MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE .M.-..R_yN/Al_der Per Jan ). ^z^^^^^,^^^^^/^ ^^^ ^yu^ ^ A^ /d^-^^ ^^^^ <2_ ^ ^^-s- ^ THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE ^ Secdtlj) CUustrntftr journal Horticulture and Allied Subjects. VOL Vll.-NEW SERIES. JANUARY TO JUNE, i877. LONDON: 41, WELLINGTON STEEET, COVENT GAEDEN, W.C. 1877. L LONDON : \nBURV, AGNEW, & CO., I'KINTERS, WHITEFRIARS. JANUARY TO JUNE, 1S77. Abies, distinguishing characters of, 178 Abies Engelmanni, 631, 792 821 ; A Fraseri, 147; A. Menziesii, 48, 214, 562 631, 728, 760 ; A. Menziesii and A Engelmanni, 790 : A. nobilis, 25 Abies Parryana at Knap Hill, 758 Abney Hall, the gardens at, 367 Abutilon Darwinii tessellatum, 598 ; A rosoeflorum, 622 Acacia dealbata, 81 Academy exhibition, the Royal, 619 Acclimatisation, notes on, 474 Acer Van Volxemii, 71 Adenium obesum, hairs from the Adiantum CapiUils-Veneris var. cornu biense, 504, 367 ; A. concinnun Fleraingii, 695 ; A. graciUimum. 568, 6do A, neoguineense, 12 ; A. palmat 40; A. spsciosur [69: of^ A. WiUiamsii, 571 633; 170, 3°3, cochlearis. Aerides crassifoliv Fieldingii, 138 Africa, note on Palm seeds fro;r Agave, review of the genus, 368, 527, 620, 717 Agave applanata, 7: 718; A. - neserti, 717 ; A. fililera, 303 ; A. tiu- fera var. filamentosa, 303 ; A. Ghies- breghtii, 620 ; A. Gilbeyi, 621 ; A. heteracantha, 369 ; A. Hookeri, 718 ; A. horrida, 621 ; A. Kerchovei, 527 ; A. latissima, 718 ; A. lophantha, 368 ; A. lophantha var. ccerulescens, 368 ; A. micrantha, 621 ; A. macrodonta, 621 ; A. Nissoni, 527 ; A. parviflora, 303 ; A. Peacockii, 621 ; A. Poselgerii, 527 ; A. Roezliana, 527 ; A. Salmiana, 718 ; A, schidigera, 51, 303 ; A. schi- digera princeps, 571 ; A. Schottii, 303 ; A. Sartorii, 622 ; A. Shawii, 717 ; A. splendens, 369 ; A. triangularis, 622 ; A. univittata, 368 ; A. Vanderwinneni, 620 ; A. Victorias reginae, 528 ; A. xylacantha, 527 Ellemeeliana, flowering 246 ; A. americana flowe ing Tresco Abbey, 820 Agaves, hybrid, list of, 439 Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the Royal, 727 Agricultural statistics, 141 Agriculture and gardening in Costa Rica, 440, 49+ Agriculture, msects injurious to, 310 Albert Memorial, Mr. Wills' design for covering the, 436 AlgK, fresh water, of the Cape of Good Hope, 468 Algeria and the South of France, vegeta- tion in, 146 : locusts in, 694 Algerian species of Crocus and Frilil- Alnwick Castle, the rainfall at, 116 Aloe roseo-cincta. A. Hanburyana, 792 Alpinia nutans, 662 Alps, the Wettertanne of the, 473 AlsophiU glauca, 751 Amarvllis, a seedling, 696 ; A. Princess Teck, 219 ; A. Storr's Beauty, 408 Amateur gardening, see Supplement, May 12, and Supplement, June 9 American and Italian Tuberoses, 147 American blight on Apple trees, whale oil a cure for, 344 American blight on the Auricula, 337 American fruit supply, the, 491 American Oaks, North, 440 American plants at Knap Hill, on the, SO. 757 American Potatos, 244 America, the fruit crops in, 147 ; the Po- tato crop in, 221 ; Vine raising in, 436 Amomophyllum Patinii, 139 Amsterdam Botanic Garden, 532 Amsterdam and Haarlem, to, 462 Amsterdam International Horticultural Exhibition, the, 468 ; the best thing at the, S36 ; the Congress at, 212 Amsterdam, Tulip literature at, 567 Amsterdam, on the road to, 337 Anchusa sempervirens, 731 Anderson, Mr. A., with portrait, 529 Andrews, Mr. James, death of, 24 Anemone fulgens, 82, 342 ; A, t 500 Anglesea, rainfall in 1876 at Bodorgan in, 14S Anglia, East, the fruit crops of. 696 ; the weather in, 600 Angolan Herbarium, Welwitsch's, 339 Animals in the flower garden, 603 Annuals, a gigantic garden of, 810 ; Messrs. Carter & Co.'s show of, 814 Anthurium .\ndr£eanum, 662 ; A. Brownii, 571 ; A. Dechardii. 622, 726 ; A. Scherze- rianum Wardii, 442 ; A. spathiphyllum, 632 Antigonon insigne, 780, 789 Antipodal Hyacinths, 591, 632 Antirrhinums at PinkhiU, 78 Ants, 281 Antwerp, the town of, 337 ; M. Charles Van Geerfs nursery at, 527 Aotus gracillima, 726 Apiary :— Bee-raister, how and when to become a, 434 ; drones, do bees mas- sacre the, 14 ; drones, massacre of, 594 ; honey in drones' cells, 732 ; Ligu- rian or Italian bees, 658 ; swarms, new, 753 Apples, Baldwin and Lady, in Guernsey, 662; Calville Blanche, 729 Cox's Orange Pippin, 766 : Pippin, 602 Apple trees, nature and cause of canker Apple trees, whale oil a cure for American blight on, 344 April, Orchids in, 56S, 601 Aquatic contest, the, 373 Aquilegia chrysantha, 622 Aquilegias, new hybrid, 730 AraUa filicifolia, 367, 571 Araucaria Cookii in New Caledonia, 83 Arboretum and shrubbery for Beriin, 245 Arboriculture, Chinese, 568 Arctic Fxpedition, scurvy in the, 372 Aria Hostii, 768 Artichoke, the Jerusalem, on the origin Artificial flowers and fruit, 336 Ash and the Oak, the, 632 Ash trees and horse-shoes, 726, 791 Asia, Central, Melons from, 270, 303 Asparagus, a quick method of forcing, 83 Asparagus, fine, 596 Aspects for plant-houses, 13S, 20 j, 303 Aspidiotus pandani, 732 Assam, Potato culture in, 17S I Asterabad, vegetable products of, 653 I Athens, letter from, 306 Atholia, a tour round, 651 [178 Atmospheric moisture in Orchid-houses, I Aubrietia coaspicua, 694 Auricula, the, 249 ; and the Polyanthus, 1 338, 403 Auricula Society's southern show, the I National, 113, 434 I Auricula, the American blight on the, 537 Auricula Topsy, 12 Auriculas, mealy-leaved, 475 ; on potting, 663 ; self alpine, 34 Auriculas, the Kirkby Malzeard, 470 ; at Loxford Hall, 407 Auriculas, the, in spring, 174 Australian Cycads, 48 Austria, social standing of gardeners in, 144 Atituran plan'ed Potatos, 52 Azalea, Dodder on an, 344 Azalea Mrs. Carmichael, 313 Azaleas, Ghent, on the origin of, 18 Azaleas, propagating, 76S Bacteria, development of the germs < 310: Dr. Cohn on, 310 Bahmie Cotton, 561, 790 Balearic Islands, spring in the, 633 Bambusa Ragamowski, 50 Bananas, 438 Banded Rush, the, 398 Bangalore, the drought and famine ; &c., 7S4 ; effects of the drought at, 8 Bauhinia petiolata, 751 Bark, hares and rabbits gnawing, 342 Barnes, Mr. James, death of, 700 Barosma serratifolia, 436 Bedding, Lantanas for, 304 Bedding out at Chiswick House, 470 Bedfordshire, plants of, 179 Beech trees. Weeping, 633 Beekeeper, how and when to become a. Bees, Ligurian or Italian, 65S ; the scarcity of Holly berries and, 83 Beetle, the Colorado, 333, 669 Beetles, injurious, 79t Begonia Gloire de N ancy, 730 Belsfield Gardens, Windermere, 526 Ben Nevis, notes of a botanical excursion Berlin Horticultural Society, 470 Berries, Holly, scarcity of, 32, 148 Bettws Newydd, resuscitated Yew at. Birch, witch-knots on the, 2.(9 Birds and Flowers, 49S Birds-nests, do not rob, 438 Birds, protection of, 534 ; the sports of 142 Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 750 Blackberries, 116 Blackthorn in bloom on January 9, S3 Blair Athole, 683, 720 Blair Athole plants, 729, 761 [758 Blue Glass, -growth of Vines under 590, Blunders in gardening, 12 Boboli gardens, Florence, the, 173 Boiler, the Endless FUme Impact, 374 Boilers, the heating power of, 408 - Bolbophyllum Pahndii, 732 BoUea ccelestis, 366 Bomarea Carderi, 12 Bone-dust per acre, 119 Books for villa gardeners, Supplement, 'Tropical Succulents, 249 ; .\rtistic Amusements, Supplement, May 12 ; Artistic Decorations for Ballrooms, &c.. Supplement, May 12 ; Bernardin's L'Afrique Centrale, 539 ; Bevan's British Manufacturing Industries, 497 ; Brown's A Plea for the Creation of a School of Forestry in connection with the Arboretum at Edinburgh, 603 ; Brown's Forests and Moisture, 443 ; Bulletin d'Arboriculture, 184 ; Bur- bidge's Cultivated Plants their Pro- pagation and Improvment, 372 ; Cas- sell's Familiar Wild Flowers, 208; Christy's Forage Plants, 151 ; Church's Food: some Account of its Sources, Constituents and Uses, 412 ; Compen- dio di Flora Italiana, 443 ; Cordier's Les Champignons, 131 ; Coutance's L'Olivier, 721 ; Darwin's Cross and Self Fertilisation of Plants, 276 (see Fenilisation) ; Depuiset's Les Papil- lions, 151 ; Elwes' Monograph of the Genus Lilium, 438, 603 ; Gar- dener, the, 54. 2o3 : Guillemin's The Forces of Nature, 497 ; Hulme's Familiar Wild Flowers, 443 ; Hume's Game Birds of India, 497 ; Journal of Forestry, the, 603 : Journal of the Bath and West of England Society, 34;; Journal of the Linnean Society, 343 ; Kingsford's Reminiscences of Animals, Birds, Fishes, and Meteoro- I logy, 443 ; King's the Window Ob- servatory, Supplement, May 12 ; Kolb's Theorie des Gartenb.aues, 656 ; Lange's Souvenirs de I'Ancieri lardin Botanique, 497 ; Marshall's BifdneSt- I ing in India, 497; MoUison's The New 1 Practical Window Gardener, Supple- ment, May 12; Mueller's Select Plants readily eligible for Industrial Culture or Naturalisation in Victoria, 412 ; Mur- ray's Economic Entomology, 249, 404 ; Natural History Journal, the. Supple- ment, May 12 ; Notes on Observations of Injurious Insects, 60^ ; Nurseryman's Directory, the, 345 ; Philology, 443 ; Quin's Garden Recipes, Supplement, [ May i2_; Riley's Potato Pest! Pflanzenwelt Norwegens, &c., 475 : Smiles' The Life of a Scotch Naturalist, 4TI ; Smith's Mushrooms and Toad- stools, 23 i Stackhouse's Hardy Plants for Little Front Gardens, Supplement, May 12 ; Stormonth's Etymological and Pronouncing Dictionary, 184 ; Thome's Structural and Physiological Botany, 20S ; Victorian Year Book, the, 412 ; Villa Gardener, the, 34, 208, 343 ; Vogl's Les Aliments, 412 ; Wald- heira's Apercu Systematiquedes Ustila- gindes, 722 ;' Wrightson's Agricultural Text Book, 816 Books, relating to Tulips at Amsterdam, 50D [3;8 Borderland, on the HoUando-Belgian, Borders, trees in, 696 Borders, Vin^. 150 ; why are inside borders rootless, 150 Boronia elatior, 732 Boskoop, the nurseries of, 630 Botanical class at the Edinburgh Uni- Botanicai excursion to Ben Nevis, notes of a, 334 Botanic Gardens, Amsterdam, 532 ; Birmingham, '730 ; Brussels, 623 ; Edinburgh, the, 309 ; Grahamstown, South Africa, no; Jamaica, 630; Leyden, 598 ; Melbourne, 342 ; Padua, 9 Botanic Garden, the proposed new, at Hull, 596 Bolryanthus conicus, 409 Bottom-heat, its use and abuse, 11, 76 ; without cost, 107, 140, 180 Bougainvillea glabra, on the cuhure of, Bouquets, Raikes' Fan, Supplement, BournernoutVWinter Garden, the, 77 Boxes, hatching, 52 Boxes, outside window, 507 Boxes, Potato spritting, 149 Brassica Napus, 247 ; hereditary de- formity in, 14S Braun, Dr. A., death of, 43S ; memoir of (with portrait), 623 Britain, on the gardens and gardeners of. Broccoli, in Cornwall, 31 ; Veitch's self- protecting autumn, 22, 83. 213 Brongniart, the late A. (with portrait), 624 Brussels Botanic Garden, 623 Brussels Sprouts, 150 Buckley fund, the 180 Bulb fields of Haarlem, the, 326, 339 Bulb season of 1876, the, 10 Bulrush and the Reed, the, 747, 779 Bulrush, the, as a pickle, 406 Burial grounds, our, 728 Burrs, and bud variations in trees, 311 Butterfly, the first, 184 ; the clouded yellow, 8j6 C.ESALI'INIA brevifolia, 215 Calanthe vesiita rubro-oculata gij 219 ; leopardina, 752 Calceolarias, herbaceous, 695, 725 California, Raisin culture in, 17; Wheat rust in, 398 Calliphruria suljedentii Camassia esculenta, 12 Leichtlinii, Cambridge, Ma,ss., notes from, 474 Camellia blooms from the open-air, 244 Camellia disease, a curious, 628 Camellia Madame Cachet, 758 ; reticu- lata, at Chiswick House, 500 Camellia, on the renovation of the, 697 Campbell, Mr. A., death of, 119 Campanula AUioni, 762 ; x C. Hauss- manni, 146 ; Rapunculus, 819 Campanulaceous plant, a remarkable, 146 Canaries; cochineal in the, 592 Canker, on the nature and cause of, io Apple trees, 146 Caper Spurge, the, 762 Caibolic acid and paraffin, ;t Carbonic acid, absorption of, by plants. 146 INDEX. C-irJamine pratansis, as a salad harb, 758 Cards, fungoid Christmas, 23, 53 Carlisle, Internationil Horticultural Ex- Carnation show in London, the proposed. Carnation Souvenir de la M ilniiison, 563, 630, 65+ Carnations and Picotees, exhibition of, 145 Carnations, tree, Guelder Rose, and Rose Perfection, 313 Carnivorous properties of Zonal Pelar- goniums, 694 Carob tree, the, 765 ; in Portugal, 144 Carpet bedding, and the plants used in it, Supplement, May 12 (with coloured plate) Carse Tares, 278 Caserta, the cascade at, 62S Catasetum Gnomus, 6^2 ; C. scurra, 220, 304 Cattleya SchiUeriana, 752 ; C. Skinneri alba, 730, 8 10 Cauliflowers, 182 Ceanothus, hardiness of, 793, 82 1 Cedars of Lebanon, the, 39,' 117, 150 Cedar, the red, at fnverary, 404 Celery, on the culture of, 663 ; in market gardens, 696 Ceitis australis, 413 Centropogon I^ucyanus, 270 Ceratonia Sihqua, 144, 765 Cereals, development of, from northern seeds, 80 Cereals, our, 663 Ceylon, climate, -j-i,-^ Chafers, 476 Chairs, rustic, 815 Chalk soils, lime for, 43S ChamEerops Fortune!, 468 Chemical vapours, extirpation of Thistles byi 147 Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus, 694 Cherry, a double-blossomed, 628 Cherry, the Morello, as a standard, 630 Cheshire, the Primrose in, 567 Chicory or VVitloof, as grown in Belgium, 48 Cninese arboriculture, 568 Chiswick House, bedding-out at, 470 ; Camellia reticulata at, 500 Chlidanthus fragrans, 377. 409 Chorozema cordatum splendens, 150, 500 Christmas cards, unseasonable, 53 Chrysanthemums, dwarf, 21 Church decoration, " May " for, 503, sh^ Cinchona febrifuge, the new. 725 Cinchona studies, by Otto Kuntze, 663 Cinchona tree, uprooting of, 212 Cinerarias, double, 662, 695 ; new double white, S19 ; Mary and Tiio.mas Winter, Clapton, the Phatenopsis at, 311 Clematis Aurora, 442 ; C. calycina, for making wreaths, 82 Clematis, Messrs. Jackman's exhibition of, 598 Clematis, the wild, 334 Ciianthus puniceus,"53S Climate and productions of Turkestan, 30S Climate of Russia, 534 Climbing plants, 278 Clive House Seedling Grape, the so-called, S4 Cochineal in the Canaries, 592 Cochliostema Jacobianum, 566, 727 Cockchafer, the, 700, 7ot ; destruction caused by, on the Continent, 406 ; kill- ing, 438 Cocoa-nut in Queensland, the, 635 Codonanthe Devosiana, S34 Coslogyne cristata, 247, 278, 308, 596 Coffee, cultivation and exportation of Liberian, 685 Coleus Duchess of Edinburgh, 752 Colorado Abies Menziesii, 48, 214 Colorado beetle, the, 333, 669 ; a remedy for the, 8i3 Columbia, return of Messrs. Carder and Shuttleworth from, 18 Comfrey, the Prickly, in Ceylon, 18 ; at Malabar, 50 COMMiTTEE,THE Scientific :— Aspidio- tus Lataniae, 377 ; Aquilegias, hybrid, 731 : Asplenium faileyense, 731 ; Athous niger, 377 ; Auricula, American blight on the, 377, 441 ; Barley, coloured, 219, 313 ; Berkeley, Rev. M.J,, portrait of the, 506 : Calliphruria sp., 83; Cetonia, cocoon of, 441 ; Cherry tree, grafted, 635 ; Citron fingered, 441 ; Coffee diseases, 313, 377, 441 ; Crocuses, 85, 219, 3r3 ; Cu- pressus Lawsoniana, hermaphrodite flowers of, 635 ; Cycad cones, 377 ; Cyclamen, monstrous, 85 ; Dammara robusta, 506 ; Daphne Laureola, 85 ; Diospyros Kaki, 85 ; Doryanthes cx- gra- s, 634 : Eucharis ' ' dens, 441 : forage, Prickly Pear as, 219; Fritillarias and other bulbous plants in flower, 506 ; Gladiolus dis- ease, 44r : Hepialus humuli, 377 ; Homalomena peltata, 219 : insects, Australian, 85. 219 ; Japanese books, Maize, removal of the male flowers of, 377 ; malformations, various, 730 ; Medlar leaves, diseased, 634 ; Muscari, species of, 377 ; Mushroom, new variety of, 635 : Narcissus calathinus, 441 ; N. rupicofa, 441 ; Narcissus flies, 730 ; Oak from Fiume, 219 ; Onion smut, 44t, 634 ; Osiers, diseased, 85 ; Phyl- loxera^ 634 : Pines, exudation from the leaves of, 377 ; plants exhibited. 729 ; Poinciana pulcherrirna, 794 ; pollen, action of, on seed, 313 ; pupa from bran, 634 ; Posoqueria formosa, 794 ; Quercus humilis, 219 ; Prunus cera- sifera, 313 ; proceedings of the com- mittee, 377 ; Primroses, monstrous, 635 ; Rhododendrons, 506 ; Rhodo- dendron leaves, damaged, 506 : sap, course of the, 83 ; scion on stock, influence of. 731 ; seed, action of pollen on, 219 : Silene, hybrid, 377 ; Smee, the late Mr. A., 85: Strombocarpus pubescens, 441 : Triticum repens. 85 ; Vine leaves, diseased, 506 ; Violets, malformed, 634 ; Wheat, Mummy, 313 Common lands, enclosure of, 27S Composts for plants, 185 Concert at Melcliet, a, 598 Conifer, discovery of a new, in Europe, 470 Conifers, on the growth of, in spring, 790 Cordia decandra, 732 Cornus alba, 502 Cornwall, winter Broccoli in, 51 CoroniUa glauca, 280 Corsican Crocuses, 246 Costa Rica, agriculture and gardening in, 440, 494 Cotoneaster vulgaris, 51 Cottages, on decorating the forecourt gardens of, 178 Cotton, a new variety of, 561, 790 ; im- ports of, 50 Coulombier Peach, the, 138 Course of the sap, on the, 18 r Coverts, game, on planting, 175 Cox's Orange Pippin Apple, 766 Craft, the woodman's, 573 Cramb, Mr. A. , death of, 604 Cressage Oak, the, 3t2 Cress, Mustard and, as grown for market, 14 Crinum aquaticum, 471 Critchley's heat regulator, 468 Crocus and Fritillaria, the Algerian species of. 45 Crocuses, Corsican, 246 Crops, how to preserve from rats, 408 Crops, rotation of, and profitable garden- ing, 476 Croton camptophyllus, 367 ; C. Earl of Derby, 378 ; C. falcatus, 367 ; C. fasciatus, 367: C. Mortii, 219: C. paradoxus, 367 ; C. MacArUiuri, 377 Croweas, on the culture of, 558 Cucumber disease and *' Salus," 535, ^6j, 792,818 Cucumber disease, 600 ; stamped out, 632, 792 Cultivation, steam, in the garden, 436 Cunningham, Mr. D. W., death of, 539 Curmeria Wallisii, io3, 214 Cyananthus lobatus, 752 Cycads, Australian, 48 Cycas media latissima, 219 Cyclamen, a double, 340 Cyclamen culture, 409 Cyclamen, essay on the, with coloured plate. Supplement, June 9 Cyclamen growers, bad news for, 470 Cyclamen persicum, 1 10 ; C. persicum compactum magnificum, 219 ; C. per- sicum var. Brilliant, 442 ; C. persicum var. Ruby, 373 Cydonia japonica flore-alba, 219 Cyperus esculentus, experiments with, 375 Cypripedium Bo.xalli, ^67 ; C. Druryi, 752 ; X C. euryandrum, 752 ; C. Hay- naldianum, 272, 752 ; C. occidentale, 727 : spectabile, 791 Cypripediums, hardy, on the culture of. Cymbidium gigante Dahlias, new, of i8;6, s Dahlias, propagating, 278 ; Dale Park, the rainfall at, 116 Dale testimonial, the, 6or Darlingtonia californica, 6S2, 761 Darwin, Mr., presentationof a testimonial to, 244 (see Fertilisation) Dasylirion longifolium, 493, 567 Davidsonia pruriens, 820 Decorative plants : hardy Ferns, 503 Deformity in Brassica Napus, hereditary, 148 Dennst:edtiadavallioides Voungii. 313, 377 Dendrobium Ainswortbii, 75r ; D. arach- nostachyum, 334 ; D. crassinode, 281 ; D. crassinode Barberianum, 313 ; D. crepidatum, 751; D. Findleyanum, 334; D. formostim, 694 ; D. Griffithianum, 590; D. Guiberti, 138; D. Lindleyanum, 85 ; D. lituiflorum robustius, 781 ; D. Mohlianum, 139 ; D. nobile, 468 ; D. nobile, abnormal inflorescence of, 602 ; D. Petri, 107 ; D. Pierardii 439 ; D. praecinctum, 750 ; D. pulchel- lum, 503 ; D. sculptum, 442 ; D. speciosum var. Hillii, 112, 179; D. Stricklandianum, 749 ; D. suavissiraum, 697 ; D. thyrsiflorum, 653, 694, 728 ; D. tipuliferum, 72 Derham, Mr. J., death of, 700 Desfontainea spinosa, 345, 377 Destruction caused by cockchafers, 406 Dickson, Mr. Thomas, death of, 413, 444 Digging machine, a, 178 Dingle, Llewellyn's, 3or Diospyros Kaki, 209, 28 r Disease, origin of the Potato, 400 Disease prevention in Potatos, 376 Disease, the new Cucumber, 600 ; stamped out, 632 Disease, the Hollyhock, 114 Dodder on the Azalea, 344, 408 Doves, stock, 208 Downie & Laird's Nursery at PinkhiU, 77 Dracrena indivisa, rt6; at Tresco, 82 ; hardiness of in Ireland, 79 Dracaena Mrs. Bause, 57t ; x D. termi- nalis alba, 313 Dracocephalum speciosum, 752 Draining for forest planting, &c., 84 Drays and squirrels, 402 Drechsler's fumigator, 567 Drimiopsis Kirkii, 138 Drones, do bees massacre the ? 14, 594 Drummond Castle, 663. 683 Drury Lane garden, 630 Duboisia Hopwoodii, 694 Dupplin Castle, the gardens at, 240 Dyckia frigida, 752 Dynevor Castle, rainfall at, 1 16 ; flowe 430 Echinocactus cylindraceus. 240 ; the Eagle's Claw, 749 ; E. viridescens, 172 Economic entomology, 404 Edinburgh Bjtanic Garden, 309 ; notes on open-air vegetation at, 495 Edinburgh University, botanical class at, 598 Educating horticulturists, 311 Education of gardeners. 660 Elais guineensis, the oil Palm tree, 372 Elder, the, 733 Electricity, tree felling by, 413 Embia, the web of the, 50 Emu Creek, Queensland, hailstorm at, 81 Encephalartos Altensteinii, no; E. villosus, 21 Enterprise in the seed trade, 567 Entomology, economic, 404 Entrance to a park, design for an, 43 Enville, destruction of flowers at, 694 Epacris onosmceflora flore-pleno nivalis, 341 Epiphyllum truncatum, 20 Erica codonodes, 17, 5:, 462 h-rica vagans, localities for, in Scotland, 118 Eriobotrya japonica, 791 Eucalyptus globulus in Lancashire, 503 Eucalyptus, the, in India, 179 Eucalyptus, rate of growth of various species of, 144 Eucharis amazonica, 179, 213 ; in the Garston vineyard, 83 EulaUa japonica var. zebrina, 564 Eiionymus japonicus, 117, 822; E. radi- cans, 48 ; E. radicans variegata, 791 Eupatoriums, winter flowering, 247 Europe, a new Conifer in, 470 Euryale ferox, 244, 280 Eurycles australasica, 276. 313 Exhibitions, vegetable, 181 Experiences, my gardening. Supplement, June 9 Falmouth, Kimberley Park, 693 Family, the supply of a, 82 Farming, flower, 592 Farming in the Carse of Gowrie, 47S, 540 Fashion and flower shows. Supplement, June 9 Febrifuge, the new Cinchona, 725 February, effects of the mild weather in, r77 ; Orchids flowering in, 280 Fellowship, the Guinea, 15 r Fences, on erecting and maintaining. Fermenting materials on Vine borders, 84 Ferns at The Mumbles, 794, 822 Ferns, hardy as decorative plants, 503 ; of Madagascar, 468 ; some friendly, 589 : the vagaries of, 280 Fertilisation of plants, the Rev. G. Henslow on the, 42, 139, 233, 214, 246, 270, 276, 336, 534, 560 Festivals, old May-day, 557 Ficus Cooperi, 213 ; F. I'arcelli, 752 Fig, the Negro Largo, 81 Fir trees, productive, 631 Fish, gold, 658 Flora in the household, Supplement, June 9 Floral clock, the, 603 Flora of Iceland, recent contributions to the, 74 Flora of Marocco, the, 308 Flora of Rodriguez, D/. J. B. Balfour on the, 210 Florentine gardens, 173, 203 Florida Moss, the, 212 Florists' Flowers :— Antirrhinums, 78 ; Auriculas, 174, 249. 338 ; Auricula and Polyanthus, the, 338, 402 ; Auriculas, meal-leaved, 475 ; Auriculas, potting, 663 ; Auriculas, self alpine, 54 ; Auri- culas at Loxford Hall, 497 ; Carnation show, the proposed, in London, 248 ; Cyclamen persicum, no ; Dahlias, bedding, 785 ; Dahlias, new, 53 ; Dahlias, sending out , 530 ; flowers of 1876, the new, 14 : Fuchsias, new, 722 ; Gladiolus, new, 53 ; Hyacinths, the new, 53 ; loves of the florists', the, 625 ; Narcissus, 626 ; National Auricula Society's southern show, 434 ; National Carnation and Picotee Society's south- ern show, 498 ; Pansies, 78 ; Pelargo- niums, new, S3 ; Pentstemons, 77 ; Phloxes, 78 ; Pinks, 338 ; Polyanthus, gold-laced, 530 ; Polyanthus, the fancy, 306 ; Primrose, a double, 473 ; Stocks, double, 626 I Tulip lore, 220 ; Tulips, 274, 402, 626 ; Wallflower, the, 593 Florists' flowers, at the PinkhiU Nursery, 77 I" lorists, the loves of the, 625 Flower farming, 592 Flower gardening. Supplement, May ra Flower gardening, the annuals in, 603 Flower market, the new Vienna, 212 Flower-pois, the trade in, 80 Flower sermon, the, 662 Flowers and birds, 498 Flowers and foliage, natural arrangement of, 662 Flowers and fruit, artificial, 336 Flowers, displays of, 436 Flowers, Easter, 433 ; sweet-scented, 73S Folklore, weather, 118 Forest planting, 274 ; draining for, 84 Forest scene in Central America, 733 I-'orest schools, study in, 46 Forest trees of America, catalogues of, 502 Forests of France, notices in the. 438 nation of, 720 ; planting, notes on, 274; trees, on the care of, 370, 475 ; trees which best bear the weiglit of snow, 3t5 Forestry, state ; its aim and object, 471 Forestry, the pr3posed journal of, 537 Forsythia, note on the flowers of, 3*43 Fota Island, rainfall at, in 1876, 474 Fourcroya gigantea, 374; V. longoeva, 663 Foxgloves, 632 Frame, -J-span roof, i3o France, notices in the forests of, 438 ; the Phylloxera in, 278 Franciscea confertiflora, 342 Fremontia californica, 820 Friends, one of ihe gardener's, 280 Fritillaria Hookeri, 810 Fritillaria and Crocus, the Algerian species of, 45 Fritillaria Meleagris, n Frost, the, 600 ; and the fruit crops, 632, 692 ; effects of, on evergreen leaves, 178 Fruit banquet at Cockermouth, 694 Fruit blossom, the, 247 Fruit, cheap and efticacious guard for. Fruit crops, the, 700 INDEX. Fruit crops in America in 1876, the, 147 ; in East Anglia, 696 ; and the frost, 632, 692 ; the wreck of the, 761 Fruit, Guernsey, 527 Fruit orchards round London, 629 Fruit prospects, the, 280, 313, 600 ; around Fulham, 536 ; and the weather, 568, S21 ; in Kent, 757 ; and the weather in South Lincolnsliire, 632 Fruit supply, the American, 491 Fruit, the extended culture of hardy, 112 Fruit tree culture, Dr. Koch on, 245 Fruit trees, nutrition of, 622, 686 ; un- pruned, 405 Fruiting of Holly twice in one year, 84 Fruits and vegetables of 1876, the, 19 Fruits, varieties of, raised by Thomas Andrew Knight, 170 Fuchsia Arabella as grown by Mr. Ley, Fuchsia Earl of Beaconsfield, 436 Fuchsia serratifolia and fulgens, 72S ; splendens, 244 Fuchsias, new, 722 ; on the culture of specimen, 206 Fulham, fruit prospects round, 536 Fumigator, Drechsler"s new, 567 Fungi, mimicry in, 170 Fungi of " Whales," the, 52 Fungi, on distinguishing the innoxious from the poisonous, 502 Fungoid Christmas and New Year's cards, 20 Fungus exhibitions, Dr. Gaeppert on, 502 Fungus spawn from garden bed and Mushroom beds, 663 Fungus, the Potato. 43g ; the resting- spore of th -■ Potato, 407 Furze, 809 Gala, the Yorkshire, 375 Galls, vegetable, the history of, 212 Game coverts, on planting, 174 Garden dairy and account-book, a, iS Garden, the Drury Lane, 630 Garden frame, J-span roof, 180 Garden on the hearth, Supplement, June 9 Garden, on the management of the kitchen, 239 Garden roots, large v. small, 3ir Garden seats, 815 ; walks, 214, 3t3 Gardeners, a caution to, 147 Gardeners at Moscow, 309 Gardeners, British, 401, 528, jZ^ Gardeners, education ot, 311, 660; in Gardener's friends, one of the, 280 Gardeners, hints to young, 20 ■ Gardeners" Royal Benevolent Institution, the, 147, 213, 247, 343 Gardeners, social standing of, in Austria, Gardeners, young, at Kew, lessons to, 631, 664, 694 Gardening, amateur, Supplement, June 9 Gardening experiences of Mr. Mulberry Gillyflower, Supplements, May 12 and Gardening, flower, Supplement, May 12 Gardening for amateurs. Supplement, May 12 Gardening in the North of England, 762 ; popular, Supplement, June 9 Gardening, profitable, and rotation of crops, 476 Gardens and gardeners of Great Britain, 203 ; Japanese Gardens, Florenti house, 433 Garrya elliptica, 107 Garston, Eucharis amazonica at, S3 Gateshead, the public park at, 792, S21 Gavin, Mr. John, death of, 539 Geranium anemonifolium, 438 ; platype- Germany, education of young gardeners Gladiolus, new, Gladioli Gladiolus, on planting the, 177 Glass, roses under, 602 ; blue, for Vir 590, 738 Glastonbury Thorn, the, 50 Glendinning. Mr J. S., death of, 20S Glen Eyre, Southampton, 752 Globba Schomburgkii, 752 Gloxinia Paragon, 730 Gloxinias, fine, 534 Goat-sucker, the. 14, 46, 142, 184 Goldie's, Mr., collections in New Guinea, Golynos Oak, the, 720 Gongora Charontis, 684; grossa, 781; portentosa, 752 Gorse, 899 ; on the blooming of, 502 Gowrie, farming in the Carse of, 478, 540 Grahamstown, the botanic gardens at, Grammatophyllum Roemplerianum, 240 Grape, Alnwick Seedling, 314, 376 ; Clive House Seedling, 84, t79, 214 ; Golden Champion, 150 ; Gros Cohnan, 150 ; Gros GuiUaunie, as grown by Mr. Roberts, ir7 ; Mrs. Pince's Black Mus.:at, 44 ; the vagaries of, 21 ; Royal Ascot, 664; Waliham Cross, 409, 473 Grapes, outdoor, 8r4 ; in Queensland, 694 Grapes, notes on, 84, 147 ; on thinning, 406 Grapes, which are the best late, to, 51, 116, 469, 664 Gravel, yellow, 269 Green Lorn or Maize, 493 Greenhouse plant culture, 106, 558, 623, 653. 759 Greenhouse, the villa garden, 22 Growth, spiral, on, 48 Guard for fruit trees, cheap and effica- cious, 3t2 Guernsey, Baldwin and Lady Apples in, 662 ; fruit prospects in, 792 Guernsey fruit, 527 Guinea fellowship, the, rst Gunnersbury, the Orchid-house at, 146 ; the Rose-house at, 473, 568 Haarlem and .Amsterdam, to, 462 Haarlem and its bulb fields, 526, 559 Habranthus Hesperius. 784 Habrothamnus elegans, 82 ; H. Newelli, Hoemanthus multiflorus and its a 65s Hailstorm at Emu Creek, So Hailstorm relief fund, the, r73 Hales, Dr. Stephen, biographical noti< Hampshire, Seakale on the coast of, the tropical forests of, 146 Hansteins method of rendering \ table tissues transparent, 18 Hardenbergia bimaculata, 150 Hardy fruit culture, ti2 Hares and rabbits gnawing bark, vent, 342 Dntributic the pre- in, Mr. John, death of, 208 Hatching boxes, Norwegian, 52 Hawfinch, the, 498, 539 Hearth, a garden on the. Supplement, Heat, bottom, its use and abuse, 11, 76 ; without cost, 107, 140, 180 Heat regulator, Critchley's, 468 5°, Heating power of boilers, the, 408 Heating, terrestrial, 715 Heatherbank, the Lil.es at, 439 Hedgehogs, do not kill, 438 Helichrysum graveolens, 784 Helix pomatia, 692, 728, 760, 792 Helleborus, on the species of, 432, 464 Helleborus niger seeding, 792 Hemp culture in Italy, 790 Henslow, the Rev. G., on the fertilisation of plants, 42, 139, 203, 270. 336, 534.560 Hepatica, the so-called double whiie, ir5 Herbarium, Dr. Welwitschs Angolan, 309 Hereford Society for Aiding the Indus- trious, the, 438 Herts, West, the weaiher of 1876 in, 182 Hesperantha longituba, 652 Hibiscus esculentus, 561 ; syriacus. 179 Highland and Agricultural Society, the. Highways, our, 144 Hindoos, trees worshipped by the, 820 Hints to young gardeners, 2t HoUando- Belgian borderland, on, 378 Holland, tour in, 43 r Hollies, list of male-flowered, and fruit bearing, 7S2 Holly berries, the scarcity of, 19, 52, 148 ; and bees, 83 Holly flowers, abundance of, 756 Holly in flower at Christmas, 118 Holly, the, a dicecious plant, 79 ; notes on the fruiting of the, 7S2 Holly tree fruiting twice in one year, 84 Hollyhock disease, the, 114: and "tralus," 821 Homalomena pellata, 273 ; picturata, 784 Hops, spent, 409 ; for Potato culture, 51 Horse Radish, on the culture of, 20 Hotbeds on Vine borders, 151 Hothouses, workers in, 812 House gardens. Japanese, 207, 433 Household, Flora in the, Supplement, J" Hull Botanic Garden, the proposed i 596 Hunt, Mr. J., death of, 444 Hurricane at Inverary Casile, 537 Hutton Hall, the weaiher at, 53 Hyacinths, antipodal, 591, 632 Hyacinths, Mary and alba maxima, : Hyacinths, new, 53 Hyacinthus candicans, 663 Hydrangea Thomas Hogg. 753 Hydrocharis morsus-ranre, 72S Hymenocallis adnat.i, 78^ Hypolitrum latifolium, 785 Icr.LAND, Ilex Aquifolium, 408 Imantophylliim miniatum princeps, 341 Indian Tea culture, 310 India, Cinchona cultivation in, 212 ; the Eucalyptus in, 179 India, vegetables for, 410 Industrious, the Hereford Society for aiding the, 438 Industry, horticultural, 310 Insects and plants, relatioDS between, 246. 278, 279, 304, 439, 467 Insecticides aod Phylloxera, 75 Insects, hurtful, on stamping-out, 694; injurious to agriculture, 310; noxious, Mr. A. Murray on, 718, 724 Inundations at Fulham, the, 114 Inverary Castle, hurricane at, 537 ; the Rtd Cedar at, 404 Italian and American Tuberose Italy, notes of a spring tour m, culture in, 790; Vine culture Ivy, the, 429, 472, 537, 563, 665, 697, 761 Ixia hybrids, ri Ixolirion Pallasii, 785 JABORANDI, history and uses of the, 50 January, general operations for, 54 ; Orchids in, 148 ; the Blackthorn in bloom in, 83 Japanese house gardens, 207, 433 Japanese ideas of ripe Peaches, 50 Japanese Mushrooms, 410 Japanese new year celebrations, plants Japanese Persimmon, the, 209 Japan, Rice culture in, 144 Japan, sugar in, 759 Jasmine, fruiting of the common white, Jerusalem Artichoke, on the origin of the, 472 Journal of Forestry, the. 537, 603 Journal, the Natural History, 310 Jute in New South Wales, 726 Kalosanthes, on the culture of, 75 Kernies Oak, the, Sparta, 593 Kew Gardens, 733. 78S ; the lessons to young gardeners at, 631, 664, 694 ; Orchids in flower at, 271 ; plants in flower on the rockwork at, 566 ; spring flowering shrubs at, 310 ; the new phy- siological laboratory at, 16 ; the water plague at, 278 Keynes, Mr. John, complimentary supper to, at Edinburgh. 596 Kimberley Park, Falmouth, 692 Kirkby Malzeard Auriculas, the, 470 Kitchen garden, the, 239 ; best practical guide to the, 245 Kitchen garden crops, 1S3 Knap Hill, the American plants at, 757 Knight, Thomas Andrew, memoir and portrait of, 169 Knots, witch, on Elms, 281 glossa, 202 : Dayana, 85 ; majalis, 597 ; majalis alba, 790 ; pumila Dayana, Limbton Castle, 343. 375, 400 Lamprococcus Valleraiidi, 471 Lancashire, Eucalyptus globulus in. 503 Lancashire garden, notes from a, 238 Landlord and tenant, 24 Lands, common, the enclosure of, 27S Lantanas for beddmg, 304 Lapageria rosea, a double variety of, 82, 500 Lardizabala biternata, 20 Lathrrea rhodopea, 3(0 Laurence, Mr. J. VV., with portrait, 785 Law Notes :— Rartlett v. Marks, 765 ; borrowers, a caution to. 662 ; County Court action by a solicitor against a salesman for \s., 444 ; fruit, important to importers of Belgian, 184 ; goods, what constitutes delivery of, 444 ; illegal distress, action by a gardener for, 540 ; judgment and committal. 765 ; landlord and tenant, 24 ; liability, a disputed, 732; railway liability, 1S4 ; salesmen, a disputed action between, 444 ; salesman's dispute, a, 604 ; seed merchants, important to, 152 ; transit, delay in, 24 Leaves of plants, temperatures of, 628 Leaves, size of, and root development, relation between, 146 Leaves, the use of. Supplement, June 9 Lebanon, the Cedars of, 39, 117, 150 Lee, dinner to Mr. J., 244 Leven's Hall, Radish feast at, 695 Leyden, notes concerning, 598 Liberian Coffee, cultivation and export- ation of, 685 Libonia floribunda, 179 ; on the culture Lichens and oxygen, 212 Ligurian or Italian bees, 658 Lilac, forcing the, 342 ; forced, 405 Lilies at Heatherbank, the, 439 ; how to grow, 365 Lilium chaicedonicum, 11 ; L concolor, var. luteum, 785 ; L. elegans Alice Wilson, 819; L giganteum, 377. 438» 473 ; L- longiflorum, 11 ; L. neil- gherrense, 12, 46 ; L. neilgherricuni, 785 ; L. speciosum album, 12 ; L. spe- ciosum producing roots at the base of the seed vessel, 759 ; L. Washingtoni- anum, 664 Lilium, monograph of the genus, 438 Lily of the A'^alley, 50, 82, 147, 248 Lily, wild, 696 ; on a gravel path, 630, 664, 727 Lime for chalk soils, 438 Limekiln heating, 50 Linaria linogrisea, 785 Lincolnshire, woad culture in, 44 Lindley library, the, 312, 340 Livistonia australis, 138 Llewellyn's Dingle, 301 Lobelia Emperor William, 246, 313, 344, 473- 503 ; L. pumila magnifica, 376, 503 Lobelias, bedding, 151, 215, 250 ; dwarf, 182 Lockinge, Wantage, the gardens at, 76 Locusts in Algeria, 694 Lomaria Dalgairnsia;, 793 ; L. discolor bipinnatifida, 571 London parks and the new bailiff, T12 London square, a, 308 London, the fruit orchards round, 629 London, the proposed Carnation shov Loxford Hall, the Auriculas at, 497 Luma Cheken, 785 Lumbermen of the North Pacific, 733 Luminous mycehum, 83, 117 Lunar influence on the felling of timber. 312 M Machine, a digging, 178 Macrozamia Mackenzii. 48, ^S^ ; M. Miquelii, 48 Madagascar, the Ferns of, 468 Maize, green, or green corn, 493 Majorca Orange culture, 690 Malva campanulata, 729 Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society, 468 Manchester Orchids, the, 719 Mandragora microcarpa, 212, 438 Manna, the Persian, 373 Marattia fraxinea, March, Orchids i 433 Marechal Niel Rose. 633 Market gardens, Celery culture in, Market Pea crops, 629 Market plants, 492 Marocco, the flora of. 308 Masdevallia attenuata, 138 ; M. chii 219 ; M. Harryana sanguinea. 75 lata, 653 ; M. macrura, 12, 21c month of, radic 684 ; M. vespertilio, 272 Masdevallias, 726 Massangea (Caraguata) musaica, 622 Mati^ or Paraguay Tea, 240 Mats, Russian, 50 May-day festivals, olden, 557, 600 " May" for Church decoration, 503, 536 May, Orchids in, 696 Medicago Echinus, 605 Melbourne Botanic Garden, 342 Melchet. a concert at, 59S Melianthus major, 214 Melons from Central Asia, 270, 303 ; Persian, 312 Melville, Mr. William, death of, 208 Memorial, the Prince Consort's, 373 ; Mr. Will's design for covering tiie, Memorial trees: horseshoes, &c., 791 Mesembryanthemum cordifolium vaiie- gatum, on wintering, 14G Metamorphoses ot plants, the, 471 Mexico, the useful plants of. 751 Mice and the Peas. 377, 499 ; petroleum, a preventative agamst, 408 Ihc Gardeners' Chronic INDEX. Mignonette, Supplement, Tu Milla Leichtlinii, 114 Miltonia Warscewiczii, 202 Mi. Mil 471 Mistleto, Mitraria coccinea, on the culture of, 653 Moles, do not kill, 438 Moon, influence of on the flow of sap, 281 Moore, Mr. F., death of, 700 Mortola, near Mentone, plants flowering at, on January i, 46 Moscow, gardeners at, 309 Moss, the Florida, 212 Mucor phycomyces, 726 Murray Valley vineyards, 478 Musa sinensis, fruiting in Paris, 470 Muscat, Mrs. Pince's Black, 44 Museums, local, as educational institutes, 471. 537 Mushroom, a stemless, 248 Mushroom bed, a prolific, 113 Mushroom beds, fungus spawn from, 399 Mushroom culture, 215, 409 Mushrooms and toadstools, on distin- guishing between, 534 Mushrooms, Japanese, 4ro Musk, on the culture of, 789 rr4 Mustard and Cress, as grown for market, Mycelium, luminous, S3, rr7 Myosotis dissiiiflora, 82, 729 vN.EGELiA hyacinthina, t38 Narcissus, double, 473 ; sweet-scented, 626 ; double white, 663 ; not flowering, 696,727 Natal, retrospective view of a journey through, 504 National Carnation and Picotee Society's southern show, 498 National Rose Society, the, 115, 376, 601 Natural History :— Arrivals, early, S94 ; birds and flowers, 498 ; birds, the sports of wild, 142 ; butterfly, the first, 184 1 butterfly, the clouded yellow, 816 ; chafers, 476 ; goatsucker, the, 14, 46, 142, 184 ; gold fish, 658 ; haw- finch, the, 498, 539 ; nightingales, 476 ; rooks, hatching of, 539, 594 ; scale in- sects, 732 ; squirrels and drays, 402 ; starling, the, 732 ; stock doves, 208 ; stock, the, 594 ; wasps, 142 ; witch- knots on the Birch, 249, 28r Natural History Journal, the, 310 Nephrolepis Duffii, 442 Nepenthes Rafflesiana, on the culture of, 4r4 ; Veitchii, 138 Nettle tree, the, 413 New Caledonia, its character and capa- bilities, 8s New Guinea plants, 18 New York, forest fires in, 630 Nightingales, 476 Niphcea Roezlii, 622 Nitrogen and vegetation, r7o, 253 Notes from a Lancashire garden, 238 Notes from a South Shropshire garden. Nurseries, " Royal," 247 Oak, the Cressage, 8r2; the Golynos, 720 ; the Swilcar lawn, 7r Obituary : Andrews, Mr. J., 24 ; Barnes, Mr. J., 700 ; Campbell, Mr.A., 119 ; Cramb, Mr. A., 604 ; Cunning- ham, Mr. D. W., 539; Cmbush, Mrs. M. A., S39 ; Derham, Mr. J., 700 ; Dickson, Mr. T. D., 413, 444 ■ Foster Mr. W., soS; Gavin, Mr! J., 539'; Glendinning, Mr. J. S., 208 ; Harri- son, Mr. J., 208 ; Hunt, Mr. T., 444 ; Lidgard, Mr. C, 824 ; Melville, Mr. W., 208 ; Moore, Mr. F., 700 ; Orm- son, Mr. H., 282; Reeves, Mr. J. R., 604 ; Saunders, Mr. M., 478 ; Smee, Mr. A., 88 ; Stewart, Mr. P., 54 ; Walker, Mr. J., 824; White, Mr. R,, 732 ; Wilkins, Mr. F. G., 55 Ochtertyre, the weather at, in 1876, 52 Odontoglossum Ale.\-andrce roseum, 730 ; O. angustatum integrum, 406 ; O. Cervantesii, 622 ; O. Cervantesii decorum, 2t9 ; O. crispum roseum, 600 ; O. Oerstedii, 302, 8rr ; O. pardinum 302 ; O. triumphans, 406 ; O. vexiUa- rium, 596 : O. vexillarium roseum, 75t Odontoglossum-house at Trentham, 688 Oil Palm, the, 372 01d-fi\shioned plants, 495 Omphalodes verr-., 216 Omphalode: O. Primroses, So annulare, 685 ; O. cheirophc rum, 785 ; O. crispum marginatui grandifloruin, 635 ; O. crispi ceum, 40 : C). elegantissimun leucochilum nanum, 751 Ootacamund, notes from, 46 Open air vegetation, notes on, 205 337, 631. 783 Oporto International Horticultural E.'fhi- Orange blossoms, 473 Orchard-house, the, 1 to Orchard-houses, 760 Orchards, fruit, in flower, 534 Orchid collecting, 247 Orchid growers, a new danger for, iS, 83 " " " ' ' ■ Gimnersbury, the, 146 Orchid-house' Orchid-houses, moisture Orchid rarities, 750 Orchids, 23r ; in January, ary, 280; in March, 4X( 568, 6or : in May, 696 Orchids in flower at Kew, Broome, 408 Orchids, the, at Peterborough House, 536 Orchids, the Manchester. 