses," "Old Roses," "New Eoses," " The Favourites of 1858-59," "The Exhibitions of the Season," and " The Eorthcoming Erood." On the 7th of June last year the Scotch and Austrian Eoses were over ; many of the Moss, Gallica, Hybrid China, and a few Hybrid Eerpetual were in full bloom ; and on that day perfect specimens of the following kinds were cut in the open borders at the Cheshunt nurseries, and may therefore be considered Eaely Eoses : — Moss, Julie de Mersant, Le Meaux ; Provence, Adelo de Senangc ; Damask, La Ville de Bruxcllcs, Madame Soetmans ; Gallica, CjTithie ; Hybrid China, Eelle Marie, Blanchefleur, Comtesse Laciepede, Madame Plantier, Madeleine, Velours episcopal. Vivid ; Hyhrid Perpetual, Geant des Battailles, General Jacqueminot, Sladame Laffay ; Bourhon, Sir J. Paxton ; Tea, Narcissc. The sketch of "Old Eoses" is one that will be cnjoj^ed by every lover of the royal flower, and few will be found to disagree with Mr. Paul, that as " every season — even to the latest — yields something new to delight and surprise us, we may well look forward hopefully to the next." On New Eoses Mr. Paul says, " The question lies in a small compass. A few good novelties issue yearly from the raisers' hands — novelties which every real lover of roses would wish to possess as qtUckly as possible, but whose merits are often not demonstrated for two or three years. These are gradually lowering the position and value of the older kinds ; but there are also many indifl'erent varieties — base coin, bear- ing the impress of the true, but without its intrinsic value — which are smuggled into circulation Avith the good in the twilight of knowledge. What do we know of a new rose when first announced ? "What can we know of it? It has seldom, if ever, bloomed in this island-climate of ours, and not half-a-dozen people have seen it abroad. Then there pnifs direct and puffs oblique, solemn quacks and quacks comic, charlatans and brag- gadocios, whose toils the man of action cannot always expect to escape. My advice to purchasers of new Eoses is, ' Do not buy too many sorts at a time, and what you buy, buy from the most trustworthy source. If a respectable vendor does not know a sort to be good, he will not say it is so ; the real state of the case will be laid before you ; you will know when you are speculating, and can speculate as far as you please in the matter.'" The "analysis of the exhibitions of the season" is a most instructive one, as it shows at a glance the relative degrees of popularity of the varieties groAvn for exhibition. Among pot I'oses, those most shown were Baronne Provost, H. P., 4 ; Blairii, No. 2, H. C, 3 ; Coupe d'Hebe, H. B., 3 ; Duchess of Sutherland, H. P., 3 ; Eliza Mercoeur, H. B., 3 ; Louis Odier, H. P., 3 ; Paul Eicaut, H. B., 6; Paul Perras, H. B , 10. Among a few of the most noted roses shown as cut flowers, the following were selected by the greatest number of exhi- bitors : — Gallica, Boula de Nanteuil, 6; Kean, 5; Cynthie, 4; Dr. Dielthim, 3 ; Ohl, 3. IIoss, Crested, 4 ; Baronne de AVassenaer, 3 ; Gloire des Mousseuses, 3. Damask, La Ville de Biiixelles, 3. Hybrid CVn'^o!, Paul Eicaut, 12; William Jesse, 9; Charles Lawson, 9; Coupe d'Hebe, 9 ; Chenedole, 5 ; Paul Perras, 5. Hybrid Perpehud, Jules Margottin, 18 ; Lord Eaglan, IC ; Prince Leon, 15 ; General Jacqueminot, 14; Madame Vidot, 11; "William Griffith, 11; Madame Prevost, 11; Madame Masson, 10; Mrs. Elvers, 10; Triomphe de Paris, 10; Caro- line de Sansal, 1 0 ; Pauline Lansezcui', 9 ; Triomphe de I'Exposition, 8 ; Madame Domage, 8 ; La Eeine, 8 ; August Mie, 8 ; Colonel de Eouge- THE FLORAL WOELD AXD GARDEN GUIDE. 269 mont, 8 ; Comte de Nanteuil, 7 ; Duchess of Sutlierlaud, 7 ; Geant des Battailles, 7 ; Madame de Cambaceres, 7 ; Madame Knorr, 7 ; Souvenir de Leveson Gower, 7 ; Eveque de Ximes, 6 ; Louis Chaix, 6 ; Louise Pey- ronney, 6 ; Duchess of Xorfolk, 5 ; Empereur Xapoleon, 5 ; Madame Place, 5 ; Mathuliu Regnier, 5 ; Souvenir de hi Eeine d'Angleten-e, 5 ; Victor TrouiUard, 5. Xoiseftes, Solfaterre, 10 ; Lamarque, 7 ; Cloth of Gold, 5. Bourhon, Souvenir de Malmaison, 11 ; Souchet, Acidalie, Dr. Leprestre, La Quintinaye, Eeveil, and Sir J. Paxton, 2 each. Tea- scented, Devoniensis, 18; Gloire de Dijon, 14; Souvenir d'un Ami, 9; Madame TTillermoz, 8 ; Moiret, 6 ; Comte de Paris, Xarcisse, and Niphetos, and the Yicomtesse de Cazes, 5 each; Bougere, 4. The " New Brood" constitute a list of 36 new roses, which are described in the con- cluding pages of Mr. Paul's work. Speculators in new roses have here the fullest information that can be desired, and those who are not specu- lators, but prefer to proceed safely in setting up rose-gai'dens and improving established collections, cannot do better than lay the " Eose Annual" on their library tables as a source of fireside enjoyment, as well as a guide to practical proceedings out of doors. EXHIBITION OF CHETSAXTHEMUMS. To do justice to the shows of the past month would require not less than the -whole of the present number of the Floeal "World, and we must therefore content our- selves vrith very faint sketches of the proceedings of each. Considei-ing how severe was the frost at the close of October — more severe than has occurred before at the same season during twenty years — it must be matter of general gratification that 1859 is not a blank in chrysanthemum annals. The thermometer feU to 17', and there were eight days' hard continuous frost, when the best and plumpest of the flower-buds were in the first stage of expansion. The dates of the shows were all too early for the growers to get good blooms after such a loss of the first, aud consequently the effects of the frost were visible in the generally unsatisfactory condition of the cut flowers. The frost, however, told an agreeable tale in the end, for it enabled us to recognize the complete command which growers have attained to in the preparation of the chrysantheaium for show. Every spare inch of glass was put into requisition, houses wei*e even extemporized by means of frame-lights and window-sashes, and many a fine collection saved from destruction, and ultimately moderately-well bloomed. Those who had neither glass nor canvas — and canvas was of little use — suffered the almost entire loss of bloom and foliage together, and, as a border-flower, the chrysanthemum has made no show this season, except in districts very favourably situated for shelter. Stoke Newingtox, IS'ov. 2 and 3.— This was the exhibition at tlie Manor Rooms of the Society of which Mr. AYortley is secretary. The show was a good one, but, as compared with what is now accomplished elsewhere, and with what has been accom- plished in Stoke Newington in times past, very far below what we should have wished it. The first prize, for twenty-fom* cut blooms, was awarded to S. "NVortley, Esq. ; and Mr. Sanderson was second, and Mr. James third. Mr. Sanderson was first ior twelve cut blooms ; Mr. Wortley second. In sixes Mr. Radley, Mr. Wortley, and Mr. Sanderson divided honours in the order of their names. The best pot-plants were from Mr. George ; the next best from Mr. James, Mr. Walker and Mr. Forsyth also contributed excellent sets of six pompones. In all these collections the favourite old sorts were chosen, of which the names have been frequently repeated in reports of former shows. There were two features of interest, namely : — Mr. Wortley's Queen of England, which was the best bloom in the show, and Mr. George's Christine, shown on the plant with fine foliage and beautifully bloomed. South Lo>-Doy, Aor. 3. — This was held in the Assembly Rooms, Rosemary Branch, Peckham, and was — the fro*t excepted — an excellent show, aud not without 270 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. points of special interest. Tliere were good specimen-plants and some tastefully ar- i-anged bouquets ; and the first of the seedlings of the year made its appearance from the hand of Mr. Holland. Tlie principal exhibitors were — Mr. Potts, for twelve cut flowers, and Mr. Pink and Mr. Fenton, who contributed a splendid lot of cut blooms (not for competition), Mr. Mortram, Mr. Bickley, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Broome, Mr. Mor- gan, and Mr. Boultou. Mr. Clarke's pompones were much admired for their free growth and tlie absence of sticks and ties. Mr. Boultou's six Lilliputians were ex- ceedingly pretty. The object of chief interest to connoisseurs was a collection of four blooms of Miss Augusta, a new seedling raised by Mr. Holland, gardener to E. W. Peake, E?q., of Hounslow. The colour of Miss Augusta is a clear yellow, the fomi Tery regular and synnnetrical ; Mr. Holland is a lucky man. 'Stoke Newington, Nov. 7 and 8. — This was tliC exhibition of the old Society, and it took pla(!e at the Manor Rooms, There were some excellent stands of cut flowers, and the plants generally were of high merit. Mr. Bird took the silver cup for thirty-six cut flowers, among whicli were Alarm, Alma, Pictorcum roseum, Novelty, Pearl, Yellow Perfection, and Beaurcgarde, new varieties, which we shall describe at length liereafter. Mr. Wilkinson sent the next best thirty-six ; Mr. Bird was also first in twenty-four cut blooms, and Mr. Wilkinson second. Mr. Wilkinson had a beautiful Golden Queen in his lot, but Mr. Salter himself showed it in still better condition. Mr. Elliott, Mr. Oubridge, Mr. Monk, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Harris, Mr. Tanby, Mr. Hutch, Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Eden, and Mr. Ward 'were the leading exhibitors in the other classes. Mr. Holland agidn showed Miss Augusta ; and a shoot from Arigena with yellow flowers promises to become permanent and useful. South Meteopolitan, Nov. 7. — This was the first show of a newly-formed Society, and was held at the Horns, Kenuington. It was successful in every sense, and attracted a very large company. If this Society jiroceeds with the same spirit, and can steer clear of the discouraging influences that elsewhere have done so much mischief, it will become second to none in London. It would be better too, if, next year, they can secure a sufiiciont display from the growers of the district, for a local show should be dependent on its own immediate neighbourhood, and not on growers at a distance. It was agreeable to meet with Mr. James, Mr. George, Mr. Bn-d, Mr. Walker, and other of the great guns of Stoke Newington; but we thought their pre- sence a reflection on the south of London, which ought by this tin-e to be able occa- sionally to help those of the north. To the general public it was an interesting and attractive spectacle, but there were no points to call for special comment here. The principal exhibitors of tlie district were Messrs. Mortram, Potts, Fletclier, Greenwood, Bartlett, Champion, Joseph Monk, Ball, Perfect, and — Grave, Esq. The plants were well arranged, and a good band enlivened the promenaders by some very lively strains. South EASTEjiN, Nov. S and 9. — A very well-arranged exhibition took place at the St. James's School-rooms, Bermondsey. The principal exhibitors were Messrs. Potts, who liad Aimee Ferriere in a nice lot of twelve cut blooms, which took the silver cup, Marshall, Day, Gueran, Huggius, Greenwood, Mars, jun., Pink, Harper, Ling, Walker, Read, Parry, Mortram, Bartlett, and Chegund. Cktstal Paiace, Nov. 9, 10, and 11. — This was an attractive exhibition, and afibrded gratification to vast numbers of visitors from London, but it was not alto- gether what a chrvsanthenumi show might be, and should be, at the Crystal Palace. The local nature of the interest that attaches to this flower is somewhat against the success of any great central gathering. At all events, neither last year nor this has the Crystal Palace done much else beyond gathering up the waifs and strays of other exhibitions. The Company put up a good lot of their own plants, and amongst them were some well-grown standards, which, on the long table devoted to the Com- pany's plants, had a very novel and charming efiect. A very good feature was a basket, eight feet through, got up in the extemporary style of those described in these pages by Mr. Hibberd in June last. The basket was of wood, with a high handle bound with cable, and