719 Organisms, life history of the lower, 502 Organ plant, the, 2S1, 312 Organ T( dth Mr Ormson, Mr. H., death of, 282 Ornithogalum, an early b'oomin Orobanche minor, 151 Orychophragmus sonchifolius, 4 Osmanthus Aquifolium, 239 ; folius, 239 Osmanthus, notes on, 239 Osmunda palustris, 313 Otiorhynchus picipes, 346, 409 O.vygen and lichens, 212 Padua Botanic Garden, the, 9 Painters in Water Colours, the Society Palms, Chusan, 468 Palms, Dr. Drude's proposed modified classification of, 213 Palm seeds from Africa, 344 Palm, the oil, 372 Palm oil, on the manufacture of, 8x3 Pansies and 'Violas, new, ^4 Pansies at Pink Hill, 78 Pansy Profusion, 210 Papuan plants, 662 Parafnn and carbolic acid, 51 Paraffin for protecting seeds, &c., 566, 633, 644, 697, 728, 762 Paraguay Tea or Mate, 240, 345 Parasitical plants, 761 Paris International Horticultural E.xhibi- tion in 1878, 244 Park, a public, for Peterborough, 532 Park entrance, design for a, 45 Parks and open spaces, acreage of, 629 ; new, 766 ; the London, and the new bailiff', 112 Peach, Early Beatrice, 536, 568 ; Premier, S97 ; the Coulombier, 138 Peach setting, 536, 601, 664, 716, 7S3 Peach trees, blisters on, 754 Peaches, an extraordinary set of, 503, 537 Peaches and Nectarines, curious case of disease in, 724 ; a new disease in, 739 ; Japanese ideas of ripe, 50 Pear, the Monchallard, 598 ; Willison's Queen 'Victoria, 12 Pear tree, an ancient, 280 Pea crops, market, 629 Peas, action of pollen on the seed of, 247, 2St : and the mice, 377, 409 ; lateness of the first crops of, 757 ; protecting with paraffin, 633 ; sowing in pots, 341 Pectis angustifolia, 785 Pelargonium New Life, 202 Pelargoniums, decorative, 685 : popular. Supplement, June 9 ; show, 53 ; zonal carnivorous, 694 ; zonal, nev, 53. 502 Pelargonium, Fancy, Duchess of Bedford, Pelargonium Society, the, 340 Pennyroyal, 408 Pentstemons at Pinkhill, 77 ; Mrs. A. F. Barron and Octoroon, 12 Persian manna, 373 Persian Melons, 312 Persia, the vegetable products of Asterabad, 655 Persimmon, the fapanese, 209 Pescatorea Roezlii, 620 Pests, Potato, 146 Peterborough, a park for, 532 Peterborough House, tlie Orchids at, 536 Petroleum a preventa'ive against mice, &c., 408 Petunia violacea, 203 Peziza, a crop of, 793 Pfeiffer's Nomenclator Botanicus, 630 Phaius Marshalliae, 792 Phakenopsis amabilis, 28r Phalo;nops-s at Clapton, 311 Philadelphia, plants at, 175 Philodendron gloriosum, r33 Phloxes at Pinkhill, 78 Phrenix rupicola, 502 Phoritiium Colensoi, 632 Phylloxera, the, 203 ; disasters caused by the, in France, 49, 278 ; French v ns- yards affected with the, 593 ; and in- secticides, 75 ; in Switzerland, 374 ; the winter eggs of the, 212 Physiological laboratory at Kew, the new, 16 Picotees and Catnations, exhibition of, 14s Tjo Pilocarpus pinnatus, history and uses of, PiIoc;reus senilis longisetus, 697 Pine-apple Black Prince, Carrington, 85 Pinkhill, Messrs. Downie nursery at, 77 of, 338 344; Lord Pinks, wintering of, 33I Pinus Omorika, 470, 6: Pippin Appl Pitury, the, 69; Plantations, Cire of, 475 ; examination of, 720 Planting, forest, 274 Plant, a poisonous, 344 [34; Plant-houses, aspects for, 13S, 204, 303, Plant portraits, tr, 138, 622, 751, 813 Plants, American, bloom on, 50 Plants and insects, relations bstween, 246, 278, 279. 304, 407, 439 Plants, absorption of carbonic acid by, 146 ; British, in the Edinburgh Univer- sity herbarium, ttS ; chance groupings of, 50 ; climbing, 278 ; composts for, 185 ; effects of' cold spring water on, 114; effects of the moist autumn of 1876 on, irS ; embryonic membranes of, 3x0 ; evaporation of water by, 47t ; fertilisation of, X39, 203, 2x4, 246, 270, 27<5. 3361 534. 560 ; in flower at Mr. Ware's, 725; in Flower at Floors Castle, 82t ; market, 492 ; mineral ingredients of, 471 ; New Guinea, 18 ; of Bedfordshire, 179 ; oId-.''ashioned, 495 ; on cultivated, 372 ; on training and tying, 7 ; Papuan, 662 ; spiral growth of, 280 : spring flowering, 278 ; sweet-scented greenhouse, 590 ; the metamorphoses of, 471 ; the new of 1876, 43, 72 : the origin of sex in, 276 ; the useful of Mexico, 75t ; watering, 438 Plants, New Garde Acer Van Volxemii, described ; 2 ; Adiantu piln 40 ; \^ landianun Aerides crassifoli phyllum Patini, 139; Aiithurium spa- thiphylliim, 632 ; Antigonon insigne, 7S0 ; Bollea ccelestis, 366 ; Cat- tleya Skinneri alba, 810; Curmeria- Wallisii, 108 ; Cymbidium giganteum Lowianum, 685 ; Cypripedium Box- allii, 367 ; C. Haynaldianum, 272 ; Dendrobium arachnostachyi D. Findleyanura, 334 : D. ianum, 590 : D lituillorum robustrius, 781; _D. Mohlianum, 139; D. Petri, pra?cinctum, 750 ; D Strick- 49 : D, tipuliferum, 72 ; cylindraceus, 240 ; E. viridescens, 172 ; Frilillaria Hookeri, 8ro : Gongora Charontis, 684 ; G. grossa, 781 ; Grammatophyllum Rcem- plerianum, 240 ; Hesperaniha longi- tuba, 632 ; Homalomena peltata, 273 ; Huernia brevirostris, 780 ; Lreliaalbida Stobartiana, 271 ; L. caloglossa, 202 ; Masdevallia lata, 633 ; M. macrura, 12 ; M. radio'a, 684 ; M. Vespertilio, 272 : Miltonia Warscewiczii, 202 ; Odontoglossum Oerstedii, 302, Six ; O. pardinum, 302 ; Oncidium annulare, 685 ; O. crispum olivaceum, 40 ; O. elegantissimum, t3 ; Pescatorea Roezlii, 620 ; Pinus Omorika, 620 ; Ponera Kienastii, 810; Pterostylis Baptistii, 7x6 ; Pultenn^a rosea, 431 ; Restrepia prorepens, Sio ; Rhipsalis penduliflora, 716 ; Sobralia Cattleya, 72 ; Stanhopea puUa, 810 ; Stapelia Bayfieldii, 431 ; S. gigantea, 684 : S, patentirostris, 140 ; S. unguipetala, 334 ; Telipogon Croesus, X72 ; Thrixspermum Free- manii, 730 ; T. Hartmannii, 7x6 ; Vanda cosrnlescens var. Boxallii, 749 ; Zygopetalum Clayii, 684 Plants which furnish walking sticks, 138 Platycerium grande. 151 Plea for the specialist, a, 43 Plectocomia elongata, 534 Plumbago capensis, on the culture of, 759 Poincianas at Bangalore, the, 7S4 Poinsettia pulcherrinia plenissima, 181, 408, 503 ; the staying qualities of the flowers of, 439 Poinsettias, 20, 180 ; a vision of, 52 ; in a low temperature, 130 ; culture of, 1x7 Poisons, vegetable, used by Samoan Pollen, 247. : on the seed of Peas, Polyanthus, the, 244 ; and the Auricula, the, 338, 402 ; Duke of Wellington, 506 ; sports of, 213 ; the fancy, 306 ; the gold-laced, 530 Polyanthus Narcissus, 11 Polygonatum multiflorum, 566 Pomological Institute of Proskau, 470 Ponera Kienastii, 810 Popular gardening. Supplement, June 9 Portugal, export of Roses to, 18 Portugal, the Carob in, r44 Post-office, the, and the Press, r7 Potash, influence of, on \'ines, 727 Potassium, sulpho-carbonate of, 375 Potato crop in America, the, 221 Potato culture in Assam, 178 ; spent Hops for, 51 Potato disease, origin of the, 400 ; Salus, a preventative of, 340 Potato E.xhibition, the International, 17S, 404, 597 Potato fungus, the, 439 ; the resting- spores of the, 407 Potato pests, 146, X83 Potato planting, 473 Potato spritting-bo.xes, 149 Potato, the, and its difficulties, 22 Potatos, 474 ; American, 244 ; and Parr snips, 213 ; and Salus at Chiswick, 468 ; autumn-planted, 52 ; disease prevention in, 376 ; " disease-resist- ing," 145 ; high-class, 182 ; on storing, 114 Pots, Urge garden, 147, 180 ; sowing Peas in, 341 ; store, and Verbenas, 632 Preserve, Pumpkin, 602 Primula cortusoides, new varieties of, 506 Primula denticulata, 406 : P. Parryi, 622 ; P. Rosy Morn, 622 ; P. sinensis Mar- chioness of Exeter, 378 ; P.'spectabilis, 566 ; P. Brilliant, 442 Primulas, hardy, 374 ; culture and treat- ment of, 538 Primrose, the, in Cheshire, 567 Primrose, double, violacea, 475 Primroses, indoors, 504; on the morpho- logyof, 758 ; white, and Omphalodes, 80 Printing on wood, 432 Pritchardia fiUfera, 12; pacifica, 813 Privet, the species of, 634 Prize schedules, preparation of, 564 Proskau, Pomological Institute of, 470 Protection v. bottom-heat for outside Vine-borders, 52 Pterostylis Baptistii, 7x6 Pultenaja rosea, 43X, 442 Pumpkin preserve, 602 Pyret brums, double. Six Radish feast at Leven's Hall, 695 Raikes' fan-bouquets, Supplement, June 9 Rainfall, the, at Alnwick Castle, xi6 ; at Dynevor Castle, 1x6 ; at Bodorgan, Anglesea, r48 ; at Fota Island, 474 ; at Wallington, Northumberland, 20; at Bury St. Edmunds, 5X ; at Dale Park, xx6; at Houghton Hall, Rougham, 213 Raisin culture in California, 178 Rats, how to preserve crops from, 408 Raspberry, double bearing, 279 Reana luxurians, 726 Red Cedar, the, at Inverary, 404 Reed and the Bulrush, the, 747, 779 Reeves, Mr. J. Russell, death of, 604 Regulator, Critchley's heat, 468 Renovation of the Camellia, the, 697 Research, the endowment of, 792 Restrepia antennifera, 622 ; prorepens, 810 Retinospora filifera gracilis, 50 Rhipsalis penduliflora, 7x6 Rhizomorpha in mines, 628 Rhododendron argenteum, 340, 344 ; Hypolyte van de Woistyne, 816 ; John Downie, 366 ; Nobleanu'm, 247 ; Prin- cess of Wales, 12 ; x Taylori, 313 Rhododendrons, hardy hybrid, 602 ; Rice culture in Japan, r44 Richardia rethiopica, 470 Right or the left, to the ?, X47 Riviere, death of Mr. A., 597 Roads and walks, 237 Rockwork at Kew, plants in flower on the, 366 Rockwork in the villa garden, 411 Rodigas, Dr., biographical notice of, 738 Rodriguez, Dr. J. B. Balfour on the flor,a of, 2x0 Romneya Coulteri, 813 Rondeletia Backhousii, 622 Rooks, hatching of, 539, 562, 594 Root dtvelopment and the size of leaves, relationship between, 146 Root lifting, 280 INDEX. The Gardenen' Chronicle. Roots, garden, large v, small, 311 Roots in interior of Turnip, 602 Roots, premature growth of Vine, 51 Roots, respiration of, 17S Rose, Duchess of Vallombrosa, 378 ; the Fairy, White Pet, 794 ; Fortune's Yellow, 344 ; Beauty of Glaaenwood, 314, 566 ; Marechal Niel, 567, 654 ; Queen of Bedders, 596 ; S^nateur Reveil, S13 Rose-house at Gunnersbury, the, 473, 568 Roses and Lilac, faded, how to restore. Supplement, May 12 Roses, export of, to Portugal from Ire- land, 18 ; late. 20 ; new, 53 ; on staging cut, 212 ; under glass, 602 Rossie Priory, 464 Rotterdam, notes on, 431 Roxburgh Castle, 733 Royal Academy, the, 619 Royal Horticultural Society, the, 21, 80, n5, 149, 176, 179, 210, 214, 246. 309, 343. 369. 41:0, 472, 503, 536, 564, 567, 6or, 788 ; and the education of gar- deners, 727 ; committees for 1877, 23 ; provincial show fund, 279 ; provincial shows, i&c, 312; summer show, 695 Royal Manchester Botanical and Horti- cultural Society, 48 " Royal " nurseries, 247 Rubus deliciosus, 662 Ruscus androgynus at the Crystal Palace, 560 Rush, the Banded, 398 Russian mats, 50 Russia, the climate of, 534 Rust, obviating effects of, 662 Rust, the Wheat, in California, 598 Sadleria cyatheoides, 760 Salpiglossis, 602 Salts, effects of soluble, the, 469 Salus, 696 ; and the Cucumber disease, 535. 567 : a preventive of the Potato disease, 340 Samoan islanders, vegetable poisons used ^y-, 374 Sap, influence of the moon on the flow of, 281 ; in trees, flow of, 244 ; on the course of the, 80, 148, 181 Saponaria ocymoides, 84 Sardinia, tour through, 591 Saxifraga Burseriana, 313 ; S. hypnoides, Scale, whale oil a cure for, 31 r Schedules, prize, preparation of, 564 Schlimia trifida, 85, 140 School gardens in Sweden, 2or, 245 Schools, forest, study in, 46 Scone Palace, 496 Scottish Horticultural Association, the, 340. 378 Scurvy in the Arctic expedition, 372 Seakale and its culture, 654 ; for ihe London market, 729 Seakale Lily-white, 442 Seakale on the coast of Hampshire, 308 Season, the, iSi, 213, 313 ; the mildness of the, 182, 278 Seed raising, 283 Seed selection. Major Hallett on, 146 Seed trade, fair dealing in the, 116 Seeds, agricultural, last year's harvest of, 404 Selborne and Gilbert White's Sex, origin of in plants, 276 Shobdon Court, Herefordshire, 471 Shropshire, south, notes from a garden in, 302 Shrubs, sheep poisoned by eating, 49 ; spring flowering at Kew, 310 Siebold memorial, the, 502 Silene Hookeri xS. Elizabethas, 474 ; pendula compacta, 814 Silk culture in Great Britain, 756 Sium angustifolium, 344 ; S. lalifolium, poisonous, 344 Skimmia japonica, 216 Smee, Mr. Alfred, death of, 88, 108 Smith, Lady Pleasance, 171 Sobralia Cattleya, 72 Societies :— Amsterdam International Horticultural, 477, 505 ; Auricula So- ciety's show at the Crystal Palace, 538 ; Bath and West of England and Southern Counties Association, 731 ; Blackburn Horticultural, 698 ; Botani- cal, of Edinburgh, 118, 249, 345, 667, 822 ; Central Horticultural Society of France, 731 ; Crystal Palace, 633, 823 ; Diss Horticultural, 823 ; East London Amateur Floricultural, 379 ; Glasgow and West of Scotland Horticultural, 442, 699 ; Lee and Blackheath Horti- cultural, 796 ; Meteorological, 151 ; Newcastle-on-Tyne Horticultural, 410 ; Northern Counties Tulip Society, 764 ; j Pelargonium Society, 796 ; Reading Horticultural, 698 ; Royal Botanic, 378, 507, 6y^, 731, 762 ; Royal Caledonian Horticultural, 442 ; Royal Horticultural, 85, 216, 313, 377, 441, 506, 634., 728, 794 ; Royal Horticul- tural, of Antwerp, 410 ; Royal Horti- cultural, of Ireland, 698 ; Royal Man- chester Botanical and Horticultural, 378, 665 ; Royal National Tulip Ex- hibition, 764 ; Royal Western Horti- cultural, 731 ; Scottish Horticultural Association, 378 ; Scottish Pansy, 823 ; York annual floral /!/(?, 763 Solandra grandiflora, 534 Solanum acanthodes, 813 margaritacea var. Hendersoni, 81 Sparmanniaafricana, 379 Sparta, the Kermes Oak, 593 Spathoglottis Lobbii, 219 Specialist, a plea for the, 43 Spiraea splendens, 245 Spiral growth, on, 48, 147, 280, 630 Spores, the resting, of the Potato fui Sprmg tou Square, a Londoni Squares, town, 409 Squirrels and drays, 402 Staging cut Roses, 212 Stamping out hurtful insects, 694 Stanhopea pulla, 810 Stapeliapatentirostris, 140 ; S. Bayfieldii, 431 ; S. gigantea, 684, 693 ; S. grandi- flora lineata, 558 ; S. unguipetala, 334 Staphylea colchica, 342 Statistics, agricultural, for 1876, 141 Statistics, French, 413 Stauntonia hexaphylla, 439 Stenandrium igneum, 813 Stewart, Mr. Peter, death of, 54 Sticks, walking, notes on, 105, 137 Stocks, double, 626 ; East Lothian, 758 Stork, the, 594 Storm in February, the, 182 Storm, the roar of the, 49 Straits of Magellan, flora and fauna of the, e>(ij Strawberry growing, 21 Strawberry, La Grosse Sucri^e, 409 ; Gari- baldi, 21 ; Premier, 821 ; Vicomtesse Succulents, winter flowering, 114 Sugar in Japan. 759 Sujjar, production and consumption of, 5c Superheating Vine borders, 83 Supply of a family, the. 82 Surface, low night temperatures in rela- Swainsonas, on the culture of, 623 Sweet-scented greenhouse plants, 590 Sweden, school gardens in, 201, 245 Swilcar lawn Oak, the, 71 Switzerland, the Phylloxera in, 374 Sympathy, an appeal for, Supplement, Syneleisis aconitifolia, 813 Tanning substances, 221 Tar pavements, on the cost and construc- tion of. 782 Tea Culture in India, 310 Tea, on making, 406 Tea, Organ, 344 Tea or Mat^. Paraguay, 240, 3^5 Tea Rose, Mathilde, 757 Tea sweepings, 662 Tectona grandis, 820 Teedia lucida, 729 Telfairia occidentalis, 138 TeUpogon Crcesus, 172 Temperature of outside Vine borders, 180 Temperature, Poinsettias at a low, 150 Temperatures, low night, in relation of inequalities of surface, 493 ; of leaves of pla: , 628 Terrestrial heating, 715 Testacella, the ear-shaped, 280 Testudinaria elephantipes, 438 Tewin, Lady.Grimslone's tomb at, 664 Thamnocalamus Falconeri, 751 Thapsia garganica, 622 Thistles, extirpation of, by chemical vapours, 147 Thorn, the Glastonbury, 50 'I'hrixspermum Freemanni, 750 ; T. Hart- manni, 716 Thuja occidentalis, the golden, i3 Thyrsacanthus rutilans, 593 Tigridia lutea, 813 Tiilandsia pruinosa, 138 ; T. usneoides, 212. 534 Timber, lunar influence on the felling Toads, do not kill, 438 Toadstools and Mushrooms,' distin- guishing between, 534 Torenia exappendiculata, 813 Tortoises as weather indicators, 662 Town square, plan for a, 309 Town squares, 409 Trachelospermum (Rhynchospernmm) jasminoides, fruiting of, 116 Training and tying plants, hints on, 7 Tree felling by electricity, 413 Tree Mallow, the, 630 Tree, the Nettle, 413 Trees, burrs, and buds, variations in, 311 ; flow of sap in, 244 ; fruit, nutrition of, 622 ; in borders, 696; memoiial, 791 ; noble, 598 ; planting and protectmg, 370 ; the nutrition of, 686 ; the won- ders of, 630 ; weeping Beech, 633 ; wild, 664 ; which best bear the weight of snow, 816; worshipped by Hindoos, Tiees, unpruned fruit, 403 Trichopilia suavis, 601 Trieste, gardening notes from, 8 Trillium grandiflorum, 696 Tritoma, the hardiest, 213 Tropaeolums, climbing, 629 Tropical Forests of Hampshire, the, 146 True Service Tree, the, 21 Tuberoses, Italian and American, r47 Tulipa Greigi, 306 ; Hageri, 813 Tulip, a floriferous, 537. 568 Tulip, the physiology of the, 791 Tulip, books relating to the, at Amsterdam, 500, 536, 567 Tulip cultivators on the frosty weather, 402 Tulip lore, 220 Tulip Rozenkroon, 626 Tulip Society, the National, 562 Tulips, 601 ; double, Couronne des Roses, and La Candeur, 1 1 ; groups of, 626 ; on the vagaries of, 274 ; VancerNeer, and Wouverman, ir Tupistra macrostigma, 8r3 Turkistan, climate and productions of, 306 Turnip, roots in interior of, 602 Tur- ip-tops, 177 Tydaia Cecihae, 138 Typha latifolia, pickled, 406 Vagaries of Ferns, the, 280 Vandaccerulescens, 622 ; V. coerulescens Boxallii, 749, 822 ; V. teres, 697, 760, 821 Van Geert, Mr. Charles, Nursery at Antwerp, 527 Varnish tree of China, 667 Vegetable exhibitions, 149, i8r Vegetable for India, 410 Vegetable galls, the history of, 2r2 Vegetable growing, instruction to females on, 663 Vegetable physiology, publications relat- ing to, 791 Vegetable poisons used by Samoan Islanders, 374 Vegetable products of Asterabad, Persia, 65s Vegetable tissues, Hanstein's method of rendering transparent, 18 Vegetables and fruits of 1876, the, 19 Vegetation and nitrogen, 170, 205 Vegetation at Edinburgh, notes on open air, 20s, 337, 495, 631, 783 Vegetation, effects of the mild weather on, 309 Vegetation in the south of France and Algeria, r46 Veitch's self-protecting Broccoli, 83, 213 Verbenas, store pots, 632 Veronica Hulkei, 692 Vienna Horticultural Society, 210 Villa gardeners' books, Supplement, Villa Garden :— Annuals in the flower garden, 603 ; bedding plants, sowing seeds of, 282 ; Celery, 668 ; fruit crops, the, 700 ; greenhouse, the, 249 ; January, general operations for, 54 ; kitchen garc house, the, and Violas, 754 : Peach trees, blister on, 754 : protitable gardening and rotation of crops, 476 ; rockwork in the villa garden, 41 r ; seed raising, 282 : sunk flower beds, 637 ; sweet- scented Howers, 786 ; villa garden greenhouse, the, 22 ; window boxes, outside, 507 Villa garden, rockwork in the, 411 Vine borders, tso ; fermenting materials on, 84, i5r : how to renew, without losing a crop, 247 ; inside :'. outside, 84 : inside, 181 ; outside temperature of, 180 ; protection -j. bottom-heat for outside, 52 ; superheating, 83 Vine culture, experiments in, 398 ; notes on, 84 ; in Italy, 790 Vine growers, a question for, 117 Vine leaf, 664 Vine-raising in America, 436 Vine roots, condition of, 118 ; premature growth of, 19, 51, 150 Vine, tenderness of the Gros Colman, 696 Vine, the, and wine, 461 Vine weevils, 409 Vines, blue glass for, 590, 738 ; influence of potash on, 727 Vineyards, French, affected with the Phylloxera, 598 ; Murray Valley, 478 Violas and Pansies, bedding, 822 W Walking STICKS, notes on, 105, 137 Walks, garden, 214, 313 ; and roads, 237 Wallington, Northumberland, rainfall at, in 1876, 20 Walls, damo. Ivy on, 537, 568, 601, 632, 66s, 697 Wallrtower, the, 593 Walnut trees, 310 Wantage, Lockinge, gardens near, 76 Wanton destruction, 750 Wasps, t42 Wasp destroyer, Scott's, 214 Waste, running to, 536 Water, cold spring, effect of, on plants, "4 Water Colours, the Society of Painters in. 525 Water, evaporation of, by plants, 471 Watering plants, 43S Water weed, the American. 118 Weather, the, 3r3, 344 ; and fruit pros- pects, 568, 728, 762, 821 Weather and fruit prospects in South Lincolnshire, 632 Weather, the, at Hutton Hall, 52 ; in East Anglia, 600 ; in January, sr ; the stormy, in January, 18 ; at Ochtertyre, the, in 1876, 52 ; effects of the mild, 177. 214, 309 : in North Notts, the, 537 : Mr. Glaisher's quarterly report on the, 692 ; of 1876, the, 52 ; in West Herts, 182 Weather folklore, 118 Web of the Embia, the, 50 Weevils, Vine, 409 Wellingtonia, rate of growth of, 245 Wellingtonia, the, coning in the North, 179 West's patent trellis, i8r, 216, 247 Wettertanne, the, 473 Whale oil, a cure for American blight on Apple trees, 344 ; a cure for scale, 3ri " Whales," the fungi of, 52 Wheat, 663 Wheat rust, the, in California, 598 Whins, 809 White's, Gilbert, grave at Selborne, 503 White, Mr. R., death of, 732 Wighton, Mr. J. (with portrait), 401 ; presentation to, 48 Wilkins, Mr. F. G., death of, 53 Windermere, Belsfield Gardens, 526 Wine and the Vine, 461 Winter campaign, the, 760 Winter flowering succulents, ir4 Winter garden, the Bournemouth, 77 Witch knots, 281 ; on the Birch, 249 Witloof, or Chicory, as groivn in Belgium, 48 Woad culture in Lincolnshire, 44 Wonders of trees, the, 630 Wood Anemones, the, 500 Woodlice, on, 379 Woodman's craft, the, 573 Wood, printing on, 432 Xantiiisma texanum, 138 Xanthoceras sorbifolia, old tree of, 50 "Xanthorrhosa minor, 308, 813 Xerotus sanguineus, 726 Yellow gravel, 269 Yew, ancient, resuscitated, at Bettws Newydd, 215 Yews, galls on, 83 Yorkshire gala, the, 82, 375 Yucca filamentosa varicgata, 34t ; Y. glo- INDEX. y 1ST OF LLUSTRATIONS. from the seed of, 303; racantha, 369 ; horrida, typical form of» til ; horrida var. micrantha, 62t ; Kerchovei, 528 ; perbella, 528 ; Roez- liana, 528 ; univittata, 368 ; xylacantha, 528 ; xylacantha vittata, 528 Albert Memorial, Mr. Wills' design for covering the, 436 Anderson, Mr. A., portrait of, 528 Antigonon insigne, 789 Antipodal Hyacinth, sgr Apple, Calville Blanche, as a pot tree, 729 Araucaria Cookii, in New Caledonia, 86, Banded Rush, the, 399 Bettws Newydd, resuscitated Yew at, 215 Birch, witch-knot on the, 249 Birds, hatching box for, 52 Boboli Gardens, Florence, view in the, 173 Botanic Gardens at Padua, original plan of the, 9 Botanic Gardens, plan of proposed new, Hull, 599 Bouquet, Raikes' fan (see Supplement, June 9) Bournemouth new Winter Garden, 77 Brassica Napus, adventitious buds on the roots of, 149 Braun, the late Alexander, portrait of, 628 Broccoli, adventitious buds on the root of, 148, 149 Brongniart, the late Adolphe, portrait of, 624 Carpet beds, designs for (see colou plate in Supplement, May 12) Caserta, Naples, the cascades of, 629 304. 30S .t Inverary, 405, 407 Catasetun Cedar, the Retl. Chairs, rustic, 3. . Chorozema cordatum splendens, speci- Cockchafer, the, 701 Coelogyne cristata, 597 Cotton, New Orleans, 56 r Cotton, roots of ordinary, and of the Bahmi(5 varieties, 561 Cucumber and Melon Frame, iSo Cucumber disease, 818 Cucumber flower with leafy calyx, 822 Curmeria Wallisii, 108 Cyclamen persicum (see coloured p'a in Supplement, June 9) Cypripedium occidentale, 725 Dasylirion longifolium, 493; flovers of, 567 Davidsonia prurien-, 8x9 Dendrobium speciosuni, var. HiUii, 112 ; D. thyrsiflorum, 653 Diseased Nectarines, 759 Drummond Castle, plan of the flower garden at, 6B9 ; views in the garden at, 657, 660, 661 Dupplin Castle, view of, 245 Durham, view of Lambton Castle, 343 EcHiNOCACTUS cylindraceus, 241 Echinocatus, the Eagle's Claw, 749 Echinocictusviridescens, 172 Elais guineensis, 373 Encephalartos viUosus, 21 Entra.nce to a park, design for an, 43 Erica codonodes, 463 Eulalia japonica, var. zebrina, 564 Eurycles australasica, 276 Florence, the Boboli gardens at, 173 Frame, Cucumber and Melon, i8o Fuchsia Arabella, 210 Fumigator, Drechsler's new, 567 Gali. on Yew, 88" Garden, a Japanese house, 207 Garden seals, rustic, 814 Glen Eyre, Southampton, view in the gardens of, 753, 757 Grape, Gros Colman, 376 ; Gros Guil- H Hales, Dr. Stephen, portrait of, 17 Hatching box for birds, 52 Homalomena peltata, 272, 273 House decoration, wood printing for, 433 Huernia brevirostis, 781 Hull, plan of the proposed new Botanic Garden for, 599 Hyacinth, antipodal, 591 ; prepared for propagation, 526 apanf.se house gardens, 207 Knight, Tho5. Ancrew, poitrait of, r77 Labi'RNUM, monstrous growth of, 311 Lambton Castle, view of, 341 Laurence, Mr. J. W., portrait of, 785 Leaf, the workshops of a (see Supple- Life, the battle June 9) T^ockinge Park, vi( Lomaria Dalgairn Market, a Pelargon Masdevallia macrura, 13 Medicago Echinus, fruit of, 605 Memorial, the Albert, proposed design for covering, 436 Mentone, Olives on the C'orniche Road, 721 Mignonette for market (see Supplement, June 9) Mushrooms, stemless, 248 N Naples, the Cascades of Caserta, 629 Nectarines, diseased, 759 Nest, a stork's, in Holland, 594 New Caledonia, Araucaria Cookii in, S( 87 Odontoglossum Oerstedii, 811 Olives on the Corniche Road, near Mentone, 721 Osmanthus Aquifolium, 239 ; A. ilicifo- Otiorhynchus picipes, 346 Palm, the oil, 373 Park entrance, design for a, 45 Pelargonium, as grown for market, 685 Pelargonium New LiTe, 203 Perth, view of Scone Palace, 497 Peterborough Park, plan of. 53a Pine-apple Black Prince, 344 Pine tree, dwarf Japanese. 206 Calville Blanche Apple as a, 729 Pultem Raiices' fan bouquet (see Supplement, June 9) Rice, transplanting in Japan, 145 Rossie Priory, plan of the gardens at, 46s Rush, the banded, 399 Russula, a monstrous, 248 SadlerivV cyatheoides, 76r Schlimia trifida, 14X Scone Palace, Perth, view of, 497 Shobdon Court, view of, 469 Silene pendula compacta, 8x4 Slug, the ear-shaped, 280 Smee, the late Mr. A., portrait of, 109 Southampton, view in the gardens of Glen Eyre at, 753, 757 Square, plan for a town, 309 Slapeha Bayfieldii, 430 ; S. gigantea, 693 ; S. grandiflora, var. lineata, 559 ; S. patentirostris, 140 ; S. unguipetala, 355 Storks I 594 f, the Red Cedar at, 405, 407 ■iginal plan of the Testacella, the ear-shaped, 280 Town square, a plan for a, 309 Trachelospermum ( Rhynchospermum) jas- minoides, fruit of, rx6 Trama auriculce, 570 Trellis, Wests adjustable, i3x West's adjustable trellis, 181 Winter Garden at Bournemouth, the, 77 Wilch-knot on the Birch, 249 Yew, an ancient, resuscitated, at Bcttus Newydd, 215 Yew, gall on, 88 L , i'n'\ ^J)^L^ THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. (Itstablisbcb 1841. ''^Sit> A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND ALLIED SUBJECTS. ^ No. 158.— Vol. VII.{i SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877. t the General I Price 6d. a Newspaper, j PosT FREE, sW. CONTENTS. Mustard and Cress Obituary Oncidium eleganlissimum Orchid growers, a new Stephen (with pt a spring tour in (ci Royal Horticultural So- Strawberrv growing Tour in Italy, a spring Vegetables and fruits of' 1876, the Vegetable physiology, founder of 19 Vine 8 Weather, lOf ^° NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS. With this tlumber is issued, Gratis, an ILLUSTRATED SHEET ALMANAC for 1877. ' V* May be had separately, mounted on rollers, price 6^by4 I spec 2^ by Balfourianum 2Kby2 elsa,2}4by2K Ficus Parcell Hoyacarnosa, 3 by .^ tr. Jasminnm Sambac, 2j< by 2 STEPHEN BROWN, Seed Weston-super-Mare. Lat.aniabo Ptychosperna Cunnin'ghamii. Phoenix dactylifera, 3 feet Rondeletia speciosa major, Stephanotis floribunda, 2^ by ijf tr., aLd 2>< by 2 tr. Thunbergia laurifolia, iX by January 6, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. Surplus Stock. SPECIAL OFFER made of the foHowiiig, prices on application ; — PINES, Austrian, 3. 4, and 5 feet. FIRS, Spruce, 4, 5, 6, and 7 feet. THUJA LOBBII, 6 to 10 feet. CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA. 5 to 8 feet. YEWS, Irish, s to 10 feet. FIRS, Balm of Gilead, 6 feet. PINE, Weymouth, 5 to 6 feet. YEWS. English. 3 to 5 feet. THUJA AUREA, 3 feet. HAZEL, fine, 5 feet. ELCOMBE AND SON, Nurserymen, Romsey, Hants. To the Trade. -SandrlBgliam Early Kidney Potato. HAND F. SHARPE have secured a fine • stock of the above excellent POTATO, which is pronounced to be not only the earliest, but the most prolific, and the finest quality in cultivation. Being very short in the haulm It is peculiarly adapted for forcing purposes. Price and further particulars may be had on application. Seed Growinff Establishment, Wisbech. Eoses—Paeonles— Gladiolus. CHARLES VERDIER, FiLS (successor to the original horticultural establishment of Victor Verdier, pere), 28, Rue Baudricourt, XIII. Arond.— late 12, Rue cultivated in CATALOGUES application to C. V., ; AM. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, • Tottenham Nurseries, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, Netherlands, has to offer the following : — YUCCA ANGUSTIFOLIA, strong plants, i foot high, l:i per dozen, ;£i2 loj. per loo. In my nursery this beautiful new Yucca withstood, without the slightest protection, the severe winter of 1875. APPLES, strong a-yr. Palmeltes and Pyramids, 421. per 100, .£.8 .5J. per ,000. HARDY AQUATICS at t F^ J of the Oriental and Occidental PLANES, similar to those planted on the Thames Embankment, with good heads and clear stems, from 5 to 6 feet up, and altogether from 8 to 10 feet in height, well adapted for the purpose stated above. Price per dozen and per 100 on application. The " Upton" Nurseries, Chester. MESSRS. JNO. STANDISH and CO.'S CATALOGUE for Autumn, 1876, and Spring, 1877, is now ready, and may be had, post-free, on application, // contaim the follorving :~ Plants of Recent Introduction. ' Coniferas, Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Hardy Climbers, Clematis, &:c. Plants for Winter Forcing. ' Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Azalea indica and Camellias. Kalmias. &c. Tree Carnations and Ericas. Roses, Standards and Dwarfs, Ferns and Lycopods. also in pots. Hardy Trees and Shrubs. Fruit Trees. "• ' ■ ' Forest Trees. I Grape Vines. utch Bulbs, Flower Roots. &c. Royal Nurseries, Ascot, Berks. Seed List. i^HARLES SHARPE and CO.'S V^ WHOLESALE LIST of VEGETADLE and FARM SEEDS is now ready, and will be sent post-free on application. CHARLES SHARPE and CO., Seed Farmers. Sleaford and at 31, Neiv Corn Exchange, Mark Lane, London, E.G. c Select Swede and Turnip Seeds. HARLES SHARPE and CO.'S refully-selected Stocks of SWEDE and TURNIP Select Mangel Seeds. CHARLES SHARPE and CO. have much pleasure in asking attention to their select Stocks of MANGEL WUREEL SEED, which have been grown under their personal supervision upon their own Seed Farms at Heckington, and in the adjoining parishes. Descrip- tions and Prices are given in C. S. & Co.'s Wholesale Seed List for 1877. VERY DESCRIPTION of HORTICUL- TURAL and AGRICULTURAL SEEDS SEED POTATOS of finest quality, both Home-grown and Imported. CHARLES SHA RPE A N D CO., Seed Farmers, Sleaford. and 3t, New Seed Market, Mark Lane, London, E.G. Alt letters address Sleaford. E Calceolarias (James). HCANNELL begs to announce that he • has a splendid stock of the following, established in 6o's, just ready for shifting : — CALCEOLARIAS, 21. gd. per dozen, PRIMULAS, 21. W. per dozen. CINERARIAS, 25. bd. per dozen. aTlaS,'. "■ '"^'H.°CANNEL!L,'swanTey, IcInL ''"'^'^ ^^ '°° Public Notice. For Information upon the Planting. Pruning, and general Management of Fruit Trees, see aCOTT'S ORCHARDIST, At the Royal Nurseries, Merriott, Somerset, every descrip- tion of Nursery Stock is grown largely, and at Scott's Royal Seed Stores, Yeovil, choice Seeds, Bulbs, and every kind of Garden Requsite may be obtained. Tree Ferns— Tree Ferns— Tree Ferns. DICKSONIA ANTARCTICA. — The Advertiser is now offering the above at greatly reduced prices, all trunks carefully selected, by an English gardener, from the coolest districts of Tasmania, from i foot upwards. They are carefully dressed and packed, and put on board ships sailing direct to London. Special terms to large buyers. For particulars apply to Mr. WALKER, 9, Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells. NEW SEED CATALOGUE For SPRING, 1877. All intending Purchasers of choice Kitchen Garden or Flower Seeds should send for a copy of the Ilhtstrated Gtdde for Amateur Gai'dcncrs, which will be found the most complete, useful, and beautiful Seed Catalogue ever published. Price Is.,' Post-free. Gratis to Custoi/iers or intending Purchasers, The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners, Spring, 1877, Contains 112 pages of beautifully illustrated Letterpress, with two superbly finished Coloured Plates, Original Articles on] the Rearing and Cultivation of various Garden Crops and Flowers, and complete Instructions for the successful Management of the Kitchen and Flower Gardens throughout the year, together with a Select List of choice Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds, Seed Potatos, &c. The most practical and comprehensive Guide for the Amateur yet issued, and should be read by every one having a garden. OPINIONS FROM THE lie know of a more useful or the drawing-room taljle." is the most tasteful and best executed thing of the t we ever remember having seen, and would be an superbly illuminated and handsomely illustrated something more than a mere catalogue of seeds and : copious and carefully " The calendar for the kitchen gar useful. The hints for the rotation of c hensive and practical." — Land and and beautiful catalogue we have ever : compre- seen." — Lloyd's Loi " The flower garden calendar, publication, will be especially useful for all lovers The Record. '■ Profusely illustrated, and t btyond the average of book jllusti pressly fc :rs of flow. DANIELS BROS., The Royal Norfolk Seed Establishment, NORWICH. B YeoYll Nursery. R. DAVIS, having arranged to take the • Business belonging to the late Mr. E, Pierce, begs to assure the Nobility, Gentry, Clergy, and the Public generally, that it will be his constant endeavour to merit a continuance of those favours bestowed for so many years upon the late proprietor. Prompt attention and every care will be given to B. R. D. begs to offer a quantity of large ARBOR-VIT/E, 8 to 10 feet. CEDRUS DEODARA, WELLINGTONIA, THUJAS, LIMES, 8 to 12 feet, and a large assortment cf TREES and EVERGREENS for Ornamental Planting ; having been periodically transplanted will remove with perfei Australian Plants and Seeds. EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS, PALMS, CYCADS, FERNS, and all kinds of PLANTS and SEEDS indieenous to Australia, Fiji, &c., supplied on the most reasonable terms. Priced CATALOGUES and Special Quotations on application. SHEPHERDand CO., Nurserymen and Seedsmen, Darling Nursery, Sydney, New South Wales. (Established 1827.) Agents : Messrs. C J. BLACKITH AND CO., Cox's Quay, WHOLESALE OFFER of NURSERY STOCK. 100,000 FIR, Larch, 4-yr., 2 to 3 feet, twice transplanted. 750,000 FIR, Larch, 3-yr., 1% to 2 feet, and I'A to lyi feet, 20,000 SYCAMORE, 3 to 4 feet, fine. 30,000 BIRCH, fine, 2 to 2j^ feet, and 2 to 3 feet. 20,000 LAUREL, common, 2 to 3 feet. 12,000 LAUREL, Portugal, 2 to 3 feet, e.ttra fine. 2,000 PINUS AUSTRIACA, 3 to 4 feet, transplanted spring, ,875. for samples and lowest quotations, apply to MICHAEL GRANT and CO., Elm Grove Nurseries, Newry, Ireland. Special Offer to tlie Trade. CHOICE SEEDS.— Purple Lothian Stocks and Pansy; splendid mixed Pansy, and crimaon Caiicy- tuft ; Dell's Black Beet ; Egyptian Turnip-rooted Beet : Belt's Nasturtiums, sorts ; King s Tom Thumb Nasturtium, trne size ; Carrot, James' Intermediate ; Xeranthemums, double ; Broccoli, Chappie's Cream, and Snowflake Potatos : Austrian Pines, fine. Prices and particulars on application. E. ABBOTT, Railway Nursery, Ardleigh, near Colchester, Special Offer of First-class Mursery Stock toy MARTIN AND SON, Cotlingham, and 61, Market Place, Hull. *Apples. pyramids, gj. perdoz. *LauieI, caucasica, 2 to 3 feet, *Altha.-a frutex, named, gi ' Berberis jiponica, iji to 2J feet, gj. per dozen. Berberis Darwinii, ex. trans, 3 feet, 6s. per dozen. •Brooms, fine, 3^. per dozen. Cedrus atlantica, 4 to 5 feel 18s. per dozen. Juniperus drupacea, 2 1 3 feet, 42s. per dozen. *Juniperus sinensis, 4 to 4J feet, 24J. per dozen. *Libocedrus decurrens, 4 t 5 feet, 30J. per dozen. - *Ligustrum japonica, 2 to 2} 'Lila. perd *^ Laurel, common, *Laurei, Colchic, Those marked Phillyrea, . ■ P^^ f Yew, English, 3 to 4 feet, a glabra, 12^. 5 ft., 5 J. per doz. "Tree Box. 2 ( Ivy, gold., e per dozen. •Roses, *Trees, strong 12 feet high, 40s. per i ♦Shrubs, deciduous flowei and evergreen, 25s. p. *Pine, Austrian, 3 to 4 f ''Fir, Scotch, 3 to 4 f *Oaks, ' English, 6 to 8 f 30 J. per 100. ns, 4 to :ch, 2ji supply by the i< on. N.B.— Cashc , 40J. p. 1000. 3'A feet. 401. 3K feet. 4«- o, Laurels by Complete Liberal CoUectlone of (CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS, ^-^ igj., 215., 42J., 63J., and 105J. each, cartiase paid. As Veitch-s LETTUCE. Ale.-«andra Cos, true, ,s. per packet. ONION, Cantello's Prize, true, ij. per packet. BROCCOLI, Leamington, finest late, ii. Cd. per packet. CABBAGE, Alpha, fine, large, and early. li. per packet. CATALOGUE of New and Choice Seeds on application. R. B. M'COMBIE, Grower of Choice Seeds. &c,, Christ- church. Hants. FRUIT TREES. Kentish Cob Nuts ,. Filberts Morello Cherries, sld. trained Damsons Grape Vmes for outdoors Finely rooted and well-c EVERGREENS. Aucubas. 2 to 6 feel Rhododendron poiui ''''thos" bunvard Maidstone, Kent. FOREST TREES. Elms, four kinds Laburnums Mountain Ash Poplars, Silver ,. Lombardy ;; Italian Thorns, of sorts CONIFER/E. Biota elegantissima ND SONS. The Old THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. (January 6, 1877. DICK RADCLYFFE & CO.. SEED MERCHANTS, GARDEN FURNISHERS And Horticultural Decorators. pm zeMed^al Seed s . Complete Collections of Vegetable Seeds. No. I.— Suitable for a very Large Garden .. ..^330 No. 2.— Suitable for a Large Garden .. .. ..220 No. 3.— Suitable for a Medium-sized Garden . . ..110 No. 4.— Suitable for a Small Garden o 10 6 Carriage free as per terms of Catalogue. Choice Collections of Plower Seeds. Containing only popular kinds of ea^y growth, which will make a pretty and effective show during the summer months. 55., los. 6rf., 215., 31J. 6(/. and \2S. each. All Fiower Seeds sent post-free. For full Detailed List of Collections, see D. R. & Co.'s Illustrated Flower, Vegetable, Agricultural and Garden Requi- site CATALOGUE, sent gratis and post free on application to DICK RADCLYFFE k CO., and 129, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON". The above Catalogue is now ready, gratis an, Post-free to all applicants. B. S. W. begs to intimate that in the event of any of his Customers not receiving this Catalogue, if they will commu- nicate with him a copy will be sent. CRANSTON'S NURSERIES^ KING'S ACRE, near HEREFORD. Established 1785. SPECIALITIES. ROSES, FRUIT TREES, CONIFERS. Descriptive Priced Lists on application. JitU^ua£UAf. MR. WILLIAM BULL has just received an importation Jrom California of several thousands of geno Establishment for New and Rare Plants, King's Road, .. ids of LILIES indigenous to that country, and supply them by the dozen, hundred or thousand. The Cali- fornian Lilies being perfectly hardy, are beautiful objects when planted or grouped in beds, borders or shrubberies ; they are also charmingly handsome when grown in pots for decorating L ILIUM AURATUM.— Fine Bulbs of this "Queen of Lilies" can now be supplied at 6(/., qjected to a lower temperature than they have hitherto received. D. fimbriatum, moschatum, Paxtoni, densi- florum, Pierardii, &c., are just a few of those that must be thus treated. Stood in a house where from 45° to 50° is the regular night temperature, .and but a small quantity of is water given, they must here remain for the next two or three months, as the case may be, until the buds are just showing either at the top of the bulbs or along the greater part of their length ; then gradually bring them back to the Den- drobium-house, where the spikes and flowers will come quickly on, and thus the result will be a much greater quantity of bloom, which latter will also be finer individually than if the plants had been subjected to a greater heat all through the winter. Another that requires hard treatment to fluwer well is Vamia teres. If a fine grov/th has bt^en formed during the previous summer this must aLo be stood out in the cool, and kept without water for the next two months or more ; then, on bring, ing it back to the List India-house, presuming the growths are strong and thoroughly ripened, it becomes almost a certainly that it will flower. If the pL-ints, however, aie but small, the rest recommended will be beneficial to these also, but they should be brought back into heat sooner than the blooming plants, which will cause them to start into growth a little earlier, and by this means the more quickly grow into a flowering plant. Carefully look to the plants of D. crassinode, Wardianum, and monilifurme, i^c, that are now pushing out their flower-buds ; give them a l.ttle water at first, then, as the young shoots come away, the quantity must be greater. Of D. cras^i- node the display this winter will doubtless be the finest that has ever been seen. Where several plants of this are grown and flowering, carefully make a note of the characteristics of the different varieties, for whilst some will be similar to the old type, many will prove to be much darker in colour, and at the same time the individual blooms will be larger and of finer substance. Where such is the case it is very desirable that the points of difference should be noticed and preserved. The very pretty OJonto- glossum membranaceum IwiU now be showing for Idoom. The beauty and apparent transparency of the flowers cause this to be always admired, and if some of the rose-coloured varieties are'grown, and flower at the same time, the beauties of each are better observed. These, however, do not succeed well as a rule, and having tried them under several methods, the one I have found to succeed best is to grow them in small baskets in peat'and moss, and hang them up in the Odontoglossum-house. Here, with plenty of water, which quickly runs away, they will make fine bulbs, and flower more freely than I when in pots. The night temperatures for this month should be the lowest during the year. Let the thermometers at 7 A.M. indicate about the following numbers : — East India-house, 55° to 58° ; Dendrobium-house, 50^ to'55''; Cattleya-house, 53° to 55° ; Odontoglossum-house, 45* to 48°. If only Dendrobiums were grown in the second division here named, it might be kept at a lower temperature than that mentioned, but as the collection is almost sure to be a mixed one, and some flowering plants are coming on and others are in flower, the numbers here given will be safer and more satisfactory. IV, Swan, Fallcnofield. FRUIT HOUSES. Cucumbers. — Until the days begin to increase in length and the sun attains a little more power, a night temperature of 6S\ with a corresponding rise of 10° to 15° by day, will be sufficient for the fruiting plants ; but where the winter supply is obtained from plants growing in a house divided into several com- partments, successionals intended for meeting the demand in February may be kept 5° lower until they begin to bear, care being taken that the bottom-heat never falls below So°. To keep up a supply of fruit, say till Christmas, from plants thoroughly established in September, the extremely low temperature we sometimes see strongly recommended may answer in mild winters, as the smallest amount of filing raises the temperature above the aver- age ; but in severe winters this advice is liable to lead young beginners astray, and it is more than probable the plants will be found weakly and quite unequal to the steady demand which always comes in with the fish season. Where the dull stagnant weather has interfered with the daily ventilation, red- spider and mildew will raoat hkely put in an appearance j if so, apply the usual remedies with- out delay, as these pests travel with alarming rapidity. See that plants in a bearirg state have liberal supplies of tepid liquid manure when requisite, particularly if they happen to be growing in pots plunged in fermenting Oak leaves or tan. Keep the foliage and young growths evenly arranged near the glass, which must be kept clean. Top-dress with good turf as the roots appear on the surface. Syringe sparingly for the present, except on fine bright days, when the house is closed about 2 r. M. at a temperature of So" to 85°. Preparations must now be made for getting up a supply of young plants for early spring work, and for this purpose a good bottom-heat from fermenting materials will be foun I most conducive to free and vigorous growth. Let the seeds be sown singly in small pots ; plunge in the bed near the glass to prevent their becoming drawn, and shift on as they require it. Jleantime get together a good quantity of stable litter and Oak leaves, which should be well shaken and mixed in a heap, on a dry bottom in the soil ground, to ferment and sweeten for future use in pits and frames. Orchard-house.— For some years after the vete- ran pomologist, Mr. Rivers, introduced the pot system of growing fruit, this department was looked upon by many as an expensive toy ; steadily, however, it has worked its way, and if the price of fruit has not been reduced our knowledge of varieties has been greatly increased, as we are now able to grow and test side by side a great number of kinds in a given space. In large establishments, where the main supplyof Peaches and Nectarines is and always will be obtained ficm trellis-trained trees, a judicious selection of early kinds in pots will give fine fiuit long before it can be obtained from Urge trees established in borders. Assuming that the trees in the forcing orchard-house were taken in early in December, the buds will be swelling fast, particularly if growing in pots. Daily syringing must be continued until the blossoms begin to open, and even then the atmosphere must not be kept too dry. The pots should be well drained an I favourably placed for the free egress of water, as fiuit trees under this kind of treatment luxuriate on rich mulchings and copious supplies of liquid-manure. In the arrangement of the trees in heated structures Peaches and Nectarines should occupy the warmest, Apricots and Cherries the coldest part. Cue air freely by night and day, except in very severe weather, when the ventilators should be closed in the afternoon, and sufficient heat turned onto pre- vent the temperature from falling below the freezing point. In unhealed structures the trees, if not already done, should be top-dressed, placed close together, and protected from frost by laying dry Fern or litter amongst and over the tops of the pots. All pruning and dressing with Gishurst Compound, 4 oz. to the gallon, and thickened to the consistency of paint with strong loam, should be finished, and, to increase the chances of a good set of fruit, all ventilators and doors should be set open to keep the house cool, and so retard the swelling and opening of the blossoms until danger of spring frosts has passed away. Where the stock of trees is limited healthy pyramids may still be selected from the nursery— if from the open ground they should be firmly potted and plunged out-ol-do.5rs until the buds are ready to open, when they may be taken into the cold house to make and ripen their growth. W. Coleman, EaUnor CaslU. nth KITCHEN GARDEN. One of the most important operations of this is the getting together as large a quantity of ferment- ing material as possible ; of course the staple of tins will be the litter and droppings from the stables, but it may be greatly and advantageously increased by a plentiful admixture of tree leaves. These materials, if frequently and intimately mixed together, will produce a much sweeter compound, and one which will retain a gentle heat much longer than stable manure alone, and at the same time the quality of such manure when decayed is equally well suited for garden purposes. With such materials let there be a good-sized hotbed thrown up at once ; it will answer many purposes, for although we are in the short, dull days, vegetation will soon be in active movement, and many little crops will have to be started where there is a family of taste to supply and early luxuries are required. Amongst these a small pinch of Celery should be sown thinly in boxes, to be afterwards pricked out in a sheltered place ; it will be too early even for very early planting in trenches, but will be found very useful for soups and other flavour- ing purposes. A pan of Walcheren Cauliflowers, to be pricked out into boxes before it is too far advanced, wi 1 be found very useful for successional purposes, or to furnish an early supply where there were failures in the autumn-sown plants. The long continuance of drenching rains during the last month will have been a great hindrance to all operations connected with ground-work. There will therefore be the greater need to concentrate a little extra labour in this department so soon as the weather will serve for wheeling out manure and composts, and digging or trenching up all vacant plots of ground, which should be thrown up as roughly as possible on the surface, so that it may have all the advantage of frosty weather. It may seem almost superfluous, considering the present con- dition of the soil, to give any reminder about sowinj^ crops in the open, yet in light, well-drained soils it may be possible to get in a sowing of Early Mazagan and Early Long-pod Beans ; the latter will succeed the former in coming in use if sown at the same time. The Peas sown in November will probably be well through the surface, and will be benefited by having some dry leaf-mould laid along each side of the rows to form a shelter ; the plants likewise may be just covered with the same material. A simple matter, but one requiring attention where neatness is lookcit for, is the constant removal of all dead and decaying leaves on the beds of Winter Gieens and Broccoli. John Cox, RcJkaf. i6 THE ' GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1877. HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS, 1877. -Crystal Palace. Exhibition of Artificial Flowe Meeting ■.— Koyai Horticultural Society. South K( of Fruit. Floral, and Scientific Committees. :.— Roy?l Horticultural Society. South Kensington. Meeting of Fruit. Floral, and Scientific Committees. , — Royal Botanic Society, Regent's Park. Spring Show. |,— Newcaslle-on-Tyne Horticultural Exhibition. nd 3.— Leeds Spring Flower Show. -Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington. Meeting of Fruit, Floral, and Scientific Committees. -Royal Horticultural Societ;^, South Kensington. Meeting of Fruit, Floral, and Scientific Committees. -Royal Botanic Society. Second Spring Show. -Crystal Palace. National Auricula Society's Show. -Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, Spring Show. Mav. -Royal Horticultural Society. South Kensington. Meeting of Fruit, Floral, and Scientific Committees. -Royal Horticultural Societjr, South Kensington. Meeting of Fruit, Floral, and Scientific Committees. -Royal Botanic Society. Summer Exhibition. -Royal Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society's -Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland. Second Spring -K.oyai notanic society. -Royal Horticultural Soc of Fruit, Floral, and Scientific Coi -Blackheath Horticultural Society's Exhibit SATURDAY, JANUARY 6, 1877. THE institution of a physiological laboratory at Kew,by the munificence of T. P. JODRELL, Esq., affords a fitting occasion for laying before our readers a portrait of one of the founders of vegetable physiology — one who was the direct precursor of Bonnet, of Duhamel, of De SauSSURE — one whose experiments and infer- ences are still current in the text-books ; one, in fact, of whom, together with Nehemiah Grew, British science has just reason to be proud. In subsequent issues we purpose giving similar portraits of Thomas Andrew Knight, and of other physiologists, to whose labours the gardening world is indebted for a knowledge of the basis on which the intelligent cultivation of plants depends. From the time of Knight down to comparatively recent years, if we except the carefully-devised and laborious experiments of Lawes and Gilbert, compara- tively little has been done in vegetable physio- logy proper by British observers, or at least in that department of it which embraces the study of the mode of working of the plant and its parts, looked at as machines. Botany, or the description and discrimination of one plant from another, including the study of outward conformation and minute anatomical structure, has been studied with zeal and success in this country, but in the particular department we have alluded to we have allowed the Germans, the French, and other nationalities to surpass us. There are many indications that this state of things is likely to undergo a change, and it is one which, in the interests of horticulture, is greatly to be desired. Two hundred years ago, that is to say in September, 1677, was born in the pleasant village of Bekesbourne, near Canterbury, Stephen Hales, a younger son of a very old Kentish family originally settled at Halden, and a man to be held in honour wherever the life-workings, whether of animals or of plants, are deemed worthy of study. In due time he proceeded to Cambridge, where we are told botany and anatomy together with chemistry formed his " studies of relaxation." We read of him collecting plants on the Gog-magog Hills, with the aid of Ray's Catalogue, accumulating fossils and butter- flies, and studying the stars. Entering the Church he became perpetual curate of Tedding- ton, Middlesex, and although he held other pre- ferments he seems to have resided chiefly at the last named village, under whose church tower, built by himself, he was buried in 1761, at the ripe age of 84. Westminster Abbey contains a monument erected to his memory by the Princess Dowager of WALES, in whose estab- lishment he had acted as clerk of the closet. The monument is in the tasteless style of the period, with a Latin inscription, which serves to testify the esteem in which he was held by the " mother of the best of kings," but which is silent as to his services to science. An amiable and benevolent man, he lived, says one of his biographers, not only " a blameless but in a high degree an exemplary life." Withal his career, apart from science, was uneventful and demands no further comment on our parts. What he did in science may be gleaned from a brief enumeration of some only of his principal papers, chiefly communicated to the Royal Society, of which he became a Fellow in 1717. The practical bent of his mind and the scope of his researches will be made so manifest from this enumeration that any lengthened comment will be unnecessary. His first paper contained an account of some experi- ments on the sun's heat in raising the sap in trees, a paper received with such favour by his contemporaries that, says Peter COLLINSON, to whose account in the Annual Register for 1765 we are indebted for some of these details, the request was " like the charge given by Pharaoh's daughter to the mother of MosES to take care of her son. The result was the publication of Statical Essays — Vegetable Statkks, in 1727, concerning which we shall have more to say in the sequel. Although he thought it quite consistent with his sacred office to perform experiments on animals which would novv-a-days suftice to brand him in the eyes of some.'people as a vivi- sector, he was yet humane and careful of the material as of the spiritual welfare of his fellows. " His philosophy was not," i says Sir Jas. Ed. Smith, " a barren accumulation for the ignorant to wonder at, for its professor to repose on in sottish self-sufficiency and uselessness, but an inexhaustible bank on which his piety and his benevolence were continually draw- ing." In accordance with this, we find him addressing a " friendly admonition to the drinkers of brandy and other spirituous liquors," making experiments with a view to find a sol- vent for stone in the bladder, and for preserv- ing meat in long voyages, for checking fires, for ensuring the due ventilation of ships, mines, prisons, &c. In this latter matter he was so successful that the mortality in the Savoy and Newgate prisons was reduced from fifty or even a hundred in the year to four. He investigated the cause of earthquakes, invented a "sea- gage to measure unfathomable depths." He devised methods for keeping water and fish sweet with lime-water, also a " cheap and easy way to preserve corn sweet in sacks and heaps, and to sweeten it when musty, and a mode of distilling fresh-water from salt. In 1757 he published in the Gentleman's Magazine an easy method of purifying the air, and regulating its heat in Melon frames and hot greenhouses." This was done by inserting a bent pipe into the dung-bed, one orifice of which communi- cated with the outer air, the other opened in the frame, at the upper end of which were holes to carry off the impure air. From this mere enumeration we glean a good idea of what manner of man he was. It is satisfactory to find that his merit was recog- nised. He refused higher preferment in the Church, but he accepted the honour which the Royal Society conferred on him of a Copley Medal, and English science was honoured in his person in 1753, when H.iVLES was elected one of the eight foreign members of the French Academy of Sciences on the decease of Sir Hans Sloane. So much we have gleaned from various sources. The best account of Hales' life and career that we have seen is that by Peter COLLINSON above referred to, and for indi- cating which we owe our thanks to the Rev. W. W. Newbould. It behoves us now to allude at somewhat fuller length to the book by which Hales will be longest remembered, and by which his position as a physiologist will be most securely upheld. Almost any text-book will furnish the leading details of Hales' Staties. Till a quite recent period Hales' experiments on certain subjects, as here recorded, formed the one source from which later writers took their in- spiration. Hales' experiments were repeated and performed in a more or less modified form, and his general results were confirmed. Whether it was the amount of moisture evaporated from a leaf, the amount and force of the current of ascending sap, as measured on the cut surface of a Vine stump, it was— nay is— Hales' experiments which were and are quoted and relied on, and, as we have said, till quite recently but little has been added to what he did nearly two centuries ago. Hales' magnum opus is thus entitled :— " The Vege- table Statics ; or, an Account of some Statical Experiments on the Sap in Vegetables, being an Essay towards a Natural History of Vegeta- tion ; also a Specimen of an Attempt to Ana- lyse the Air by a Great Variety of Chemico- Statical Experiments, which were read at several meetings of the Royal Society." We have spoken of it as a magnum opus, and so in some sense it is, though in mere dimensions a small 8vo of a few pages. It appeared in 1726, Isaac Newton being then President of the Royal Society, and it was dedicated to H.R.H. George Prince of Wales. It passed through several editions, and was translated into the principal European languages. The headings to the chapters, which we transcribe in an abbreviated form, will show in what manner Hales may be said to have laid the foundation of vegetable physiology. First of all, then, we come to a chapter show- ing the "quantities of moisture imbibed and perspired by plants and trees." "2. Experiments whereby to find out the force with which trees imbibe moisture. " 3. Experiments showing the force of the sap in the bleeding season. "4. Experiments showing the ready lateral motion of the sap, and consequently the lateral communication of the sap vessels. The free passage of it from the small branches towards the stem, as well as from the stem to the branches, with an account of some experiments relating to the circulation or non-circulation of the sap. " 5. Experiments whereby to prove that a con- siderable quantity of air is inspired by plants. " 6. A specimen of an attempt to analyse the airby chemico-statical experiments, which show in how great a proportion air is brought into the composition of animal, vegetable, and mineral substances, and withal how readily it resumes its elastic state when in the dissolution of those substances it is disengaged from them." In this last series of reseaches Hales un- wittingly confirmed the researches of Bcerhaave, made about the same time. This is not the place to enter into any critical analysis of what Hales did. The above enumeration will suffice, particularly as his experiments and inferences are inwoven into all the more important te.xt-books, and are, even r 6, 1877] THE ■ GARDENERS CHRONICLE. 17 now, not displaced by more modern research. Our portrait is copied from a fine mezzotint, after a painting by HUDSON. With our present issue we present our sub- scribers with a sheet Ai.sianac for the present year, designed and engraved by Mr. Worthington Smith. As on former occasions, the leading idea with the tirtist has been to reflect in .the Almanac a few of the more prominent horticultural novelties, or salient points of interest during the year, and which have been chronicled in our pages. The Kew Supplement, which is in so far a concession to Mr. Wilson's scheme. It seems a pity, however, that the Council should have adopted this in so halfhearted a manner. Either let the scheme be adopted in full or let alone. We are well aware of the enormous incubus under which the Council now lies— we are well aware, too, of the labour that the Council has without fee or reward undergone — we recognise that the Council is the most popular of any that we have had for several years, but we must beg them not to succumb to the numbing paralysing influence which the action of the debenture-holders and the Commissioners seem to have induced. The horticultural spirit of the a bush 10 to 12 feet high, " disregarding both frost and snow, being often covered with flowers from top to bottom, and forming a most beautiful object." At various times during the winter we have been favoured with specimens from Mr. Boscawen, but a few days since, in order to corroborate his opinions still more forcibly, he sent us a large hamperful of the blooms of this delicious Heath. As this was the pro- duct of a small garden, it may be judged what would be its profusion in a large establishment. Both Maresfield and Lamorran are comparatively warm localities, though by no means exempt from severe frost and snow. We should be glad to know, from STEPHEN HALES. The Founcler. m England, of Ve,t;etablc Physiology. and that devoted to the King of the Belgians' con- servatory are thus recalled to memory, together with several of the best new plants of the year. The ger- mination and fructification of the Potato fungus, and of allied forms, are appropriately introduced, together with various garden-visitors, of some of whom it may be said in the garden that their room would be pre- ferable to their company. The dates (or flower-shows and meetings are as complete as we can make them at so early a period of the year. The mean tempera- tures are those recorded at Chiswick, on an average of forty years, as revised by Mr. Glaisiier. It will be observed that in the circular issued by the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society mention is made at the end of guinea Fellowships, country is not dead, and it only awaits the earnest well-directed efforts of the Council to lend its aid in the reorganisation of the Society. At the annual meeting, which takes place in a few weeks, we shall hope to hear that the Council has roused itself to a more active policy than has been possible of late. We desire to call the attention of our readers to the beauty of Erica codonodes, by no means a new plant, but one not sufficiently known. The plant has something of the habit and appearance of E. arborea, but the flowers are larger and more bell- shaped. It was figured in 1S35 in the BoUuiUal Register, tab. 1698, from specimens supplied to Dr. LiNDLEY by Messrs. Wood, of Maresfield, Sussex, in whose nursery the plant was quite hardy, forming other correspondents, how the plant fares with them. Where it thrives it is evidently one of the very best hardy winter-flowering shrubs. The Post Office authorities too often act as if they considered the people of this country made for the Post Oflice, and seem, in particular, to look on the Press of the country with aversion— as their greatest source of annoyance. The officials seem to forget that they are the servants of the public, and that the vexa- tious and often absurd regulations they make tend to restrict the revenue of the country, to say nothing of the injury done to the Press and to the public in general. Constantly some petty quibble is raised by the obstructiveness of some oflScial whose desire seems to be "how not to do it." The Printing Times has THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1877. a long article on the subject, most of which we can endorse from our own experience. We trust that the truly childish regulations which are ignored one day, insisted on the next, interpreted to-day this way, tc- morrow another way, will be swept away and re- placed by a uniform and readily intelligible system. It is not only the annoyance to ourselves and our brethren of the Press which would be thus spired — that is a minor matter— but the labour and cost of the Post OITice itself would be reduced, and the revenue at the same time increased. Surely the higher officials might be expected to know and put into practice some of the laws of political economy and business mmagement, The origin of the Ghent Azaleas is given in the last number of the linue de I' HortictdUire Bd^e, by M. Van Hulle, from which it appears that towards 1825 M. MoRTIER, a nurseryman, of Ghent, conceived the idea of retarding the flowering of the early flowering varieties which were likely to be injured by early frost, by fecundating them with the pollen of later flowering varieties. The experi- ment succeeded. Not only were flowers of later flowering tendency secured, but flowers of better form and more varied colour and more agreeable fragrance. This variety soon became known as Azalea Mortierana, the varieties so called having been raised from various crosses between Azalea viscosa, nudiflora, pontica, and calendulacea. Ghent Azaleas are now propagated from seed, the one-year-old seedlings being grafted and treated as Camellias are. They are planted out in leaf-mould, and after two years are in a fit state for sale, The Bulletin oj the Bdi^ian Federation of Horticidtiiral Societies for 1875 contains, in addition to the usual ofScial matter, various articles on physio- logical subjects, to which we have already called attention. At p. 30 we observe an amusing mistake, which our Belgian friends would do well to correcl. The President of the Royal Horticultural Society is stated to be — Aykton, Esq. ! We trace this to a "squib" which was published some time since, but which we hardly expected to see taken an graml serieux. No wonder the poor Royal Horticultural Society is *' agonissante.^^ We have received from Mr. Sinclair, gar- dener to Sir H. D. INGILEY, Bart, Ripley Castle, Leeds, a copy of his Garden Diary, or, rather. Garden Account-Book. It contains a page for every day in the year, on which is printed the name of each kind of fruit, vegetable, salad, and herb, that is usually grown, with an £ s. d. column to show the money value of the quantity sent into the house each day. Cut flowers and plants are treated in the same way, and provision is made lor recording the tem- perature three times a-day, and for other obser- vations on the weather, as well as for a {^^fi general remarks. Such a book as this should be kept l.y every gardener, who would find it an excellent check on extravagance either in the kitchen or still-room. The one before us, however, would have been better had the space allowed for the various entries been on a more liberal scale. We may note, too, that through the transposition of a letter the word Borecole is mis- spelt on every page. As originator of the RoYAL Agricultural Benevolent Institution, Mr. Mechi suggests, in the Agricultural Gazette, that at all public agricul- tural dinners it should be one of the toasts. A good and worthy farmer, the late Mr. Congreve, has left to it /'looo. We are informed that the late Mr. George Moore has also bequeathed to it /looo. Mr. Mechi adds that he fears this very disastrous farmer's year will greatly add to the number of appli- cants for relief. The Ciylon Times states that a letter in its issue for December 7 bears testimony to all that has been written of the rapidity of growth of the Prickly Comfrey, showing clearly enough that it is a plant specially adapted to the soil and climate of Ceylon. "There should be no reason," says the journal in question, " why it might not be grown successfully on most of the poor waste lands of the low country. Messrs. Tiio.MAS Christy & Co 's circular, forwarded to us with the letter, says, ' The Comfrey, being a deeply-rooted plant, is independent of weather and climate, for in the driest and hottest seasons it will afford several heavy cuttings when all oiher vegetation is either burnt up or at a standstill.' With this plant at their disposal the natives of the poorer districts of the maritime provinces might turn to good account many an unproductive field, many a barren waste. We commend the idea to the Government, whicli has resolved on establishing an experimental garden at Meeriagama, for the special development of products suitable to native industry, A better plant could not be grown for general distri- bution than the Prickly Comfrey, which might be gradually distributed amongst all villagers applying for cuttings of it." ■- The Export of Roses to Portugal and Assam last year by one of the leading nursery firms in the North of Ireland, is an interesting item in the events of the year. The taste for Rose growing and Rose showing which has sprung up in Portugal lately is, the Irish Farmers' Gazette has reason to believe, to be largely attributed to a member of the Crawford- burn family, who is an enthusiastic rosarian, and is now settled on his property in one of the richest wine- producing districts of Portugal It is to be hoped the cultivation of Roses in Assam will be as successful as has been the cultivation of the Chinese Tea plant ia that country. Dr. E. Goeze, as we learn from the Ham- burger Gartenzeituiig, has left Lisbon, and taken the post of Inspector of the Botanic Garden at Greifswald. Signor Albertis, writing from New Guinea, as quoted in a recent number of Nature, says : — " I expect to have about 500 species of dried plants, and between twenty and thirty of living plants, collected far in the interior, many of which I did not get after- wards. I hope Mr. C. MooRE will be satisfied, as I have some fine Crotons and Palms among them, also some Ferns with variegated leaves, Orchids, and several other plants with variegated or spotted foliage, cS:c., from the very centre of New Guinea." Apropos of this matter, we may mention that we recently had the opportunity of inspecting some valuable importations from New Guinea at the nursery of Mr. B, S. WiLLiA-MS, and of which we hope to be able to say more on another occasion. We understand that two of Mr. Wm. Bull's collectors — Messrs. Carder and Shuttleworth — have just returned from New Grenada, barely escaping with their lives. The revolution has ex- tended throughout the United Slates of Colombia to such an extent that the utmost lawlessness now pre- vails. Mr. Carder was unfortunately robbed, not only of his money and valuables, but also of his revolver. To escape, we understand, the collectors were obliged to go down the river Magdalena in a small open barge, and the river being unusually swollen, that was a highly dangerous alternative. Holders of the beautiful plants that come from that country, and who have secured good stocks, may be congratulated, as from the nature of the revolution it can scarcely be expected that any plants will be received from that country for some time to come. Many of the most handsome of the cool and com- paratively cool Orchids now so high in popular estimation are indigenous to the United States of Colombia, such as was Masdevallia Harryana, the always beautiful Odontoglots crispum (Alexandr.-e), Pescatorei and Roezlii, Cattleya Mendelii, and the exceedingly handsome Odontoglossum vexillarium. The Golden Thuja occidentalis, named Ver- vaeneana, is generally represented as having.foliage of a bronzy-yellow colour. There can now be seen at the Royal Nurseries, Ascot, some specimens in which the foliage is of a bright golden colour, and most effective. Perhaps the moist sandy bog of the Ascot Nurseries has something to do with the production of the striking glow of colour. The larger the plants the better character did they appear to possess. There seems to be considerable doubt as to whether the Embia, the supposed New Danger for Orchid-gkowers, mentioned in our last issue, has anything to do with the destruction of Orchid roots or with the spinning of webs. We were assured that no such insects had been found in the Orchid-house from which the plant was originally derived, and that the web was in all probability spun by a species of spider common in Orchid-houses. The subjoined letter from Mr. M'Lachlan will be read with interest, as having been written by one who has made a special study of the group of insects in question. We shall be obliged if any of our readers will forward us specimens of the insect, should they unfortunately discover it in their " The notes and figures that appeared in your last number have much interested me, as Embia has long been one of my pet groups. Like Professor Westwood I have never seen any but fully wicged and absolutely wingless forms ; yet from analogy the ' nymph * ought to have rudimentary wings, but not {as regards the meso- thoracic wings) like the figure. I share his (implied) doubts as to whether the Embise are the real depredators in this case. Professor Westwood has overlooked an important notice on the habits of Embia. M. Lucas, in the Exploration Scientifique de V Algirie (insects), pp. ri3— rr4, says concerning H!s Embia maurilanica that he found the perfect insect in the environs of Algiers in June, living in families in sandy places, and running about rapidly on the stems of large herbaceous plants, not using the wings when about to be captured. Of the larva; he says they are found under damp stones, and inhabit little silken tunnels, into which they retire when an attempt is made to seize them. They are very active, carnivorous, and not rare in winter. In March he placed several larvos in boxes with insects to feed them. He was not able to watch the transformation, but in one of the boxes he found, many months afterward.'^, a winged insect fully developed. A larva is noticed by Hagen as having been found at Athens in Novem- ber under a stone. I possess a larva of Embia Solieri, given to me by Mr. Pascoe, found by him at Hydres, under a stone. I think these notes are sufficient to warrant doubts as to the supposed Orchid -destroying propensities of the creatures, even supposing that the carnivorous habits attributed to them by ^L LuCAS be not strictly correct. Analogy certainly suggests dry and dead vegetable matters as a more probable food, yet we have M. Lucas' distinct assertion that they are car- nivorous. R. McLachlan, 39, Limes Grove, Lewisham." ■ Mr. John Lee having retired from the firm of Messrs. John & Charles Lee, the business so long carried on by them has passed into the hands of Messrs. Charles Lee & Son, who will in futuie carry on the general business of the nursery and seed trade, at the Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith ; and at the branch establishments at Feltham, Ealing, and Isleworth. It is the intention of the new firm to rebuild the extensive ranges of glass in the Hammer- smith nursery on a new site, a portion of the old nursery being taken up for building purposes. A correspondent asks for a description of Hanstei.m's method of Rendering Vegetable Tissues Transparent as described in his Botanische Alihandlungen, heft i., p. 5. It is very simple. He employed it especially in his investigations on the development of the embryo of phanerogamous plants. To release the embryo from the seed a dilute solution of caustic potash was used, and this rendered the embryo transparent. Very young embryos required only a few seconds' immersion in the solution, and afterwards placing in glycerin to make them trans- parent, and preserve them in that state. The glycerin was diluted with water and alcohoh Older embryos required longer treatment with the potash solution, and subsequent washing in acetic acid. Sometimes it happens that the preparation is too transparent, and the cell-walls are no longer dis- tinguishable ; but this is easily remedied by im. mersing it in a dilute solution of alum, when the walls become distinctly visible. To all concerned in gardening operations, the long-continued Rains and Stormy Weather are becoming serious evils of more than ordinary moment. With the soil in its present waterlogged condition, all really useful and seasonable ground-work is out of the question ; indeed, it is only with light, gravelly loams that digging or planting of any kind is possible. Over vast breadths of the country the water is found within some 12 inches to iS inches of the surface, but on close clay loams the water lies on the surface in puddles, the heavy rainfall having closed up the pores of the soil by constant friction. To attempt the cultivation of soil so affected would be folly, as the moving would simply result in the conversion of it into lumps of clay, to be baked into the consistence of bricks under the possible March wind.'-. I'aticnce under existing circumstances is an undoabted virtue, January 6, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 19 and one that all having to cultivate land will do well for the present to practise. To those engaged in the cultivation of tender plants under glass, the too common flooded stokeholes are grave calamities. It is scarcely probable that whilst the water lies so high in the soil we shall have severe frost, but with so much moisture in the atmosphere fire-heat is as essential for the reduction of damp as it is to maintain a high temperature. The expectation that we shall have a soft, moist winter, seems even more likely to be verified. In one of Messrs. Veitcii's Oichid-houses is now flowering a charming pUnt of Masdevallia TOVARENSis. From a compact tuft of broadly oblong strap-shaped leaves rise no less than twenty- nine flower-spikes, bearing some three, others four, pure white flowers. It is a veritable gem. THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES OF 1S76. The year 1S76 stands almost pre-eminent for the great paucity ot its Fruit crop in general, and of new or notable varieties in particular, so that our task of re- viewing the acquisitions during the past year is an exceedingly light one. This great scarcity in the case of the outdoor fruits, such as Apples and Pears, is chiefly attributable to the action of the late spring frosts, which were last season of unusually long duration. Notwithstanding this general scarcity, we have the pleasure to record the introduction of a few sterling representative fruits. Grapes naturally claim our first attention, their cultivation and improvement being specially the pro- perty of the British gardener. Here we have in Clive House Seedling a very decided acquisition in the class of late black Grapes. This is a seedling variety raised by a gentleman amateur, D. P. Bell, Esq., of Clive House, Alnwick, and which is stated to be a cross be- tween the Black Morocco and another black variety from Wortley. The bunches are large and well shouldered, of much the same appearance as the Alicante ; the berries large, ovate in shape, with a dense black bloom. Ill flavour it has the rich sparkling cha- racter of llie Morocco, and is very pleasant, so that if it is free from the bad setting qualities of that variety, and of good constitution, this will prove to be one of the best late black Grapes, and we congratulate Mr. Bell on his success. We may note also, en fasscint, how well Mr. Pearson's last introduction, "Mrs. Pearson," is proving. It is one of the best white Grapes in cultivation. Pine-apples merit this season a share of our atten- tion. Seedling Pineapples are of rare occurrence, and their production is evidence of considerable skill and perseverance. We therefore compliment Mr. Hunter, the very able gardener at Lambton Castle, for his succtSi so far. His new seedling, " Lady Beatrice Lambton," is a Urge and very handsome fruit, not unlike a good Cayenne. Some fruits ex- hibited before the Fruit Committee were of fine appearance, but of inferior quality ; we have, how- ever, tasttd some fruits which were excellent, so that we look forward to its taking a front place, in- dependently of its great size and beauty, which will always recommend it. Apples furnish us with no novelties of particular note this season, and Pears are nearly equally want- ing ; yet here we must mention one or two excellent additions, as Amiral Cecile and WiUison's Queen Victoria— the former one of the richest-flavoured January Pears, the latter a good early autumn sort. Both are of medium size, and well worthy of cultiva- Of Peaches and Nectarines there is little of novelty to recoid, but attention may be called to some of the older but too little known sorts, such as Goshawk, which is one of Mr. Rivers' best seedlings, and is a fine large and excellent sort. Let us mention also Desse tardive as one of the handsomest and best late Peaches, ur .00 little known. Strawberries are not so prolific of novelty either this season, as usiu 1, the excessive drought having ma eiially mieifeiLd wiih their progress. A great many nev/ Strawberries are annually introduced to us from the Continental raisers, the majority of which are worthless. Of the newer English soits we would especiiliy i^cuii mend Enchantress, Excelsior, Countess, &c., all seec lings of Dr. Roden — free and abundant bearers, of excellent quality, and most distinct. Melons appeared in plentiful array, as usual, some promising scarlet-fleshed varieties coming from Kashgar, of which more may be said anon. Mr. Frisby's Alexandra Palace proved to be a first-class, high-flavoured green- flesh. In the Vegetable Department the number of new names annually introduced to notice by our enter- prising seedsmen is most confusing. We fail to see the necessity or the policy of this continual application of new and special names to well-known varieties. A new name cannot improve the quality of the article, neither do we believe it can tend to the reputation of its introducer in the long run. A spade is still a spade, and we should prefer to call it so, and the Ne Plus Ultra Pea bears a more honourable character by that name than any of its new-fangled aliases will ever attain. Improved selections of vegetables are most m'eritorious and require distinctive appellations, and it is mainly by careful selection that the high standard of excellence is maintained, so it has appa- rently become the fashion^ now to bestow a special name on all carefully saved seeds, whilst the original names are lost sight of. This is a tendency greatly to be deplored and discountenanced. Amongst Peas, which of late years have been replete with novelty, thanks to the great skill of our hybridists, we have again a few very promising varieties to notice. Criterion, of Messrs. Veitch, is a seedling of the late Mr. Standish's, and is an early Ne Plus Ultra, than which it wants no better character. Sutton's Giant Emerald Marrow is a novel and very distinct sort, a tall, strong-growing variety, with large pods, and of good quality. It has the peculiar glassy green of the old Danecroft Rival. Carter's Commander-in-Chief is a large and very fine showy semi-wrinkled green Marrow in appearance like Supreme. Allen's Champion is a good selection of Dickson's Favourite, and] Taber's Market Favourite is a good selection of the Essex Rival, but distinct. In Onions we call special attention to the Trebons, which, although not a new variety, was proved last season to be so exceptionally good for autumn soA-ing that it deserves all the notice we can give it. We would also note the Rocci as being the best form of the large Tripoli section. Of Kidney Beans we make note of the Early White Etampe, as being a very early sort ; Nain Blanc Qaarantin, is an excellent second early ; Rachel, Yel- low Champion, and Zebra are all excellent sorts, if so many varieties are really required. la Cauliflowers there is nothing specially new. In the Cbiswick trials the Lenormand was specially dis- tinct, as was the Extra Earliest Paris, which is used for forcing purposes, and little known injthis country. The Erfurt variety seemed to engulf many of the so- called new varieties of former years. Of Cabbages, Carter's Heartwell is a good variety of the Nonpareil. Amongst Salads we must not omit to mention the Whitloof, or Brussels Chicory. This is not a new vegetable, but although extremely common in many parts of the Continent, it was scarcely known or culti- vated in this country until the past season. It is of the easiest cultivation, and when blanched like Seakale it is excellent as a salad or cooked. Speaking of Seakale, we are reminded of a distinct sort cultivated by Messrs. Stuart & Mein, the leaves of which are green, with no purplish colouring, consequently when blanched they are pure white, and although exposed, never assume that purplish tint of the common form. On this account it may prove valuable as a market variety. Potatos come last, but are far from being the least of the gardener's charges, or the least deserving of notice. Of late years it is pleasant to note the in- creasing popularity of this vegetable. Immense interest is now being taken, not only in improved cultivation, but also in the production of improved varieties, both in this country and in America, and the improvement is manifest. From America we have received quite a distinct class, remark- able for their great cropping qualities, and for possessing a peculiar whiteness ot flesh. In some seasons and in some situations they are wonder- fully good, but in others they lack the finer qualities of our best English varieties. To overcome this— to blend the good properties of both in one, many of our enterprising men have been endeavouring to cross them, and in this Mr. Bennett, of Enville, has suc- ceeded by producing the Schoolmaster, now offered by Mr. Turner. This is a splendid victory, and a splendid Potato in every sense. It is of the Regent appearance — a most extraordinary cropper, and of first-class quality. Criterion is very similar to this. WyviUe Seedling is a fine handsome Potato. It is a seedling raised at the village of Wyville some years ago, and, strangely enough, is scarcely distinguishable from the American Bresee's ProUfic. Of other sorts we mention Prince Arthur, pertaining to the Lapstone section ; Lye's Favourite, a very handsome coloured sort, fine for exhibition put- poses ; Brownell's Superior, of American origin ; Garibaldi, International, Worthington G. Smith, &c., and many more of the many excellent sorts of our great Potato authority, Mr. Robert Fenn. Some Corrtsioiikiite. Holly Berries.