filled v ith potted-plants. In the centre stood a standard Aigle d'Or; next a pair of standard Brilliants and a pair of Bob standards ; President Decaisne and Htlene in dwarfs wire under these; ilien Cedo JSulli and Madame Eoussil.lon, and, in the outer circle of all, Drin Drin, Soll'aterre, and Sacramento. This leaf from the ElOEAL AVoRLD Was ^usely taken, and the arrangement of the colours against the dark tone of the basket was as faultless as if M. Chevreul himself had had the disposal of them. Mr. Bird was first in Class 10 for twenty-four cut blooms ; Mr. J. Wilkinson second ; and Mr. MeiTj third. Mr. Wortley was first in Class 8 for twenty-four cut THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 271 blooms; Mr. J. Sanderson second ; Mr. Oubriclge third; and Mr. Ward fourth. In Class 9, for twelve cut blooms, Mr. Sanderson was first ; Mr. Oubridge second ; and Mr. Wortley third. Other names deserving honourable mention are Mr. Butt, of Milton Terrace, Stoke NewiDgton, Mr. George, and Mr. Monk, who contributed very good collections. Specimen plants were generally good and admirably staged for effect. Mr. Forsyth took first prize for six pompones in pots, in which lot we noticed Golden Cedo Nulli. Mr. Shrimpton, gardener to A. J. Dosat, Esq., Putney, vf^s awarded first prize for a charming plant of Cedo Nulli. Mr. J. Tandy, gardener to E. Sanders, Esq., Wimbledon, appeared for the first lime with a nice lot, in which Bob, Requiqui, Cedo Nulli, and Brilliant were admirably bloomed. Mr. Ward, Mr. Hutch, and Mr. Wiggins wei-e conspicuously placed with well-grown plants. Large flowering specimens were shown by Mr. F. Bennett, Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Merry, Mr. Ward, Mr. Oubridge, Mr. Hutch. In all these collections the old favourites were relied on, and the only novelties that caught our eye were yellow Perfection, which we believe will surpass Plutus ; Aimee Ferriere, on Mr. Oubridge's stand of twenty- four, very charming ; Progne, sent by Mr. Wilkinson, of Bow (not for conapetition). The colour is very striking, and largely compensates for its deficiencies of form. Golden Cedo Nulli, in Mr. Forsyth's stand of six plants, induces us to form a favourable opinion of a variety to which we have not been favourable hitherto. It certainly claims a place in every collection, but we do not think it will be a favourite with exhibitors. Seedlings were shown by Mr. Salter, and first-class certificates were awarded to "Mrs. Holborn' and "Arthur Wortley." There were several other excellent seedlings in Mr. Salter's lot, which we shall have occasion to describe in connection with Mr. Salter's home exhibition. Mr. Holland showed " Miss Augusta," and took a fii-st- class certificate, v.hich the flower well deserved. Peckham and Hatcham, Nov. 11. — This Society takes a rather wide range of operations. It gives prizes for the best-kept gardens and for cottagers' productions, and in this respect is no doubt productive of much real good. The Chrysanthemum Show was a good one, liberally planned and carried out, but there were no features of special interest to call for comment. The principal exhibitors were Messrs. Mitchell, Skelton, Restoii, Ivirby, Anderson, Orlidge, Potts, Fenton, Mortram, Greenwood, Pink, Barnes, Clark, and Mr. Morgan, of Lincoln's Inn Fields. East Loxdox, Nov. 14 and 15. — We spoke of this Society last year as having already attained to a hiijh position, and we have no hesitation in saying that this year the show at Albion Hall, Dalston, was the best of the season in London. The flue hall is admirably adapted for an exhibition of the kind, and the plants were so arrai-.ged as to turn to the best account every favourable featiu'C of the place. This part of the undertaking was, we understand, in the liands of I\Ir. Gildersleeve. Mr. Green was the "acting " secretary, and the co-operation of all parties was characteristic of a spirit of unity, which we liope will prevail in the internal life of the society. Among the noticeable contributions, the following struck us as the best: — Mr. Hutt's six pom- pones were the best in the hall, and the best we have seen anywhere this season. Tliey were so cleverly trained, and so symmetrical in outline, that they appeared as if all cast in one mould ; and a still better point was the utter absence of ail distinct signs of training. The plants were Adonis, Cedo Nulli, Bob, Drin Drin, Helene. Mr. C. Bolton showed some good pompones, but his Brilliant was not up to the mark. Mr. Pratt's plants had suffered a little fi-om the frost, but he made amends by a most beau- tiful specimen of Golden Cedo Nulli. Mr. West showed Defiance in a way wliich must tend to keep that excellent variety in our lists of the best. Mr. Hutt's Christine and Mount Etna were admirable, but Mr. Hutchins's Mount Etna was a respectable plant made unsightly with bad training. Three standard pompones like rose-trees struck U8 as evincing much skill and patience in then- production. Mr. Harrison, who appeared for the first time at any show, surprised his friends, and perhaps himself, by the sterling excellence of his contributions ; and we sincerely hope in future seasons we shall liave to chronicle many more of his achievements. Golden Queen, sent by Mr. Harrison, had blooms seven* inches across. That he shoidd take first place iu three distinct classes, should be suflicient for the present to convince him that he has done well and wisely in entering this honourable field of competition. Golden Cedo Nulli was also sent by Mr. Kendall, and Mr. Salter sent blooms of his new seedlings. The prizes were awarded as follows : — Six pompones, first, Mr. Hutt ; second, Mr. C. Bolton ; third, Mr. Pratt. Four chrysanthemums, Messrs. Hutt, Pratt, West, and Pratt. Three pompones, Halt, C. Bolton, and Pratt. Two chrysanthemums, Pratt, 272 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GfARDEN GUIDE. Harrison. Six pompouo anemones, Hutt, N. Bolton, Pratt. Tweiity-four cut blooms, Harrison, N. Bolton, Pratt. Twelve blooms, Hutt, Pratt, Harrison. Six blooms, and six anemone blooms, Mr. Harrison first in each. In the extra class, for the largest plant of any kind, Mr. West was the winner with Helene, which was admirably grown, bvit was not quite out. The extra class for six blooms, with the Ibliage, is one in which we arc much interested, and in reference to which we have to regret that such a method of showing makes but slow progress. At this show Mr. Butt was the winner, with six noble specimens, undressed, with healthy foliage attached. Among them were Trilby, Annie Salter, and Queen of England. A word of praise should be awarded to Master Bolton for the painstaking manner in which the plants he exhibited had been grown. His Helene was well trained, and his Cedo NuUi had its true colour, and in that particular he may be considered to have outstepped many old exhibitors. Mr. Holland sent Miss Augusta. During the first evening, the band of the employes in Mr. West's brewery cheered the company with excellent music. At the close of the show, the plants were removed to Mr. West's, Three Crowns, North Woolwich, where they constituted a very attractive exhibition in a quarter where the chrysanthemum is not yet an old inhabitant. Other exhibitions we shall notice next month. WET SOILS, SMALL SEEDS, AND EAELY EADISHES. BT H. IIOWLETT, Or WHITWELL, WET SOILS. How many amateurs feel a degree of vexa- tion at seeing early peas, potatoes, ra- dishes, lettuce, etc., at their friends' table before their own are nearly ready ; and how many gardeners work and watch in vain to have the same ready for their masters' table as early as some neighbour has them ; and what unpleasantness does it sometimes cause between master and gardener, whilst the cause of his failure lies to a great extent beyond his control, from the fact of his soil being wet and cold, flat, or even sloping to the north, or particularly exposed to cold winds, whilst his neighbour sufiers from none of these ; but, on the contrary, cultivates a dry soil, sloping well to the south, in some liighly sheltered nook. To remedy, then, these natural defects constitutes a part of the gardener's art ; and many have little con- trivances of their own to that end, apart from the great and fundamental principle of thorough drainage. That being accom- plished, we will suppose him destitute of further ideas on the matter, and endeavour to assist him by a few remarks on the treatment of the soil, and protection. To render a cold, retentive, clayey or stifi" loamy soil friable, easily worked, and capable of producing delicate and early crops must be both a work of time and labour ; but, in the proportion in which •the latter is bestowed, so will the former be reduced or lengthened. As before ob- served, the first thing to do is to drain thoroughly ; then, by frequent and heavy dressings of sand, broken charcoal, or charred rubbish and burnt earth, leaf- mould, or peat earth, accompanied with frequent forking and stirring, to thoroughly disunite and ovei'come its adhesive nature. The application of old tan, cinder-ashes, and old mortar rubbish we do not ap- prove, all possessing deleterious qualities. The former breeds fungus, and the two latter concrete and bind together, rather than the contrary. Our remai'ks on pro- tection are to relate to simple methods. We, therefore, do nob touch on the sub- ject of walls, but suppose them already to exist, or to be too expensive for our read- ers. Where, then, good south borders under a wall are not to be had, such sub- stitutes as sloping banks and reed fences or hurdles may do much to rectify the want ; drive down stakes three feet long in rowSj and one to two feet apart in the row, so that they stand about two feet out of the ground. Place against these rough boards or slabs from the sawpit, or otherwise weave hazel-rods between them, as hurdles are made ; mark off twelve feet on the south side of these, and proceed to dig over the ground, working it into a slop- ing ridge as the work proceeds, thus : — Then, upon the most northern one, place THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 273 reed hurdles, or, what is better, with, two or three posts, a few spUnes, and some reed, form a permanent fence — or plant a beech hedge. In the latter case, plant on the level ground, immediately behind the stakes which support the bank ; the rea- son for this will be obvious. Tlius a series of sloping south borders, protected from north or easterly winds, may be made ; or, should there be borders, having south or any other aspect, they may be perhapa exposed to cold winds, so that forward crops in spring get injui'ed thereby. In such a case, again, reed hurdles, or the common wattled sheep hurdle, are valu- able guards when placed across the bor- der, either square or diagonally, if the wall have not a south aspect, to catch the sun's rays, thus r — between which the crops are to be planted ; and at all times when early peas, lettuce, radishes, etc., are sown, a dressing of some such material as charcoal-dust, sharp sand, or old peat-earth, should be spread upon the surface, which will keep it open and pervious to the air, and, from its dark colour, absorb warmth from the sun's rays and quicken vegetation. Thus it will be seen that, with a little expense, and per- haps a good deal of labour — without which we can have but little — we may in a great measure overcome the difSculties that have hitherto thwarted our efforts. SMALL SKEDS. To successfully raise the very fine seeds of the Calceolaria, Cineraria, Huraea, Loaza, and many other such dust-like seeds, requires some tact. We, therefore, infer that this is one of the things upon which our advice may be of service to the ama- teur gardener, for there is notliing more common in gardening matters than failure in this ; and the failure cbieHy arises from two causes, one of which is the use of loose porous soil; and the other, too thick sowing of the seed. In the first case, a porous soil, composed perhaps principally of leaf-mould, and loosely put into the pan or pot, allows the very fine seeds to get washed by waterings down from the sur- face too deep into the soil ever to be able to vegetate and fiud their way