— Several of your correspondents have noticed the scarcity of Holly-berries in diSerent parts of the country, and the same thing may be observed to a remarkable extent in this neighbourhood. Your correspondents account for the fact by spring frosts, but it must be remembjred how hardy a plant the Holly is, being found in Norway as far north as the 62d degree of north latitude (Lecoq Geographie Bjlann/ue, vii., p. 370), another explanation seems to me more probable. Bees of all kinds were in this neighbour- hood extraordinarily rare during the spring. I can state this positively, as I wished to observe a particular point in their behaviour in sucking the common red Clover J and, therefore, often visited the fields where this plant was growing ; but I could see very few bees. I was so much struck by this fact that I examined several meadows abounding with flowers of all kinds, but bees were everywhere rare. Reflecting, in the course of the summer, on this extraordinary scarcity, it occurred to me that this part of England would be temporarily in the same predicament as New Zealand before the introduction of hive bees, when the Clovers (which, as I know by trial, require the aid of bees for perfect fertilisation) would not set seed. By an odd chance I received the very next morning a letter from a stranger in Kent, asking me if I could assign any reason for the seed-crop of Clover having largely failed in his neighbourhood, though the plants looked vigorous and healthy. Now the Holly is a dioecious plant, and during the last forty years I have looked at many flowers in different districts, and have never found an hermaphrodite. Bees are the chief transporters of pollen from the male to the female tree, and the latter will produce but few berries if bees are scarce. In my Oriom of Species I state that, having found a female tree exactly 60 yards from a male tree, I put the stigmas of twenty flowers, taken from different branches, under the microscope, and on all, without exception, there were a few pollen-grains, and on some a profusion. As the wind had set for several days from the female to the male tree, the pollen could not thus have been carried. The weather had been cold and boisterous and therefore not favour- able ; nevertheless every female flower which I examined had been effectually fertilised by the bees, which I saw at work, and which had flown from tree to tree in search of nectar. Therefore, as I believe, we cannot decorate our Christmas hearths with the scarlet berries of the Holly, because bees were rare during the spring ; but what caused their rarity I do not in the least know. Charles Dai-oin, Down, Beckenhain, Kent, Jan. 3. Premature Growth of Vina Roots, iSc— " We are so liable to shape our practice in accordance with preconceived notions, that have become deeply rooted through long usage, that we often adhere to the old treatment without having tried any other." This, the closing sentence of Mr. Baine^' article on this subject (on pp. 775 and 776 in your last volume), has struck the right key, not only with regard to the subject in hand, but to many other prac- tices connected with horticulture, and until each one for himself has sufficient manhness to have an opinion of his own, and moral courage enough to express it, despite the taunts and sneers that he is sure to meet, can the old ruts, that we are liable to run in because our forefathers did, be filled up. As horticulturists, there is a clannish feeling amongst us, and most of the brotherhood are at all times most willing to assist each other with ideas or more substantial aid. The moment, however, such aid tends— as in some instances it does— to discourage thinking on the part of the recipient, and makes him, as it were, a mere machine, dependent on, and working out the ideas of others, wondering what treatment Messrs. Thomson, Fowler, Coleman, Johnston, Hunter, and other noted Grape-growers give their Vines to obtain such marvellous results— causing him, instead of putting his own brains in motion, or tucking up his own sleeves, to wait anxiously, to hear or read what these gentlemen have to say — then it is that such THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1877. assistance cannot be too highly deprecated. I am free to confess that I am not altogether clear in this matter myself, being far too prone to "follow the leader " rather than take a new course ; but, having a desire to be free, I have occasionally worked out a theory of my own, and this one of Vine roots is by no means the least interesting. I lay no claim to originality of discovery that Vines do not make new feeding roots till the buds are expanded, for I doubt not but that scores have known this for years ; still the general opinion is that root-growth does and must precede leaf development ; but to my own satisfaction I have proved that they do not— more, that though they may be made to produce roots in advance of top- growth by the application of heat to the border, yet that such a practice is injurious to the general welfare of the Vines : both of which propositions coincide in a remarkable manner with Mr. Baines' experience, and I doubt not but that many of your readers could give similar testimony. Still the great majority of gardeners believe in the doctrine of root precedence ; hence all the labour and anxiety to keep up a given temperature in early Vine borders. Like Mr. Baines, I had strongly imbibed the doctrine, and from those whom I believed best calculated to teach it ; and it was only after the demonstrative experiment recorded at p. 71 6, vol. vi., that my faith gave way ; and as show- ing how tenaciously I held the doctrine, though this occurred some six years ago, I have hardly yet been able to give up the practice of covering early Vine borders, to induce root formation by the heat so gene- rated. However, for the last two or three years I have merely covered the borders to keep out the cold, doing it as early in the autumn as opportunity offered, with a view of retaining part of the as yet unexhausted summer-heat ; and my conviction is, that if outside borders were covered with 18 inches thickness of dry leaves. Bracken, or straw, no other covering would ever be requisite, though forcing began ever so early. But the question here arises, Why have outside early Vine borders at all? Given a plentiful supply of water, and an easy mode of applying the same, then inside borders are for several reasons preferable :— 1st, they are independent of weather, no covering from cold or protection from wet being required. Liquid and other forms of manure can be more freely applied. The roots are always in a more equable temperature as compared with the heads of the Vines than can possibly be the case with outside borders ; and 1 am convinced that at least one spoke in the wheel of successful culture is equability of temperature, both as to root and top growth. I am an advocate for late vinery borders being also entirely inside, for the same reasons as those just mentioned. Further, I contend that the orthodox style of Vine borders is founded on a wrong principle— half the border inside, and the other half out— one half protected from all weathers, and when the Grapes are ripe, dry as dust, the other half exposed to all the rain that falls, and sometimes perhaps bound with frost. Put an advocate of such borders in a similar predicament on a cold frosty night, i.e., with one foot outside the blanket and the other safely ensconced in it, and one can fancy how he would plead to have both inside. I know I am treading on tender ground in this matter, and shall probably be met with the reply that perhaps the best Grapes tliat have ever been grown were from such borders. Granted that they may have been : it does not follow that they would not have been better if grown on what I term a more natural principle, that is, with the roots entirely in, or entirely outside. Again, it is always more pleasant to record successes, than failures, hence the few records of the latter that appear in print ; but all will admit that, as regards Vine failures, a mere tithe only are ever made known, and though I do not wish to infer it, there is just a possibility that "half-and-half" borders may have been accessional to such failures. Certainly as regards myself, if obliged to give a decisive answer, I should without hesitation, and with strong conviction that I was right, answer in the affirmative. The subject is to me of such deep interest that I am selfish enough to hope that many others will have a say in the matter. W. Wildsmilh, HeckfielJ. [Will some of our correspondents tell us what is the condition of the roots in outside and inside borders respectively at the same time? Eds.] Fruiting of the White Jasmine.— Observing in your last number a notice ol the extreme rarity of the fruiting of the white Jasmine, I beg to enclose you a specimen which I found this morning in my garden. Never having seen this occurrence before in this neighbourhood, I have made the unusual event the excuse for troubling you. G. Fuller Guy, The Grange, Bury Si. Edmunds, Dec, 31, 1S76. Late Roses.— Passing to-day (December 31) the residence of Mrs. Jones, widow of the late proprietor of the White Hart Hotel, situated on Milford Hill, Salisbury (rather an exposed situation), I observed some eight or ten well-opened blooms of Celine Forestier and Climbing Devoniensis ; also on a standard fastened to the wall a bloom, finely developed, of what in colour pretty nearly resembled Madame Rothschild. I was not near enough, however, to speak positively as to the variety. The trees, which face almost due west, are well sheltered from north winds, and effectively protected from wet by widely projecting eaves. To "seek Roses in December, ice in June," seems now-a-days a less ridiculous thing than it was supposed to be in the "degenerate days " of Byron. C. II. Epiphyllum Iruncalum. — It gave me much pleasure to see the features of an old favourite of mine again appearing in the pages of the Gardeners' Chroniele : I mean your reprint of engrafted Cactus (fig. 148, p. SoS). It is somewhere about thirty years ago since the sketch was taken by the late H. Bellenden Ker, Esq., of Ches- hunt, when on a visit to Mrs. Huskisson, at Eartham, Sussex, from a plant grown by me and in the conservatory at the time. I have a lively recol- lection of seeing him sketching and of my placing the plant in better position for the purpose. I had four of these large plants at the time, the two tallest being on stems about 4 feet in height, the heads fully 2 feet in diameter. Two of them had single heads with the Cereus growing under. The other two were of the double section, and had the Cereus mixed, as shown in your illustration. These plants after flowering were allowed to remain in the warm end of the same structure through the winter, and were kept pretty dry during that time. In the spring they were moved to the back of a lean-to Orchid-house, and encouraged into growth. The soil they were grown in was similar to that recommended by Mr. Besterat p. SoS. A little before the time of their commencing to show for flowering they were moulded over to the depth of I^ inch with fowl-dung fresh out of the fowl- house. In the course of a few weeks the roots were seen to draw up over the surface until the mass became white. The following season the exhausted surfacing was removed by poking it up with a pointed stick, and a similar mulching put on. This method served for years without shifting the plants into larger sized pots. Sometimes as many as three or four flowers would grow out together at the ends of the strongest shoots, and the mass of bloom they produced was sometimes marvellous. The Pereskia is a strong free-rooting plant and does not require tampering with by starving cultivation. It was either Mr. Ker or some friend of mine who told me that Dr. Lindley had taken the figure of my plant for the frontispiece of his Theory of Horticidture, where I think it will be seen to cor- respond with the figure in the Gardeners' Chronicle. [Not in the second edition]. J. IVebsler, Gordon Castle. Fungoid Christmas and New Year's Cards. — Messrs. De la Rue & Co. have this Christmas, amongst their other admirable productions in colour, issued a set of [six fungoid Christmas or New Year's cards: No. 31. Each card shows a group of fungi, over and about 'which fairies, elves, little goblins, and witches are disporting themselves. As the groups of Agarics and Boleti are copied from the originals made by myself and my friend Mr. W. Wilson Saunders, many fungological friends may reasonably imagine that we have been improperly reducing the higher fungi to this lower (?) level. But this is not so ; and I for one do not complain. The first I knew of the cards was from seeing them in a shop-window, ju't as the first I recently knew of a new edition of my Uuslirooins and Toadstools, with new key plates, &c., was from seeing a criticism of it in a newspaper. This new edition I have not even yet seen, but no doubt my publishers have arranged for all details to be right. The first of Messrs. De la Rue's fungoid cards reproduces on its left my figure (now in the British Museum) of Cantharellus carbonarius. The natural habitat of this fungus is wood-ashes ; on the card it is made to grow in a nice grassy place amongst Ferns, and on one pileus is a Dryad with a red feather in her cap. On the right of this card is my Boletus parasiticus, Bull (also in the British Museum). On the pileus of one of the group three gnomes are introduced, and Titania is in the foreground. The fungus upon which the Boletus is parasitic is omitted (Scleroderma), probably on account of its strong resemblance in my drawing (to the non-fungoid mind) to a lump of horse-dung. My originals are well reproduced. Card No. 2 reproduces Mr. Wilson Saunders' group of Cortinarius cosrulescens, Fr. (Mycological Illustrations, plate 22), but Messrs. De la Rue's artist, not having funguses in his heart, has omitted the cortina (or veil) from the Cortinarius ; the latter is clearly shown in Mr. Saunders' original. Nine amusing sprites are playing in the foreground. Card No. 3 is a plant I first published as British, viz., Cortinarius dibaphus, Fr. My original, now in the British Museum, or the plate in Mycological Illus- trations, is well reproduced, but the cortina is again omitted from both specimens. Queen Mab is intro- duced in the foreground directing the cutting down of one of the two fungi by two infant axe-bearing gnomes. Card No. 4, possibly original, is certainly a fungological nondescript. Four elves are dancing on the pileus of Agaricus muscarius (judging from its red colour and its white warts), but the stem of the Christ- mas-card fungus is ringless, and clearly pertains to a Mushroom belonging to a different section. In the fore- ground are three small beings belonging to the world of dreams, and a small original fungus with no char.icters in particular. Card No. 5 reproduces on its left Mr. Wilson Saunders' illustration of Coprinus lagopus, Fr. ; a wood nymph and five evil genii of the masculine gender are engaged in overturning one specimen. On the right of this picture is a possible Tricholoma, whether original or copied I cannot say. Card No. 6: a similar fungus with this last occurs on the right of this card, in which five little dream-folk and two witches figure. The witches with their cauldron are concocting Macbethian broth, whilst on the left are three Coprini, and a reproduction of Mr. Saunders' Agaricus lacrymabundus, Fr. The characteristic veil is again omitted, which shows that the copyist who has honoured us by reproducing our drawings has not a fungus eye. IV. G. Smith , Horse Radish Culture.— An essay on the culture of this root was read at the West Derby Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Society on December 18 by Mr. C. Gore, and a few remarks respecting its culture may be of service to some of the readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle. The whole should be lifted in November, and have the long roots cut off, the remainder being laid in in some convenient part of the garden for use. The straightest pieces should be selected for planting, and cut to the length of 9 or 10 inches. All the fibres should be cut off to within half an inch of the bottom (the back of an old knife being a good thing for this purpose), then rubbed with a cloth, so that no fibres remain for branching, except at the bottom. The pieces selected should be tied in bundles, and plunged in ashes with their crowns exposed till March, when they should be planted in ground that has been well manured, and deeply dug or trenched to the depth of iS inches. In planting the rows should be iS inches apart, and the same distance from root to root, a straight stick being used to dibble them in. The holes are lightly filled up, and the crowns covered to the depth of 2 inches. Here they should remain till the time mentioned for taking them up, the rootlets being cut off and pre- pared as above described for next season's planting. An average sized stick was produced for the inspec- tion of the members, and it measured 6 inches in circumference, and about 10 inches in length. It was very crisp and tender. I have obtained a sample from Mr. Gore, and have sent it for your inspection. IVnt. Bardney, J Test Derby, Liverpool, [A very fine sample : straight, stout, and succu- lent. Eds] Poinsettias.— I can well imagine what a glorious sight your correspondent (see p. 772) must have had at Acton. I believe, as a rule, Poinsettias are grown in too much heat. I have some plants from I to 2 feet high, grown in 48 and 32 pots. They were put in as cuttings in the last week in July, and when fairly struck, they were taken into the intermediate- house, where they still remain till wanted for decoration. I have measured one head to-day which is 17 inches in diameter, with thirty-four scarlet bracteal leaves ; height I foot 6 inches from the pot. Such plants are a welcome addition on the Christmas table. If wanted for decorating rooms, &c., they will last double the time of plants grown in the stove, and the colour is much brighter. T. Foster, Glenhnrst, Esher. A good example of what Poinsettias ought to be for decorative purposes may now be seen in the stove at Croxteth Hall, the Earl of Sefton's. The plants were struck from cuttings, most of them in the spring, in heat, and grown in cold frames during the summer, in 5, 6, and S-inch pots, and vary in height from 2 to 3 feet. The floral leaves or bracts are bril- liant in colour, the heads measuring from 12 to 16 inches over. They reflect great credit on the culti- vator. William Bardney, West Derby, Liverpool. Rainfall in 1876 at Wallington, Northumber- land.— The following is a copy of the monthly register of rainfall kept here during the past year : — January, 1.7 ; February, 3 77 ; March, 2.77 ; April, 442 ; May, 1.37 ; June, 1. 86 ; July, 1.35 ; August, 1.51 ; September, 3. 82; October, 2.22; November, 3 S7 ; December, 9 92 ; total, 37.95. The rain gauge stands 12 inches above the ground, and 398 feet 6 inches above sea level. The rainfall is recorded every day at 9 a.m. W. McCombie, Gr. to Sir W. C. Ti-evelyan, Bart., Wallington Hall. Lardizabala biternata. — In the last number of the Gardeners' Chronicle you ask for information respecting the hardiness of Lardizabala biternata. It has now been growing in my garden on a south wall for five years, without the slightest protection. It is doing thoroughly well, and this year it fruited — two small bunches of Grape-like fruit. I consider it quite hardy, but, as I stated in February last, let no one plant it in preference to Stauntonia latifolia, which I am glad to say has this year again fruited on a west I January 6, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. wall. I again repeat that this is, without any excep- tion, the very best hardy evergreen creeper now culti- vated in England. A'. Al, Taddvfonie^ Exdif^ ■Dec. 30. Hints to Young Gardeners. — Young gardeners are very frequently alluded to in uncomplimentary terms by the older members of the craft, and many unwarrantable faults laid to their charge. How is this ? That there are faults on both sides I know, but I fear the fault-finding will fail to improve the position or proficiency of either. What is wanting is the establishment of a better feeling and a little more regard for each other's interests. If head gardeners would treat their young men as they would like to be treated themselves, and let their own conduct be an example, it would save them many of the annoyances they complain of, for those who cannot be managed by good words and feelings can rarely be managed at all. It would be well too for young gardeners to remember that there is no occupation that requires more careful energy and forethought than gardening, and that success depends more or less upon the energy and ability of every separate individual employed in the garden, and any extra achievement adds as much to their own reputation as to their employer's satisfac- tion. I have always made this my rule of conduct, in spite of many discouragements, and I have suc- ceeded beyond my expectation. I have had experi- ence in nurseries, public and private gardens in many counties, and have had to deal with many disposi- tions, but have never met with such dunces and black sheep as are too often represented. J . H. Goodacre, Elvaslon. Dwarf Chrysanthemums.— In answer to an enquiry by one of your correspondents, as to whether the dwarf Chrysanthemums exhibited by me at the Liverpool show were from layers or struck from cuttings, I beg to say that they were struck from cuttings taken off in August and struck in the same pot they were bloomed in, they having only one stem each, with one bloom to each plant. IV. Tng2twod, The Gardens^ AUcrton Priory. Strawberry Growing — Whilst admitting the importance of soil, climate, and a good variety in the successful growing of Strawberries, I am yet inclined to believe that, with careful cultivation, very fine fruit may be grown in all good garden soils. The great mistake made by many is planting too thickly at the first, and allowing the plants to remain from year to year on the same bed. Thus we often find the plants growing together in a tangled mass, and the result is when a pinch of dry weather comes in June or July, they receive a serious check, the quality of the fruit is depreciated, and the constitution of the plant weak- ened, possibly so much so that the plants are unable to mature their fruiting crowns for the following season. Thus the plants go on from bad to worse. Such a " lazy bed" system will fully account for some "varieties growing and cropping well for a few years, and then becoming almost barren and the fruit nearly flavourless." As a grower of from forty to fifty dis- tinct varieties [on light soil, in a backward situation, 1 have adopted the following system of cultivation, and have found little difficulty ingrowing abundant crops of excellent fruit from most of the varieties I have tried. In fact, judging by the quality of the fruit grown on one-year-old plants, you might be led to suppose that nearly all varieties were equally good, and it is only after a second or third crop of fruit that you are able to distinguish the better qualities of the favourite sorts. A well- grown one-year-old plant will bear abundance of fruit, and the quality and size all that can be desired. My plan is to give the land deep and thorough culti- vation the winter previous to planting, to plant the bed in July on land that has grown a crop of early Potatos, in rows 30 inches apart, and 15 inches be- tween each plant, with strong, healthy, well-rooted runners taken from one-year-old fruit-bearing plants only ; to let the plants stand to bear two, or at the most, three crops of fruit ; as soon as the first crop of fruit is gathered to remove every other plant, thus leaving them at a distance of 30 inches apart each way ; to keep the hoe constantly at work during the summer and autumn months after planting ; and to remove all runners as fast as they make their appear- ance ; in early spring to mulch the land with fresh stable manure at the rate of a good barrowful to every twenty plants, and when the plants are in bloom to finish off with a second mulching of clean straw. Thus treated, Strawberries may be grown in almost any situation, and at least a score good varieties may be selected from, any one of which may be cultivated with satisfactory results. \V. Lovd, Weaverthorpe, York. Encephalartos villosus.— We have so recently figured this handsome Cycad that we need add but little to what we have already said on the subject. We avail ourselves, however, of the opportunity pre- sented to us by Mr. Bull of figuring the male spike. The illustration (fig. 4) is two-thirds the size of Nature, and the colour a beautiful grass-green, frosted over with a silvery bloom like that of a Plum. The X- details show side and front views of together with a section of the same (Magnified representations are giver invested with hairs at the base, and o magnified 150 diameters, the latter of Mr. Worthington Smith. Eds.] he anther-scale, of natural size. of the anther the pollen cells n the authority The True Service Tree. — It may interest some of your readers to know that the old tree that Pro- fessor Buckraan speaks of is still alive, and bears from 6 to S bushels of fruit annually. It must be of great age, as I see very little difference the last eighteen years. We have both forms here, but the Apple- shaped is a much smaller tree, and a shy bearer, T. Foster^ Glenhurst, Esher. The Garibaldi Strawberry.— My attention has been called to the remarks that have appeared for some weeks in your " Home Correspondence " as to this Strawberry. The Garibaldi raised by me about twenty years ago was the only one selected from several hundreds of seedlings, the seed of which was saved principally from Elton and Keens' Seedling, and was sent out by me in the year 1864. Two or three years previous to that date I foolishly let a gentleman's gardener have some of the plants to test, and, contrary to promise, he distributed them amongst a number of his friends, which consequently dis- heartened me from bringing it prominently before the public until 1866. I enclose a copy of a circular issued by me at that time, from which you will be able to gather a description of my Garibaldi. Thos. Armstrongs Ntcrseryman— formerly of Beiihih Gardens j now of Moorville, Carlisle. [From the circular sent to us by Mr. Armstrong we gather that the variety raised by him is "one of the healthiest, hardiest, and earliest grown ; it resembles the Elton Pine in colour and size ; is hardier, earlier, and fruits longer than the Keens' Seedling, and is of a superior flavour ; it is an immense cropper, and grows well on exposed situa- tions, and on land where the Keens' Seedling does not grow well." Eds.] As our name has been introduced in con- nection with the Garibaldi Strawberry controversy, we may state that we got our stock of it from Mr. Thomas Armstrong, Beulah Gardens, near Carlisle, in the autumn of 1865. We ordered it after seeing the fruit, under the impression that it was a new variety raised by Mr. Armstrong, who stated that it was earlier, a much greater bearer, and would give a longer season of fruit than Keens' Seedling. We had no knowledge of the previous existence of any variety under the name of Garibaldi. Y'comtesse H^ricart de Thury we got for the first time from Mr. Chas. Turner, Slough, in February, 1S71, expecting to find it distinct from any we had, but we have no doubt now that it is synonymous with Garibaldi, which we have found to be the most prolific and generally useful Strawberry in our collec- tion. Dicksons &■ Co., Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. [Will some of our French friends give us the origin of the Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury ? Eds.] Late Grapes : Mrs Pince's Vagaries. — Mr. Grieve has {see p. 836) undoubtedly made an excel- lent selection of late Grapes ; he has noted also two Vines of Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat growing "in the same house and under the same conditions," one of which has produced black and the other red Grapes. Seeing that this Grape is prone to produce red fruit, which so greatly impairs its value for dessert purposes, it becomes important to ascertain, if possible, the cause of its non-colouring. I should like Mr. Grieve to examine minutely the two Vines to which he has referred. Are they of the same age, similarly cropped, both having the same relative proportion of foliage and fruit, and especially are they from the same source ? There must be a cause for one Vine producing black Grapes, and a different cause for the other yielding red fruit. Can Mr. Grieve tell us wherein is this difference, and what is its nature ? If he can do so, he will command the thanks of many gardeners who have long been puzzled to account for the caprices of this fine Grape, in refusing to appear in a " black dress." If he cannot satisfactorily account for the difference in colouring alluded to, would he raise a young Vine from each of his slocks, and tell us, in due time, if the deficiency of colour so common with Mrs. Pince is constitutional and hereditary ? Mr. Grieve appears to have an excellent opportunity of settling that important point which, as yet, is a matter of controversy. Some specimens of Mrs. Pince invariably produce Grapes as "black as sweeps," while others as constantly yield fruit as " brown as badgers," and no one has yet told us the "reason why." Enquirer. The Royal Horticultural Society.— In common with other Fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society, I have received a copy of the circular spoken of in your last edition. Permit me to make one or two observations respecting it, and to begin we will take the last paragraph. We are here distinctly told that the Society has no debt, and that the debentures with their interest are merely a charge on the surplus revenues [We believe this to be true, according to the printed terms of the agreement, before us as we write. Eds.], so that we may delete ^^50,000 from our capital account. This is joyful news lor the Fellows, only one can scarcely believe that the debenture- THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [FANOARY 6, 1§7?. holders have been so generous ; but, at least, it is a grand way of settling the difficulty. Is our Council in earnest, or is it a joke? Read one of the earlier paragraphs : — "That this meeting (/ e., of debenture- holders held on November 23, 1S76) declines to authorise the surrender of the lease ot the gardens to the Commissioners on the terms mentioned in the letter of the Society of November 2, 1876, and the meeting will not authorise a surrender of the lease unless provision be made for the payment of the de- benture debt in full, by reasonable instalments, with the interest in the meantime, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Society." The Council then goes onto say : — " In these circumstances no course appears open to the Council but to continue their tenancy of the St>uth Kensington Gardens." Pray what would our Council make or wish us to believe in these statements ? Here ihey acknowledge beyond all possibility of a doubt that the debenture- holders have some charge on the Society beyond the doubtful payment of some chance sum out of our surplus income, for there would be no difficulty in proving that, were this said income double its present amount, there could easily be found a proper way of spending it within the wording and meaning of our charter, and that the debeniure-holdersmight have been left, not to the j ustice, but the generosity of the Council. In lieu of not being in debt, it rather looks as though we had in part mortgaged our lease in some way to the debenture-holders. It appears to me that it would be much more satisfactory if the Council were to place before the Fellows a succinct statement of affairs at the annual meeting, or before, if possible, in such a way as to be intelligible to brains of such mean capa- city as mine, rather than incur the expense of print- ing and posting statements that are irreconcilable ; and if thEy would favour us with some particulars of our worthy co-partners the Commissioners, and the footing on which we now stand with them ; I think it would be of interest to many, who believe we slill linger in the Vale of Tears, for so far as one can judge of that august body, and their actions for some consi- derable time, they have been marching to the tune of— " O wha dare meddle wi' me, And wha dare meddle wi' me I My name it is little Jock Elliolt, And wha dare meddle wi' me 1 '' The proposition of the Council to make the twc- guinea tickets transferable is most decidedly good ; what a pity concessions of this kind were not made sooner, though I feel sure that this and the proposed guinea Fellowships will not cause any large influx into our ranks, nor can it be for one moment expected till such time as the whole rationale of the affair is changed. As they say in the North, " every herring must hang by his own head." Our good fish does not seem to have done so, and we seem to be waiting with bated breath for Blucher's last words— " Nostitz, sie haben vieles von mir gelernt, lernen, Sie auch von mir ruhig sterben ! " Robert Piiice Ghndinning. 'Will you favour me with space for a few remarks on the last clause of the notice to Fellows lately circulated by the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society wherein Guinea Fellowships but without the right of voting are proposed. Judging from the tone of very many letters which I have received country Fellows will not be satisfied with semi-Fellowship, those who live at a distance, who will give a guinea to support a society they believe to be useful, though they get little direct good from its shows and meelings, have a right to expect the honour of full Fellowship, and will assuredly after a little longer waiting get it. The first bid for their support was a guinea Associateship, a guinea part Fellow.'-hip is now offered, a full Fellowship is not far off. The Council have a hard task before them : there was great difficulty in keeping old Fellows and in bringing in new ones, even when the South Kensington Garden was well kept up ; in its present state of dhhabille the difficulty is greatly increased. Let us hope the neighbourhood will generally subscribe, otherwise it is not a pleasant reflection that, however economical the expenditure on the garden may be, as long as it is kept open there will be a charge of some Z'600 a year for rates and taxes, a severe tax— for this land of now little use — if paid out of horticultural money. I hope that those who believe in guinea Fellowships, and who are canvassing their (riends through the country, will not relax their exertions. A year ago I should have tried to commence this canvass, but was led to believe that the Council were likely to undertake it. Judging from the great number of first-class names collected in two monihs, a year's work would have given us enough Fellows to make us independent of South Kensington. By this time next year we ought to have completed the necessary number. Strong societies have grown up starting with supporters less in influence and number than we already have. It is now almost necessary to justify the independent course I am taking, though let me say that it is no longer I who am advocating guinea Fellowships as the one means of making the Society what it should be— I am merely the mouthpiece of very many of the best and most experienced horticulturists of the country, of all ranks, who urge me not to let the matter rest till the guinea Fellowships are accomplished. On a former occasion I had to take independent action, having means of knowing more of the circumstances of ihe time than some of my friends had. I was so certain that it was for the interest of the Society that the Council of 1S73 should be continued in office, that on my own responsibility, and at my own expense, I circularised the lady Fellows, asking for their proxies to support the Council. One hundred and fifty ladies trusted me with their proxies ; twenty more proxies wnuld have carried the vote of confidence, and kept the Council in office ; and this means that the arrangement with the Commissioners on the eve of settlement would have been accomplished, with the result that the Society would now have been free from its debenture debt, free from rent, and with a condi- tional accession of income, then estimated to amount to / 1000, but which last I doubt would have been continued. Therefore, having been proved right once, I claim the inference. I hope that nothing more will be said about turning out the present Council. On more than one occasion there has been great difficulty in finding suitable men who would undertake the office. The present work is both unpleasant and thankless. When we get a really good Society with only horticultural work there will be plenty of first- class men only too glad to serve. George F. Wilson, Heatksrbank, Wey'hriiige, ■Veitch's Self-Protecting Autumn Broccoli.— I can fully endorse all that Mr. W. Johnstone stated in your last issue respecting this Broccoli. He has truly called it a gem of the first water, and I am sure when it becomes known it will be in great request. I have been cutting this variety for the last six weeks, and have this day (January 2) cut six as beautiful heads as any one could wish, from 4 inches to 6 inches in diameter, as close and white as a curd. In future 1 intend growing this kind to follow the Autumn Giant. J. Little, Cheltenham. The Potato and its Difficvilties.— The Potato question is the " Eastern Question " of cultivators ; it may seem easy, but is full of difficulties. How many earthed their growing crops last season, giving a check to the plant from which it could not recover, and finding a crop at digging time, one half in size and quantity. Then there is the disease, which Mr. Worthington Smith, with consummate skill, has traced out for us in one of its branches, " the resting- spore," by following whose advice, and getting rid of the haulm, we may avoid one source of danger. But how about the flying spores — the more insidious enemy — which are produced in infinite numbers on the summits of the perfectly developed mould ? What becomes of them ? Have they been produced to no purpose ? These very minute, smooth, spherical spores fill the oval conidia or vesicles on the tips of the mould, from which they are shaken out by the wind. They may be easily shown under ihe microscope by crushing the vesicles on the glass stage, and may be kept there, in a moist state, for hours together with- out undergoing change. Being of exquisite fineness and invisible to the naked eye, they float away upon the wind and join the great army of moulds which pervade the air, and are borne across land and sea into every corner. These sporules of the Peronospora infestans, we may suppose, are most of them washed down by rains into the soil, and infect all quarters. What their after history may be no one knows, but there are facts which go to prove that they run a course not unlike that of the " bunt " (Tilletia caries). First, the growth of the Polato fungus is internal, as Mr. Worthington Smith has de- monstrated. Then again, how often it has been observed that the Potato rot begins at the root ; how many gardeners have sup- posed their crop free from it, because there has been no spot on the leaves, until digging time proved that the fungus thread had been at work. For it is the mycelium or thread-like extension of the fungus growth, which penetrates the cells of the tuber and makes it rot. How then is this subtle enemy to be met ? The farmer destroys the bunt spores which adhere to the grain, by sleeping the seed in some poison and then drying it with lime ; and but for this well known prevention our Wheat crops might be in as precarious a condition as the Potato now is. But the spores of the Potato fungus are in the ground (probably or possibly), and a remedy seems almost hopeless. The late Dr. Lindley, in his Introdiutton to the Natural System of Botany, p. 338, throws out an observation which might perhaps be turned to account. He observes " It is a remaikable circumstance, and one which deserves particular inquiry, that the growth o( the minute fungi, which constitute what is called mouldiness, is effectually prevented by any kind of perfume. It is known that books will not become mouldy in the neighbourhood of Russia leather, nor any substance, if placed within the influence of some essential oil." Mr. Worthington Smith's promised manure, if we may judge from the hints he has given us, will be of an odorous nature, and perhaps is intended to act on this principle as a disinfectant. A ■ little crude petroleum oil would make it still more fragrant. It will no doubt command atrial. S. S., Sevetwaks. Ut W\\h (§iii-kir. The Villa Garden Greenhouse.— This head- ing is selected not so much to serve the purpose of setting forth a few remarks as to its management at this season of the year — for we have but recently dealt with that part of the subject— as for the purpose of pointing out errors that sometimes creep into their construction and position. The modern builder of Villa residences must have but a limited range of ideas as to the principles required in constructing a house suited to the growth of plants ; in fact a house suited to the cultivation of plants appears to be the very thing that he least con- siders. If the builder sets up a plant structure it is for the purpose of suiting the house, and the position is north, east, south, or west, as the fancy suits him. A glass structure is deemed to enhance the appearance of a house, while it certainly increases the assessment or rateable value of a dwelling ; therefore, it is deemed politic to erect one. In the case of an ordi- nary detached Villa residence it generally comes in at the back of the house, and the back entrance leads through it into the garden, and as such houses generally have a basement floor the house is level with the ground floor, and built up over a coahhole or cellar, or meiely on brick pillars. And the modern builder goes in for decorative effect, and therefore employs architectural ornamen- tation, and sometimes there is a heavy wooden roof with elaborate carving, or a roof partly wood and partly glass, but so much of the former, and so little of the latter that it might just as well have been wholly of wood. He has the impression that plants will grow anywhere, and under any circumstances, light or dark ; and if such is not the case he cares but little. He has built the greenhouse, and the plants must take care of themselves. Then, too, he must have some colour about it, and so he employs plenty of green and red glass, and we invariably find that the green is of the greenest, and the red of the reddest ; for do not these impart a pic- turesque appearance to the house whereon the rays of the declining sun fall, and light up with crimson glow and purple radiance the house of glass? But about the plants? we ask, and the reply comes back — "A conservatory is a conservatory, and plants are quite another thing ; " and with that one must be satisfied. A neighbour of ours— a lady, fond of flowers, as most ladies are— some time since took a Villa residence in our neighbourhood, and was much attracted towards the house by one of these variegated con- servatories. A fiiend of hers shortly after gave her a plant of Kennedya monophylla, raised from seed sent home from New Holland hy a relative of the lady'.--, and she naturally attached much importance to the plant. It was placed in the conservatory, which was in a north aspect, and had but little sun, save and except about midsummer, when a little shone upon it in the evenings ; and it is not to be wondered at that some Kttle time after the plant was sent to us, with a request that we would explain the reason of its having become denuded of leaves. The reason was too evident— the dark, cold, sunless quarters it occupied were as detrimental to its well-being as could well be imagined ; but a temporary sojourn in a greenhouse soon brought it round again, only to be returned to its inhospitable home, to again decline. That great essential to the well-being of plants, light, is sacrificed at the shrine of appearance. One builder's conception of what is requisite for plants recalls to that urred 5W years ago when taking a journey through Ireland, wilhin a few days of a horticultural exhibition in the south of the Kingdom, and a gardener accustomed to exhibit Fuchsias had some plants that were quite sufficiently advanced in bloom a few days before the date of exhibition, and he hit upon an expedient for prolonging their flower by placing the plants in a dark cellar. I was asked to inspect them after they had been there three or four days, and sorry sub. jects they presented, for nearly all the leaves had January G, 1S77 ] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 23 turned yellow and fallen ; and the Hibernian horti- culturist was sorely perplexed at the result— one that he had never calculated upon. It was a sad ending to so much pains ; the absence of light had upset all his calculations- it is obvious that to unnecessarily exclude it is wrong in practice. It can be easily subdued by artificial means ; but by no means can you add one iota to the daylight of the dullest day. When larger and more roomy conservatories are set up, they are invariably as lean-to's, so that they and dra« ng-room. They e much better adapted for the growth of plants, but in building them eventualities are not considered. They are someiimes raised 5 or 6 feet above the ground level, but qaite open beneath ; the result is that frost attacks from below as well as at the sides and top. If they could be closed up so as to prevent the admis- sion of cold air on the east, north, or west sides, they would be rendered warmer ; as it is, such houses are horribly cold in times of sharp weather. Bat cover- ing in on any one of the open sides is sometimes diffi- cult, because light would thereby be excluded from reaching the windows of the domestic offices on the basement floor and under the conservatory. And what occurred in many places on Sunday, December 24, and also as a result of the heavy snow- storm of last winter, should be borne in mind by those whose business it is to construct plant-houses. These lean-to houses are placed immediately beneath the sloping roof of a two and three-storeyed house, and when a thaw comes, and the snow is dislodged, it sweeps avalanche-like down on to the ill-fated glass roof below, with what result may be well imagined. As long as plant houses with glass roof are placed in such a position this is likely to happens perhaps two or three times during winter. The glass with which these structures are glazed is nearly always of the cheapest. The proper kind of house, and certainly the most satisfactory in all respects, is that set forth by Mr. William Paul in his Hcimlybook of Villa Gardening. He says : " Waiving the question of mere outward show, I will venture to describe a house capable of producing and preserving plants, and suited to the requirements of a Villa Garden. First it should be span-roofed, the ends placed north and south, divided in the middle to form two compartments, one of which maybe kept warmer than the other and used as a propagating and forcing house in winter and spring. A walk, 2 or 3 feet wide, running down the centre, with raised benches on either side, and 4 feet in width, on which to stage plants, is a very convenient and economical arrangement. The stages should be of slate, because cooler, cleaner, and more durable than wood. The paths may be paved with York stone or bricks. A slate cistern, fixed at one end, or beneath the stage inside, to receive the rain from the roof of the house, will save much labour, and place ready to your hand water of a suitable temperature, and of the best quality. This is the sort of house for real utility, adapted for rearing and forcing a number of plants at a small coit." For any purpose, even if wanted for hardy plants only, this is the best kind of house. It need not be far away from the dwelling, and an asphalte, brick, stone, or well-kept gravelled path will enable the house to be reached in all weathers without incon- venience. It is sure to be in the line of sight of the sun, and away from the chance of harm from the snow- fall from the roof. |[0lias 0f §0aIvS. Messrs. Hardwicke & Bogue have issued a third edition of Mr. Worthington Smith's useful little book on Mushrooms and Toadslools~\\ovt to distinguish easily the differences between edible and poisonous fungi, with figures of twenty-nine edible and thirty- one poisonous species. When any one (especially if he be, as the author of this little book is, zealous) has attained considerable knowledge and experience of any subject, he is rather apt to ignore the deficient attention and defective apprehension of those who have paid no heed to the subject, and seriously to underrate the amount of nescience of the public in general. We allude to this matter for the reason that the present little volume contains two uncoloured lithographs of edible and poisonous fungi respec- tively. Now when deprived of its natural colour, as on fig. I, on the plate of edible Mushrooms, Agaricus rubescens resembles very closely fig. 13 on the plate of poisonous Mushrooms (Agaricus Muscarius). Indeed the ordinarily brown warty cap of the former may frequently be replaced by one of a red hue. Compare also fig. 2, Boletus edulis, with fig. 27 on the poisonous sheet, B. satanas. Of course the mycophagous artist will say, and say truly, that people should read his book as well as look at his pictures ; but then, as he himself admits, and also very truly, people are so stupid. Be this as it may, we are satisfied that danger often arises from the would-be fungus eater not having at hand the means of comparison. He gathers one fungus, which from his imperfect knowledge he infers to be such and such a species, because it presents some more or less near similitude to it ; but if he could have placed before him the real thing, with the counterfeit, he would be able to detect the difference instantly. Uncoloured plates, such as those in the book before us, do not convey to the uninitiated sufficient marks of distinc- tion. We would, therefore, strongly recommend the beginner hot to trust to the uncoloured representa- tions in this book (in so doing we are far from im- puting aught against the artist's designs), but to pro- cure the coloured figures by the same artist, and issued by the same publisher. Again may we suggest to Mr. Smith (always in the interest of the stupid people, who cause some inconvenience to others when they happen to poison themselves !) the expediency of depicting the edible species side by side on the same plate with dangerous species, for which they might possibly be mistaken. The comparatively frequent occurrence of disasters from mistaking Aconite for Horse Radish, however, leads us to fear that, until people are trained to observe for themselves, no assistance that can be rendered by others will be of much service unless it be in administering anti- dotes. ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S COMMITTEES FOR 1S77. SciENriFic Committee, CI,airman-]osep\\ Hooker, M.D., C.B., P.R.S., V.P.L.S., Royal Gardens, Kew. r,cc-Chainncn—The Rev. M. J. Berkeley, M.A., F.L.S., Sibbertoft, Market Harborough ; Maxwell T. Masters, M.D., F.R.S, Mount Avenue, Eahng, W. ; Alfred Smee, F.R.S., 7, Finsbury Circus, EC. Baker, J, G.. F.L.S., Royal Herbarium, Kew. Bastian, Henry Charlton, M.D., F.L.S., F.R.S., 20, Queen Anne Street, W. Bennett, Alfred W., M.A.,B.Sc., F.L.S., 6, Park Village liast, N.W. Benlley, Professor Robert, F.L.S., gr, Alexandra Road, South Hampstead. Blenkins, George E., 5, Sandford Place, Cheltenham. Boscawen, Hon. and Rev. J. Townshend, Lamorran, Probus, Cornwall. Clarke, Colonel R. Trevor, Welton Place, Daventry. Cooke, M. C, 2, Grosvenor Villas, Junction Road, N. Crewe, Rev. H. Harpur, Drayton-Beauchamp Rec- tory, Tring. Darwin, Charles, M.A., F.R.S., Down, Beckenham, Kent. Denny, John, M.D., Stoke Newington, N. Duncan, Peter Martin, M.B., F.R.S., F.G.S., 99, Abbey Road, St. Johns Wood, N.W. Dyer, VV. T. Thiselton, M.A., B.Sc, F.L.S., Royal Gardens, Kew. Edgeworth, M. P., F.L.S,, Mastrim House, Aner- ley, S.E. Ellacombe, Rev. Henry N., Bitton Vicarage, Glouces- tershire. Gilbert, J. H., Ph.D., F.R.S , Harpenden, St. Alb.ans. Grote, Arthur, F.L.S., Athena=um Club, S.W. Hemsley, W. B„ A.L.S., 2, Woodland Cottages, Gunnersbury. Henslow, Rev. G., 7, Bentinck Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W. Hiern, W. P., M.A., F.L.S., r, Foxton Villas, Rich- mond, S.W. Hogg, Robert, LL.D., F.L.S. , 99, St. George's Road, Pimlico, S.W. McLachlan, R., F.L.S., Lime Grove, Lewisham. Moore, Thos., F.L.S. , Botanic Gardens, Chelsea, S.W. Murr.ay, Andrew, F.L.S., 67, Bedford Gardens, Ken- sington, W. Renny, J., 62, The Hermitage, Rotherfield. Saunders, W. Wilson, V.P.L.S., F.R.S., Raystead, Worthing. Scofidd, W. J., M.R.C.S., 13, South Hill Park Gar- dens, Hampstead, N.W. Smith, Worthington G., F.L.S., ic, Mildmay Grove, N. Vcelcker, A., PhD., F.R.S., rr, Salisbury Square, E.G. Watson, J. Forbes, M.D., India Museum, Exhibition Road, S.W. Webb, Sydnev, Redstone Manor House, Redhill Geo. F., F.R.S., Heatherbank, Weybridge Heath. Fruit Committee. George Kemp, 4r, Weymouth Street, Portland Place, W. ; John E. Lane, Great Berk- hampstead ; H. J. Veitch, F.L.S., Royal ExoticNurserv Chelsea, S.W. •'' Secretary.— .\rch\h3iA F. Barron, Royal Horticultural Society, Chiswick, W. Barr, Peter, 12, King Street, Covent Garden, W C Beale, E.J., F.L.S., Stoneydeep House, TeddiiiFton Grove, S.W. " Berkeley, Rev. M. J., F.L.S., Sibbertoft, Market Harborough. Blenkins, George E., 5, Sandford Place, Cheltenham. C:larson, Wm., Hayes, Kent. Cooper, Robert, r52. Fleet Street, E.C. Dancer, Francis N., Little Sutton, Turnham Green Douglas, ]., The Gardens, Loxford Hall, Ilford, e! Edmonds, C, The Gardens, Chiswick House, Chis- Fleming, John, The Gardens, Cliveden, Maidenhead. Gilbert, R., The Gardens, Burghley House, Stamford. Pimhff's^w"'' ^'^■^■' ''■ S'- Georges Road, I°"'=5' H; F., The Gardens, Bentley Priory, Stan- Lee, John R., Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, W. Mnes, G. T., The Gardens, Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe. ^ Nutting. W. J.,Jun., 60, Barbican, E.C. Paul, William, Waltham Cross, N. ^^rkins, Thomas. Warren House Gardens, Stanmore, Record, Thomas, Vintner's Park Gardens, Maidstone. Sage, George, The Gardens, Ashridge Park, Berk- hampstead. Smee, Alfred, F.R.S., 7, Finsbury Circus, E.C. Bu'TafS: ^- '"" °^^''™=' '^="'™°^^' l--gh'°n Smith, R., Barbourne House, Worcester Weir, Harrison, Weirleigh, Brenchiey, Slaplehursf. West, James Firlh, Lynmouth Lodge, Reigate. W.dsmith, W., The Gardens, Heckfield Place, Winchfield. ' f r^d'^w''"''^^' '°''"' ^^°" 'iiov.st Gardens, Brent- Floeal Committee. Chairman— VJ. B. Kellock, F.L.S., Stamford Hill, N. Vicc-C/tairmen — Henry Little, Hillingdon Place, Hillingdon, near Uxbridge ; Benjamin S. Williams, Victoria Nursery, Upper HoUoway, N. ; Geo F Wilson, F.R.S., Heatherbank, Weybridge Heath. ' Secretary— AiQ.\\\ba.\A F. Barron, Royal Horticultural Society, Chiswick, W. Baines, Thomas, Avenue Road, Southgate, N. Baker, George, Coombe Cottage, Coombe. Bennett, Edward, Rabley Nursery, Barnet. Bull, Wm., F.LS., &c., Kings Road. Chelsea, S.W. Croucher, J., The Gardens, Sudbury House, Hammer- smith, W. Cutbush, James, Highgate, N. Denning, William, Ihe Gardens, Londesborough Lodge, Norbiton, Surrey. Denny, John, M.D., Stoke Newington, N. Dodwell, E. S., it, Chatham Terrace, Lark Hall Rise, Clapham. Dombrain, Rev. H. Honywood, Westwell Vicarage, Ashford, Kent. Elwes, H.J., Preston, Cirencester. Fraser, John, Lea Bridge Road Nursery, Leyton. Green, Charles, Botanical Nursery, Holmesdale Road, Reigate. Henderson, Andrew, Wellington Road Nursery, St. John's Wood, N.W. Jackman, George, Woking, Surrey. James, J., The Gardens, Redlees, Isleworlh. Keynes, John, Salisbury, Wilts. Kinghorn, Francis R., Sheen Nursery, Richmond, Surrey. Laing, John, Stanslead Park Nursery, Forest Hill, S.E. Masters, Maxwell T., M.D., F.R.S., Mount Avenue, Ealing, W. Mcintosh, James, Duneevan, Weybridge. Mclntyre, A., Victoria Park, Hackney, E, Moore, Thos., F.L.S., Botanic Garden, Chelsea, S.W. Noble, Charles, Bagshot, Surrey. Parker, Robert, Exotic Nursery, Tooting, S.W. Paul, George, CheshunI, Herts. Postans, R. B., Brentwood, Essex. Quennell. John C, Brentwood, Essex. Roger, Alexander, Era House, Surrey Lane, Batter- sea, S.W. RoUisson, G. T., The Nurseries, Tooting. Smith, G., New Villa, Hedge Lane, Edmonton. Stevens. Zadock, The Gardens, Trentham Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. Turner, Charles, Royal Nursery, Slough. Veitch, Arthur, Koyal Exotic Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea. Wills, John, Onslow Crescent, Onslow Square, S.W. Young, Maurice, Milford Nursery, near Goldaming. 24 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1S77. ic Mcatbcr. STATE OP THE WE .4 THER A T BLA CKHEA TH, LONDON, For the Week ending Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1877. .'Jsrs-e: 1 9 Baromeier '^^"rHf™ °'' Wind. ^ I 1 III! 1 J tt 1 1 i 11 1 Dec. In. 1 In. 23 ,2g52-037 „-,U. 8°..'53".5' + .Vo'50.5 .f sw- '?. 55.647.1 9 5Si.i+i37'46 8 ,,|S.SAV.. ..8 30 2928-0.62 57. 1 44.3 "S'so. I, + 12847.8 -{ -,,-j ..4 3. 2,08-0.82 55 84,.4j 6 453.0:4.5844.8 74{ 56'..l6.ol.o.50.o'..2B'44a 82 s.s.w. ..7 2 2„.|--0.28 42.8:334' 9.438.0 + .. 34.5 87{ N^K^ .29 ^{^^^:: .'S Mean 29 27 -0.58 53.9 43-7 -0 3 48.6 + ■■.4 44 6 85 S. 1 "™ -Overcast, dull, wet, miserable day. Very mild. -Overcast, dull, with occasional rain. Mild. Gale -Fine till i p.m., overcast, dull and wet till evening ; then fine. Windy. Rlild. -Fine, bright, with strong gusts of wind, Very mild, ne at times. Gale of wind. -Cloudy and show -Fine, bright, and wet. Colder. -A dull, wet day. Mild. London : Barometer. — During the week endiug Saturday, December 30, in the vicinity of London, the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea increased from 29.39 inches at the beginning of the week to 30.19 inches by the morning of the 26th, decreased to 29.68 inches by the afternoon of the 2Sth, increased to 29. S3 inches by the morning of the 29th, decreased to 29.44 inches by the evening of the same day, increased to 29.66 inches by the early morning of the 30th, decreased to 29.36 inches by the afternoon of the same day, and was 29.50 inches at the end of the week. The mean reading for the week at sea level was 29.72 inches, being 0.55 inch above that of the preceding week, and 0.35 inch below the average. Tempeyature. — The highest temperatures of the air observed by day ranged from 58° on the 2Sth to 35]° on tlie 26th ; the mean for the week was 475°. The lowest temperatures of the air observed by night varied from 29^° on the 26th to 50° on the 28lh ; the mean value for the week was 38^'. The mean daily range of temperature in the week was gj" ; the greatest range in the day was 223° on the 27th, and the least 3i° on the 24th. The mean daily temperatures of the air, and the departures from their respective averages were as follows: — Dec. 24th, 34°.3, -3°.9; 25th, 34°.5, — 3°.5; 26th, 32°.4- -5^.4; 27th, 49°,+ u°.4; 28th, 53°.5, + 16°; 29th, 5i°i, + I3°.7; 30th, 50°.i, + I2°.8. The mean temperature of the air lor the week was 43°. 6, being 5°. 9 above the average of sixty years' observations. The highest readings of a thermometer with blackened bulb in vacuo, placed in sun's rays, were 61° on the 30th, 5SJ° on the 2Sth, and 57° on the 29th ; on the 24th the reading did not rise above 3Sj°. The lowest reading of a thermometer on grass, with its bulb exposed to the sky, were 3oA° on the 26th, 3li° on the 24th, and 32° on the 25th; the mean value for the week was 36J. Wind. — The direction of the wind was from the S.W., and its strength strong. The weather during the week was very dull and wet, and the sky generally overcast ; the first three days of the week were cold, but the last four very mild. Rain. — Rain on every day in the week ; the amount collected was 1.84 inch. The Mean Reading of the Barometer for the Month of December 1N2& i^.y:^^ inches, being 0.496 inch below the average of the preceding thirty-five years, and during this period of thirty- five years there has been no monthly reading in December so low as that of the present December ; the nearest approach was 29 379 inches in December, 1868. The Mean Temperature of the Air for December vi3.% 44°. 3, and in the preceding 105 years there are only nine instances of a mean temperature equal to or exceeding 44^° in December. The Total Fall of Rain during the Month of Decem- ber was 5.92 inches, and there is no instance back to 1815 when the fall in December was so large as in the present month ; the nearest approach was in the year 1868, when it was 5.4 inches. Rain fell twenty-five days during the month, being thirtf than the average number for December. daysi England : Temperature, — The highest temperatures of the air observed by day were 58° at Blackheath and 57" at Truro, Cambridge, Norwich, and Nottingham ; at Sunderland 51° was the highest temperature. The mean value from all stations was 55 4°. The lowest temperatures of the air observed by night was 24-^° at both Bristol and Wolverhampton ; at Truro and Brighton 32° was the lowest temperature. The general mean from all stations was 28.J°. The range of temperature in the week was the greatest at Bristol, 3i-J°, and the least at Brighton, 22°. The mean range from all stations was 27|°. ■The mean of the seven high day temperatures was the highest at Truro, 53°, and the lowest at Bradford, 41 1° ; the mean from all stations was 46^°. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was the lowest at Wolverhampton, 31.;°, and the highest at Truro and Plymouth, both 41°; the mean value from all stations was 36!^ The mean daily range of tempera- ture was the least at Bradford, 6^°, and the greatest at Eccles, 135 ; the mean daily range of temperature from all stations was 10". The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 40.^°, being 3° lower than the value for the corresponding week in 1875. The highest was 461°, at Truro, and the lowest 37^", at Wolver- hampton. Rain. — Rain fell on five or si.x days in the week at most stations, and at no station was the fall less than I inch. The amounts, however, varied from y\ inches at Truro, 2\ at Plymouth, 2j at Bristol, to i inch at Wolverhampton, Nottingham, and Liverpool. The general average fall over the country was v\ inch nearly. The weather during the week was dull and wet, and the sky generally overcast. The weather was cold on the first three days, and very mild on the last four days. Gales and floods have again been experienced all over the country, resulting in great loss, and many wrecks have occurred. Scotland : Temfei-alurc—The highest tempera- tures of the air varied from 483° at Leith to 43° at Dundee; the mean value from all stations was 45 ". The lowest temperatures of the air ranged from 26° at Perth to 3iii'' at Aberdeen ; the general mean from all stations was 284°. The mean range of tempera- ture from all stations in the week was 17°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 36^°, being 4;° below that of England, and 8° below the value for the corresponding week in 1875. The highest occurred at Aberdeen and Leith— both 37!°— and the lowest at Paisley and Perth— both 35J°. Rain and Snozv. — The fall of snow and rain was large everywhere, the greatest fall in the week was rather more than 3 inches at Perth, and the least fall about 1} inch at both Edinburgh and Leith ; the average fall over the country was 2\ inches. DuiiLiN. — The highest temperature of the air was 56°, the lowest 34^°, the range 21. J, the mean 44J, and the rainfall i J inch. J^ Ifiito Uutcs. Delay in Transit.— At the last sitting of the Clerkenwell County Court before the Christmas vaca- tion, the case of Rmce v. The Great Northern Railway Company was heard before the presiding Judge, Gordon Whitbread, Esq., in which the plaintiff, a salesman, sued the Company to recover the sum of £%, for the loss he had sustained in consequence of the want of prompt delivery of three tons of Kent Regent Potatos, which had been consigned to him from York, and which had not reached the terminus in London at King's Cross in time for a purchaser for whom he had ordered them. Mr. Williams, solicitor, appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Harmsworth as standing counsel for the Company. The plaintiff said he was a wholesale salesman at King's Cross, and ordered the goods in question to reach London on Friday, November 17, in order to meet the require- ments of a customer on the following morning's (Saturday) market. They, however, did not reach King's Cross till late on Saturday, after his men had left work, and were not virtually in his possession till early on Monday morn- ing, and his customer in the meantime got supplied elsewhere, whereby he had lost the sale of the goods, and estimated his loss at the price now sued for. In reply to question put, the plaintiff said he considered the wholesale first price of the Potatos were from £'^ to /6 a ton, and that £'^ profit on the lot was a very reasonable one. Two of the plaintiff 's servants were called, who proved leaving their work on the Saturday, at which time no dehvery of the goods was made. This evidence completed the plaintiff's case, when the Counsel addressed the Court at some length, urging the non-liability of the Company on the following grounds. In the first place, the Company did not hold them- selves responsible by their bye-laws for reasonable delay, and he would be in a position to prove from witnesses he should call that the goods were not at the York goods station in time to be despatched with the goods train which would reach King's Cross Station in time on Friday evening, and would call the goods manager and checker from York for that purpose ; but even should the question of damages arise, which he did not apprehend, they could be merely nominal, as the charge the plaintiff' had made was a most The goods manager and checker attended from Yoik, who both stated that the goods ariived two hours afier the goods train, by which they would have reached King's Cross on Friday evening had left. This being the defendant's case, his Honor ruled in favour of the Company, who did not apply for costs. Landlord and Tenant. — A case, just decided by Mr. Justice Lindley, at Manchester, is of some public interest as defining the position of tenants holding non-repairing leases. The landlord, in this :, had covenanted to keep the roof, windows, timbers, and exterior of the house in an effectual of repair. After a time, water frequently pene- extent that the love his wife to the kitchen, were completely spoilt. On ;o the landlord's agent, he get some one to execute the trated through the roof tenant was obliged to rei while many of his goods this being represented empowered the tenant tc repairs, previously forwarding an estimate of their cost. The tenant failed to find any person who could give such an estimate, and therefore had the repairs executed at once. When the rent-day arrived, he deducted the amount he had so spent, and tendered the balance. This was refused by the agent, who thereupon put in an execution, and sold off all the property on the premises under distraint. These pro- ceedings resulted in an action before Justice Lindley, which terminated in favour of the tenant. The jury held that, while the landlord had a right to his rent, ^30, he must pay to the tenant / 7 2 j. dd. for repairs, £,<, for damage done by rain-water, and £t,% for illegal distraint, less ^5 15.1. i,d., the amount realised by the sale. The important point in this decision is that it sanctions the execution of repairs by non-repairing tenants, at the cost of their landlords, when the latter either fail to perform the duty, or are guilty of un. justifiable delay. Builder. ©ijttuarg. The death is recorded, on December 17th last, at his residence, Penrose Street, Walworth, of Mr. James Andrews, the well known floral artist, aged 75 years. Variorum. TheAnnual Meeting OF THE Bishoi' Auckland Floral and Horticultural Society was held a few days ago, and from the balance-sheet read at the meeting it appears that the society had to sustain a loss of just over ^300 on the last year's show, the takings in the way of admission to the park having fallen considerably short of the usual sum. This deficiency is attributed to two causes over which the committee had no control— the great depression in trade in the North, and the somewhat unfavourable character of the weather. Notwithstanding this lofs there is still a balance in hand of ^'922 •]$. ■jd. At this meeting it was resolved that a good portion of this sum should be invested for the benefit of the society, but in order to have a complete legal control ovtr money so invested it was further resolved to tal e steps to have the society registered as an indusirial society under the provisions of the Acts of Parhamtnt relative to these societies. Registration can be com- pleted at a small expense, and then the society will be January 6, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 25 governed by a responsible body — trustees, directors, or committee, whatever they may be termed. It was agreed that ihe necessary revision of the rules should be made at once, so that the process of regis- tration should be carried out without delay. The outGJoing members of the committee were almost entirely re-elected, which proves that there is no lack of confidence in the ore: Abies nobilis. — One of the most interesting ex- amples of Abies nobilis to be found is that growing near to the residence of the late Mr. John Star.dish, at the Royal Nurseries, Ascot, and in the possession of which he was very proud to the day of his death. The specimen is about ir feet in height, of symme- trical shape, clothed to the very base with a thick healthy foliage, but of a remarkably dense and some- what plumose character. It no doubt illustrates the variation obtained through seedlings, and all the pride of oocnership felt by the late Mr. Standish is inherited by his whilom partner and successor, Mr. J. Ashby. ©nqutries. He that guestioneih much shall learn much. — BacoN. 156. Red Spider. —Can any reader inform me if they have used a composition for red-spider on Cucum- bers, &c., which is of the consistency and colour of Stockholm tar. with something of the same scent, and which, when diluted for use, turns white and milky. Where can it be obtained ? Market Gardener. 157. The Female Plant of Garkya elliptica. —Where can this be obtained ? A'. [We saw one bush, a few years since, in the garden of Sir William Miles, near Clifton. Eds.] Answers to Correspondents. Amaryllis : Old Subscriber. Start them as they are, and if repotting is required let it be done just as the flowers go off, as an encouragement to the better development of the leaves. AucOBAs : J. F. In March or April, or any time during summer. Books : J. VV. V. Published by Longmans. We do not know the price. Botanical Magazine : L. F. C. Publibhed monihly, by Lovell Reeve & Co., Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. 1 he price is 3J. 6d. Descending Sap : HiggUdy-Pig^hdy, It is not affirmed by any one that we know of that the elaborated sap does not descend. The modern notion is simply that it may, and does ascend— go horizontally, or inany other direction, as well as descend, according to time, clrcum- stances and the need of the plant. Suppose, for instance, starch is to be stored in a Potato tuber, or wood to be formed in a Vine rod ; the matter out of which that starch or that wood is formed must in great measure pass through the leaves, and therefore It must descend to reach its destination. But starch is likewise stored up in the grain of Wheat. In this case, then, it is obvious that the nutrient and store- containing or store-forming sap must ascend from the leaves ; and the same holds true of fruits and stones (seeds) placed above the leaves. Hailstorm Relief Fl-nd: Enquirer. Apply to the secretary, Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing. Heat for a Greenhouse: T. Walsh. A paraffin lamp is often used for heating such a structure as yours, and as they are not kept in use for any length of time they do little or no harm. Heating: A. Webb, Quite sufficient, if the boiler works well. Iceland Plants : J. M., Bas/ord, i, Salix glauca apparently (bad specimen) ; 2, Erigeron alpinus ; 3, Alchemilla alpina ; 4, Silene acaulis ; 5, Dryas 8-petala ; 6, Lychnis alpina. If J. M. likes to collect good specimens of the plants that he finds in Iceland, adding their localities, I shall be glad to have a set lame them for him. In do not c will form a tree there. C. C. ' of Botany, Cambridge. mot determine the species of _„ , the white, feathery -looking insect found near the eggs on your Apple bark was most probably the American blight. /. O. W. Marciiantia : F. H. Look for it at the base of any damp north wall, or in any damp place in old green- Names of Plants: N, G. i, next week ; 2, Selaginella Martensii ; 3, Selaginella Wallichii ; 4, Selaginella viticulosa ; 5. Selaginella serpens ; 6, Lastrea patens. — C. Palmer. Grevillea robusta.-y. W. H. Pro- bably one of the dwarf Rhododendrons of the Early Gem type. — /,. E. C. Habrothamnus elegans.— Bishopstowe. Ilex dipyrena.— Pt^Moj. 5, Philodendron eras inervum. — T. D. Santohna incana. Schedule : Enfield. We can see nothing in the rules, or m the composition of the schedule, that does not seem perfectly fair and equitable ; and certainly nothing that favours the larger growers at the expense of the smaller ones. The only classes in which we could suggest any alteration to meet the case of the smaller growers are 17, 18, and 20. In each of these cases the number asked for (twelve) is too many, and should be reduced to six. This done, the smallest grower would have no just cause of complaint. of them, and will i ihink that the Sali; Babington, Progessa Insects : Kerry. We ■ insects by their Seedling Apple: W. B. Rome. Your seedling Apple, stated to be a cross from the Blenheim Orange and a Pearmain, is a very good fruit. It is of the true Pear- main, or conical shape, of medium size, the skin pale yellow. The flesh is firm, somewhat in texture like the Blenheim Orange, of sweet and pleasant quality, but not equal as a dessert fruit to Scarlet Nonpareil, Cockle Pippin, or some others of the same season. Vine Borders and Grape Shanking: S. H, It is nearly impossible to advise you as to your course of treatment without seeing the Vines and the condition of the border, arid even then it would be mere con- jecture—" shanking " is so very subtle, and is pro- duced, or is the result of such a variety of causes. If your borders are sour, or wet and soddened, then the only remedy is to have them renewed. Very rich borders will also produce shanking, and it just occurs to us that you may be assisting in this by your repeated :ings c ; that \ Fincourage' the, roots to the surface by adding fresh soil, &c., and withdrawing.the old, wiih a light coating of strawy manure during the summer. Do not over- crop but maintain a full supply of thoroughly healthy, well- developed leaves. Shanking as olten proceeds from defective leaf-action as from the roots. It is the result of some sudden check or overstrain on the energies of the plant, which we think may be overcome by judicious management. '»♦ Correspondents are specially requested to address, post-paid, all communications intended for publica- tion to the " Editors," and not to any member of the staflf personally. The Editors would also be obliged by such communications being sent as early in the week as possible. Letters relating to Advertisements, or to the supply of the Paper, should be addressed to the Publisher^ and not to the Editors. ^ Foreign Subscribers sending Post-office Orders, payable at the post-office. King Street, Covent Gar- den, London, are requested to be good enough to write to the Publisher, at the office of this paper, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, at the same time, to inform him of the fact. Catalogues Received : — Messrs. Downie & Laird (17, South Frederick Street, Edinburgh), Descriptive Catalogue of Garden, Flower, and Agricultural Seeds, I m plements. &c.— Messrs . Little & Ballantyne (Knowe- lield Nurseries, Carlisle;, Select List of Roses, Rhodo- dendrons, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, &c. — Alfred Legerton (5, Aldgate, London), Special Irade Cata- logue of Garden. Agricultural, and Flower Seeds.— William Rumsey (Joyning's Nurseries, Waltham Cross. London), Catalogue of Garden. Flower, and F^rm Seeds, Potatos, &c.~J. W. Mackey (40, West- moreland Street, Dublin), Annual Descriptive Seed Catalogue. COVM i.NicATiQNs Keceived.-J. R.-J. M. J—G. C— F. C. t week).-W. S.-H. E.— N. C-T. R— J. C— G. T. M. . C— J. D.— J. H G.— J. B.— J. M., Basford (shortly).— : Co. — T. R. — J. H. C. COVENT GARDEN, January 4. Our market is now very bare, and with the exception of a few imported Apples and late home fruit, there is nothing to mention. Good late Grapes are getting short, and large quantities of St. Michael Pines are arriving, at low figures. Kent Cobs are in rather better demand. James Webber, Wholesale Apple AJariel. Frlu ^t: Artichokes, per bush. 4 o- — Eng. Globe, doz, 4 o- 1 Asparagus, Fr. , bun. 30*0- BrusselsSprts. bush. Cabbages, per doz. . . Carrots, per bunch.. Cauliflowers, per doz. Celery, per bundle . . Cucumbers, each ,. Endive, per doz. (Jranges, per Peaches, per Pine-apples, Horse Radish, p. bun. . Leeks, per bunch . . < — French, per doz. i Mint, green, bunch 1 — New Jersey, doz. : Rhubarb, per bundle : Salsafy, per bundlu rib. Ferns, invar., p. doz. 6 0-30 i o bpinach, per bushel 1 .. 