out. To re- medy this get pure virgin loam from under the turf of a meadowy where moles throw up their hillocks. A suitable soil is easily ob- tained by collecting them; they are, more- over free from worms — a point to be par- ticularly regarded. Such soil possesses in general every quality that is desirable for the purpose ; viz., freedom from the seeds of weeds, which the soil from a ploughed field does not, and sufficient grit to pre- vent it binding too hard upon the surface. If, however, it is thought in any individual case not to possess the latter quality, it may be easily rectified by mixing a por- tion of silver-sand with it. Having pro- cured the soil, rub it through a sieve with one-eighth of an inch meshes, which will remove all stones and the roots of grass ; select the pan or pot in which the seeds are to be sown, place a large crock over the hole, and upon that a layer of smaller crocks, then a layer of moss, and fill up to within an inch of the rim with soil, very firmly pressed. This is the principal secret ; it can scarcely be pressed too firm if moderately dry at the time. Having pressed and levelled the soil, set the pan on the ground, and, through a fine rose, water until satisfied that the soil is wetted through ; let it drain for a few minutes, then sow the seeds upon the surface, and, according to the fineness of the seeds, so must be the covering of soil over them, which should be from less than a sixteenth to a quarter of an inch thick, and is best put on with a dredging-box. It should also have a larger portion of silver-sand mixed with it than the bulk of the soil has. Give another watering, very lightly, and do not stir the pan until the water has had time to drain away, for, remember that, to jar a pot of wet soil about is very likely to convert it into a lump of brick- earth. The second cause of failure arises from sowing too thickly. It is very often that a thousand seeds are sown upon a space that cannot properly accommodate twenty plants, so that when they germi- nate they stand so thick as to engender dampness amongst their tender stems, which cannot dry away, as there is no circulation of air between them. They consequently "shank," and perhaps out o£ a promising pan of a thousand seedlings, ten are not preserved. Having sown the seeds, watered, and allowed them time to drain, place a squai'e of glass on the top of the pot for the purpose of regulating the admission of air and preserving the surface in a proper state (between wet and dry) unid the seeds vegetate, and this may be done by tilting up one edge of the glass more or less, or by keeping it on by 274 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. day and takini? it off by niglat. After the j plants are up it should be gradually with- I drawn, by taking it off during niglits and | dull days. After the first watering, given I immediately after sowing, water should ! not again be applied to the surface, but by settijig in a pan of water. It will then rise to the root by capillary attraction, and not cause "shanking" of the stem. A moderate temperature of from 45° to 65°, and a situation as near the glass as possible, is best i'or the raising the ma- jority of small seeds; and, for the first few days after sowing, a piece of brown paper may be laid over the glass which covers the pan during bright days, as seeds vege- tate best in a subdued light ; but, be care- ful to withdraw it as soou as the first sign of growth can be seen, or the seedlings will be long in the leg. In early spring seeds may be started in hot-pits and dung- beds ; but, as soon as growth commences, they must be placed close up to the glass, and plenty of air be admitted, or they must be removed to other quarters, as the steam kept up in such places would pro- bably damp them off. Pricking into other pans directly (they can be removed with the point of a knife) will tend to their pre- servation and prosnotion of their growth. Sowing- and Rearing Eaelt Ceops OF Radish, Caeeot, Tuenip, Lettuce, ETC. — The--e are all of them things sought after as early in spring as they can pos- sibly be obtained ; and to know how the market-gardeners manage to bring them to market so early as they do has, doubt- less, puzzled others as well as myself, until I chanced to live in a locality where mar- ket-gardeners and seed-growers abound. I discovered the secret, which is simply this : — About Christmas, or earlier, a nice dry border, sloping to the south, is dug and well broken ; it is then lightly trod- den by walking over it with the feet close together ; then raked level, and, with a light hoe, drills are drawn at about three inches apart and one inch deep. Into these good new seed is sown ; then there is spread over it a dressing of well-rotted horse-dung and gritty sand that is scraped off the roads, which is an excelleiit pre- ventative against slugs. Sea-sand is also used for the same purpose, and answers well if the ground is rich. It is then smoothed with the back of a shovel, and then comes the nicest part of tiie process, and that upon which success or failure mainly depend, namely, the covering with long wheat-straw or very long litter made from the same. Just sufficient should be evenly spread over to bring up and pro- tect the young plant, without smothering or drawing ; anil this may be deemed suf- ficient when the straws form a kind of close net-work, so that the soil may be seen between them. L^pon the straw must be laid sticks to keep it from being disturbed by the wind, and so it may re- main until the plants can be seen, when it must occasionally be raked off on fine days, and returned again before night, and when the plants gain considerable strength and the weather loses somewhat of its winterly character, it may be cleared quite away. Exactly the same process takes place with other crops which are sown in January, February, and sometimes in March ; but, in the latter case, the cover- ing is much sooner dispensed with, its chief use being to encourage the germina- tion of the seed, and preserve it from the ravages of birds. WEEDS AT A PEEMIUM. BY WILLIASl CHITTT, OF STAMFOED HILL. The most careless and unobservant per- son must occasionally feel a touch of love for beauty in its simplest forms when a germander speedwell, with its meek eye of lovely blue, or a gay pimpernel, with its coral-like blossoms and hearty foliage, is found in full bloom in some neglected corner of the garden. Any one who is moved by botanical sympathies must have occasional regrets at having to root out of the garden some of the lovely wildlings which find their way there ; and, though folks of the "every-day" stamp would not tolerate anything except genuine flowers of the florists' school, there are many en- thusiasts who cannot help bestowing on choice wild plants some amount of cul- tural care. I must confess that I do prize many of our native plants as highly as the choicest exotics, and the hoe is inade to spare many a pretty thing that springs up of its own accord in my ground, because I cannot see any gem of the British Flora ruthlessly cut to pieces. Of course, this sort of passion may be carried too far, and a bright border may soon be a wilderness of weeds if every green vagrant that chooses to pitch his tent there is allowed THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 275 ample bed and board, and, therefore, dis- crimination is necessary that we do not sacrifice the beauty of a scene to any hobby, or push to foolish extremes a prin- ciple wliich in itself is good. But there are many British plants tliat deserve a place in the garden, and v\emay cultivate "nationality"' without sacrificing any rule of taste, for there is a special charm in the contemplation of wild flowers which is much enhanced by tlie cultiva- tion of them. During a ramble last spring in the iieighbourhood of Guildford and Godalraing — a rare place for botanizing — I collected several pretty things to add to my general collection, and, though I need not specify what they were, because scarce a week passes that I do not meet with something that I prize, I will just mention that amongst them were two of the com- monest plants ever seen in a day's march. Well, these two were planted for botani- cal— not ornamental — purposes, and a mound partly covered with ivy was the site chosen for them, and the mound was chosen because it happened to lay a little out of the way and served as a nidus for man.y other such things. When summer came, and the mound was planted with its usual complement of gay plants, these two towered up on the summit, and made quite a figure in the scene, and, to my ow"n surprise, they added so much to its general beauty and completeness that I really think it never looked so well before, and I ca-i plant a knoll pretty well, I as- sure you. Those two plants afforded me a good dea of fun, ti.'O, for they took everybody's attention, and the question •was frequently put, "What are the noble things towering up there above the flowers ?" To the first questioners I gave an answer in plain English, but I saw that would not do, because, as soon as they knew they were from the hedges, they wondered I should give room to such common tilings. So I altered my tactics, and to all subsequent inquiries I said, " That bold spiky plant, on the stem of plain English, they were the teasel and the hoary mullein, two of the coarsest plants of the hedges, and common every- where. Now, if a couple of such things could be made to " tell," simply by being ap- propriately placed, how much more may be done with a selection of tiie neater kinds of wild flowers. Among the dwarf- growing kinds there is the lovely oxalis, with its emerald foliage, resembling a beautiful trefoil, and its clusters of deli- cate white and green veined flowers — a gem worthy of the teuderest care, and es- pecially valuable on a moist bank or in a Wardian case. Any one accustomed to rambling in the country, and with their eyes open to botanical beauty, must see many such things. The common ragged robin is a very pretty thing for the sides of a rock- ery, where it sprawls about in graceful attitudes and produces multitudes of its bright pink flowers. It is also a good thing to plant in a rustic basket, to dan- gle over the edge and mix its stems with white verbenas or li-ailing Oenotheras. A companion to it is the pretty Silene pen- dula or catchfly, which makes an excellent edging to a bed of heliotropes, but re- quires a little management to keep it from running to seed. The best way is to trans- plant it several times before putting it to blooming quarters, and then to cut down every alternate plant as fast as the blooms get thin ; and then, when those cut over bloom agnin, to cut down those between them, and so on to the end of the season. The speedwell, Veronica chamcBdrj/s, is a very charndng thing, the worth of which as a bedder is known to many a sagacious gardener, who does not sufler his hands to be tied by rules of fashion. So is the yellow bird's-foot trefoil, which you will see in moist hedges all the summer long, producing a profusion of vivid gold-coloured blossoms, the unopened buds being tinted with orange-red— a very gay and neat plant that is anything but "a weed" when which the bases of the embracing leaves ! put to a good use. The double-flowering form so many cups that are always full of i variety of this plant is an established gar- water, is the celebrated Dip.iaci's sylves- i den favourite. Among other things of iris; and the large-leaved plant beset with [ similar excellence we may note the sca- Boft down, and that to the fingers feels bious, which is a pretty thing ni autumn; like lamb's-wool, and with a tall spike of the foxglove, already well known as a gar- yellow blossoms, is Verhascv.m iliapsus; — | den flov\er, but, because "common," sel- they are plants of much interest to the botanist." Oh ! the grandeur and impos- ing elfect of a few hurd words. Those plants were looked upon with awe, and geraniums that cost thii'ty shiUings a- piece were thought notliing to them. In oni cultivated with such care us it de- serves, in fact we rarely see a plant in a garden equal to those that live a wild life in the hedges, where it is one of the noblest of