06- .. Tomatas, per doz. .. : :h ..02-04 Turnips, per bundle < [Regents, £s^o£6\ Essex Regents, to ^5 ; Kidneys, ^8 per ton. Plants in Pots. :inth.Rom.,doz. 9 Lily of Valley, each - Mignonette, do. ..I " ' sin variety .each 3 Pelargoniums, scarlet, Poinsettia. per doz. .12 Primula sinensis.doz. 4 Solanums, per dor. 6 IS, per dozen .. 9 tapurpur., doz. 12 Carnations, perdozen i 6- , Chrysanth., 12 bun.18 0-2. Cyclamen, per doz... o 3- . London: Jan. 3.- With the departure of the holi- days more inquiry, and especially from the country, is manifested for farm seeds. Of English red Clover there is an improved supply ; but fewer offers are received from abroad. Advices to hand from Canada coincide with the reports from the United States as to the general shortness this season of the American crop. Alsike is quoted rather easier, and for Trefoil also (owing to the state of neglect in which the article has for some few weeks past lain) slightly lower prices have occasionally been talcen. White Clovers and perrennial grasses are steady, and in fact the trade generally is pervaded by a strong, healthy feeling. In foreign Italian there has been a fair business doing at full rates. Long prices are asked for Lucerne, and Sainfoin is held for more money. More attention is now given to spring Tares. The Canary seed trade exhibits an improved tone, the tendency of values being upwards. For Linseed the demand is slow. Other articles unchanged. John Shaw 6* Sons, Seed Merchants, 37, Mark Lane, London. E.C. CORN. At Mark Lane on Monday the supply of English Wheat on sale was small, and its condtion was much affected by the continued damp weather. A firm tone pervaded the trade for all good and fine dry parcels, and the quotations had an upward tendency ; but damp qualites were difficult to sell. Barley was in but mode- rate request, but both malting and grinding descrip- tions were held at extreme prices. Malt was dealt in to a limited extent on former terms. The supply of Oats on offer was very moderate, and a steady tone prevailed at full currencies. Beans were in moderate demand, and were quite as dear as on last market day. For Peas there was a fair inquiry at late prices. The flour trade was wanting in animation, but previous quotations were well supported. The market for Indian Corn was quiet, but steady, and prices showed no mate- rial alteration. — On Wednesday very little inclination was evinced to operate in Wheat or any other class ot produce. Fine dry samples were scarce, and fully as dear, but there was a difficulty in maintaining the quo- tations for inferior and damp parcels. Holders, how- ever, ^ere not anxious sellers.— Average prices of corn for week ending Dec. 30 :— Wheat, 50J. 6d.\ Barley, 38J. jd. ; Oats, 24J. gd. For the corresponding week last year :— Wheat, 45J. 3^. ; Barley, 345. 6d.; Oats, CATTLE. At the Metropolitan Market on Tuesday there was a fair supply of beasts, and choicest qualities met with purchasers at fully late rates. Of sheep choice kinds were scarce and made good prices. Calves were scarce and dear. Quotations: — Beasts, 41. 6d. to 5J. 2d., and c^s. 8d. to 6j-. 2d. ; calves, 5^-. 8d. to ys. ; sheep, ^s. 6d. to 6s.. and 6s. 8d. to ys. 2d. ; pigs, 41. .\d. to $s. ^d. — On Thursday trade in beasts was by no means brisk, but Monday's prices were readily obtained for choice cattle. Good sheep met a ready sale at late rates, and calves continued dear. HAY. At Whitechapel there was a good trade on Tuesday, the supply of hay and straw being short, and pricts ruled firm as follows :— Prime Clover, lOOS. to 140.1. ; in- ferior, 85r. to 95J. ; prime meadow hay. 90.^. to 132J ; 70J. to 85J. ; and straw, 40s. to 54J. per load. —Thurs- day's supplies moderate, and trade steady. Quotations: — Clover, best, looj. to i4oj'. ; inferior, 85J. to 95^. ; hay, best, 100s. to 134-f. ; inferior, 65J. to 85^.; and straw, 42J. to 52J. per load. — Cumberland Market quota- tions :— [Superior meadow hay, 1341. to 140J. ; inlerior, iios. to 126s.; superior Clover, 1381. to 147J. ; inferior, 115J. to 126s. ; and straw, 52J. to 6oj-. per load. POTATOS. At the Borough and Spitalfields markets sound Polatos remain scarce, and command extreme rates, but for in- ferior produce the trade is dull. Annexed are the quo- tations :— Kent Regents, 120^. to 140J. per ton ; Essex do.. 100s. to 1301. ; Rocks, 60s. to 90J. ; Flukes, 150J. to iSoj. ; Victorias, 120s. to i6os. ; and Kidneys, looj. to i2o.f. — The imports into London last week consisted of 3027 bags from Antwerp, 2438 from Ghent, 1029 bags 80 tons from Harlingen. 1598 bags from Bremen, 1354 from Brussels, 930 from Hamburg, and 921 from Rotterdam. COALS. At the market on Wednesday house coals were un- unaltered, but Hartleys declined is. per ton. Quota- tions :— Walls End— Haswell, 19^.; Lambton, i8j. 6d.; Original Hartlepool, igs.; Hartlepool. i8t. ; East Hartle- pool, i8f. 9^.; South Hartlepool, 17-r. 26 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1877. Panslea and Violas, Bedding. IHOMAS S. WARE'S AUTUMN CATALOGUE of the above, including Carnations, >tees. Pinks, Psonies, Phloxes, Delphiniums, Roses, and rs, for Immediate Planting, is now ready, free upon Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, London. T ARGE TREE BOX and EVERGREEN J— i HOLLY. — Handsome, bushy, and well-rooted, will transplant with good balls of earth, 5, 6, 7, and 8 feet high. Tree Box lives under trees better than any other Evergreen F . JACKSON AND SON, Nurseries, Kingston, Surrey. To tlie Trade and Others. RANCIS & ARTHUR DICKSON & SONS have to ofter strong healthy plants as under- ANTHURIUM SCHERZERIANUM, ADIANTUM GRACILLIMUM, ADIANTUM VEITCHII, STOCK. Red Moss, own roots, strong, roots, strong, 255. AUSTRIAN BRIAR, Harrisonii, own roots, strong, 40J. ,, ,, Persian Yellow, own roots, strong, 40^. per ico. FELICITE PERPETUELLE, climbing, own roots, strong, MANETTI STOCKS, own roots, strong, 40s. per 1000 N.B.-Theusi GEORGE GRAY PORTUGAL LAURELS. — Fine bushy plants, from 2 to 4 feet high, also Standards of the same on stems, 2 to 4 feet, with finely shaped heads, 2 to 4 feet in diameter ; Irish YEWS, 4 to 7 feet ; English do., 4 to 6 feet ; Green HOLLIES, 2 to 6 feet ; BOX, 2 to 5 feet : SYRINGAS, 3 to 5 feet ; Persian LILACS, 4 to 5 feet : DEUTZIA CRENATA FLORE-PLENA, 4 to 6 feet. The above are all fine plants, and in good movable condition. Price and all particulars on application to ALEXANDER DANCER, The Nurseries, Fulham, S.W. P~OTATOS (SNOWFLAKE), cheap- a quantity of this delicious floury variety for Sale, at 105. per cwt. The stock is perfectly true, grown on from seed imported last year from America ; but are very rough from wireworm. As good for seec PRICKLY^COMFREf'*' apphc per : Cult ignt land a. As good for seed purposes valuable permanent forage a year, producing 120 tons ASPARAGUS, Forcing, strong crowns, si. per 100. ASPARAGUS SEED, CONNOVER;S COLOSSAL (our CABBAGE'"s'EEbr "fREEMaS"s""mASSIVE DRUM- HEAD, 1876 growth, our own saving. C. R. FREEMAN, Seedsman, Norwich. C^ Wills, Ewing, Daniels truck. i,os., free to any i Carter & Sons, Veitch & Sons, Bros., Dixon & Co., Dickson & Sons,' He Germany ; Martin Muller, Strasburg, &c. RI. H. BENTOTE, Fibre Maker, Lausanne Road, Nunhcad, London, S.E. pOCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE, Vy newly made. — Reduced price, 20 bushels, ts. 8d. : 100, 20s. ; or Truck-load, 40s. Delivered free to any rail in London. J. STEVENS AND CO., Fibrft Works, High Street, Battersea. S.W. B Fibrous Peat for OroMds, &o. ROWN FIBROUS PEAT, best quality for Orchids, Stove Plants, &c , £6 6s. per truck. BLACK FIBROUS PEAT, lor Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths, American Plant Beds, 17s. per ton. Delivered on rail at Blackwater, S. E. R., or Farnborough, S. W. R. , by the truck-load. Sample sack, 5s. 6d. each. Fresh SPHAGNUM, los. id. per sack. WALKER AND CO., Farnborough Station, Hants. PEAT. — A few hundred tons of superior Peat, delivered at either of the Farnborough Stations on the South- Western or South-Eastern Railways, at 17^. a ton. W. TARRY, Bailiff, Bagshot, Surrey. ODAMS' MANURES, FOR ALL CROPS. Manufactured by the NITRO-PHOSPHATE and ODAMS' CHEMICAL MANQRE COMPANY (Limited), consisting of Tenant- Farmers occupying upwards of 150,000 acres of Land. Chairma,i-KOBF.KT LEEDS, Keswick Old Hall, Norwich. Managi„s Director— } AWES ODAMS. Sub-Matmger atid Secretary— C. T. MACADAM. Chief Office — log, Fenchurch Street. London, E.C. Western Counties Branch— Queen Street, Exeter. ' ; Secretary, Particulars will be forwarded ( f the Local Agentf GISHURST COMPOUND.— Used by many of the leading Gardeners since 1859, against Red Spider, Mildew, Thrips, Greenflj'-, and other Blight, in solutions of from i to 2 ounces to the gallon of soft water, and of from 4 to 16 ounces as a winter dressing for Vines and Fruit Trees. Has outlived many preparations intended to supersede it. Sold Retail by Seedsmen, in Boxes, is., y., and Wholesale by PRICE'! PATENT CANDLE COMPANY MATS.— Archangel, Petersburg, Packing Mats, &c. RAFFIA for tying. TRAINING STICKS, _ BAMBOO CANES, &c. Before purchasing send for prices to C. J. BLACKITH and CO., Cox's Quay, Lower Thames Street, London, E.C. RUSSIA MATS.— A large stock of Archangel and Petersburg, for Covering and Packing (price on application for Archangel)— Petersburg, 60s. to iocs, per 100; superior close-wove, 40.?., sor. and 55*. per too ; Packing Mats at 20s. , 30.1. , and 35s. per 100; and all other descriptions of Mats at equally low rates, at J. BLACKBURN and SONS, 4 and 5, Wormwood Street. London, E.C. RUSSIA MATS, for Covering Garden Frames.— ANDERSON'S TAGANROG MATS are the cheapest and most durable. Price List, which gives the size of every class of Mat, forwarded post-free on appUcation. JAS. T. ANDERSON, 7, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, London, E.C. The Sole International Prize Medals for GALVANIZED WIRE NETTING Have been awarded to Messrs. J. B. BROWN and CO., at the VIENNA EXHIBITION, 1873, and at the PHILA- DELPHIA CENTENNIAL and INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1S76. ET. ARCHER'S "FRIGI DOMO."— • Patronised by Her Maiesty the Queen, for Windsor Castle and Frogmore Gardens, the late Sir. J. Paxton, and the late Professor Lindley, &c. MADE of PREPARED HAIR and WOOL. A perfect non-conductor of heat or cold, keeping a fixed temperature where it is applied. A good covering for Pits and Forcing Frames. PROTECTION from COLD WINDS and MORNING FROSTS. "FRIGI DOMO" NETTING, = yards wide, ir. id. and IS. lod. per yard. " FRIGI DOMO •■ CANVAS. 2 yards wide i^. loo^. per yard run. 3 yards wide 3s. per yard. 4 yards wide 3^. lod. per yard. ELISHA T. ARCHER, only Maker of " Frigi Domo," Brockiey Road, Forest Hill, London, S.E. : and of all Florists and Seedsmen. All goods carriage paid to London. NOTICE-REMOVED from 3, CANNON STREET, CITY. ^^' Garden Wall WirlnK Prices per Lineal Yard, 24 inches high .•— Size of Mesh. Mostly used for Gauge, or Light. Medium. Gauge, or Strong. It in. liin. Dogs or Poultry . 19 ^\d. SmallRabbits,&c. 19 i^\d. Smallest Rabbits. '19 sjrf. 18 ^\d. 18 r,\d. 18 b\d. 17! b\d 17 Zd. '," Price Lists, with further particulars of WIRE NETT- ING, IRON FENCING, POULTRY FENCES. DIAMOND and other TRELLIS WM-IK, on application. J. B. BROWN & CO., OfiBces-90, CANNON STREET, LONDON. The FRENCH SYSTEM of WIRING GARDEN WALLS, &c., FOR TRAINING FRUIT TREES. GALVAMZED EYED NAILS for Stretching Wires, one at each end of wail, is. \od. per dozen. Smaller Size for sup- porting the wire, every lo feet, lod. per dozen. Smaller Sizes, not recommended, bd. per dozen. GALVANIZED IRON RAIDISSEURS, for Tightening Wires, one to the centre of each wire, ar. td. per dozen. KEY, for Winding, ^d. each. SCREWS and NUTS, neater than Raldisseurs, 3^. ed. per doz. No. 14 GALVANIZED WIRE, 10 inches apart, 2^. per 100 yds. %' Prices of IRON TRELLIS or ESPALIER for TRAINING FRUIT TREES on the FRENCH SYSTEM, on application. J ^ B. BROWN & CO., 90, CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.C. RHOLLIDAY, Practical WiREwoRKER, • 2A, Portobello Terrace, Notting Hill Gate, London, W., begs to call the attention of all Gardeners who are about to ., ■ ^ , ,.T..,_ T.r-_-j .- u:. gyg^gJJJ Qf ■\y— j,g^^j[j.^ neatness, strength, and Ime by the br.inches of trees. FOR DURABILITY— Because, being able to use the strong Wire, it is not so likely to be eat^n through with the Garden Walls 1 House. The Walls are iz feet high and 753 yards long, wired on both sides ; making a total length of 1506 yards— our system THOMAS'S FITTINGS for WIRING WALLS. NEW and IMPROVED SYSTEM. The following prices give the total cost of eluding holdfasts, straining bolt, interr ID feet apart, and best quality galvanis Length of Wall :-2o yds. 40 yds. 60 » guiding eyes, Jo yds. 100 yds No. 14 Gauge Win 53^38 f the above, and lomical principles, Fittings for Espalier Trainers, or free on application. Five per cent, discount allowed for prompt cash on orders amounting to zo>s and upwards. Specml quotations for larger quantities. J. J. THOMAS & CO., PADDINGTON WIREWORKS, 285 atid 362, EDGWARE ROAD, LONDON, W. FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS. ANNUAL CATALOGUE NOW READY. THE LAWSON SEED & NURSERY COMPANY (LIMITED), EDINBURGH and LONDON, Will forward their newly published List free to any address upon application. The Stock of Seedling and Transplanted FOREST TREES, SHRUBS, and COVERT PLANTS is most extensive, and in unusually line condition. SPECIAL OFFERS TO LABGE BUYERS WEEN REaUESTED. January 6, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 27 W. G. SMITH & CO., HORTICULTURAL ENGINEERS, Victoria Works- Bury St. Edmunds. I SOLE MANUFACTURERS f I EARD'S PATENT METALLIC NON-CONDUtTINO ( I ^SS HOUSES - ORNAMENTAL CONSERVATORIES and HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS of EVERY DESCRIPTION - For lightness elecance and durability, these Houses cannot be surpassed. The best maternls only are used in their construction Great improvements ha%e recently been made, to obviate the objections to u-on houses. Very evtensive ivorks on this principle ha%e ' ■' ited. /[,! Illustrated Catalogue forwarded fost-free on application. THE THAMES BANK IRON COMPANY, Old Barge Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London, HOT-WATER BOILERS SURREY SIDE, BLACK.FRIARS BRIDGE. piPES CONNECTIONS ■2^3:^^^ — ~N NEW PATENT "CLIMAX" BOILER (1874). See p. 666, 1874, Gardeners' Chronicle. "GOLD MEDAL" BOILER (Birmingham, 1872). PATENT "EXCELSIOR" BOILER (1871). I^* The lartrest and most complete Stock in the Trade; upwards of Twenty Thousand Pounds' worth to choose from. 'WITLEY COURT" BOILER (Silver Medal 1S72). ■ TRENTHAM IMPROVED " BOILER, with Water- way End and Smoke Consumer. 'TUBULAR," and every other Boiler of known merit or excellence. 1^- Prize Medal Awarded at the National Contest, Fire-Bars, and Furnace Fronts ever yet introduced to the public STAINTON'S NEW PATENT FROST DEFYING LIQUID (see " Gardeners' CUronlole," Aug. 19, 1876). HOT-WATER APPARATUS ERECTED COMPLETE. PRICE LIST on application : or. Six Stamps for DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, 4th Edition. Macfarlaiie's Castings^ Architectural, Artistic, and Sanitary, FOR ARCHITECTS, CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS Contractors, Builders, Joiners, Plumbers, &c.. Railings; Balconies; Vei-andahs; Conservatories; Shop and Warehouse Fi'onts; Arcades ; Winter Gai-dens ; Covered Ways ; Saloons ; Semi-enclosed Airing Eooms, Smoking Divans, &c. ; Waiting Rooms; Clock and Water Towers; Pavilions ; Bandstands ; Arbours ; Garden Entrances ; Garden Screens ; Boathouses, &c. Plain and Ornamental Castings of every description for Mansions, Halls, Schools, Barracks, Factories, Markets, Railway Stations, Bridges, Esplanades, Parks, Gardens, Pleasure Grounds, &c. FOR HOME a EXPORT. Esli; for special Design Rluslrated CATALOGUE with Price L on applii WALTER MACFARLANE & CO., GLASGOW SHAW'S TIFFANY, ELASTIC NET- TING, CANVAS, &c., for Shading, Protecting, and other Horticultural Purposes. For Samples and Prices apply to JOHN SHAW AND CO., 29. Oxford Street. Manchester. RH. HAMPSON, Egerton Mills, Stockport, • Manufacturer of HORTICULTURAL SHADINGS for Protecting W.tll Trees from Frost and Insects, &c 54 and ■WooDE.N'GBAViN'G-: V/OItrHI^QTOIS''Q.$MITH. ° O- IS.MlLDMAY Qi^Ov'E. ~" LoN°Dor>r.N'.„ •OBAPRY Arthuii E.Smith. 15.MlI.DnAY CfROV'E . LoivrDo>f'.N!, Rosher's Garden Edging Tiles. 1 do grown " Edgings, consequently being much cheaper. GARDEN VASES, FOUNTAINS, &c., in Artificial Stine, > du able and of superior finish, and in great variety of design. h ROSHER AND CO., Manufacturers, Upper Ground 1 eet Blackfriars, S.E. ; King's Road, Chelsea, S.W. k n^sland Road, E. Agents for LOOKER'S PATENT "ACME FRAMES,' :L4NT COVERS and PROPAGATING BOXES; .also r FOXLEY'S PATENT BEADED GARDEN WALL KICKS. Ill rated Price Lists free by post. The Trade supplied. LNAMENTAL PAVING TILES, for Conservatories, Halls, Corridors, Balconies, &c., square yard upwards. Pattern Sheets, of plain or g Walls of Dairies, i other Stable Roofing Tiles in great "variety. Slates. Cement, &c. F ROSHER AND CO., Brick and Tile Merchants. See addresses above. o i^ILVER SAND, v-7 fine or coarse grain as desired. Prices by Post per ton r truck-load, on Wharf in London, or delivered direct from 'its to any Railway Station. Samples of Sand free by post. FLINTS and BRICK BURRS for Rockeries or Ferneries. KENT PEATS or LOAM supplied at lowest rates in any F. ROSHER AND CO.-Addresses see above. N.B.— Orders promptly executed by Rail or to Wharves. A liberal Discount to the Trade. Oil Paint No Longer Necessary. 'ILL AND SMITH'S BLACK VARNISH for Preserving Ironwork, Wood, or Stone. This Varnish is an excellent substitute for oil paint on all out- door work, while it is fully two-thirds cheaper. It was intro- duced upwards of thirty years ago by the advertisers, and its genuine good quality, notwithstanding a host of unprincipled imitators, is fully attested by its constantly increasing sale. It may be applied by an ordinary labourer, requires no mixing or thinning, and is used cold. It is used m the grounds at Wmdsor Castle, Kew Gardens, and at the seats of many hun- dreds of the Nobility and Gentry, from whom the most flattering )rward on application. Sold in ca^ks of aboi t the Manufactory, or ved, which Hill & Sm will Mr. Lloyd Lloyd encloses cheqi ;essrs Hir.L S: Smith, and he isiders the Black Varnish one of the most useful things he ever possessed." Apply to HILL and SMITH. Brierly Hill Ironworks, near Dudley: and iiS. Qiieen Victoria Street, London, E.C, from whom only it can be obtained. CAi7T/0.V.—li having lately come to the knowledge of Hill & Smith that spurious imitations of this Varnish are being offered by unprincipaled dealers at a slight reduction in hey would especially draw attention to the fact that every f their Varnish is legibly marked with their name and i, without which none is genuine. 28 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1S77. JOHN MATTHEWS, The Royal Pottery, »' Weston-super-Mare, Manufacturer of TERRA COTTA VASES, FOUNTAINS, ITALIAN BASKETS, BORDER TILES, GARDEN POTS, of superior quality, from i to 30 inches diameter, stand the frost, and seldom turn green. ORCHID. FERN, SEED, and STRIKING PANS, RHU- BARB and SEAKALE POTS, &c. Price Lists post-free. Sheets of Designs, (td. Books of Designs, is. LASCELLES' PATENT BENT WOOD CONSERVATORIES and GREENHOUSES.-AU Gardeners know that Wood is better than Iron for Plant Grow- ing, and by the above system a handsome curved house can be erected as cheaply as a plain straight one. house is more durable, stronger, lighter in con- i required. The curved BELGIAN GLASS forGREENHOUSES, &c., ,by SIR JOSEPH PAXTON'S HOTHOUSES for the MILLION. THE SIMPLEST AND CHEAPEST, Being easily fixed, and removed again, if required, by local ;ily fixed, and removed aga arpenter. Sent out fully glazed and painted. ; Apparatus, special for these Houses, portable HEREMAN and MORTON, GLOUCESTER STREILT, REGENTS P.-\RK, LONDON. N.W. Metallic Hothouse Builder to Her Majesty. HENRY HOPE (late Clark & Hope, formerly Cl.trk). HOTHOUSE BUILDER and HOT-WATER APPARATUS ENGINEER. 55, Lionel Street. Birmingham. Established AD. 1818. BOOKS of DESIGNS. 51. each. iTiT The Extensive Ranges of Metallic Hothouses in the R.iy.il ("lardens, Windsor and Osborne, were executed at this w. Bunhill Row Loi CONSEa'vA'lORi'Es'Srall GARDEN BOXES and LIGHTS. Portable Box with One Light, 6 feet by 4 feet, glaz< good 16-oz. sheet glass, painted four coats, ar packed ready for use Portable Box with Two Lights, tby4f LIGHTS ONLY, "eet by 4 feet Light, not painted nor gla: itto glazed, good 16-oz. sheet glass, and f H Hot-water Apparatus, &c ALLIDAY AND CO, Hmii Builders and Hot-w a 1 f rRERS. Estimates and Pl.u.~ I ■ ■ PERFECT CURE for SMOKY CHIM- NEYS-The REGISTERED COWL, Made by GEO. HALL, High Street, Worcester. PATENT PORTABLE SMOKELESS STOVES and PATENT FUEL. For Heating Conservatories, Greenhouses, Halls, Passages, 1 nd places without Chimneys, from 12s. id. NASH'S BRONCHITIS KETTLE. loj. 6d. FRETWORK and CARVING FRAMES, SAWS. FILES, PATTERNS a.id PREPARED WOOD. SWAN NASH, 253, Oxford Street, W. ; and 4. Newgate GREEN'S PATENT Wrought-iron Hot-water Boilers, With Shelves and Hollow Grate Bars. Specially adapted for heating Greenhouses, Conservatoiit Churches, Chapels, Schools, Public Buildings, Entrance Halls, Warehouses, Workshops, &c. LIMEKILN HEATING. This System of HEATING WINTER GARDENS, CONSERVATORIES, ORANGERIES, FERNERIES, VINERIES, FORCING HOUSES, PINERIES, CU- CUMBER, MELON and MUSHROOM HOUSES, STOVES, PITS, &c.— also for WARMING MANSIONS, PUBLIC BUILD- INGS, FACTORIES. &c., is steadily making progress in public estimation, effecting as it does Great Economy of Fuel and Steadiness of Heating Power, and rendering the hitherto onerous duties of Stoker comparatively light— no night stoking whatever being necessary. List of Places where the System is in Opera- tion, with full address in each case, will be sent post-free on application. Gentlemen and Gardeners wishing to adopt this System will then be enabled to view the Apparatus nearest to their own Establishments, or write to the Gardener, and thus get inde- pendent testimony as to the value of this method of Heating. Estimates will be submitted, on recept of par- ticulars, free of charge. Full Particula Cowan Patents Company (Limited), 21, WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON, S.W., and The Vineyard, Garslon, near Liverpool. GEORGE'S PATENT CALORIGEN, eluded from the Conser- .Idde in Wrought Iron, ' Height, 28 inches ; d ^\ It will be found ve vahiable in the Nursery I Sick Room, Damp Bui Offices, &c. E.xhibil Exhibition -*-« (Department of Scientific Illustrated Prospectuses and Testimonials on application. J. F. FARWIG AND CO.. 36, Queen Street, Cheapside, E.C. This Stove introduces a strong current of warmed FOWLER'S PATENT STEAM PLOUGH and CULTIVATOR may be SEEN at WORK in every Agricultural County in England. _ JAMES LYME HANCOCK'S Improved India-rubber Socket-rings JOINTS of HOT-WATER PIPES. PiSLrtftwu tifSlttch — A The Rubber RinR as rolled into ihe Socket, o The Rinc before inserted m the Pipe. These Rings are made any size to order All ordinary s J L. HANCOCK, ULCANISED INDIA RUBBER WORKS, -66 GOSWELL ROAD LONDON, E.C. CRITCHLEY'S PATENT HEAT REGULATOR, A, Iron Box fitted up water-tight w. Pipe for Supply ci Water from Boiler. (.. d. Pipes for CuLulaling Hoi- Water. f„ f Pipes for Kelurn of W^ler to Iron Bo'. G, Pipe for Returning Water to Boiler. H, 1, J, K, Piston- Rods for Opening and Closing Valves. The advantages of this Regulator are that houses maybe kept at different decrees of hear, or tiie circulation of water and heal entirely stopped in one part and nut in others. It ticularly adapted for forcing houses where top and bottom heat is used. It may be fixed in any part of the apparatus " Berkeley ( Gentlemen. — I am happy to inft erected by you does iis work to the two Heat Regulators, have had ample opportunities greateit improvemen '. Hot Water Appar^li , Gentlemen, yours truly, " R. H. Cronkv, *' Gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Fitzhardinge," and Plans furnished for Warming Gentlemen's Public Buildi part of the kingdom, and gii purposes. MESSRS. CRITCHLEY, Horticultural Engineers and Builders, SHERBORNE PLACE, CHELTENHAM. STEVENS' TRENTHAM GREENHOUSE BOILER. ECONUMICAI EbFEClUAL andLAMlNt lollFI extant recently improved For Illustraliona with full pai ticulars apply i the bjle Makers F. & J. SILVESTER. HOT-WATER ENGINEERS, &c., &c., Castle Hill Works, Newcastle, Staffordshire. $^ Our Boilers are the only ones made with the sanctio and under the inspection of the inventor, Mr. Stevens— a January 6, 1S77.J THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 29 T. H. P. Dennis & Company. Motto, " Art with Economy" as applied to Conservatories. HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS & HOT-WATER HEATING APPARATUS ERECTED AND FITTED IN ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM. ESTIMATES GRATIS. Show Rooms: MANSION HOUSE BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.G., where full-sized Specimens of Greenhouses, &c., and Hot-water Apparatus at work can be inspected. Works: CHELMSFORD. MESSENGER & COMPANY, CONTRACTORS, MIDLAND HORTICULTURAL BUILDING AND HOT-WATER ENGINEERING WORKS, LOUGHBOROUGH, Be" to call attention to the above illustration, which shows a very advantageous arrangement of Glasshouses which has been adopted for several ° important Works on M. &. Co.'s recommendation. Only thoroughly well-seasoned timber used. Glasshouses erected on Messenger's | in cost and_ maintenance. Messenger's Patent Boilers, Flexible Jointed Ho patent principles are, owing to mechanical arrangements, very strong, most durable, light' elegant; perfect efflcUncy iol purpose intended is ^aartzw/tf^t// are economical Plans and Estimates forwarded. Ladies and Gentlemen waited upon. The Plans of Architects and others Pipes and 'Valves, are now in use in many thousands of i success. Particulars on application. ■ted out. Illustrated Cii with the greatest ular Fri THE BEST AND CHEAPEST ILLUSTRATED AGRICULTURAL ALMANAC. NOW EBADY. THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE ALMANAC, 1877. Profusely Illustrated, Price 4d.; Post Free, 5^d. CONTENTS Mechi and Tiptree (with Portrait). Calendar, compiled especially to mc of Farmers. Cattle Feeding. Early Spring Food. Kohl Rabi. The Mangel Wurzel Crop. Lands for Roots. Turnip Manuring. Lambs. Turnip-Fly. Bare Fallows. Harvest Work. Harvest. Cattle Feeding. Cattle Food for Winter. Fatting Cattle. The Dairy. Lincoln Sheep. The Harvest of 1S76. The Shorthorns Sales in 1876. A Bee at Bainesse. Modern Agriculture, by J. J. Mechi, expressly written for this Almanac. Teaching a Child How to Swim. Poultry Feeding Apparatus (Illustrated). Bull Staff and Nose Ring (Illustrated). The Cow. Drugging Horses in the Spring. Determination of the Carcase Weight of Cattle. Table to Calculate Wages and other Payments. In the Showyard (Illustrated). Younger Sons as Emigrants. The European Harvest of 1S76. Substitutes for Beer in the Harvest Field (Illustrated). Hints to Shepherds (Illustrated). Results of Cirencester Experiments. Over-feeding for Exhibition. Weights and Measures. Agricultural Societies, Farmers' Clubs, and Chambers of Agriculture. The Imperial Parliament ; — House of Peers. House of Commons. Postal Information. American lieef. Sporting Fixtures for 1S77. Notes on Farm Buildings. Licences and Certificates. Principal Cattle Fairs. Our Portrait Gallery. Lady Pigot (with Memoir). Baron Liebig (with Memoir). Mr. John Bravender, F.G.S. (with Memoir). Mr. Charles Randell (with Memoir). Mr. Henry Corbet (with Memoir). Mr. George Drewry (with Memoir). PUBLISHED BY A. K. BRUCE, AT THE OFFICE OF "THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE/' 7, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 30 TH, GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 6, 1S77. LABELS. Secure Tree and Plant Labels. PARCHMENT or CLOTH LABELS, TREE or PLANT LABELS. Punched parchment. 4 inches long, 3J. dd. per 1000, or 301. per 10,000: if eyeleted, 4J. per 1000. Vellum cartridge, 4 inches long, 3;. per 1000 for 10,000. Sample Labels sent on receipt of postage st.amp. Orders delivered free in London. FISHER, CLARK and CO., Label Works, Boston. Inflestruotible Terra-Cotta Plant Markers. MAW AND CO.'S PATENT.— Prices, Printed Patterns, and Specimens, sent post-free on application ; also Patterns of Ornamental Tile Pavements for Conservatories. Entrance Halls, &c. MAW AND CO., Benthall Works, Broseley. Under tlie Patronage of the Queen. SMITH'S IMPERISHABLE STRATFORD LABELS. Notice. (By Appoiittfiieni to the Royal Horiictdtural Society.) To HORTICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MAKERS, NURSERYMEN, FLORISTS, and OTHERS. A DAMS AND FRANCIS INSERT -i^ ADVERTISEMENTS in all Newspapers, M.agazines. and Periodicals. List of London Papers on application. ADAMS AND FRANCIS, Advertisement Agents, 59, Fleet Street, E.C. THE SYDNEY MAIL NEW SOUTH WAIVES ADVERTISER. CONTENTS: — INTERCOLONIAL and GENERAL NEWS SPORTING and the FIELD, in which is incorporated BELL'S LIFE in SYDNEY. RECORD of RACES, and NOTES on the TURF. CRICKET and AQUATICS. THE FLORA of AUSTRALIA (Drawn and Engraved specially for this Journal). NATURAL HISTORY (Original Articles). AGRICULTURE, PASTORAL, HORTICULTURE. GOLD FIELDS and MINING generally. STOCK and SHARE REPORTS. ORIGINAL and SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES. TALES by POPULAR ENGLISH and AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS. THE FASHIONS. DOMESTIC ECONOMY. INDOOR AMUSEMENTS. THE CHESS PLAYER. THE HOME CIRCLE. COMMERCIAL NEWS. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. The SYDNEY MAIL has a wide circulation throughout the Australian Colonies, New Zealand, Polynesia, &c. It contains a large amount of informa- tion on a great variety of subjects. Subscription in Advance, £1 per Annum. Single Copies, 4 Vines, Cucumbers, Melons, and (.ieiicral Forcing. Bothy pre- ferred. Good reference. State particulars, and wages given — W. H. S., The Gardens, Kara Manor, Angmering, Sussex. (TJARDENER (Second), where three or four , S"^ •"=?' —Age 21 ; good knowledge of Stove and Green- house Plants, Vines, Flower and Kitchen Garden, S:c. Good character.— J. S , The Lodge, Carshalton House, Carshalton, T OURNEYMAN, in the Houses.- Age 22 ; 'J has had seven years' experience under Glass, Growing Plants and Fruit. Good references. — G. M., Post-office, F OREMAN,— Good experience in Planting and Laying-out Grounds, from Plans or olherwise. or tions — A. B Munn, Stationer, Elgin Road, Maida F OREMAN.— Age 26 ; has had twelve years' practical experience, and is well up in the Growing of : and Greenhouse Plants, Pines, Vines, &c. No small accepted. Good references.— Address, with full s, to Y. Z.,!2, Dudmaston Terrace, Chelsea, London, rv": F OREMAN, or SECOND, in a Nobleman's Gentleman's Garden.— Age 23: good knowledge of ^ Greenhouse Plants, Early and Late Forcing, &c. ^O nurserymen.— Age TMPROVER, in a Nobleman's or Gentle- -fl- man's Garden, where he could learn the general routine of Gardening. — Age 21. Would not object to pay a Premium.— L. G., Green Hill, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon, OMESTEWARDorHEAD GARDENER and BAILIFF, to any Nobleman or Gentleman requiring the services of a thoroughly practical man. Will shortly be disengaged, and be pleased to treat for either of the above situations. -J. M. TUSMORE, Bicester, O.von. fTlO THE SEED TRADE.— Wanted, by a -L highly respectable and industrious Man, with good address, a situation in a First-class London Seed Warehouse Wholesale, or Wholesale and Retail. Highest references as to ability, character, &c. : security if required.— W. B. 17 Harber Terrace, Stoke Newington Green, N. To the Seed Trade. A SSISTANT, or CLERK.-Age 19 ; three -Ci- years' experience in the Trade. Good references. London preferred.— W. SMITH, The Birches, Peckham R\e London, S.E. 10 FLORISTS, &c,— A young Lady desires - a re-engagement in a Florist's or Florist and Fruiterer's : roughly understands the business. London preferr :rence.— M. L., Castle Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Good EPPS'S COCOA: GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. " By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by careful appli- cation of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished h3.m<::'—CivilSen,ice Gazette. Sold only in packets, labelled Threadneedle Street, EC, , Piccadilly, London, S.l K INAHAN'S LL WHISKY. Kinahan & Co. finding that, through the recommenda- "■" »"--'■-' " ' - • . • for their CELE- ■ purposes Medical Profession, the i BRATEDOLD LL WHISKY for is very great, subn Dr. Hassall ;-" I sasure the following Analysis by , carefully and fully analysed s^-"- ples of this well-known and popular Whisky. The samples V „ . - and ethereal to the smell. The Whisky must be pronounced to be pure, well-matured, and of very excellent quality. The Medical Profession mayfeel full T^INNEFORD'S FLUID MAGNESIA. The best remedy for ACIDITY of the STOMACH, HEARTBURN, HEADACHE, GOUT, and INDIGESTION ; and the safest aperient for delicate Constitutions, Ladies, Children, and Infants. DINNEFORD and CO., 172, New Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. D^ H^h this end obtained by Holloway's Pills, 32 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, [January 6, 1877. CHARLES LEE and SON, SUCCESSOES TO Messrs. JOHN & CHARLES LEE. ROYAL VINEYARD NURSERY, HAMMERSMITH, W., BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT, IN CONSEQUENCE OF THE RETIREMENT OF MR. JOHN LEE from the Business, they have taken over the entire NURSERY and SEED TRADE so successfulJy carried on for many years by the late Firm, and they trust the same Hberal patronage so long given to Messrs. John & Charles Lee will be continued to the New Firm. Charles Lee & Son pledge themselves to devote all their energy to Raising First-class Stock in every Department, which the large resources at their command will enable them to supply with considerable advantage to the Public both as regards quality and price. With a view to a more extensive production of STOVE and GREENHOUSE PLANTS of the best quality they intend to almost entirely rebuild their extensive ranges of glass on a new site, a portion of the old Nursery being taken up for building purposes. All Orders to be addressed to CHARLES LEE & SON, ROYAL VINEYARD NURSERY, HAMMERSMITH, W. where the general business of the Nursery and Seed Trade will be carried on ; or to Mr. DIXON, Feltham Nursery, Mr. CANNON, Ealing Nursery, iai Communications should be addressed to " The Editor ; " Advt 1 by William Richards, at the Office ol Messrs. Bkadbukv, Ac AM Richards, at the Office, 41, Welhngton Street, Parish of St. Agent for Manchester— John Hbvwood. Mr. WEBB, Arboretum, Mr. MARSLEN, Wood Lane, ►Isleworth. nts and Business Letters to " The Publisher," at the Office, 41, WelluiBtjn Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C. : Co., Lombard Street, Precinct of Whitefriars, City of London, in the County of Middlesex, and Published by the Covent Garden, in the said County.— Saturday, January 6, 1877 Agents for Scotland— Messrs. J. Menzies & Co., Edinburgh and Glassow. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE (iBstablisbcb 1841. A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND ALLIED SUBJECTS. No. ,} SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1877. j Registered at the General ) PHce 6d. ) Post Office as a Newspaper, j PoST FREE, $\(f. CONTENTS. Cedars of Lebanon Comfrey, the Prickly Cotoneaster vulgaris Crocus and Friiillaria Cycads, Australian (\ Embia, the web cl Erica codonodes Euonymus radical Goatsucker, ihe . . Grape. Mrs. Pince's Grapes, which are tl Hatching-box (with cul Holly berries Jaborandi, the Phyllox. Plants! Potatos, autumn-planted . Rainfall of 1876. the Retiiiospora filifera graci- Specialist. a plea for the . . Spiral growth Vine roots, premature growth of Weather, the „ the. at Hutton Hall, Guisborough The " Gardeners' Clironlcie " In America. rpHE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION GARDENKRS* CHRONICLE. Including postage to the United States, is $6.30 gold, to which add premium on gold for U.S. currency at the time, Agents: — Messrs. B. K. BLISS and SONS. Seed Merchants, 34, Barclay Street, New York ; Messrs. M. COLE AND CO., Drawer No. ii. Atlanta Post Office, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia ; and Mr. C. H. MAROT, 814, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia ; through whom Subscriptions may be sent. EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, Soulh Kensington. S.W. NOTICE.— SCIENTIFIC, FRUIT, and FLORAL COM- MITTEES' MEETINGS, on WEDNESDAY NEXT, January 17, at ii o'Clock. GENERAL MEETING 3 o'clock , lor ELECTION of FELLOWS, &c. CRYSTAL PALACE ARTIFICIAL FLOWER and FRUIT SHOW, March 3 to 17, 1877. Intending Exhibitors may obtain Schedules on application to GENERAL MANAGER, Crystal Palace. O^ vines. Vines, Vines. BS. WILLIAMS begs to announce that his • GRAPE VINES this year are unusually fine, and are now ready for distribution. For Detailed List, see Bulb CataloRue. Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, London, N. COWAN PATENTS COMPANY. Garston, near Liverpool. VINES.— Splendid Planting Canes of leading varieties, perfectly ripened without bottom-heat. Extra Strong Canes for immediate fruiting. JAMES DICKSON and SONS, Newton Nurseries, Chester. SEAKALE, good strong Crowns, 8s. per loo, put on rail at London. Terms cash. J. AND R. MASON. Market Gardeners, East Greenwich, S.E. Notice of Removal. HEREMAN AND MORTON, HOTHOUSE Builders and Hot-water Engineers, from 14, Tichborne Street to 2. Gloucester Street, Regent's Park, London, N.W. Estimates and Price Lists on application. PROTHEROEand morris," Hor~tT- CULTURAL Market Garden and Estate Auctioneers and Valuers. 98, Gracechurch Street, City, E.G., and at Leyton- stone, E. Monthly Horticultural Register had on application. CABBAGE PLANTS.SEEDS, ROOTS, &c., of all kinds, for the Farm or Garden. — "Gee's superior Bedfordshire-grown Plants and Seeds have attained much celebrity."— Fi/f Bld/ard Mircury, July 29, 1S76. "The sotls of the district offer facilities enjoyed at few places foi bringing away plants. &c., and under the skill and perseveiance of Mr. F. Gee they are turned to good account."— Vide Agri- cultural Gazette, July 31, 1876. See other opinions of the Press, also a Treatise on the Cabbage. CATALOGUES, lowest prices, &c., on application to FREDERICK GEE, Seed and Plant Grower, &c.. Biggleswade, Beds. Every one who has a Garden should read lUTTON'S AMATEUR'S GUIDE > IN HORTICULTURE. Now ready, post-free for m SUTTON'S AMATEUR'S GUIDE. —The most practical work on Vegetable and Flower Gardening extant, and should be m the hands of all interested in Gardening. Post-free for 14 stamps. The Formation and Improvement of Oarden Lawns. aUTTON'S AMATEUR'S GUIDE. UTTON'S AMATEUR'S GUIDE ' IN HORTICULTURE, beautifully illustrated with 250 3ured and other Engravings, and replete with valuable lUTTON'S SPRING CATALOGUE • and PRICE CURRENT is also ready. Gratis and ,t-free on application. Large Evergreen Trees for Screens. LLIAM MAULE and SONS offer Norway SPRUCE and CEDRUS DEODARA, 10 to feet high, well-rooted — the former at 5X. each, the latter, . bd. The Nurseries, Bristol. w OAKS, 3 to 4 and 3 to 5 feet. Price 0 application to EDWARD HOLMES, Whittington Nursery, Lichfield. ^HORNS.— 3,000,000 of Strong, transplanted. RUSH AND YEATS, Eaton Road and Queen's Park Nurseries, Chester. HAWS, or THORN QUICK SEED.- Sound Haws, fit for sowing at present, or spring coming guaranteed free from soil or other mixture, and thoroughly we! preserved. About 30 tons on hand. For lowest prices apply ID CO., " • -' " • ... GRANT/ , Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. Home-saved Scotch Fir Seed. T)rr ILLIAM WISEMAN and SON lyr. i-yr. SCOTCH and LARCH. Prices Grove Terrace and Fiiars' Haugh Nurser "E^gm.'N"] To the Trade. JAMES BIRD, NURSERYMAN, Downham, has to offer extra fine Standard MAYDUKE CHERRIES. To Fruit and Fish Salesmen, &c. C^ REEN PARSLEY.— Five Tons to be T Disposed of. Parties wishing to purchase the same, to be delivered weekly, will do well to apply to JOHN SALSBURY, Market Gardener, King's Newton, near Derby. To the Trade. lARPE'S Spe^ of HOME-GROWN GARDEN and AGRICUL- TURAL SEEDS of 1876 growth, is now ready, and may be WANTED, strong, well-grown A S H, 3 to 4 feet. Apply to J. C. WHEELER and SON, Kingsholm Nursery, Gloucester. To Nurserymen. WANTED, 50,000 transplanted Red BIRCH, 3 to 3 ieet, delivered in London. Apply, A. B., 4, Hanover Street. Hanover Square, W. WANTED, APPLE TREES, Pitmaston Golden Pippin, Morris' Court of Wick. Morris' Russet, Beachamwell, Powell's Russet, Rosemary Russet, Wanstall, Castle Major, Early Almond : PLUMS, Columbia Gage and Woolstan's Black Gage ; all in a bearing state, and true to DAVID SYKES, Croft House, Marsh, near Huddersfi«M. All Who have a Garden should send for WEBB AND SONS' SPRING CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, the best work on Gardening matters yet published, which will be found invaluable to the Amateur as well as to the Professional Gardener. Post-free, is. ; gral WEBB AND SONS' SPRING CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS contains full Instructions for the Successful Cultivation of Vegetables, Flowers, &c. Now Keady, WEBB AND SONS' SPRING CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, profusely illuminated with beautifully executed Engravings and Chromo-hthographs. Gratis WEBB AND SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen. Wordslev. Slourbridne. Just Published. A NNUAIRE de I'H ORTICULTURE -tX BELGE et ETRANGiiRE, 1877, containing the Portrait of the late M. Louis Van Houlie, and a List of the principal Nurserymen and Seed Merchants of England, Germany, and France. Free by Book Post for 30 stamps. Apply to M. RODIGAS, Director of the Zoological Gardens, Ghent, Belgium. Special Culture of Fruit Trees and Roses. THE DESCRlPTIVEand ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of FRUITS (by Tho.mas Rivers) is now ready : also CATALOGUE of Select ROSES. Post-free THOMAS RIVERS and SON, Sawbridgeworth, Herts. Eoses, Fruit Trees, Evergreens, &c. WILLIAM FLETCHER'S CATALOGUE is now ready, and may be had post-free on application. The Nursery Stock generally is very fine, healthy, and well- rooted. Early orders are respectfully solicited. Ottershaw Nurseries, Chertsey, Surrey. To the Trade. STANDARD and DWARF ROSES of the leading sorts— splendid Plants, no better in the Trade, well-ripened wood— about 15,000 Standards and 5000 Dwarfs, guaranteed true to name. For lowest prices apply to GRANT AND CO., Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. Special Offer of Boses. T5 OSES. —One dozen Dwarf, of the finest Cash to accompany order.' JOHN HOUSE, F.R.H.S., Eastgate Nurseries, Peter- borough. Catalogues free. Special offers to the Trade. THOMAS GRIFFITHS, Old Nurseries, Tillington, Hereford. N L'v°e^ UTTING AND SONS' WHOLESALE GARDEN and FLOWER SEED CATALOGUE is published. A copy has been posted to their Friends ; any ,ot having received it, upon application another shall be Seed Warehouses, 60, Barbican, E.G. A U R A -T U M . — win in all probability have from at las. to 6or. per dozen. These 1 and scales in this Nursery, and jry than imported bulbs. PER — •' Lapagerla alba (true). MESSRS. THOMAS CRIPPS and SON have a few healthy, well-established Plants of the above to offer, some of which are showing bloom, in 5-in. to lo-in. pots. Price, three, five, seven, to twelve guineas each. Usual Trade discount. Tunbridge Wells Nurseries, Kent. ■Wlnter-flowerlng Orchids. r^ALANTHE VESTITA RUBRA OCULATA. For price per dozen or too apply I , Nurserymai S. WOOLLEY, Nurseryman, Evergreen Acorns. JAMES McRONALD can supply fine EVERGREEN ACORNS, at 8s. per bushel. Westgate Nurseries, Chichester. Now Ready, CHARLES TURNER'S Descriptive CATALOGUE of SEEDS. Post-free on application. The Finest Dwarf Marrow Pea Is TURNER'S DR. MACLEAN. See CATALOGUE, now ready. New Early ProUflo Pea, ALLAN'S CHAMPION. Full description in CATALOGUE, now ready. F Schoolmaster. NEST ROUND POTATO. Description, with testimonials, in CATALOGUE, now dy. CHARLES TURNER, The Royal Nurseries, Slough. 34 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. SALES BY AUCTION. Auction Mart, Tokenliouse Yard, B.C. UNRESERVED SALE of about 5000 LILIUM AURATUM, iust arrived from Japan in fine condition : a choice col- 1 of GLADIOLI GANDAVENSIS, from a French grower, includini ENGLISH GROWN LILIES, and HARDY BULBS. ESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS will SELL the above by AUCTION, at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, London, E.G., on MONDAY, January 22, at II for half past 11 o'clock precisely. On view the morning of Sale. Catalogues may be had at the Mart, and at the Auction and Estate Offices, 98, Gracechurch Street. E.G.. and Leytonstone, Essex. Heatlieralde Nurseries, BagaHot, Surrey. ESSRS. PROTHEROE AND MORRIS will SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises, 1 M M Evergreen, Coniferas, and other choice Border Plants, millions of rooted layers of choice named Rhododendrons, Aucubas, Andromedas, Azaleas, Moss and other Roses, Magnolias, Filberts, Limes, &c., 50,000 common Laurels, 50,000 Scotch Fir, 9 to 15 inches ; 30,000 Austrian Pines, &c. May be viewed prior to the Sale. Catalogues had of the Auctioneers and Estate Agents, 58, Gracechurch Street, E.C., and Leytonstone, E. The valuable FREEHOLD ESTATE to be SOLD. Apply M USE PLANTS. ESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS are instructed by Mr. James Cypher, to SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises as above, about the letter end of APRIL, the whole of his celebrated COLLECTION of EXHIBITION SPECIMENS, which of late years h.is obtained First-Class Prizes at the leading shows throughout the country. Messrs. Protheroe & Morris may add that the plants were Plants and Bulbs. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms. 38. King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on WEDNESDAY, January 17, at half-past 12 o'clock precisely, SHRUBS, RHODODEN- DRONS, Standard ROSES, Trained and Pyramid FRUIT TREES, Specimen CONIFERS, VINES, GOOSEBERRY and CURRANT TREES, &c.,and a consignment of choice OrcHlds, Lilies, &c. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY, January 18, at half-past 12 o'clock precisely, several small colleciions of ESTAB- LISHED ORCHIDS in fine health, 7000 splendid bulbs of LILIUM AURATUM, just arrived from Japan in the best possible condition, and a quantity of other choice LILIES, GLADIOLI. &c. ; a collection of MAPLE TREES from Japan, and a variety of other Plants and Bulbs from various parts; 580 LILIUM SZOVITZIANUM, 800 CYCLAMENS fiowe the Island of Zante, 50 Pots of CALANTHES r, &c. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. Beautiful Flowering Maple Trees. MR. J. C. STEVENS will include in his Sale on THURSDAY. January 18, several varieties of beautiful flowering MAPLE TREES, just arrived from Japan in splendid condition, having been collected with great care. Drawings of the same will be exhibited during the time of Sale. Auction Rooms and Offices, 38, King Street, Covent Garden. —Established 1760. T O BE SOLD, a FLORIST'S BUSINESS, Four Greenhouses, Two long Ranges of Pits, and an f Ground. Stock in Trade, Lease, &c., all at ;^4oo. i. C, Mr. Ellis, Fore Street, Edmonton. (No Agents.) Osiers, Osiers. TO BE SOLD, by PRIVATE CONTRACT, about 14 ACRES well-grown OSIERS. May be viewed by appointment. THOMAS BANYARD, Poplar Hall, Horningsea, near Cambridge. TO BE DISPOSED OF, a SMALL NURSERY, in a first-class situ.ation. Apply. W. J. G.. Swiss Cottage, 140, Loughborough Road, Brixton, S.W. Nursery Business To Let. BUSINESS, situated near a thriving and central marl town in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Good business do: Favourable terms of entry. NURSERYMAN, Gardeners' Chronicle Office, W.C. trkably good cooking Potato. " I bought of you in March, 1876, i lb. of Magnum Bonum Potatos, cut them into 50 sets, and planted them 3 feet apart. The haulm covered every foot of ground, and I am conv ;sary, being lifted the crop in October, and 1 altogether 276 lb. of good sound J SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, Reading. THE GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Members of this Institution will be held on THURSDAY, the 18th inst., at the Bedford Hotel, Covent Garden, W.C, for the purpose of receiving the Accounts of the Charity for the past year, and electing Officers for the present year, also for the purpose of Electing Three Pensioners on the Funds. The Chair will be taken at 6 o'Clock ; the Ballot will close at 8 o'clock precisely. By order, J. R. CUTLER, Sec. 14, Tavistock Row, W.C— Jan. 3, 1877. N.B.— The Voting Papers have all been delivered, any Member not having received one is requested to intimate the THE GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. VOTES FOR THE ELECTION on the i8th in favour of ELIZABETH AYRES, the Widow of William Port Ayres, will be gratefully received by The Rev. Canon HOLE, Caunton Manor, Notts ; JOHN WILLS, F.R.H.S., Onslow Crescent, Kensington; W. NEWTON, Hillside, Newark, Notts. To tlie Subscribers to THE GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. VOTES are earnestly requested for STEPHEN WEST, in his 75lh year, a childless Widower, who has lost all his savings through the breaking up of his Club. T. EVES. Gravesend Nurseries. — Established 181. A UCUBAS, good bushy plants, i to i^ft., fit T. EVES, Gravesend Nurseries.— Established i8io. RHUBARB, Albert and Victoria, ids. per 100, cask and packing included. T. EVES, Gravesend Nurseries.— Established iSio. T IMES, !0 to T. EVES, Grav*eTe' feel, stout stems, clean d well-rooted. urseries- — Established 1810. The Best Cucumber In Cultivation. SUTTON'S DUKE OF CONNAUGHT. —From Mr. Robert Dkapbr. Gr. to the Right Hon. Earl Vane, J-n/y: " " " " ■ - ■ ' Connaught, is the ' ■Your SUTTON AND SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen. Reading Que. For Sale Cheap. BOX EDGING, 10,000 yards ; also NER- TERA DEPRESSA, and ORCHID SPHAGNUM. Sample and price from J. B. YOUNG, Landscape Gardener, Bridge of Allan. To the Trade. OSBORN AND SONS can still supply dwarf maiden PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS of the leading kinds, and a few Standards. Also Dwarf and Standard APPLES, PEARS, PLUMS, and CHERRIES. Fulham Nurseries, London, S.W. To the Trade. MESSRS. LEVAVASSEUR AND SON, NuRSERVME.v, Ussy, Calvados, France, have an immense Stock of Seedling FOREST TREES, Hardy, Coniferous, and other SHRUBS, for transplanting and trans- planted. Priced CAT.iLOGUES may be had of Messrs. R. SILBERRAD and SON, 5, Harp Lane, Great Tower Street, London, E.G. To the Trade. PEACHES, CHERRIES, APPLES, and PEARS, splendid dwarf-trained ; finer plants cannot be QUICKS, 500,000 fine, strong, transplanted. WILLIAM WOOD and SON, The Nurseries, Maresfield, Uckfield, Sussex. PEAR STOCKS.— The Subscribers have a quantity of above to remove at once, and beg to offer hem at the following very low prices : — 3-yr. transplanted, fine, 25J. per 1000. 3-yr. seedling, fine, 55. per 1000. ^THOMAS METHVEN and SONS. Leith Walk Nurseries, Seeds, Seeds, Seeds, 1877. VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, delivered carriage free. Priced and Illustrated Descrip- tive CATALOGUE free by post on application. DICKSON AND ROBINSON, Seed Merchants, 12, Old Millgste. Manchester. NEW CHRYSANTHEMUM, Golden Empress of India.— A splendid yellow sport. Plants ready February i. Post-free. 2J. bd. each, two for 3^. td. JOHN LAING AND CO., Nurseries, Forest Hill, E.G. O SPARAGUS. — Good forcing, 8oj. per I- 1000, or 9^. per loo : also 2-yr. and 3-yr. old at low es. RHUBARB. Matyear's Early Red. 6i. and gs. per ;n. Prices to the Trade on application. J. COOPER, Balfour Cottage, Fulham Fields, S.W. To tlie Seed Trade. UR WHOLESALE CATALOGUE is ready, and may be had on application. A copy has o MINIER, NASH and NASH, 60, Strand, London. To Amateurs. RCHIDS for Sale, cheap.— A Gentleman " V Orchids, which he wishes to Dispose of at once. For List apply to P. M. B., Sibbertoft. Market Hatborough. Coelogyne cristata. RS. YATES has pleasure in announcing • that his CCELOGYNES are, as usual, very fine ; they are now swelling into bloom-buds. R. S. Y. has 12 or 15 plants with 150 spikes, and 500 to 600 bulbs on each pot, a portion of which he offers at Twenty-five Guineas each, for cash only. He has a large stocks of plants from Two Guineas I each. bale Cheshire. The Best Cauliflower. gUTTON'S KING OF THE Ofi dwarf i fully 1 From Mr. T. Rabone, Gr. to tlie Right Hon. the Earl ol Shrewsbury and Talbot. Alton Towers, Sept. 16.—" Your King of the Cauliflowers is the admiration of every one. We have hundreds of the best Cauliflowers I ever saw ; they are a compact as possibly could be. It is a wonder, certainly." Price \s. 6 /. per packet. SUTTON AND SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, Reading. ARGE TREE BOX and EVERGREEN J HOLLY. — Handsome, bushy, and well-rooted will isplant with good balls of earth, 5, 6, 7, and 8 feet'high. :e Box lives under trees better than any other Evergreen :. An inspection invited. Price on application to T. JACKSON AND SON, Nurseries, Kingston, Surrey. VERBENAS, VERBENAS, VERBENAS. —Strong, well-rooted, healthy cuttings, perfectly free from disease. White, Purple, Scarlet and Pink, 6s. per 100 501. per 1000. 100 rooted cuttings, in 12 distinct and beautiful varieties, first prize flowers, for 85. Terms cash. H. BLANDFORD,The Dorset Nurseries. Blandford. Fox and Game Covert. ENGLISH FURZE, i-yr. old, from Jj. ; 2 yr., extra, from ror. per 1000. ENGLISH BROOM, 2 to 3 feet, 151. per 1000. BITTER OSIERS, 2 to 3 feet, 25^! WILLIAM MAULE and SONS, The Nurseries, Bristol. To the Trade. TAMES GARAWAY and CO., Durdham f Down Nurseries, Clifton, Bristol, have to offer :— PEACHES and NECTARINES, standard maiden, in leading FILBERTS, 'best varieties, good -i^%a"oo °^°°' CURRANTS, Black, strong and clean grown,' 6j. per 100. Hyacinths.— Choice Named Sorts. WM. CUTBUSH AND SON have a few hundreds of their splendid HYACINTHS left, which they can offer by the 100, very cheap for cash. Price on application, Highgate Nurseries, London, N. SPIR^A (HOTEIA) JAPONICA, very strong clumps for forcing, equal if not superior to oreign, {.xa per 1000. SPIR/EA PALMATA, fine crowns for forcing, 731. ; smaller SJ. to 50J. per 100. ' ' ' CHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot. WEBB'S PRIZE COB FILBERTS, and other PRIZE COB NUTS and FILBERTS. LISTS of these varieties from Mr. WEBB, Calcot, Reading. WEBB'S NEW GIANT POLYANTHUS, Florist Flower, and GIANT COWSLIP SEEDS ■ also Plants of all the varieties, with Double PRIMROSES of different colours; AURICULAS, both Single and Doubli ........ To EBB, Calcot, Reading. with every sort of Early Spring Flow bingl LIS! T on applic The Best and most Distinct Early Dwarf Wrinkled PEA. SUTTON'S BIJOU. —From Mr. Robert Cocks, Gr. to Lord Auckland.— "Your Bijou is the hest Pea of its height I have seen, and an immense cropper ; the flavour is also very good." From Mr. T. Lockie, Gr. to tfte Right Hon. Lord Olho Fitzgerald.—" Your Dwarf Wrinkled Pea, Bijou, has proved the earliest and best Marrow Pea of its class I have ever grown." Price. 3J. 6d. per quart. SUTTON AND SONS, The Queen s Seedsmen. Reading. New Catalogue of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants. TAMES BACKHOUSE and SON, tl York.— This is now in the printer's hands, and will be issued shortly. It will be found to contain many choice novelties ; among which are a new Snowdrop (probably the finest of all), a red-chequered Golden Fritillary, two new Crocuses, a first-classdwarf Campanula, Polygala Chamaibuxus purpurea, Iberis petra;a,, &c. Will be sent on application as soon as published. R' Asparagus, Asparagus, Asparagus. OBERT and GEORGE NEAL have the above to offer in large or small quantities, i-yr., 2-yr., YEWS for SALE.— About 2000, from 3/4 to 4>^ feet high, at 90J. per 100 ; also from 4?^ to sJ's feet, at i2o.r. per 100 ; all in first-rate condition and well- rooted, and grown for Hedges or Ornamental Trees— as fine as HOLLIES, Green, bushy, from 15 inches to 3% feet, at 231. per ^'^•^Qg^^^'j^>'g"pQ^f^^g(^^^^^^,'J^^^^|.ji^^^ ■ CHARLES LEE and SON (Successors to Messrs. John & Cliarles Lee), of the Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith. W., beg to announce that in con- sequence of the Retirement of Mr. John Lee from the business. they have TAKEN OVER the ENTIRE NURSERY and SEED TRADE so successfully carried on for many years by the late Firm, and they trust the same liberal patronage so long given to Messrs. John & Charles Lee will be continued to the New Firm. Charles Lee & Son pledge themselves to devote all their energy to raising First-class Stock in every department, which the large resources at their command will enable them to supply with considerable advantage to the Public both as regards quality and price. With a view to a more extensive production of Stove and Greenhouse Plants of the best quality they intend to almost entirely rebuild their extensive ranges of "' ' ■" ' "' e old Nursery being taken January 13, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 35 STOCK (true).-New Seed of the above spl for present sowing, in packets of White, Purple, per ounce to the Trade on application. THOMAS METHVEN and SONS, is, Prl Edinburgh. To Exhibitors ana Others. THE following SPECIMEN PLANTS, in fine health and condition, from the plant-houses of a Gentleman relinquibhing their growth for the cultivation of Grapes, will be Sold cheap. Height and widths given in feet. Bougainvillea speciosa, 2% by Balfourianum :l^a,%%y2K Clerodendron speciosum Chama:rops ex . 2j^ by 2^ i Parcellii, z by 2' [i Livistona australis, 4^^ by 5 Livistona rotundifolia. z^z b Latania borbonica, 4 by 6 Ptychosperma Cunninghan 3 by Jasminum Sambac, STEPHEN BROWN, Seed Weston-super-Mare. Stephanotis floribund: by i^ tr., and 2j^ Thunbergia laurifolia, Establishn: To the Trade, &c. SURPLUS NURSERY STOCK.— Limes, Standard, extra fine, 8 lo 12 feet ; Portugal Laurels, Standard heads 2 to 3 feet diameter; Laurel, common, extra fine, 5 feet ; Box, Slinorca, and other sorts, ->, to 4 feet, extra fine: Spruce Fir, suitable for Christmas Prizi all recently Jersey, a true Shallot, of IJ'hALLOT SEED-Davis mmense size, and exceedingly mild ; less labour, less expense, md a far superior crop than from the usual method of trans- ' Whofesafe Agents : Messrs. HURST and SON, 6. Leaden- lall Street, London, E.C. B. R. DAVIS, Nursery and Seed Warehouse, Yeovil. L ILIUM AURATUM.— Fine Bulbs of this "Queen of Lilies" can now be supplied at 6d., qd., \s., and IS. 6d. each; splendid English-grown Bulbs, u, , is. €d., 2S. and 2S. 6d. each. Sample of two bulbs, postage 6d. extra ; more cannot be sent by post. Good and varied selection of Lilies 12s. . s^s.. and 30s. per dozen. Price List on application. Post-office orders payable at Fenchurch Street. E.C. WILLIAM GORDON, Lily, Bulb, and Plant Importer, 10, CuUutn Street. E.C. FECIAL OFFER, GRAND STOCK. FOREST TREES. FRUIT TREES. Kentish Cob Nuts ,. Filberts Morello Cherries, std. tr; Grape Vines for outdoor EVERGREENS. Poplars, Silver ,, Lombardy „ Ontario Thorns, of sorts CONIFER/E. Rhododendron pon bushy and cheap Evergreen Oaks Yuccas, Also a splendid lot of Daphne indica rubra, set for bloom in most cases : Ceanothus azureus, and the fine new Ceanrthus Gloire de Versailles ; home-grown Cucumbers and Melon Seeds. Private Buyers and the Trade treated with. For prices and particulars : JYARD AND SONS, The Old Nu C^ order early. SPECIALITIES :— CAULULOWER, Veitch's Autumn Giant, true, u per packet. LEI TUCE. Alexandra Cos, true, is. per packet. ONION, Cantello's Prize, true, is. per packet. BROCCOLI. Leamington, finest late, is. 6d. per packet. Special Offer of Flrst-clasa Nursery Stock by MARTIN AND SON, Cottingham, and 61, Market Place, Hull. per dozen. *Acer Negundo v; *Altha;a frutex, Berberis Darwinii, ex. ti 3 feet, 6s. per dozen. Cedrus ailantica, 4 to 5 Juniperus drupacea, *Juniperus sinensis, 4 t( feet, 24s. per dozen. *Libocedrus decurrens, 5 feet, 3ojf. per dozen. Phillyrea, 4feet »Yew,^'E^ngIish? Rhus laciniata glabra, 12s. per dozen. *Syringa, 4 to 5 ft., 51. per doz. es, strong c 12 feet high, 40s. per 10 ubs, deciduous noweri "Fir, Scotch, 3 to *Oaks. English, 6 IS. 4 to 5 It., 40s. p. 1000. ch, 2J.2 to 3^4 feet, 40s. '., 2% to 3J3 feet, 40J. Those marked '*' we can supply by the 1000, Laurels by Catalogues on application. N.B.— Cash or reference. CRANSTON'S NURSERIES, KING'S ACRE, near HEREFORD. Established 1785. SPECIALITIES. ROSES, FRUIT TREES, CONIFERS Des p r I 0 appl 0 DICK RADCLYFFE & CO. SEED MERCHANTS, GARDEN FURNISHERS And Horticultural Decorators. Pi^i z cMed'C^al Seed s . No No. 2. — Suitable for a Larue Garden No. 3.— Suitable for a Medium-sized Garden.. .. i i o No. 4.— Suitable for a Small Garden o lo 6 Carriage free as per terms of Catalogue. Choice Collections of Flower Seeds. Containing only popular kinds of easy growth, which will make a pretty and effective show during the summer months. All Flower Seeds sent post-free. For full Detailed List of Collections, see D. R. & Co.'s Illustrated Flower, Vegetable, Agricultural and Garden Requi- site CATALOGUE, sent gratis and post free on application to DICK RADCLYFFE k CO., 128 and 1S9, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. NEW PLANTand BULB COMPANY Beg to call special attention to their NEW LIbT (No. 31), just published. CONTENTS : NEW HARDY BULBS, NEW and RARE LILIES, NEW HARDY CYPRIPEDIUM, NEW FERNS, SEEDS of NEW HARDY FLOWER- ING PLANTS, &c. ; . Alt a/ sterling merit, and at low prices. Post-free on application. SPANISH CHESTNUT, ASH, LARCH, and ALDER, stout, well-rooted, transplanted.— A large iiuantity to be Sold at low prices.-G. CHORLEY, Midhurst. OBERT AND GEORGE NEAL, Wandsworth Common, Upper Tooting, and Garrett FOREST, FRUr 1 Wandsworth C of ,STAND.\RD, ORNAMENTAL, I ROSES, and SHRUBS, all of which \ lit condition for removal. A personal I'ALI 1(;UES free on application. f the Clapham I Railway Static D Tree Ferns— Tree Ferns— Tree Ferns. CKSONIA ANTARCTICA, — The Advertiser is now offering the above at greatly reduced p I trunks carefully selected, by an English gardener, m h coolest districts of Tasmania, from i foot upwards, Th y carefully dressed and packed, and put on board ships g d rect to London. Special terms to large buyers. For p rs apply to M WALKER, 9, Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells. PubUc Notice. Fo Information upon the Planting. Pruning, and general Management of Fruit Trees, see SCOTT'S ORCHARDIST, free. 3.^. 6d. A h Royal Nurseries, Merriott, Somerset, every descrip- n Nursery Stock is grown largely, and at Scott's Royal S d S res, Yeovil, choice Seeds, " " r den Requsite may be obtained. ulbs, and every '. H M Calceolarias (James'). CANNELL begs to announce that he has a splendid stock of the followin,^, established ust ready for shifting ; — CALCEOLARIAS, is. gd. per dozen. PRIMULAS, 21. 6rf. per dozen. CINERARIAS, is. 6rf. per dozen, ij. per dozen less, and post-free. Special prices per loo H. CANNELL, Swanley, Kent. ESSRS. JNO. STANDISH and CO.'S CATALOGUE for Autumn, 1876, and Spring, 1S77, is ady, and may be had, post-free, on application. It contains the following :- f Recent Introduction. ' Conifers;. nd Greenhouse Plants, i Hardy Climbers, Clematis, &.C. Winter Forcing. I Rhododendrons, Azaleas, ;i. .1 .ind Camellias. Kalmias. &c. and Ericas. Roses, Standards and Dwarfs, LION "WALK, COLCHESTER. AM. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, • Tottenham Niu-series, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, Netherlands, has to offer the following :— YUCCA ANGUSTIFOLIA, strong plants, i foot hi^h, £2 per new Yucca withstood, without the slightest protection, APPLES, strong 2-yr. Palmettes and Pyramids, 42^. per 100, HARDY AQu\TYcS?t'the lowest prices. Roses— Paaoniea-Gladiolus. pHARLES VERDIER, FiLS (successor to V-/' the original horticultural establishment of Victor Verdier, pfere), 28, Rue Baudricourt, XIII. Arond.— late 12. Rue ril— Paris, has to offer the above three descriptions of cultivated in establishment. CATALOGUES sent post-free tion to C. v., as SON, 5, Harp Lane, Great To tlie Trade.- Sandrlngham Early Kidney Potato. HAND F. SHARPS have secured a fine • stock of the above excellent POTATO, which is pronounced to be not only the earliest, but the most prolific, and the finest quality in cultivation. Being very short in the haulm it is peculiarly adapted for forcing purposes. Price and further particulars may be had on application. Seed Growing Establishment. Wisbech. PYRUS or CYDONIA, the NEW JAPAN APPLE or QUINCE.— This gorgeous hardy scarlet May flowering fruit tree ripened a fine crop of its golden, deliciously-scented fruit in September last, notwithstanding the general failure of our common Apple crop. The jam made is most delicious, which may be lasted at the nursery, or sample sent to those who really take an interest in the delicacies of the Original plants 2i.f. ant ' WILLIAM MAULE . 15s. each, younger ID SONS. The Nur a ' ' entire Stock of MANN-S HYBRID i; :i I ON, which they now offer for the first li h.i i.M ni> ..lined a high reputation in London and i^v.iiv-t.., 1 .1 n., ,.„wiy excellent qualities, among which may lentiuned a remnrkably high and exquisite flavour at all ins of the year — perfection of shape and size for dessert — a rind and melting flesh, with an overflow of perfumed juice. CULVERWELL, of Thorpe Perrow, fellow judge ER, of Harewood House, at the Leeds Hot , \vliLi-c thrjy :,w.-irLied a First'class Cerlifio^te to If 'i.i L, ,,.!!■ 1 ih.nt early season— the e*ly '& CHARLES LEE and SON, Han 36 'HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. BLOOMING RHODODENDRONS. Two Hundred Thousand good heallhy plants, having not less than five up to ten and fifteen buds each, of the finest named hardy kinds, will be supplied at from ^^5 to /to per 100, and 181. to 301. per dozen. ill be forwarded on KALMIA LATIFOLIA. Well furnished and healthy and covered with bloom-buds, 15 to iS in., at 12s. and iSi'. per doz., or £$ per 100. HARDY AZALEAS. The finest English and Ghent varieties, splendidly budded, £S 10 £7 ^°^- psr 100, or i8j. per dozen. ANTHONY WATEREB, KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. WM. PAUL & SON, ROSE GROWERS, TREE, PLANT, BULB, AND SEED MERCHANTS, WALTHAM CROSS, HERTS, ; the " Waltham " Station, Inspection of Stock invited. Priced Descriptive Catalogues free by post. _ _ EICHARU SMITH'S FRUIT LIST Directions for Cultivation, Soil, Drainage, Manure, Pruning, Lifting, Croppinij, Treatment under Glass; also their Syno- nyms, Quality, Size, Form, Skin, Colour, Flesh, Flavour. Use, RICHARD S M ITH'S LIST of Evergreen and Deciduous Shrubs. Rhododendrons, Standard Ornamental Trees, Climbing and Twining Plants, with their Generic, Specific, and English Names, Native Country, Height, Time of Flowering, Colour, &c., and General Remarks. RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Roses, containing all the best of the new and old varieties, arranged in their several sections, and fully described as to their Shapes. Colours, and Adaptations ; with J their Treatment and Prices. ICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants, with their Scientific English Names, Height, Colour, Time of Flowering, Botanical Names, Derivations. ir. Foliage, Growth. Timber, Use in n^ry. and Size there. Situation, Soil and other " ' ' E of their Synonyms. Free by FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS. ANNUAL CATALOGUE NOW READY. THE LAWSON SEED & NURSERY COMPANY (LIMITED), EDINBURGH and LONDON, Will forward their newly published List free to any address upon application. The Stock of Seedling and Transplanted FOREST TREES, SHRUBS, and COVERT PLANTS is most extensive, and in unusually fine condition. SPECIAL OFFERS TO LARGE BUYERS WHEN REaUESTED. SPEED'S VINE AND ROSE MILDEW ANNIHILATOR. James Veitch & Sons. ROYAL EXOTIC NURSERY, KING'S ROAD, CHELSEA, S.W., Have much pleasure in offering this excellent preparation for the destruction of Mildew. It proves to be perfectly harmless to the Grape Vine, the Rose, and the Peach when applied to the youngest and most tender foliage, and the fruit itself may be dressed with perfect impunity in any state, even before the thinning period, and there are few things more sensitive than the cuticle of young Grapes in the early stage of their growth. It kills the Mildew instantaneously, and can be rinsed oft within a few minutes of being applied, leaving no smell or sediment, or other traces of its application. It is not poisonous to Animals, although it is instant death to all Fungi. Experiments were made on a piece of Mushroom spawn, and one puff of the spray distributor on its little active thread-like mycelium shrivelled it up as if charred. As it kills the fungus in a resting state as well as in an active state, there is every reason to hope that it may be found useful in checking diseases of the Potato, the Hollyhock, &c., that are caused by Fungi. The following: Testimonials have been received :— From RoRERT Hogg, Esq., LL D., F.L.S.. &c., Pomological Director 0/ the Royal Horticultural Society. " I have great pleasure in bearing my testimony to the magical effect which your mixture has upon the Mildew of the Vine. When I was at Chatsworth a few months ago, the ap- plication of the mixture, through a spray distributor, on the foliage of the Vine, was so destructive and so instantaneous as to leave no doubt on my mind as to its perfect efficacy in destroying the Mildew. On examining the foliage with a magnifying glass after the application, I could find no trace of From Mr. William Thomson, Tiueed Vineyard, Clovenfords. " I tested Mr. Speed's remedy for Mildew this last summer, when staying for a few weeks at Chatsworth, and in my life I never saw a more radical remedy for any such pest. One puff of the spray distributor cleared the leaf of a Vine badly affected with Mildew, doing the leaf no harm, and I believe it can be safely applied to the most tender plant, as well as the fruit of the Vine. I believe it will completely supersede the use of sulphur for destroying Mildew on Peaches, Roses. Heaths, and all other plants liable to attack by Mildew, and that it will prove a great boon to horticulture." ; Grace the Duke of :ofihei FromMv. Stevens, Gardener t, Sutherland. Tn " I have much pleasure in bearing testimony I of your liquid for destroying Mildew upon Vim liquid applied with a spray distribut' Chatsworth, to some badly inlested leaves, and upon examining them early the following morning they were perfectly free from Mildew. If the liquid will destroy Mildew on Roses. Hops, &c , this instance, it will be a most valuable From Mr. Harrison, Ktiowsley Gardem. " Your Mildew mixture seems effectually to prevent the spread of Mildew, It is also very cleanly in use, being almost s completely ; From Mr. Jambs Anderson, Nurseryman, Meadowhank. " The solution prepared by Mr. Speed is the most effective that has come under my cognisance. By simply blowing the spray through a pipe on any leaf affected with Mildew the destruction of the fungus is complete, without the slightest injury to the most tender leaf For the Stove. Greenhouse, Orchard-house. Vinery, or Peach-house, or even for the Rosary out-ofdoors, this solution will undoubtedly prove invaluable, all that seems necessary to guard against is that the leaves operated upon should be as dry as possible." Sold in Bottles^ at 2J., 3i-. 6^., 6j., and loj. each; to make i Quarts \-Gallon^ 2 GailonSy ready for use. Gallon^ Price to the Trade on application to J. VEITCH & SONS, Sole Wholesale Agents. GARDEN AND FLOWER SEEDS. Thomas Methven & Sons BEG TO INTIMATE THAT THEIR DESCRIPTIVE PRICED CATALOGUE of KITCHEN GARDEN and FLOWER SEEDS, IMPLEMENTS, &c., for 1877, Is now ready, and may be had post-free on application. EAST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK (true), in three colours. In packets, is., IS. (id., and %s. each colour. SNOW-WHITE WALL-LEAVED EAST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK. This is a sterlinj; novelty. The purity of the white shows up well upon the grassy green foliage, and it bears the large truss of the East Lothian varieties. In packets, is. , 3s. 6d. and 5;. each. SEED WAREHOUSES ; 15, PRINCES STREET, and NURSERY GATE, LEITH WALK, EDINBURGH. January 13, 1S77 ] THIl GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 37 THE HUNTINGDON NURSERIES. Wood & Ingram's CATALOGUE OF SEEDS FOR THIS SEASON Is now ready, and will be forwarded free on application. THE NURSERY AND SEED BUSINESS So successfully conducted for a number of years by the late Mr. John Ingram, will be continued to be carried on in its various branches, as heretofore, by his Widow and Two Sons, in the name of WOOD AND INGRAM, who respectfully solicit a continuance of the kind and liberal patronage which has been given for a lengthened period to their Establishment. THE NURSERIES, HUNTINGDON.— January, 1877. oaViSHEO JNO. JEFFERIES & SONS/ CIRENCESTER. JEEFEEIES' LITTLE QUEEff COS LETTUCE, Per Packet, Is. 6d., Is the Earliest, Best Flavoured and Best Coloured Lettuce in cultivation. Mr. Earley, The Gardens, Valentines, says : — " Your Little Queen Lettuce proved a good selection, although the weather was very adverse to the trial." Mr. Meades, Gr. to the Rt. Hon. Viscount Barring- ton, Becket Park, says :—'^\aya Little Queen Lettuce is a capital variety, as hard as a stone, and has kept well from running to seed this dry summer." Mr. Farr, Gr. to Sir R. Knighlley, Bart., Fawsley Park, says ; — " Your little Lettuce has proved a very useful one, although the season has been very trying for that class of stuff ; its early heart- A Packet of tUs excellent Lettuce will be Included In all our Collections of Vegetable Seeds. JEFFERIES' HALF GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, JEFFERIES' GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, JEFFERIES' TWO GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, JEFFERIES' THREE GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, Are the best obtainable. For particulars, obtaiti our " Illustrated Garden Guide." JNO^JEFFERIES & SONS, * . CIRENCESTER. ' Monro's Duke of Edlnburgb Cucumber. J MONRO begs to inform the Trade, &c., . that he has SOLD the ENTIRE STOCK of Seed of the above-named Cucumber to Messrs, CARTER and CO.. The Queen's Seedsmen, 237 and 238, High Holborn, London, W.C. : and as no other Cucumber is grown by J. Monro, those having it from the above-named Firm are bound to have it true. Potter's Bar, January 8. 1877. Tbe Best Scarlet-flesbed Melon. SUTTON'S HERO OF BATH. Fnm Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gr. to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley. — " I consider your Hero of Bath the best scarlet-fleshed Melon yet in commerce, being A t in quality, appearance, and productiveness. His Lordship, who previously had a prejudice against scarlet-fleshed Melons, pronounces this From Mr. Thomas Lockie, G:;ti> the Right Hon. Lord Otho 1 flavour." \ Seedsmen, Reading. FECIAL OFFER of FOREST. FRUIT, ORNAMENTAL TREES, &c. PINUS AUSTRIACA.well furnished, 3 to 4 feet. 151. per too : FIR, Scotch, very 'line. 4 to 6 feet, 60s. per looo ASH. common, 2 to ,% feet. 201. per 1000 CHESTNUT, Horse, very fine for avenues, 6 to 8 feet, 121. POPLARS, Lombardy, fine. 8 to 10 feet, 40J per loo OAK, Turkey. 5 to 6 and 8 feet, 8or. to looj. per 1000 HORNBEAM, 5 to 6 feet. 501. per 1000 LABURNUMS, Standard, very fine, 8 to 10 feet, 01. per dozen WHITETHORN, Quick, 4-yr., 17s. per 1000; extra strong, 15J. per 1000 BLACKTHORN, Quick, extra strong, 151. per rcoo PRIVET, Evergreen, 3 to 4 feet, 121. per .000 YEWS, English, extra fine, 2 to 3 and 4 feet. 8m. to ooj. d. 100 BOX. Green .bushy, 2 to 3 feet, I HOLLIES, Green: bushy, 2 feet high, 1% wide, BERBERIS AQUIFOLIA, y. per 100, 25s. per APPLES. Pyramid, good shape, strong, <^. per d PEARS, Standard, 6 to 7 feet stems, good heads, ,, Pyramid, very fine, gs. per dozen. CHERRIES, Standard, 6 to 7 feet stems, goo APRICOTs'.'d'warr-trained, e; GOOSEBERRIES, Warringt CURRANTS, Red and Black, extra fine, loi. per SEAKALE, i-yr., for planting, 3^, 64. per 100 CARNATIONS, CLOVES, and PICOTEES, in per fine, 305. per dozen afle '; Messrs. BALL an above, are enabled stated. The whole are clean grown and well rooted, and : confidently recommended to intending planters. Nurseries, Bedford and Kettering Roads : Seed Warehouse, 4, Mercers* Row, Northampton. Seed List. CHARLES SHARPE AND CO-'S WHOLESALE LIST of VEGETABLE and FARM SEEDS is now ready, and will be sent post-free on application. CHARLES SHARPE and CO., Seed Farmers, Sleaford : and at 31, New Corn Exchange, Mark Lane, London, E.G. Select Swede and Turnip Seeds. CHARLES SHARPE and CO.'S carefully-selected . Stocks of SWEDE and TURNIP ' " - - - . - - oi„s|jij5_ Stocks S'°MANGEL^WURZEl'"IeED. 'which 'have^be'e'n grown under their personal supervision upon their own Seed F.arms at Heckington, and in the adjoining parishes. Descrip- tions and Prices are given in C. S. & Co. " ■ Wholesale Seed E VERY DESCRIPTION of HORTICUL- TURAL and AGRICULTURAL SEEDS, SEED lality. both Home-grown and Imported. CO., POTATOSoffin HARLES SHARPE and ' Seed Farmers, Sleaford. and 31, New Seed rk Lane, London, E.C. All letters address Sleaford. OsBORN & Sons BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR AMUAL CATALOGUE OE KITCHEI (JAEDEIT AID ELOWER SEEDS Is now ready, and will be forwarded post-free to all applicants. It contains a choice selection of " NOVELTIES " and of the " BEST " and most approved kinds of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, including among VEGETABLE SEEDS — Osborn's Forcing French Bean, which has been proved one of the best and most prolific ; Osborn's Select Red Beet (or Dell's Crimson), Osborn's Winter White Broccoli ; and among FLOWER SEEDS — Pyrethrum aureum laciniatum, a very distinct and beautifully cut-leaved form of the deservedly popular " Golden Feather." Like its prototype it is perfectly hardy, but of dwarfer habit and more spreading, and is admirably adapted for bedding. It obtained a First-class Certificate at the Meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, May 3, 1876; and also a First-class Certificate at the Grand ExhibitionheldattheWestrainsterRoyal Aquarium, May i6and 17, 1S76. FULHAM NUESEEIES, LONDON, S .W. 38 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. NEW SEED CATALOGUE For SPRING, 1877. All intending Purchasers of choice Kitchen Garden or Flower Seeds should send for a copy of the Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners, which will be found the most complete, useful, and beautiful Seed Catalogue ever published. Price Is., Post-free. Gratis to Customers or intending Purchasers. The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners, Spring, 1877, Contains 112 pages of beautifully illustrated Letterpress, with two superbly finished Coloured Plates, Original Articles on the Rearing and Cultivation of various Garden Crops and Flowers, and complete Instructions for the successful Management of the Kitchen and Flower Gardens throughout the year, together with a Select List of choice Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds, Seed Potatos, &c. The most practical' and comprehensive Guide for the Amateur yet issued, and should be read by every one having"a garden OPINIONS FROM THE PRESS. " The inside is quite in character with the beauty of the exterior, and we do not know of a more useful or beautiful garden guide to lie on the drawing-room table."— Villa " This is the most tasteful and best executed thing of the kind that we ever remember having seen, and would be an ornament to any [Oom."-T/ur Country. " This superbly illuminated and handsomely illustrated annual is somelhmg more than a mere catalogue of seeds and plants, inasmuch as it contains the most copious and carefully ^mtten instructions for horticulture. The Guide is quite a work of art as well as a compendium of garden work," — Norfolk " The calendar for the kitchen garden will be found most useful. The hints for the rotation of crops hensive and practical."— Z(i«rf arid Water " The most chaste and beautiful catalogue we have seen." — Lloyd's London News. " The flower garden calendar, written expressly for publication, will be especially useful for all lovers of flower: T/u Record. "Profusely illustrated, and the coloured plates are ( i compre- DANIELS BEOS., The Royal Norfolk Seed Establishment, FIRST-CLASS NURSERY STOCK. JA8. BACKHOUSE & SON Beg to offer the follonnng, of lohich they have an extra stock : — FORESr and ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHRUBS. ABIES DOUGLASII, e.ttra transplanted, 2 to 3 feet, loai. ; ARBOR-VIT.«, American or common, 2 to 3 feet, line, 27^. (d. ABUNDO CONSPICUA, an elegant Grass, iSi. per dozen BERBERIS DARWINII, extra transplated, 12 to iS inches, 150^. per 1000, 17^. ad. per 100 „ WALLICHII, extra transplanted, 12 to 18 inches, 351. per I BROOM, common, i-yr. seedling, 9s. per 000, IJ. id. 50s. per 000, 6s. per 100 ., Spanish, transplanted, 70J. per : »o, 9S. per .00. CEDAR, Red, x% to 2 feet 5J. per dozen, Tps. per i ELM, English, from seed, 6 90J per 1000, per roo; 7 to 8 feet. „ „ grafted, 3 to 4 fe= per 100 „ grafted, of ornamental s per oo:sto6f orts, 6j. t 0.30J per dozen „ Wych. 3K to 45^ feet. . 6.. per I „ Weeping, 6 to 9 f=<=t stems, 2 ood heads, ios. EUONYMUS RADICANS VARIEGATUS, excellent dwarf shrub for edgings or borders. 25s. per zoo, 4s to 6j per dozen JUNIPERUS TRIPARTITA, a fine branching semi erect Juniper, well adapted for covering banks, &C., i'^ to 2 feet, bushy, 10^. 