plants in the British Flora. Of spring flowers — so valued by all 27G THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. who remeniber their childish rambles with any affection — the moors and woodsides supply an immense nuaiber, not forget- ting primroses and violets, which are uni- rersal favourites not to be frowned down by all the graud exotics that ever turned a florist's braia. But the pretty vernal squill ; why is that neglected, when on a bank in good patches it makes such a lovely show of blue blossoms in the spring, and scarcely wants touching from the day you plant it for half-a-dozen years after- wards? Thougli the thing has never been done, I do believe a splendid border and rockery might be made up of contributions from the woods and hedgerows alone — the wild tulip, squills, primroses, snow- drops, double furze, double marsh mari- gold, germander speedwell, fumitory, cow- slips, pasque flower, and oxalis and violets for spring ; the noble caper spurge, wild strawberry, woodruft', lily of the valley, Solomon's seal, the delicate and snowy stitchwort, periwinkle, borage, rest har- row, bird's-foot trefoil, yellow aveus, globe flower, large cjlandine, white and yellow stouecrop, red campion, wild peony, ( crimson vetch, and bugioss for summer; j with the golden broom, the several native heaths, native poppies, foxglove, wild thyme, harebell, succory, willow herb, I the magnificent lythrum, tlio rock rose, i snapdragons, the delicate ivy-leaved toad- flax (one of the loveliest of our native j alpines), henbane, hawkweeds, cudweed, i and meadow-sweet (the latter a most fra- i grant and graceful thing), several native | convolvuli, the golden-rod, and meadow j safi'ron for autumn. The rockery would be | the place for the heaths, the wild juniper, the curious and pretty orchises, and many of the trailing plants, such as alpine toad- flax, ragged robin, and a selection of native ferns and grasses, and one general compost of sharp sand, loam, peat, and leaf- mould would grow them all to perfection, except the orchises, which require a good admixture of chalk to come to perfection. Of course, marsh plants would require to be favoured as to moisture, and the ferns would need partial shade during summer ; but such details need not here oe entered on, because those who would care to set about such a work will learn every lesson in the culture of the plants by just noticing in what positions aud in what kind of soil they find their pets flourishing, and then imitate that as nearly as possible. Now, who will have the courage to at- tempt a garden of this kind ? 1 tell you that I wiU, if God spares me to another summer. I will, at least, have an experi- mental border for them, for it has been a dream with me for years, and would have been realized long ago if the abominable bedding plants had not made me as crazy as they do other folks — blinding one's eyes to the beauties of one's native land, and driving country out of one's head by the temptations of colour, novelty, and expensiveness. It is too bad; the " weeds" shall be trodden under foot no more, but shall be cherished as precious additions to the Temple of Flora, who must many a time weep bitterly to see her favourites " wasting their sweetness on the desert ail'." FiDO Fides. AMONG THE PEENS TO GATHER KNOWLEDGE. The cultivation of ferns possesses so much ' interest for those who are admirers of the graceful that, in these days, there is scarcely any person who pretends to a love for j plants who has not a few hardy ferns in j some retired nook in the garden, however ' small, or, wanting this, a few choice ones j grouped in a Wardian ease, or under a glass \ shade, forming one of the most interesting adjuncts of the drawing-room. One of the ,' advantages of this mode of culture (in ! glass shades or Wardian cases ) is, that they retain their beauty the whole of the year, are equally interesting in winter and sum- j mer, aud many of those which are decidu- ' ous in their habit will retain their foliage i in perfect beauty throughout the Minter i under this method of treatment. Our hardy ferns have several kinds that retain their freshness and beauty out of doors all the winter, if not too much exposed, and those which die off are regarded with equal interest by the enthusiastic eye of the amateur, because he knows his treasures are but taking a rest, and will, with re- turning spring, bursf into renewed beauty and gracefulness. The present paper proposes to ofier a few remarks upon the hybernation of ferns ; but, before we offer any remarks upon those under cultivation, let us walk into the shady lanes and along the hedge- rows of the country, and observe how it is M'ith them in their natural habitats. THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 277 We will decide at ouce to take the rail at Loudon Bridge, say, for Shalford, in Surrey, wliere we will get do\vn and wander into some of the shady lanes about Bromley, to the left of the station ; then, if you please, we will go further on by rail, and get off at Ash or Aldershott, in the county of Hants, at both of which places we shall find examples of many of our British ferns. Well, now first here is a long shady lane of about a mile in length, leading from Bromley to Graffham, arched over throughout its entire length by overshadowing trees, where we find Lastrea Filix-mas, Polystichium lobatum and aculeatum, Polypodium vulgare, As- plenium adiantum nigrum, developing themselves in the richest beauty, grow- ing upon the sloping and almost perpen- dicular banks. The soil of which the sur- face of these banks is composed is, for the most part, a mixture of decayed vegetable matter and a nice silky hazel-loam. The roots of the ferns do not descend perpen- | dicularly into the soil, but spread for a j long distance into the light soil of the surlace. Now, be it remarked, that while these are so situated as to receive all the rain that fails upon them, more especially in winter, when the overhanging trees and shrubs are denuded of their leaves, no stag- natiou of moisture can take place about their roots and crowns, owing to the posi- tion they occupy, while at the same time they are sufficiently saturated with mois- ture, which is as necessary to their well- being in winter as in summer. Leaving the Graffham end of the lane, we will stroll round tlirough Oneish, back again to whence we set out. In our pas- sage thither, we shall find some gorgeous specimens of the lady fern (Asplenium Filix-fcemina) growing in the ditches and cuttings by the road-sides, and while, at the moment these lines are penned, the foliage is for this season nearly or quite gone, the roots and crowns remain in a position in which they are in continual contact with water — often entii-ely covered — abundance ot which is quite necessary to their well-being tlu-ough the winter, and their perfect development in spring. Let us now, as we proposed, go on to Aldershott ; let us stroll through and aroimd the camp, until we come to what is called North Lane, and we come upon a splendid bank of Blechnum boreale, con- tinued many scores of yards, interspersed with beautiful examples of Lastrea dila- tata, growing throughout its entre length, withm a foot of the water-mark. So tena- cious does this thirsty fern appear to be of its right to occupy the position best suited to its nature in this place, that scarcely a stray specimen will be found higher up the bank. Shall we, for a moment or t^o, turn our attention to Asplenium rutamu- raria and Asplenium trieliomancs, which we shall in some places find growing in the chinks and joints of old walls and simi- lar places in abundance, and observe that while these are perfectly situated as to drainage, yet exhibit a richer or more stunted appearance accordingly as they are more or less supplied with moisture ? Their development will be observed to be by far the finest in moist seasons, and in such situations as are favourable to retain- ing a large amount of humidity in the at- mosphere, say, on the under-surface of a bridge, etc. Without extending our observations further, though this may be done with great advantage, let us try and apply the knowledge we have obtained to the ferns we have under cultivation. We have seen that, in their natural habitats, they are exposed to all vicissitudes of weather, moi'c particularly that through the winter sea- son they ai-e abundantly supplied with moisture ; and, if we attentive!}' observe the habits of our plants, we shall find that they make root rapidly in the winter sea- son ; and, if we compare plants that have been kept through the winter in a dry position with tliose that have been treated pretty much as they would have been had they been growing in a native position, we shall find the advantage very greatly on the side of the latter. Now, our hardy fernery, consisting for the most part of selections from our beauti- ful British kinds, established upon a raised bank of earth, interspersed with pieces of stone or burrs from tlie brick-field, with such kinds as Lastrea Filix-mas, L. rigida, L. dilatata, Polystichium aculeatum, P. augulare, P. lobatum, and similar kinds on the higher parts ; and Athyrium FiHx- fcemina, Osmunda regalis, Blechnum bore- ale, Lastrea cristala, L- Oreopteris, and those of like habit at and near the bottom, will be as nearly as possible in a position resembling their native banks and ditches, and let no means be used to prevent them from having throughout the winter season all the moisture the heavens can supply them with. One of the most enthusiastic and successful fern-growers with whom I am acquainted uses his garden-engine to his fernery throughout the year, and al- most as liberally in the winter as in the summer. The result is the finest develop- ments anywhere within my knowledge. 278 -THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. Well, then, witli reference to our plants in pots. Let due regard be had to drain- age ; this is of the very first importance. Then let equal regard be paid to the tex- ture of the soil, so that the plants will root freely into it, and water pass through it rapidly, and tliere need be no fear with reference to their welfare if they are kept constantly moist. To be a little more de- Unite, let lis select a few plants in pots, and subject them to liberal treatment ; and let iis place beside them duplicates of the same kind, to be dealt with alter the starving system. Now then, we vriil have Lastrea dilatata, L. rigida, L. Filix-mas, L. spinulosa, Polystichiuiu lobatum, P. aculeatum, Cystopteris dentata, Onoclea seusibilis, Cyrtomium falcatum, and Scolo- pendrium olliciaarum. We will select the above-mentioned because the prominence and distinctness of their undeveloped fronds, even at this season of the year, will enable us more accurately to observe the effects of the separate treatment upon them. Now, let the first portion be well- careJ for with water throu'j;hout the win- ter, taking care every time they are watered to pour the water vipon the crown of the j)lant, so that the liuid may insinuate itself into and amongst the undeveloped fronds, and we shall find they will gradually en- large their crowns through the entire sea- son of winter. Even those of the fore- going which entirely lose their foliage, as Onoclea sensibilis and Lastrea rigida, will thoroughly enjoy themselves, and the whole selection will be seen progressing towards a rich development of themselves in the spring. Pass we now, by anticipation, to the latter part of the mouth of March and tho month of April, when our favourites will be rising into a new life. Now we hare a splendid opportunity of deciding which kind of treatment results most satisfac- torily. Compare the majestic rising of the new fronds of the L istrea dilatata and the rich and fatty appearance of the first di- vision with the meagre developments of those which have been kept on short-com- mons, and I will venture to decide that the latter treatment will never again ob- tain in our management of ferns. These remarks have been suggested by a reply to " C. B. K.'' on "Ferns in Win- ter," at page 215 of September number of Floeal World. It they should by any means find their way into your valuabla publication, and be considered any reflec- tion upon your editorial wisdom, why, you know you can lay the blame upon your careless printer. [No, friend Chitty ; we'll bear all the blame on our own broad slioulders, and take a lesson out of your book. Let us have more of your practical wisdom. Shake our infallibility with nil your might, and " fire-away."— Ed. F. W.] EEMOVAL OF APHIS PEOM VEEBENA CUTTINGS. Having got some cuttings of verbenas last spring, which were covered with green aphis, I made a tliick lather of common white soap on my hands (which was a solu- tion as strong as could possibly be), satu- rated tho cuttings completely with the lather, by gentle pressure, between my hands, and then immediately threw them into a basin of tepid water. This killed all vermiu, and did the cuttings no injury. But then they were in the lather for scarcely a minute. A. B. PIPE FLUES.— A CAUTION. As many small houses are heated with pipe tile flues, let me caution your readers against using the pipes unglazed, because where there is not a quick draft through them, as when the ash-pit door is shut for the night, the pipes stveat, and are often quite wet and dripping at the joints, caused by the water formed by the combustion of the fuel. This dampness gives oif an exceedingly acid, almost pungent smell, of course most injurious to the plants. The cost of the glazed pipes is but a trifle more. I presume no one now-a-days is so wasteful as to construct a furnace without an ash-pit door. This may be of service to your readers, who are now thinking of fortifying against King Cold. J. R. 279 WARDIAN CASES. BY SHIELEY HIBBEED. SrtfCE it has been generally admitted that Wardian cases are greenhouses in little, and to be managed in precisely the same way 08 greenhouses, they have been roore extensirely adopted ; and, as a conse- cjuence, they have added very largely to the number of the cultivators of ferns. Upon the originally proposed plan of shut- ting them close as if hermetically sealed, there were but few plants that lived for any length of time ; and even where mode- rate success attended the eS'ort, that suc- cess was rather owing to the accidental and unintended admission of air through the crevices of the structure, than to tiie exclusion of the external atmosphere, which was at first supposed to be essen- tial. It is impossible to have anything like variety, or make sure of a very select few ferns living any length of lime, unless the interior of the case is regularly venti- lated, and even allowed occasionally to get moderately dry, though to become dust- dry would injure them. In the case of fern shades, which fit into glass dishes, and whicli, as long as there is water lodged in (he rim into which the lower edge cf the shade rests, are air- tight, air must be given thi'ce times a week j by removing the shade altogether for a few | hours. This allows the excess of moisture j to dry off the foliage, and prevents mould ; and the glass getting dry in the mean- while, it is prepared to take up a fresh supply of moisture from the soil when re- placed, which is equivalent to a cu'culation of water as well as a change of air, and prevents the soil getting sour and sod- dened, as it must do if closely confined, exhaling and receiving back continually the same impure moisture. It is im- portant, too, iu choosing fern shades of this description to see that the glass dome fits loosely in the pan which accompanies it. Last spring one of our shades, which was a tight fit, was removed into a sunny win- dow for a few hours to make room for some domestic operations. The sun heated the air within the shade, the expanded air had no means of escape, and it bm'st the shade with a loud explosion into a multi- tude of fragments. A guinea's worth of glass was thus lost in u moment, and a collection of Selaginellas placed in jeo- pardy through neglect of this precaution. In planting fern shades made wholly of glass, I find it a good plan to lay down a good depth of broken flower-pot?, or clean cinders of the size of walnuts, and to sup- ply at first enoug!i water to fill upas high as these, so that when filled the water may be heard to rattle among the crocks if the pan is tilted on one side. By lifting off the glass every day for an hour, the exha- lations are got rid of speedily, and the ferns are constantly supplied with what rises through the soil by capillary attraciion. Success in these matters often turns on points of management that appear trilling ; let me, therefore, describe tlie process of planting a fern shade. If intended for a winter ornament, it should be planted iu July or August, that the ferns may be established before the decline of the sea- son, and if they are evergreen kinds they will have plenty of time to throw up an abundance of fine fronds, which the libei-al supply of water from below, v.ilh regular ventilation, will render luxurious and beau- tiful; and before winter comes, the excess of moisture will be gone, but the soil will hold enough to render watering quite un- necessary until spring. In a large pan — say, six inches depth — lay down two and a-half inches of drainage, and let the top stratum consist of very small stuff, not larger than hazel-nuts. On this lay a thin coating of half-decayed moss or sphagnum. Fresh green moss is apt to go sour or breed fungi, and therefore it is preferable if it has been for some time exposed to the action of moisture. Fill up to the level of the rim with a mixture of turfy peat, leaf- mould, small broken charcoal, and the siftings of broken pots, varying from the size of a hazel-nut to that of a pea, with plenty of silver-sand. I never measure the ingredients of any compost, but the beginner may like to be saved from doubt, and therefore let the proportions be taken as follows : — Peat three parts, leaf-mould one part, silver-sand one part, broken charcoal and crock-siltings one part. This compost should be broken up and mixed with the hand, and should be in a free lumpy state. Ferns will never prosper if the compost is sifted, but a little of the finest of it should be put aside to dress the surface with when the planting is completed. Now, take a can of boil- ing water, and water the soil till you have supplied enough to rise to the top of the drainage. The water should be poured into the centre first to warm the soil gra- 280 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN aUIDE. dually ; poured against the glass suddeulj- it may shatter it. I have used tlie boiliug water now for four years on every ocea° sion of planting a fern case, aud have not yet had one accident. With a little cau- tion there is no risk. The use of the boiling water is to destroy eveiyinsect that may have escaped your eye wlien breaking up the peat. It will not only do that, but kill theu- eggs also, and equally make an end of the seeds of weeds and the mycelium of fungi; all of which are enemies "better got rid of at first than to be hunted for when their ravages become a source of alarm. found its way into the case. I have now a 2)an of Hymenophyllum which was planted last spring, and the scalding not attended to. All went well for a while, but suddenly, in one night, the earth was thrown up in fine castings all over the sur- face, and the delicate fronds were com- pletely buried in the ant-hill sort of dust, and the newly fixed roots considerably loosened also. The only remedy in such a case is to lower the pan into a pail of lime- water, and either flit or kill the intruders ; but such a process is no benefit to such a delicate fern, and the disturbance of the Cumptosorns rLizopLyll'.is. When the pan is nearly cold, the ferns may be planted, and the process of plant- ing will consolidate the compost, so that it wiU, when all is finished, be an inch below the edge of the pan, as it ought to be ; it may indeed go below that, and need fiUing up with some of the finest of the mixture, which should be sprinkled over as a finish- ing touch. Before I adopted this plan of scalding the compost, I frequently had the mor- tification of seeing valuable ferns eaten away in a night by some abominable slug, er other pest, that had adventitiously soil is a serious prejudice to its growth for at least one season. I often receive letters from persons Avho complain of the spring- ing up of forests of fungi in fern cases, the consequence very often of rotten wood being used vfith tlie peat. The boiling water will as effectually prevent this as any insect pest, because the mycelium of the fungi must have been conveyed into the case with the soil, and if submitted to boiling heat must of necessity perish. One very effective fern case of mine, which measures 22 inches across, is this season planted as follows : — In the centre THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN CIUIDE. 281 Cheilantlies farinosa, one of tlie easiest managed of the silver ferns, and a very su- perb object; round this, at equal distances, are Campyloneurem augustifolium, a vei'y hard-leaved cactus-like fern ; Adiantopsis radiata, the fronds of which radiate hori- zontally from the top of the stalks which bear them ; Clieilanthes tomentosa, a very curious downy-leaved silver fern, not very easy to manage ; A spleuium fragrans, vei-y cheerful and luxuriant ; Asplcnium marinum, one of the prettiest of British ferns ; Pteris argeutea, a minute silver a special note of commendation. It is more diffuse in habit than apoda, the colour a deeper tint of green ; but, like that little gem, it is strictly procumbent, and makes a very beautiful surfacing. The silver Pteris and the crested lady fern (Athyrium f. f. corymbiferum) I had from Mr. Cooling, of the Mill Ash Nurseries, Derby, to whom we are indebted for this addition to our lists of hardy fern sports. It does well in the Wardian case, but as it loses its leaves early, and is strictly de- ciduous in greenhouse or open air tempe- AJ.ianiiim sctulosiim. ei-n of exquisite beauty ; and Atbyriitm Filix-foemiua coi-ymbiferum. The flatness of the surface is broken by a few pieces of rock, and between the ferns there are a fewpatchesof Selaginellaapoda, and the real Selaginella helvetica. This last, and all the ferns, except the Pteris and Athyrium were supplied by Mr. Sim, of Foot's Cray, who, I believe, is the only nurseryman iu pos- session of the real Selaginella helvetica, which has never been sent out true before. Mr. Sim had it from the Alps, and he sent me a patch for trial, accompanying it with ratures, it adds nothing to the beauty of a case dui'ing winter. Why I should get Pteris argentea . from Mr. CooUng arose through my writ- ing to him for Pteris atropurpurea, an American Brake, of which I had heard a good account, but had never seen. Mr. Cooling sent the little silver fern, suppos- ing it would interest me, as it certainly has done ; but, to see its beauty to ad- vantage, it should be grown on a minia- ture rockery in one of Pascall's fern-pots, and have a warm place in a shady part of N 2 282 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN aUIDE. tlie house. Then its miniature excellences would be inspected, and the dense silver coating of the under sides of the little tri- angular fronds set off against a few blocks of dark stone pkeed around it. Pteris atropurpurea I got at last of Mr. Chit ty, of Stamford Ilill, wlio has a regular cor- respondence with North America, and is continually in receipt of consignments of ferns. It is a true Pteris, as may be seen at a glance : the stems are rosy-purple, the fronds divided in the way of the bar- ren fronds of cronata, and their colour a dark grayish-green. It is as unfit for the Wardian case as any fern in cultivation ; it goes mouldy even when ju full growth, and, whether kept moist or dry, whether ventilated freely or shut close, mildew ap- pears on the young fronds, even before they are fairly unrolled. Of course, the closer it is kept, the worse is its appear- ance ; but the best management will not suffice to make it prosper. I moved my plant to a back shelf of a house where Onoclea sensibilis and Neplirodium molle corymbiferum, with a few other ferns of curious habit, were doing well, but it still refused to prosper. I then planted it out on a small rockery in a north aspect, and, though nearly dead from long confine- ment, it made a new start at once, and proved itself to be a first-rate hardy fern. The mention of the Crested Nephro- dium molle reminds me that my plant, which I had of Mr. Sim in the summer of 1858, made a splendid centre to a AVar- dian case. It grew freely, threw up plenty of its dense parsley-like fronds, and proved as hardy as the species, so that this most remarkable of all fern varieties may be grown wherever it can be kept from frost, or say not to go lower than 25" any time all winter. At that temperature it becomes deciduous, and must therefore be kept rather dry ; but on the .ipproach of spring it starts freely, and every season increases in the size of the crown so as to bear divi- sion for increase. I like the principle of associating plants botanically, when it is possible, and on this principle I planted a sixteen-inch fern shade with a set of Davallias, and very pretty they look with their orange-coloured and tawny rhizomes, creeping, like lizards, over the little blocks of granite that are strewed on the surface. The true hare's- foot, D. canariensis, never does so well as in a pot in the greenhouse, where it sends out strong claws that grasp the outside of the rim, and frequently hang down nearly to the bottom of the pot, throwing out fronds all round. In this state of growth it is a pretty object for suspension, and should be grown for the purpose in a con- trivance of bark or hazel-rods. My set in the fern shade consist of dissecta, which also answers for suspending ; elegans ; so- lida, excellent in a glass case and always sliining with health; polyantha, crimson stalks and very glossy green fronds ; and pentaphylla, a quick -growing, fragile- looking, but nevertheless hardy, kind. With these, surfacing plants are not re- quisite, on account of t!ie curious and in- teresting manner in which tlieir prostrate stems run along tlie ground and clutch the pieces of rock placed amongst them. Se- laginellas make pretty collections for such cases, but instead of putting out good specimen plants I prefer to take cuttings, root them in small pots under bell-glasses, and then plant tliem, after well saturating the soil witli boiling water. Martensii, surrounded with cscsin, will soon fill a shade twenty inches high, and form one of the most beautiful ornaments for a drawing-room that can be devised in the whole catalogue of cryptogaraic vegetation. The yellow Galeotti is too rambling for a shade, unless raised from a cutting, kept close by a little judicious trimming, and when no longer manageable, owing to its straggling growth, turned out and replaced by a fresh young plant. Formosa makes a fine centre, to be surfaced with serpens ; and ineequifoliais another good centre-piece for a surfacing round it of denticulata. "With warmth, shade, and moisture, Selagiuellas may be propagated to any ex- tent. Choose a healthy and vigorous- looking shoot, well-supplied with rootlets that are not the least shrivelled. Pill a thumb pot with very sandy peat, nip the lower part of the cutting back to one or two of the best rootlets, and insert it ten- derly just deep enough to cover them, and press the soil gently. If inclined to spring out of the loose stuff, peg the stems in their places, or lay a piece of tile over the rooting joint, cover with a bell-glass, keep moderately moist, and in a very short time the cutting will start from the point and grow away according to its proper character. The smallest scrap is sufficient if it has a healthy rootlet, but it is rare that good plants can be got, except of the pros- trate kinds, if the point of the cutting is ren oved. From a scrap of an incli long, I have had three or lour square I'eet of c£esia in one season by leading the growths regularly and covering the rootlets with soil as fast as they were produced. How it is that we rarely see Sclagiaellas except at the nurseries and in the best THE FLOEAL WOELD A^D GAEDEN aUIDE, 283 private collections, I cannot imagine; there are very few but which the least experi- enced fern grower could manage with effect, and their unique elegance commead them to all who have an eye to the pecu- liar beauties of the Cryptogamia. Oue remark, by way of caution, occurs to me : never raise the soil above a dead level in the plautiug of a fern case. When arranged, in tie flrst instance, it certainly adds to the effect if the sod rises gently from the sides to the ceutre in the form of a hillock, but in the end it in bad for the ferns. The water runs off from the ceutre, finds its way to the zinc or glass in whicli the soil is contained, and gets througli the di-ainage without wetting the soil through. Even if this does not happea in summer, it is sure to do so in winter, wlien for long pei'iods together it is inadvisable to give water. The soil then gets hard, and when spring returns refuses to receive a drop ; to stir the earth as you would the soil iu a flower-pot, may par- tially remedy the evil, but surface stirrings are not to be recommended in the case of fern collections, because the surfacing of mosses, marchantia, confervoids, and seed- ling ferus must be destroyed thereby. When well managed the soil of a War- dian case is soon covei-ed with sponta- neous growths of a most interesting and beautilul kind, which should be encou- raged by a right procedure from the first. My ferneries abound with seedling plants and chance growths of the most varied kind, ' and many of these are as valuable when they appear as the plants that have been introduced in the regular method of planting. I have tried all sorts of ways of sus- pending ferns, and I find none better than the simple appropriation of cocoa-nut shells ; not the outside fibrous husk, but the true shell, carefully broken^ with a clean edge all round, and bound with a strip of split cane. The holes must be burnt in the shell, as they are apt to split if any attempt is made to pierce them with awl or gimlet, and, besides that, they are so hard that the best bit of steel breaks like glass against them. Make three holes for cbaiuage, and two very small holes near the rin), exactly opposite each other, and use for suspending a sil- ver string of the Spanisli guitar, which will never rot, and is as soft and pliable as pack-thread. The two ferns here re- pj;-esented are examples of my mode of suspending. The A'iiantum is in a cocoa- nut, bored all over with holes a cpiarter or thu'd of an inch in diameter, and it has pushed crowns thi'ough every one of them, so as to smother the outside with foliage. The Camptosorus is in a little case formed of thin bark, bound with brass wire, which, in another season, it will be too large for, and will lave to be shifted into a cocoa-shell. To water these, the best way is to lift them out and lower them into a deep vessel, with a stick passed through the suspending cord and laid across the top of the vessel, so that they can sink the full length of the cord and be thoroughly saturated. They can be lifted out in a quarter of an hour, and allowed to drip for a few minutes by again lodging the stick at each end iu a suitable place. As a Ust of ferus suitable for suspension may prove useful just now, I submit the follow- ing as those likely to prove gt-ueraily use- ful :— Asplenium flabellifolium, ebeneum, attenuatum, braehyptera, nitidum, pin- natifidum, reclinatum. Acrophorus hispidus. Adiantum caudatum, setulosum. Campyloneurum caespitosum. Davallia pentaphylla, dissecta, decora pinnatifida (Humata), Goniophlebium piloselloides, vaccinii- fohum. Goniopteris scolopendrioides. Hemiontis cordifolia. Nothochlfena teuera, nivea. Niphobolus pertusus, rupestris. Oleaudra (Aspidium) nodosa. Polypodium filipes, Phlebodium lycopodioides, stigmatica. MINUTE POINTS IN STOVE AND GEEENHOTJSE CULTUEE. of the beautiful and natural should be so We "Five London Subscribers" have to thank you for the attention which you gave our former inquiries some months back, and hope we do not intrude too much on your time and patience. We think you are glad to assist us town-folk v/ho have a "weakness" for flowers, or a "passion," as some will have it. Alas ! that the love rare among us. 1. We are adding to our collections, and find your " Select Greenhouse Plants" useful, and hope you will continue these every month, now that there will bs room to spare during the winter in the Flokal WoKLD pages. 28-ii THE FLORAL WOELD AND aARDEN GUIDE. 2. We liave some Mandevillea suaveo- lens two years from the cuttings ; they were cut close to the pot last spring, and have made single shoots about two feet long. How should they be pruned in I'uture? 3. An Eriostemon intermedium (which the nurseryman sent with other things) is very huiky, having two legs with large lieads. To cut it would be a waste, unless it could be grafted, as we see this has been, but we do not know upon what plant. 4. An Acacia oleifoliaelegans of the same shape, but this a])peai"s to have been pur- posely formed into a standard, having been cut into that shape. These plants were from Messrs. Bass and Brown, and, with others, were badly made, the knife not having been used freely enough on them. The pots, besides, were full of worms. It is unfair to complain anonymously of a dealer, perhaps, but we do not do it to be jjublished to all the world, and only for your guidance in directing others. 5. Now, the season arrives when flowers are doubly valued, and, till the turn of tlie year-, we shall have but little to make our houses gay, except a daphne, and early camellia or so. Can you give us some in- formation about Oxalis, of which there are some fifty varieties — the names of some of the best, with colour, and time of flower- ing, and culture. In general, they give an immensity of foliage, and but few flimsy blooms, but they are gay all winter. 6. We had some plants of Veronica Andersonii, which, as they got rather leggy (this legginess is an abomination), and did not flower last autumn, we cut down this spring, and made young plants from the cuttings. Should these young ones — each with four or five shoots — be left as tiiey are, to bloom next autumn, or cut down ? The writer saw this plant flourishing and bloom- ing beautifully in a by-street near Oxford Street, London. Several of them had been reared there, as the owner told him. Your ciin'espondent mentioned to him the Floral World, and would have left a prosj^ectus of the work, had he one. 7. The early frosts this year will cause us to look about for pompones which will stand the cold best, or, at least, flower soon. This season they have disappointed us, and, except Hendersonii, Sacramoito, Argenteum, Eequiqui, Driu Drin, Madame Roussillon, and' Cedo NuUi, most of the others are useless this year. We should like some day for you to add to the above earliest ones, 8. Every gardener has no end of ques- tions, but we must not quite tire your patience. Eive Subscribebs. [1. We shall continue the papers as we can give space, without neglecting the sub- jects that arrive currently with the seasons* 2. Don't cut Mandevillea suaveolens too hard. Keep it nearly dry through the winter ; start it in February with bottom heat if possible, and if that cannot be given, let it have the warmest part of the house, and let the atmosphere be saturated with moisture. After flowering, let it grow till the end of October, and must then be dried, to rest it till February again. Then prune to plump eyes, just as you would Stepha- uotis floribunda. The best way to grow this Mandevillea is in a pit in the stove, or a very large tub, and train up a rafter. 3. Eriostemon intermedium is too weak to work upon, and some of the other weak growing eriostemons are worked upon the old Correa alba, which makes a first-rate stock for them. Perhaps the best Avay of dealing with a lanky plant would be to turn it out, and deposit it in the rubbish pit, and procure a short, well-furnished plant from a respectable grower. 4. Acacia oleifolia, in common with all others of the genus, will bear close cutting with impunity. When the new shoots are three or four inches long, stop them by pinching out the points of the shoots, and repeat this process as the growth proceeds, and in the course of two or three years you will have splendid specimens. 5. Oxalis Bowieii and 0. versicolor are the only kinds of which we can say with certainty that they flower in winter, and both are well worth growing. As to win- ter flowers, as we have often said, in answer to similar queries, you may have almost any number by preparing for them in time. Several con-reas, epacrises, ericas, camellias, cyclamens, cinerarias, Primula sinensis, Jasminum nudiflorum, Forsythia viridis- sima, Pyrus Japonica, Farfugium grande, Echiverea coccinea, Crassula lactea, and even Dielytra spectabilis, may be considered true winter bloomers, if treated as such, and to ensure plenty of them, is but a mat- terof previous calculation and timely labour. We have seen Dielytra spectabilis taken up in the frost, potted, and put in a warm house, and be in bloom in six weeks. 6. Veronica Andersonii had better be cut down at once to three or four eyes, and when they have made three or four eyes more, pinch out the tops of the shoots to induce bushiness. Treat them liberally, and tbey will flower well next autumn. 7. Mr. Astie stood the late frost without losing a single bloom. 8. We defy you to tire our patience. If we are sometimes particularly brief, it is because the queries appear capable of being disposed of in a word. — Ed. F. W.] 285 A CiAT CHIMXEY AND A PEAaEANT GAEDEX WALK. The following directions " To dress up a chimney very fine for tlie summer-time, as I have done many, and they have liked it very well," is extracted from a curious work, entitled, " The Queen-like Closet, or Rich Cabinet," by Hannah Woolly, 1 681 :— " First, take a pack-thread, and fasten it even to the inner part of the chimney, so high as that you can see no higlier, as you walk up and down the house. You must drive in several nails to hold up all your work ; then get good store of old green moss from trees, and melt an equal proportion of beeswax and resin together, and while it is hot, dip the wrong cuds of tha moss in it, and presently clap it upon yeur packthread, and press it down hard with your hand. You must make haste, else it will cool before you can fasten it, and then it will fall down. Do so all round where the packtln-ead goes, and the next row you must join to that, so that it may seem all in one. Thus do till you have finished it down to the bottom ; then take some other kind of moss of a whitish colour and stiff, and of several sorts or kinds, and place that upon the other, here and there, carelessly, and in some places put a good deal, and some a little. Then any kind of fine snail shells, in which the snails are dead, and little toadstools, which are very old, and look like velvet, or any other thing that was old and pretty. Place it here and there as your fancy serves, and fasten all over vvitli wax and resin. Then for the hearth of your chimney you may lay some orpine sprigs in order all over, and it will grow as it lies. And, according to the season, get what flowers you can, and stick in as if they grew, and a few sprigs of sweet-bi'iar. The flowers you must renew every week, but the moss will last all the summer, the orpine will last near two months." Oue phrase in the above should particularly recommend it to such of our readers as, in the nice language of tbe day, have a love of propriety. " Lit- tle toadstools, etc., and anything old and pretty." Was ever antiquity so smoothed over? The culinary recipes have nothing remarkable in them. Every- thing, to the meanest meats, is sipped in claret, steeped in claret, basted with claret, as if claret were as cheap as ditch water. I remember Bacon recommends opening a turf or two in your garden walks, and pouring into each a bottle of claret, to increase the sense of smelling, being no less grateful than beneficial. We hope the Chancellor of the Exchequer will attend to this in his next reduction of French winea, that we may once more water our gardens with right Bordeaux. NOTES FOE DECEMBEE. KITCHEN GAEDEN. Plantations of rhubarb, seakale, aspa- ragus, and horseradish, may now be made. A lot of roots of the common dandelion, packed together in leaf-mould, and put into gentle heat, and the daylight wholly excluded, will furnish a delicate salad in five or six weeks. Pascall's seakale pots are best for the purpose. Get together everything available for manure, and keep each kind of manure as separate as pos- sible ; and, as far as possible, keep dung, and all soluble matters under cover, for they lose much of their properties by the action of rain. Tliis is a good time to make new drains, and improve water- courses, during open, frosty weather. rKXJIT GAEDEX. Big round old fruit-trees, and lay down a layer of old dung, six inches thick, in a ring, three feet round the stem of each, and the size of the fruit will be improved next season. Trees that are sufficiently luxurious should not have manure. Eoot- prune any trees that grow too luxuriautlv to bear well. Give protection to any ten- der fruit-trees, and lay boards in a slope over vine borders, to shelter them from excessive cold rains. Unnail from the walls the younger shoots of tender wall- trees, to prevent premature breaking. PtOWEE GAEDEIs-. Bulbs ought to be all planted by this time, but if any remain out of the ground, get them in without delay. Take up tea roses that are in exposed situations, and lay them in by the heels in a shed, out of reach of frost. Cut down fuchsias that are to remain out all the winter, and cover their roots with litter or coal-ashes. Pan- sies, pinks, and other choice things in open beds, should have a little light litter sprin- kled over them in frosty weather, or be protected with canvas on hoops. Tulips protect in the same way. Look over plants in frames, and take off dead leaves, and keep the plants moderately dry. GREENHOUSE AND STOTE. Chrysanthemums will keep the houses 286 THE FLOEAL WORLD AND OAEDEN GUIDE. gay till after Christmas, wben the first lot of forced shrubs, especially azaleas, will come iu to take their place. In the con- servatory, whatever flowers are at com- mand, may be made the most of by judi- ciously intermixing with them good plants of Yucca, Acacia lophantha, camellias, and others possessing characteristic foliage. Hard-wooded plants m the greenhouse must have as much air as the weather will allow, and as little water as possible, as we may soon expect severe frosts. The thermometer should not descend below 38\ Soft-wooded plants will be subject to mildew if the house is at all damp. Shift any specimen plants that are in need of increased root-room. Peaches to fruit early must be frequently syringed, and have as little fire-heat as possible, but the heat may be allowed to rise, with plenty of ventilation, during sunshine. Stove plants mostly want rest this mouth, and those in growth should be kept moderately iu check. General stove collections 60^ by night, 65' by day, with rise of 5" in the sun heat. Azaleas must have warmth and suffi- cient water, if for early bloom, or the buds will fall off. Camellias will bear a close, warm at- mosphere, and must have regular v*-atering. French Beans may be sown in pots to place on a top shelf, or to force with straw- berries. Cucumbers must be thinned, if the plants are more than moderately fruitful, or they will fail to give a succession wh'fen the fruit may be most desired. TO COEEESPOJSTDENTS. THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE FOE 1859, Is uow ready, handsomely bound in clotli gilt. Price 5s. This is a favourable occasion for new Subscribers to commence. The Title page and Index for 1859 will be given with tbe January number. We vs'ere unable to get it ready in time to publish with this, as we intend it to be more compUte than the Index of last year. Cases for bindiiisr the Volume may be had of tbe Publishers, through any Bookseller, at \s. each. Tbe Janmiry number will contain an en^ravius; of iMr. Ivery's azalea, "Varie- guta superba." — A portion of the rei^lies to correspondents for the November number found its way to the wrong printer throngh an error on the part of the Post-office. '1 he manu- script was relumed to us too late for insertion iu the November number, and it appears here in its original form. Hence a few correspon- dents who were answered very briefly as soon .18 we knew the MS. had not reached its proper destination, are again replied to more fully, and tbe replies distinguished thus *. "The GARDEif Oracle, and Economic Tear Book fob I860."— We have been enabled to etfect several improvements iu this work in preparint; the issue for 1860. We can confi- dently offer it as the best gardening- year book extant ibr the purposes of the amateur and working-gardener. The list of Ericas to bloom every day in the year has been very carefully prepared from the journal of one of the most experienced growei s of that favourite tribe of flowers, and is accompanied with a thoroughly practical essay on the culture of Kricas, from the able pen of Mr. Howlett. The paper on Spergula pilifera is illustratfd with drawings of the plant, and also of Sagina procumbens, which has been mistaken for it, and which we understand is to be sent into the market as the true S|jergula, we have therefore put the public on their guard and aflTorded a ready means of determiniig between the true and the spurious. In the gurdeuing department there are various valuable Notes for Amateurs, a care- fully prepared list of the best Fruits, Flowers, and Vegetables; a list of Novelties for 1860 j a list of Seedling Plants of 1859 ; and a Ust of Plants recently introduced. The dnmestio por- tion contains a paper on Bee-keeping, by Mr. Tegetmeier ; British Wine-making, by Mrs. Roberts ; and numerous useful advices for gar- deners and housewives. Hyacinth Bld. — E. W. would be glad to be in- formed it' a bed prepared for hyacinths, as directed in the " Garden Oracle" for 1859, p^ge 61, will require to be remade the next year, or whether a top-dressing of fresh compost will be sufficient to produce fine bloouis. Tlie plan an- swered admirably last year when tried on infe- rior offsets, many of wiaich were taken up bulbs measuring eight inches in circumference. — It nmst answer admirably, because on that plan Mr. Hibberd has raised stock again and again from offsets formed by bruising old bulbs and throwing them into a corner of the pottinu'-shed till August, when there is a new bulb formed at the base of every scale. It it will make flower- ing bulbs of these, it will do what no other plan will. Give your bed a top-dressing at once with dung not much decayed, and over it a light sprinkle of leaf-mould. The bed need not be disturbed till the third year, and should then be made up as before. If the whole of the soil is taken out, it will be just the thing for potted fuchsias. Plant Exchanges.— i?. D. offers 18 tubers of Gloxinia tiibiflora iu exchange for other siloxi- inias. Letters sent to E. D., care of the !■ ditor, will have immediate attention. -E. D. reminds us that this gloxinia is very sweet-scented, and is easily prop.igated by cuttings of the top shoots. , Teotman's Gas Stove.— JE. iT.- We understand the price of this stove to be from £2 to £3. The maker is Mr. Trotiii an. Nurseryman, New Road, i HammersMiith, London, AV. It is mt ended to I be used with hot-water pipes, and a boiler is a i part of the stove itself. We know of a green- \ house built beside an entrance hall, the stove I warms the hall, and the pipe passes through the I wall and round the house, and answers admir- ably. Grapes Bursting.*— i?. -B.— It has been a com- I mon calamity all over the covmtry for grapes, THE FLORAL WORLD AXD GARDEN aUIDE/ 287 peiclies, nectarines, and other fr;iit to burst on ripeninpr, anl tlipie is no diiBL-al'y in ac- counting for it itwe remember the lonij drouprlit that occurred vttiile the I'ruit was snelliu;? and the he. ivy rain^ tiiat set in at the season of ripening. But bursting often indicates that the vines were insutSoiently fed while in full vigour of growth, and we fully believe that you gave them too little water" during the montlis of May and June, and in consequence the sUin of the berries got ha d and was unable to expand when a large supply of juice was thrown into them. Give ihem heavy drenching of soap- suds next summer, and you will f.ire better, not only as to the bunches, but in keeping down mildew. The vine you want to take out, should be moved at once, as it may be started rather early in the spring, when it would be injurious to expose it suddenly to ttie weather. If the wood is wi 11 ripened frost will not hurt a h;iray kind. The holly hedge must be cut with a sharp knife (not clipped) at the end of February. It should be only under a stern necessity that a knife should touch holly. The Araucariais, we suspect, too dry at the roots when growing. The tendency to go brown at the points, and even t ) lose the lower bi'anches, is common. 'Ihe soil in which it thrives best is a sound, deep loam, of course without manure. If you have reason to believe it is not tui iving in your sandy soil, we should advise opening a deep trench round it and fill in the trench with a mixture of stitf loam and leaf-mould, a^ preferable to taking the tree tip. Get " Sanders on the Vine." Roses Xewlt Bdddbd.— .7^. P. — Trim in all wild growths moderately, but do riot cut in any closer the shoots that are budded. In March cut. back every budded shoot to one wild bud above the inserted bud, and let that wild bud grow till the inserted has started well, when it may he removed close over tne newly-formed shnotofthe rose. Tue wild bud left is called the " sap bud," and its duty is to draw the sap to the inserted and thus help it to get its own living. Gbeaxiums out op Bloom.* — A. M. D. — The duration of bloom depends very much on treat- ment. Plants that are pot-bound will bloom early and sopu be exhaus'ed, and to ensure a succession of bloom alltheyear round, youmust grow a succession of plants. Those struck in July and August will give bloom at Christmas; these struck later, if in a warm house, will begin to b'.ooin in April, and so on. It is entirely a matter of management. Let the ice plants die, and sow seed early next spring. Seeds fhom Austealia.* — Amateur. — Cupressus pyramidalis is a hardy evt-ri^reen, well known under its more popular name of C. sempei-virens. Phormium is the Flax Lily, also hardy, and one of the handsomest of herbaceous plants. The Acacias are grcenlioiise kinds. The Isopogon requires greenhouse culture in fibiy loaiu three parts, flbry peat one pait, and a mo lerate amount of broiien charcoal and small potsherds added. It is an evergreen slirub. The Mimosa requires stove culture in sandy loam and peat. "VViih the exception of the Cypress and the Flax, the seeds must be raised in a brisk heat, after the turn of the year. The others may be sown in a cold frame in March. Dahlias foe next Seasoit.* — Wooiicille. — If you intend to show 21 you ought to grow 30. The Ibdowing you mav r<^ly upon as nood: — Miss Pres^ley," Lady Pophiim, Mrs. Church, Fanny ICeyi.Gs, Mrs. Critchet, Sir Jolm Frank- hn, C .lonel Windham, Sir C. ^'apier, 8ir H. Havelock, Triomphe de Pecq, Lord Bath, Midnight, Touchstone, Mr. Selden, Deutsche Wierde, Satirist, Lilac King, Fearless, Queen of Whites, Standard Bearer, Duchess of Nor- thumberland, King of Yellows, Goldtinder, Lollypop, George Glenuy, Bessie, Lord Cardi- gan," Dr. Gully, Flower of the Day, lion. Mrs. Trotter. Jfaucies : — Lady Paxtou, Triomphe de ltoub.aix. Baron Alderson, Coraus, Tarn O'Shan- ter. Duchess o; Kent, Illimitable, Miss Herbert, Cloapatra, Countess of Ueciive, Gloire no Ka;n, Tiger. Ttie seedlings of 1H59 we shouhl most recommend are:— Laly Taunton, Piuto, Mrs. H. Vyse, Lady fennant, and Oscar. tref.nhousb I'oxsTunciiox. — G. li. C. — The best mode of heating such a small house would be by means of furnace and flue on the old plan. SVe know nothing of the American stove, and the Arnott's stove is not suited for such a little place. A sis-inch pipe would do for the flue, 01- a brick on edge. With slates on the top for a narrow bid of sand. The vmtilaturs in iront and back wall would allow of the roiif being fixed, which is an advantage. The frames in front need noS have a supply of warm air; such a supply wotdd only involve inonveniences to annoy you. The three feet table will be too wide ; say two feet, and make the stiice of wood, and moveable, a foot wider; or divn. > the stage and have an eleva-.ed path along the baclj, with a shelf next the wall. Let the fo lowiuj4 lines represent, from left to right, the plan of front shelf, main walk, stage, back path, and back shelf :— There is no occasion tor an intermediate ease in managing the Waltonian. Mr. llibberd raises thousan is of plaits in it, and never yet experi- enced such a want. Why siiould the plants be suddenly lilted out, when they can be cooled down in the ease ? Greknhouse without Flue. — Sulscriber.~The best plan would be to carry a hot-water pipe round from the dwelling, but as you object to the expense, you may use one of those little portable stoves with safety, if you take care never to make a dust in the house. We have seer, many preenhouses protected from Jrost by means of those stoves, an I safety is in- creased bv adopting a pipe-flue, to pass out through the roof, where it can be protected by a mushroom-shaped cover. With such stoves accidents are very possible, and you had better attend to it whol.y yourself, and then you need he in no fear. Charcoal fumes are injurious to vegetation, but you would only use the stove during the prevalence of frost, and in mild weather the plants would recover from any slight injury by a proper ventilation. The amount of ventilation to be given while the stove is in use must be determined by your own judgment; give as much as you can consistently witb keeping the frost out. Plants foe Baskkts.* — Subscriber ab initio. — The following will suit you: — Double-flowering Nas- turtium, scarlet, brown, and yellow; Polygene suavis, sweet scented ; Ivy-leaf geranium, half- a-dozen kinds; Tropa'olum Jarratti and Brachy- seras, variegated ivies, Tradescantia zebrina. Climber fob a Dead Trile. — J. Z. L. — There is nothing to beat Irish Ivy for a dead tree. Vir- giniau creeper would cover it quicker than any ehmber we have, but it is not evergreen. VAP.iors. — A. B. — The matter is on our minds aa one that admits of little delay. AVe thought M.'a description rather fos:'-'y. S. li. — See an article on autumn-flowering bulbs; the VuricKated hy- drangea is very shy of its blooms. We cannot tell why the arum dues not flower. S.X.Z, — Such a house has been built for the money; of course prices differ in various p irts of the country, and fur that reason we cannot give prices of materials, as a price that would pay a tradesman in one place might prove a ioss in another. All we can honestly do in these mat- ters is to explain principles of construction. Show the plan to your own carpenter, and let 288 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. liiin give an estimate. J. 5'.— llowlett's " Prac- tical Kustic Work " may be obtained of Messrs. Jarrold, London Street, Norwich. Thompson's " Gardener's Assistant " is a good book for a beginner. J. 7).— Perhaps the bulk of the dung •was too small for such an exhaustion of heat as resulted from frost ; so r.ink the bed and use the removed earth, as a bank would greatly econo- mize heat. We shall endeavour to comply with a very general request on the other subject mentioned. J. A. Smith. — We cannot gather anything to interest our readers from your letter. Why not adverlise? Constant Suh- sc-riber. — Slate, stones, or rubble, from a build- ing-yard, will make the best foundation for the bed. G. A, Thompson — The Eccremocarpus must bo sown in heat in February. Your acacia is probably in too cold a situation, but as we do not know n-hat acacia it is of the many hundreds in cultivation, it is very hard to guess why the leaves fall off. Subscriber. — Sea- kale will be the subject of the next chapter of "Profitable Gardening." Subscriber. — The suckers may be grafted next spring if tho- roughly strong, but they would take grafts better the second season. Wisbech. — A solu- tion of corrosive sublimate in alcohol is the best preparation to keep away insects from dried plants. We cannot add to the instructions already given as to the making cf plaster moulds ; any plasterer or clever bricklayer could make them. M. A. — The Drawshave hoe may be obtained by sending 4s. to Mr. Powell, Hurst Green, Sussex. P. B. — Mix some fresh loam with the bones, and when spread on the grass roll in. Subscriber. — Nothing better than to- bacco-smoke, used with Gidney's fumigator, for mixed greenhouse stock. II. B. — Appears to be "Vesta." Inarching is the best mode with ivies, as recommended by Mr. Hewlett for pas- sion-flower. 'M. S. Ilelmore. — Probubly Pa- raffin would do for a Waltonian case, l/ut we never tried it, and never recommend a thing until we know its value. Our publishers will supply the numbers you want on receipt of stamps. Mrs. JSIilburne. — Smooth side out- wards. Tf. S. B., Licerpool. — Eefer to Mr, Howlett's numerous plans in previous numbers. We never give designs for particular situations to scale, because they would be of no use to any but those for whom they were designed. A rushlight on frosty days mil keep all safe till after Christmas in such a bouse; then set a Waltonian case to work, and you will never know the want of furnace. B. B. — The Minimum Thermometer, sold by Mr. G. Cox, of 5, Barbi- can, London, at 3s. 6(/., is as good as if you paid a guinea for one. METEOROLOGICAL CALENDAR EOR DECEMBER. 31 DATS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, DEC, 1858. j 31 DATS. WEATHER NEAR LONDON, DEC, 1858. | BAK03IETER. THERMOM, WIND. RAIN. 1 BAROMETER. THERMOM. WIND. RAIN MAX. MIN, MX. MN. MN. MAX. MIN. MX. MN. MN Th. 1 29.749- -29.633 50 33 44.0 W .02 s. 17 30.025- -29.783 42 38 40.0 SE .00 P. 2 29.945- -29.634 50 25 37.5 sw .03 s. 18 29.618- -29.457 49 34 41.5 S .02 S. 3 30 097- -30.030 50 43 46.5 sw .01 M. 19 39.453- -29.470 48 29 38.5 SW ,09 s. M. 4 5 29.948- 30.149- -29.863 50 35 42.5 SW NW .01 .00 , Tu. W. 20 21 39.677- 29.732- -29.543 -29.577 46 38 42.0 52 43 47.5 SW SW .04 .03 -29.965 47 27 37.0 Tu. 6 30.235- -29,960 39 25 32.0 NAV .01 1 Th. 22 29.742- -29.628 49 41 45.0 SW ,01 W. 7 30.161- -30.105 37 34 35.5 SE .00 1 F. 23 29.600- -29.157 51 37 44.0 SW .04 Th. 8 30.105- -80.187 38 35 36.5 NE .01 S. 24 29.516- -29.475 47 31 39.0 sw .01 F. 9 30267- -30.238 38 34 36.0 E .01 1 s. 25 29.658- -29.336 46 40 43.0 sw .25 S. 10 30.266- -30.239 35 33 31.0 E .00 M. 26 29.376- -29.220 48 37 42.5 w .17 s. 11 30.260- -30.240 35 34 34.5 E .00 Tu. 27 29.424 -29.353 44 37 40.5 w •05 M. 13 30.115- -29.889 38 30 34.0 S .10 W. 28 29.707- -29.630 44 28 36.0 w .02 Tu. 13 29.902- -29.783 43 36 39.5 S .00 Th. 29 30.047- -29.825 43 24 33.5 NW ,00 W. 14 30.164- -30.001 35 33 34.0 w .01 F. 30 30.12-1^30.049 40 39 39.5 w ,01 Th. 15 30.230- -30.055 40 34 37.0 NE .01 ! S. 31 30.182- -30.134 42 40 41.0 NE .01 P. 16 30.102- -30.066 38 34 36.0 S .00 AVERAGES FOE THE ENSUING MONTH. Averao-e of the barometer, 29.994; thermometer, maximum, 45'; minimum, 36'; menu, 40", Rain fall "1.5 inches. Prevailing winds, SSE. and SW. We do not usually have severe frosts in December, and very rarely^E. or N.E. winds, but damp often does as much mischief as frost, unless proper and timely precautions are taken against it. During the last thirty-two years the following have been the hio-best and lowest registrations of the thermometer. Highest, 1st, 1857, 62'; 7th, 1856 10th and 11th, 1848, GO' ; 13th, 1843,61'; 25th, 1827, .58'. Lowest, 30th, 1856, oth and 6th, 18«, 14';' 16th, 1853, 7"; 22nd, 1855, 9', The average temperature of Christmas night is lower than that of any night in the year. PHASES OF THE MOON FOR DECEMBER, 1859, 5 First Quarter, 2nd, Ih. 50m. p.m, € Last Quarter, 16th, 9h. 15m. p.m. O Full Moon, 10th, 3h. 13m. a.m. » New Moon, 25th, 5h. 47m, a.m. ) Fii'st Quarter, January 1st, lOh. 48m. a.m. MEETINGS AND EXHIBITIONS, DECEMBER, 1859. Wednesday, Thtjesdat, and Friday, Vth, 8th, and 9tb, Horticultural Society, St, James's Hall.— Thuesday, 15tli, British Pomological,— Thuesdat, 8th, and Thxtesday. 29th, Horticultural Society, Floral Committee, *#* Secretaries will ollige by forwarding Announcements , ScheMes, etc., of forthcoming Exhibitions. I New York boianicai vj<> 3 5185 00292 4858 N. MANCHESTER, iMni&NA liiif