6d. per dozen ; 2 to 2^ feet, bushy, 16^ LIBOCEDRUS DECURRENS, 2 to 3 feet, iSs. per dozen ERICA CARNEA ALBA (White Spring Heath), 15s per dozen ; hardy sorts, good variety, 401. per 100 6s per LIMES, from layers. . per I . 6d. per do LILAC. Commc ,. White, 2 t. MAPLE. Norw . 3 feet, i8j. per 100, 3^. per dozen . pen , 25J. per 100, 5^. per dozen HORNBEAM, 3 to 4 feet. 35s. per 1000, 5s. per 100 PICEA NOBILIS, 2 t0 2H leet, fine stout plants, 2 100, 30^. per dozen : 2^ to 3 feet, do.. 2S0S. 1 421. per dozen ; 3 to 3ji feet, do., 3301. per 100, per dozen POPLAR, Black Italia per THUJOPSIS DOLABRATA and VARIEGATA, 9 to 12 per 100, iSs. per dozen : 15 to 18 inches, 24s. per dozen VINCA ACUTILOBA (Italian Periwinkle).— A fine addition to the number of hardy creepers, and will be especially valuable for clothing banks or rockwork. It is of com- pact and bushy growth, with shining deep green leaves, and pale lilac or French-white flowers, 21. 6e T. Mills, Wycombi Abhiy. Vines.— Early houses started in November and December will now require daily attention and care. The rules for disbudding, stopping and tying having been so frequently laid down in former Calendars, I will assume that all these operations have been regu- larly performed, and that there Is still a considerable space of trellis available for covering with young growth. When Vines break and start away evenly, 1 prefer pinching back to the third or fourth joint beyond the fruit, and afterwards allowing the first set of leading laterals to grow unchecked until every por- tion of the trellis is covered with foliage, when the strongest shoots are again pinched, to prevent over- crowding. The dull, dark weather which has so long prevailed being unfavourable to hard forcing, the night temperature should be allowed to range low, until we have a change to brighter days. The supply of moisture should also be reduced in proportion. Remove all surplus bunches as soon as the best can be distinguished ; assist shy-setting kinds by means of arlilicial fertilisation, and thin when the berries attain the size of No. 6 shot. The pruning of all houses from which the fruit has been cut should now be brought to a close, and advantage taken of the unfavourable weather for getting the Vines washed and painted with the usual composition, the houses thoroughly cleansed, inside borders cleared of all exhausted mulching, well watered, and top-dressed with good turfy loam and crushed bones. The out- side borders, too, as a rule the worst managed borders in a garden, may also be exposed to the influence of rains by the removal of shutters or other means of protection, leaving a slight covering of litter or Fern to keep out frost. Look over late Grapes and remove all decaying berries. Do not allow the house to fall below 45^, and to prevent condensation on the berries always keep it a few degrees above the outside temperature. Melons. — To have ripe Melons in May seeds should now be sown and plunged in a bottom-heat of 80°, as near the glass as may be convenient, to prevent the young plants from becoming "drawn" when they appear above the soil. To specify kinds would be useless, as every grower now slakes his reputation on this or that hybrid or hero of his own raising. For general purposes, early or late, in houses or in frames. I may, however, safely assert that I have not yet found anything better than Victory of Bath Improved, for the introduction of which every gardener is indebted to Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley. Those who have the convenience of efficiently heated hot-water pits will experience but little difficulty in raising sturdy plants ; but where fermenting materials alone have to be depended upon too much care and attention can- not be devoted to their preparation. Assuming that a good suppIy;of fermenting horse-dung and Oak leaves have been thrown up into a heap, well-turned, worked, and sweetened, a bed should be made up for a single light frame, care being taken that the bed is only a few inches larger than the frame. A lining may be placed round it at once ; a good body of old tan or leaf-mould, 12 inches thick, should be laid over the surface] of the bed, and when warmed through the seeds may be sown in single pots, and plunged or otherwise. The best frames for this purpose are those made on the old McPhatl plan, using 2-inch deal for the outside shell, with a lining of J-inch boards tongued together to form a cavity i inch in width, open at the bottom for the admission of heat, but closely made at the top to keep out steam. From frames made upon this principle I have seen Cucum- bers cut on March 9. The next point, equally important, is the preparation of the soil, and fortunate are those who, acting upon our advice, have laid up a good store in a dry, airy shed for spring use. Where this has not been done, no time should be lost in get- ting a supply into a dry vinery, where it can le brought intocondiiion by exposure to light and warmth, W. Co'einan, Eastnor Castle. HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. Notwithstanding all that has been said and written against pruning hardy orchard fruits, most cultivators are agreed as to its necessity and the beneficial effects it has on the quality and produce. There is no one better able to form a sound jadgment on matters of this kind than those who cater for the public and have to get a living profit out of what they grow, and if we go to the best managed establishments we there find, not trees and bushes left to themselves, but skil- fully thinned and pruned and bristling all over with fruit-buds. It does not necessarily follow that the pruning should always be confined to the top or branches, as in many cases that would have the effect of inducing a greater number of strong rank shoots to put forth, and no doubt much of the satisfactory slate we see trees in in the most notable market gardens . grea from the ing they undergo by the deep digging ihat takes place in the cultivation of the land within a short distance of their stems, the eflect of which is to largely increase the number of their fibres ; and as it is to these that we must look as a means to produce fertility, it often becomes necessary to attack the trees below. This being so, any that are of a gross, unfruitful habit should at once have their roots laid bare, and such as have pene- trated the subsoil severed with a sharp knife, and then be raised and laid in a more horizontal position that what fibres they make may feed nearer the surface. In the case of trees that have been long planted, this interference with the main roots should not be carried to extremes so as to cause a severe check all at once, and to avoid this it will be better to operate on one side only, leaving the other to be effected at some future time, [a twelvemonth or two years hence. If the natural soil appears to be too close and stiff, or of an unsatisfactory character, fresh cut turfy loam should be in part substituted, but on no account ought lea''- mould or other decomposing vegetable matter to be used as a corrective, for sooner or later it is sure to produce fungus, and if this gets hold of the roots it at once brings on decrepitude and ill-health, and eventually destroys the trees altogether. I would urge on those who have choice fruit trees in an unsatisfactory state to examine them at once, and, if they find this destructive agent has got possession of the border, to clear away the soil as far as the roots extend and renew it altogether, cleaning the fungus from them as the work proceeds, and shortening back any at the same time that have not plenty of young feeders attached. In shallow, light lands, resting on a sandy bottom, I have found an admixture of clay or marl of great value in sustaining the trees during dry weather, and enabling them to carry a crop of fruit that they would otherwise have been unable to do, unless assisted by a free use of the water-pot. It is surprising how retentive of moisture clay is when buried in small nodules on ground of an opposite description. Many that cannot obtain good turfy loam for renovating exhausted fruit trees may be able to substitute clay for it, which if used in moderation and properly mixed up with the soil in the lower portion of the border will have a most beneficial effect, and last for a great number of years. In regard to tsp-pruning of orchard trees, the principal thing is to see that they are properly thinned, that the main branches do not cross each other or become too crowded to shut out light and air and cause a weak spindly growth. 7. Shefpard, IWwhirsli'iu: 48 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1S77. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1877. ■nd Floral Comm i Sale of Fruit Trees, Shn L Stevens' Rooms. WE have most of us in youth been told that the reason why policemen on duty wear a badge on the sleeve of their coats is to enable them to distinguish between their right hand and their left. At first sight it would seem as if this discrimination were no difficult matter, but the discrepancy of opinion on the subject that one meets with in books is soon calculated to undeceive one. Of course, in spite of the unveracious pohceman story, no difference of opinion exists as to which is the right and which the left side of one's own body. We do not hesitate for a moment in deciding which is the right and which the left hand of our neighbour. The starting point is certain, it is only when we come to the consequences that ensue from it, and from the different point of view taken by different observers, that the difficulty is met with ; which way, for instance, do the hands of a watch turn, from right to left, or from left to right ? What is a right-handed, what a left-handed screw ? The answers to these questions depend, of course, upon the position of the observer, or the way in which the object is viewed, and no common agreement exists as to viewing such objects from a definite point of view. Among plants we have, as every one knows, the leaves arranged in one or more series of spiral curves, beautifully exemplified in the leaves of the Screw Pines (Pandanus), in the scales of Fir cones, or in the rosettes of the House Leek, &c. Similarly we often see the lobes of the corolla in flowers twisted, some in one direction, some in another. Or, again, take the case of twining plants. Some twine regularly and constantly one way, others as constantly curve in the opposite direction. In describing these curves writers make use of the expressions " dextrorse," or right-handed, and "sinistrorse," or left-handed, according as the direction is from the left hand to the right, or from the right to the left. This would be in- telligible enough if those who use the terms would always specify in what sense they use them ; but still better would it be if all would use the terms in the same manner. As it is, among those whose business it is to describe phmts opposite practices prevail, and as these practices are carried out by authorities of equal reputation it is idle to point to Dr. So-and-so for justification because Professor This-and-that is exactly of the opposite persuasion. In the case of a twining plant, for instance, the observer may imagine himself in the centre of the coil — the stem around which the plant twines from his right hand, beginning from below, and going upwards across the front of the body towards the left hand. But as the coil winds round his back, it, of course, proceeds from left to right, so that here, unless the posi- tion of the observer be specified and well understood, confusion may arise. The other way of considering the matter is to suppose the observer standing outside and in front of the coil, and observing in which direction the spiral lines ascend, whether from the right or from the left. Scarcely two books agree in this matter, and sometimes the confusion is intensified by some writers meaning by a right-handed or " dextrorse " spiral one that goes from the right to the left, while others use the term in exactly the opposite signification ; and so, of course, with the terms left-handed or sinistrorse. How dilhcult it is to secure agreement even on such simple matters is shown by the fact that such authorities as Bentham and Hooker suppose the observer to be outside and opposite the coil, using, therefore, the terms dextrorse, or right-handed, and sinistrorse or left-handed, in precisely the opposite way to that intended by the great law-giver LinN/EUS. At a recent, or at least at a not very remote meeting of the Linnean Society, the question was discussed, and Mr. Bentham then advocated the mode of using the terms we have just mentioned, and Darwin in his Climbing Plants adopts the same course. It was, therefore, with some interest that we observed that at the June meeting of the Botanical Society of France, M. A. De Can- DOLLE followed exactly the opposite plan, but, what is better, he gave his reasons for so doing. In accordance with many English writers, M. De Candolle supposes himself in the centre of the coil, and looking down in front of him, sees the coil ascend from his right to his left hand, or vice vcrsd, as the case may be. His reasons for so doing are these :— That LlNN.EUS adopted this rule, and has been followed by the elder De Can- dolle, MOHL, Palm, and A. Braun, and other observers. This rule, then, has at least the prestige of priority, however widely some may have departed from their allegiance. Another reason given by M. DE Candolle is founded on the practice of the learned Pro- fessor of Berlin (A. Braun), to whose authority in such matters the highest deference is due. Professor Braun remarks that the best way to follow in determining the direction of a spiral is to follow the indications of the object itself. It is the animal or plant itself which ascends or descends, or goes to the right or to the left. Again, in the case of an animal, the posi- tion of the observer is of no consequence ; we distinguish the right and left sides of the animal, not from our position with relation to it, but according to the conformation of the animal itself. The aniinal cannot speak to us and tell us which is his left and which his right flank, but we speaking animals are able to do so. Adrill-sergeant, says M. De Candolle, in giving the command " right wheel " does not expect his men to turn to his own right, but he expresses himself as if he were in the position of the men whose movements he directs. So in the case of a river, the universal practice is to call the left bank that to the left hand of an observer supposed to be proceeding from the source of the stream to its outfall in the sea, following, therefore, the natural onward course of the stream. For these reasons, which appear to us to be sound, M. De Candolle advises those who have to deal with twining plants and other spiral growths to be guided m the use of terms by the direction in which the plant itself IS growing, and the advice is so reasonable that we could wish it were henceforth universally followed, but so difficult is it to secure unifonnity of practice that we do not look forward with any confidence to so desirable a result. Our central illustration (fig. 8) represents two tropical Australian Cycads growing in the Botanic Garden at Brisbane, under the charge of Mr. W. Hill. That opposite the right of the reader is Macrozamia Mackenzii, that to the left M. Miquelii. The two species are botanically similar, but for garden purposes are different in habit and general appearance. They are admirably suited for the decoration of warm conservatories, and would, like some of their allies, form noble plants in the subtropical garden. The fronds or leaves of both forms are elongate and deeply divided into very numerous linear segments, of a deep green colour, thickened at the base. The rachis or common stalk is slightly flattened, and more or less covered with fluffy down. We shall have more to say concerning them on another occasion. The gentlemen recommended by the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society to fill the vacancies for the ensuing year caused by the retire- ment of Mr. Robert Warner, the Hon. and Rev. J. T. Boscawen, and Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., from the Council, are Sir Charles Strick- land, Bart., Messrs. H. J. Elwes and T. M, Shuttlevvorth. The culture of Chicory as a salad under the Flemish name of Witloof has, strange to say, only recently been introduced among us. The Brussels market gardeners, it appears, grow it in trenches, covered with 6 to 8 inches of soil ; but M. DE Ven- STER, as recorded in the Moniteur Hortkole Beige, grows it on what is said to be a better and quicker method. At the base of an east wall a bed of old tan is made, about S inches thick and 7 feet in width. In this tan are plunged, side by side, the roots, previously shortened to a length of about 5 inches. They are covered with the tan to the depth of 7 to 8 inches, and over the tan is spread a layer of dung, between 2 and 3 feet in thickness. In this manner longer and better heads are said to be produced in a fortnight than in double the time according to the ordinary method. We are much gratified to hear that our old correspondent, Mr. Wigiiton, the gardener at Cossey Park, has lately been piesented with a valuable purse of money by his employer. Lord Stafford, as a testimonial of respect for lung service in his lord- ship's famdy. It is always pleasing to hear of such kindness, which exemplifies the good feeling that should exist between masters and servants, and we congratulate our correspondent on his success in having given satisfaction for so long a period to so kind-hearted and appreciative an employer. We have received from Mr. Stephen Brown, of Weston-super-Mare, a few sprays of an EuoNYMUS, which he obtained a few years ago from a green sport of the variegated form of Euonymus radicans, to which it has clearly reverted. Mr. Brown states that it grows very rapidly, and soon covers a large space on a wall, where it must have a very pretty effect during the winter months, being covered with beauti- ful orange seeds. The foliage is in places very shghtly stained with white variegation, but not suffi- cient to he noticed except by close examination, One of the most charming of all the Spruces is the Colorado Abies Menziesii, of which some small examples may be seen in Mr. A. Waterer's nursery at Knap Hill. Two very beautiful selected trees of this new Fir are growing in the garden of Professor C. S. Sargent, at Brookline, near Boston. These trees are from 7 to 8 feet high, with the symmetrical growth of typical A. Menziesii, but specially remarkable for the bright blue glaucous hue of the entire plant, which as a blue is as bright and striking as is the green of the Knap Hill Cypress, Cupressus Lawsoniana erecta viridis. The tree is indeed, on account of its soft glaucous hue, and naturally symmetrical habit, one of the most lovely that can be imagined. The report of the Council of the Royal Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society, to be read at the forty-ninth annual meeting of proprietors, to be held on Monday next, congratulates the shareholders on the improved cir- cumstances of the Society. The financial state- ment shows that the mortgage to the Lancashire In- surance Company, which has stood at /5000 for the last twenty- five years, is now reduced to £\oaa. This favourable change has been brought about by means of donations, and the establishment of Life Memberships. The exhibitions held during the past year were very satisfactory from the horticultural point of view, the exhibits being very meritorious in nearly all the sections ; but the depression of trade and the unfavourable weather prevented such a satis- factory financial result as the Council have had to lay before the shareholders in connection with previous exhibitions, and in addition to these circumstances influences have also been at work to draw visitors in another direction. For seven years prior to the opening of Manley Hall the average profits upon the Whitsun week exhibitions were ;i6oo per annum ; January 13, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 49 for the two years that Manley Hall has been open the profits on the Whitsun week exhibitions have been ^300 per annum. The musical promenades formerly yielded a profit of from /So to /lOO per annum, for the last two years they have not paid expenses. The Town Hall shows have become an important feature in the Society's proceedings, and the increasing interest evinced has induced the Council to arrange for holding three exhibitions of the same character during the ensuing year. It is proposed that an exhibition of window plants and COttsge garden Twenty sheep, the property of Mr. Savill Onley, of Stisted Hall, near Braintree, have been poisoned by eating poisonous shrubs in the garden, into which they got access on Saturday night last, in consequence of the park gate being left open. Nearly a whole flock of Ico entered the garden, and as they were all in lamb it is feared there may be still further losses. One of the sublimest things in Nature is found in the Roar of the Storm amidst the branches of and pastime of the raging storm. In her beautiful ! poem of the Pilgrim Fathers, Mrs Hemans tells how the " Woods against a stormy sky, Their giant branches toss ; " I perhaps in deciduous trees nothing affords more com- j plete compensation for the loss of the summer foliage than the watching of the motion of the spray produced by the passing winds. With a back- ; ground of deep blue cloud lit up by the lurid light i emitted from a sun bathed in iiioisture, there is then produce, grown in and around Manchester and Salford, be held in the gardens, on August 4 and 6next, the prizes offered to consist mainly of articles for household use ; and the Council desire to record their grateful acknow- ledgments to several ladies and gentlemen who have already promised useful articles to be competed for on that occasion. The suggested arrangements for the year 1877 are — Floral and horticultural meeting. Town Hall, March 20; Auricula show. Town Hall, April 27 ; National Horticultural Exhibition at the Gardens, May iS to 25 (inclusive) ; special exhibi- tion for cottagers at the Gardens, August 4 to 6 ; exhibilion of Chrysanthemums and fruits at the Town Hall, November 27 and 28. Gigantic Trees. Sometimes the sound resembles that emitted by an army of wild bulls, and anon it is lulled into a gentle and soothing murmur ; but to all who love trees and woods the sounds alike are sweet music, varying like the notes of an organ from the sweetest symphonies to the crash and thunder of a grand chorus. Not less effective, however, is the motion excited under fine deciduous trees when leafless in winter, under the influence of a fierce and sweeping gale. An imprisoned giant lashing his mighty arms in impotent rage affords but a weak illustration of the magnificence and grandeur displayed by some lofty Oak or Elm, as firmly fixed in the earth it yet has its monster branches bent hither and thither, the sport beauty and elegance displayed that might well inspire some worthy poet. Wild, wet and stormy as the past weather has been, it has not left us without something to admire. Some idea may be gained of the extent of the disasters caused by the Phylloxera by a recent report of M. Duchartre, of the Central Horticultural Society of France, in which the learned Professor of the Sorbonne details the results of his examinations in various districts of France. Where the invasion of the insect took place first some years ago no traces are now left, for the Vine itself has disappeared ! and no traces are apparent that the regions in question were 50 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. once wine-growing districts. Where the destroying influences are still at work the spectacle is heart- rending (iiavrant). In many places American Vines are being planted rapidly, these so far not being attacked by the Phylloxera, and on these it is intended to graft the European kinds. It must be remembered, however, that this immunity does not extend to all the American kinds, but principally, as shown by M. Planchon, to those Vines derived from Vitis rotundi- folia (i7//r7.c vulpina), from which the Scuppernong, Thomas, Flowers, and other American varieties have been derived. These Vines require much heat to ripen their fruit, and their juice requires the addition of sugar to be converted into palatable wine. Chance Groupings oi- Plants not unfre- quently turnout to be more effective than combinations upon which much study has been bestowed. A case of this sort has been mentioned tons by Mr. Waterer as having been observed by him during his recent trip to America. A group of double white Primroses was surrounded by a broad belt of Omphalodes verna, and both were doing well, flowering freely and at the same period. Though thus associated by mere accident, the combination proved to be most beuutiful. We are informed that Mr. Robert Augustus Arnott retired on December 31 from his engage- ment with Messrs. Charles Sharpe &Co., of Slea- ford, and is now associated with Mr. W^L Baxter Smith and Mr. James Watt, the partners of the old established firm of Little & Ballantyne, seedsmen and nurserymen, Carlisle. The next meeting of the Institution of Surveyors will be held on Monday evening, January 15, when a paper will be read by Mr. W. T. Marriott, entitled " Riparian Rights." The chair to be taken at S o'clock. The following Special Exhibitions will be held on the dates given in the gardens of the Royal Botanic Society, Regent's Park : — Clematis, by Messrs. George Jackman & Son, of Woking, from May 22 ; Rhododendrons and American Plants, by Mr. Anthony Waterer, Knap Hill, from June i ; and flowering and fine-foliaged plants, by Messrs. James Carter & Co., High Ilolborn, from June 27 to July 12. We learn from Messrs. J. Blackburn & Sons' circular that the stock of Russia Mats is quite cleared out in Russia, and, as a proof of this, the quotations for next year's shipments will be higher tliin last. Stocks are nearly exhausted in England, and they cannot be replenished for the next six to eight months ; prices in the meantime must therefore advance still higher. The total number of bales of Cotton im- ported during the twelve months ending with December 31, are 3,615,627 ; comprising 2,098,978 of American, 315,835 of Brazilian, 759,508 of East Indian, 335,209 of Egyptian, and 106,097 of niis- cellaneous. The number of bales exported during the same time are 513,127, comprising 109,133 of American, 17,139 of Brazilian, 364,321 of East Indian, 9495 of Egyptian, and 13,039 of miscel- laneous. ■ There is this year promise of a more Abundant Bloom on the American Plants than has ever before been known. At Knap Hill almost every plant is lull of buds, so that, if no mishaps inter- vene, the blossoming period may be expected to be a glorious one — one to be made a note of. A correspondent of Regel's Gartinjlora, writing from Nikita, in the Crimea, states that there is a tree of Xantuoceras soreifolia at Karasson which is at least fifty years old, and another in his own garden twenty years old, so that it cannot be regarded as a new introduction. In the Crimea this small ornamental tree flourishes admirably, producing annually a profusion of its beautiful white flowers, and sometimes ripening its seed. It is strange that so distinct a thing should have escaped observation so long. If the writer is not mistaken— and he seems to entertain no doubt as to the identity of his trees— Xanthoceras sorbifolia was probably introduced by some member of the Russian Embassy from North China, or possibly it has a wider range of distri- bution than was supposed. Cham^erops excelsa is also quite hardy in the same region, and ripens its fruit. It will be remembered that we published a short time ago an account of the vegetable produc- tions of Japan ; and Dr. ViDAL stated there that the Japanese always ate their Peaches in an unripe state. In the Giirlenflora Dr. Regel says, in some remarks on Japanese fruit trees, that Dr. Maximowicz informs him that the Japanese regard a ripe Peach as "rotten"! We remember eating with great relish in our younger days green Gooseberries and Apples, and a variety of other equally delicious fruits ; but only so long as there were no ripe ones. A green Peach, however, would have been about the place to draw the line, even then, when scarcely anything came amiss. The Bulletin of the French Society for Accli- matisation for October contains a long account of the History and Uses of the true Jaborandi, Pilocarpus pinnatus. It appears that its intro- duction, or rather re-introduction, is due to a Brazilian, Dr. CONTINHO, who brought some leaves of it for his personal use about two years ago. He attended Professor Gubler's lectures, and when speaking of sudorifics the learned Professor of the Faculty of Medicine observed that no drug in use really deserves the name. This statement induced Dr. CONTINHO to bring the Jaborandi into notice. The report in the publication referred to is a lengthy one, giving the results of the most important experiments made with this drug by eminent physicians. The physiological action of infusions, chemical composi- tion, and the physiological action of the peculiar alkaloid pilocarpine are detailed. P. simplex gave similar results. It is not only a powerful sudorific, but an equally active sialogogue. Retinospora filifera gracilis is one of those plants that has been much condemned because of its somewhat abrupt and moppy style of growth, notwithstanding that the pendulous habit is graceful and elegant. It is a plant that cultivators have left too much to itself, and then it is apt to grow bunchy and ugly in appearance. A judicious employment of the pruning-knife would keep these bunches some- what cut away, and when this is done the plant will put forth leading shoots which soon augment its height and elegant appearance. There are among the Japanese plants which Mr. Fortune introduced many things of an extremely interesting character that are in great danger of falling into oblivion. Their pigmy appearance and slow growth are much against their recognition, but what an interesting group might be made of them were they arranged in a cold conser- vatory, either planted out in suitable soil or pitted and cultivated in pots ; or a collection might be made of them in a small garden, where they could not fail to be a perennial source of pleasure. The following extract is taken from a letter recently received by Messrs. Thomas Christy & Co. from Mr. Charles Drake, of the CuUoor Coffee Estate, Vythery, South Wynaard, Malabar : — " The Prickly Comfrey is doing remarkably well. .Some of the forward plants are now larger round than a very large Cabbage. Next week I intend commencing to feed some of our stock on the leaves, which I might have done at least a month ago, but waited so that they might make roots as well as leaves. This fact speaks for itself, since I have not left England five months yet ; six weeks of this were spent on the voyage, and it was quite a month after I arrived on the estate before the roots were all planted. I notice, as you remarked, that they flourish better in shade, where you are sure of a plant on all soils, but I dressed our land so well with cattle manure that although part of it is exposed day after day to a tropical sun, little or no difference is noticeable between those in shade and those in the sun. I am sure if some of our English farmers knew of its quick growth, neither they nor any cowkeeper would be without it. I have already fed some of our cattle occa- sionally with it myself, mixed with grass, and a decided improvement is noticeable, and much as cattle are averse to Europeans they will follow me for it in preference to grass or grain." At a time when much interest is centred on the Production and Consumption of Sugar, owing to the rapid rise in the price of this most useful commodity, it is satisfactory to hear of the extension of the cultivation of the Sugar-cane in any country where it is likely to succeed. Thus we learn from China that in the neighbourhood of Swalow the culti- vation is extending, and is likely to continue to do so. Though no sugar is sent from this port to Great Britain, a large quantity is sent to other poits, and during the year 1S75 the exports showed an increase of 170,000 piculs above those of the previous year. loiiu Corrcspiibtiice. Lily of the Valley.— There has been a good deal said about the superiority of the French Lilies of the Valley over those imported from Belgium, but is this borne out by facts ? My impression is that it is not so, and I am inclined to think that this cry in favour of the French variety is attributable only to the ^lan ' they have adopted in growing the fine early flowers we see sent over. I have sent you a few spikes from English.grown crowns, which I flatter myself are fair, and not so far-fetched. They were forced two years ago this season, and when out of flower were planted out. About five weeks ago they were taken up again, the flowering crowns selected and placed thickly in boxes in moss. The first flowers were cut on the 1st inst. George Thomson, Crystal Palace, Sydenham, [The flowers received were quite first-rate. Eds.] Bambusa Ragamowski. — Having examined the leaves sent with Mr. Wheeler's interesting notice, published in issue for Dec. 30, I have been able to identify them with Bambusa tessellata of my monograph. Consequently, I suppose that is the name which the plant ought to bear, as I cannot ascertain, after diligent enquiries, that the name of B. Ragamowski has ever been published. The Rev. II. N. Ellacombe, of Bitton Vicarage, has also sent me specimens of leaves rather larger than Mr. Wheeler's, in fact, exactly corresponding in size with those described by me in my monograph, namely, 14 foot long and about 3 inches broad. The plants can readily be recognised by the tomentose line on one side of the midrib running nearly the whole length of the leaf on the underside, this line being always on the longer side of the leaf. William Munro. The Web of the Embia.— The insect recently engraved in the Gardeners' Chronicle undoubtedly weaves a web which must not le confused with the web of the spider. The specimen illustrated was sent for engraving in a large pill-box, and on its arrival a web had been woven inside, a'taching the lid to the body of the box. The insect was then very lively and rapic small loose silken den or tunnel it had woven for itself at the bottom of the box. Two drops of chloroform stilled the quick movements of the insect, and then the engraving was made direct from a camera-lucida reflection from the microscope. W. G. S. [.Mr. Michael has favoured us with an inspection of another specimen. There can be no doubt that the insect does spin a web. The whole matter is one of great interest, and we are glad to learn that it is being investigatsd by the most com- petent entomologists. Eds.] Limekiln Heating.— The Cowan Patents Com- pany's advertisement fell into my hands the other day, and in it I find it stated that the piping heated at Emo Park is 2000 feet. In a letter from Mr. Ennis, the gardener, which appeared in the Gardeners^ Chronicle of September 30, he stated that the kiln had between 3000 and 4000 feet of 4-inch piping attached. How does Mr. Ennis explain this dis- crepancy? Veri Amator. [Mr. Ennis informs us that his statement is quite correct. The error rests with the Cowan Company, and it perhaps arose thus. Before the system was adopted there was about 2300 feet of 4-inch piping in the range of plant and fruit houses at Emo Park, but finding that the heat was so powerful, a range 350 feet long, in which there is a flow and return 4-inch pipe, was attached. This added 200 feet more, and with another 150 feet, used lor connecting the one range with the other, makes the total amount between 3000 and 4000 feet, as stated. After some fourteen months' trial, Mr. Ennis informs us that he cannot speak too highly of the system of heating, and will be happy to show the apparatus to any one who may call at Emo Paik, Eds.] The Glastonbury Thorn. — One of the discom- forts consequent on a mild winter is that our atten- tion is arrested by ridiculous lists of plants in flower. It is one thing to record fairly the peculiarities of a peculiar season, and quite another to adulterate the record with details that prove the reporter to be destitute of the experience requisite to intelligent reporting. In a list of plants in flower at Christmas, lately published in an important daily paper, the first plant mentioned is the ever flowering and universal Senecio vulgaris. There was never a winter known January 13, :S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 51 to the present generation in which the Groundsel did not flower in the intervals of frost, and even during an hour or two of sunshine, while the thermometer registered some 10'' or so of frost. About one-third of the plants enumerated as having been of late won. drously in flower, may be consigned to the same cate- gory as the Groundsel, and amongst the remaining two-thirds very few indeed were of sufficient interest to justify any special note upon them. What can it matter to any one that the common Chickweed, the common sow Thistle, and the red dead Nettle, were showing a few flowers at the close of the year ? They range from here to 82° north latitude, and are always ready to flower, unless frozen stiff as sticks, and then only three or four days of a temperature somewhat above the freezing point will make them gay with flowers once more. Vegetation is at this moment remarkably quiet, considering the range of the ther- mometer for two months past ; but in the later days of December I saw young Lime trees brightly spangled with golden-green leaves, and a Hornbeam under my sanctum window threatened to go ahead, but changed its mind in time, and is now as still as a stone. Two things in the way of " floral phenomena " have interested me in making an occasional " tour of my garden." On December 25, our new-fangled Christmas Day, I found a glorious sheet of the blue flowers of Scilla bifolia in a very cold, damp corner ; and on January 6, the real old Christmas Day (the only proper Christmas Day in this connection), my Glastonbury Thorn was in flower. It is the first time in all my days that I have been blessed with the Christmas flowers of this holy tree. And I must say in its praise that it presents at this time a remarkably buxom appearance, being more densely laden with flowers ttiah I have ever seen it before, and with such a wealth of bright new leafage as makes a sheen of springtime in the cold, damp siirubbery wherein the tree is located. The sample sent will show you that the tree carries still the leaves of last year, a little the worse for wear, while the new leaves are conspicuously forward and of the most delicious tint of tender green, and every twig bristles with clusters of swelling flower-buds, the expansion of ■which is purely a question of temperature. As a matter of course the few flowers I found on Christmas Day were claimed by pious pilgrims, and as it was enough for me to have seen them, I could but hope those who obtained permanent possession would find in them aids to faith. It is somewhat strange, how- ever, tliat this precocious Crataegus is so rarely met with, although there is not a more interesting garden tree in cultivation, and as regards its beauty it is an advance on the common Thorn in several respects, its leafage being much richer, so that if planted in a sheltered nook it becomes a bower of brightness long before the "swallow dares." Having seen Joseph's Staff in flower on the festival of the Nativity I shall hope to see it in fruit some day, for hitherto I have never seen a berry on the Glastonbury Thorn. Shijhy Hibbin!, Sloh- NcwIngtoH, Jan. S. The Rainfall of 1876.— I have been looking at Mr. McCombie's account of the rainfall in 1876 at Wallington, Northumberland (see p. 20), and the total amount for the year there appears to be nearly 1 1 inches in excess of what fell in this part of SuR'olk. Thinking it possible that you may consider it interest- ing to your readers to know something of the rainfalls of various and distant parts of the country, I have appended a statement of the rainfalls of the various months as recorded at this place :— January, i.So inch ; February, 2 59 inches ; March, 2 10 inches ; April, 2.27 inches; May, 0,70 inch; June, 275 inches; July, 1.39 inch; August, 1.71 inch; .Sep- tember, 4 45 inches; October, 0.S4 inch; Novem- ber, 2.59 inches ; December, 3 97 inches : total rain- fall in the year, 27. 16 inches. The rain gauge stands I foot 6 inches above the ground ; the funnel is 5 inches in diameter, which with measurer was supplied by Casella, ol Hatton Garden, London. The rain is measured each day at 9 .\. M. P. Griez'C, Culford, Bury St. Edmunds. Cotoneaster vulgaris. — This rare plant is still to be found on the Great Ormes lltad. In company with a friend a few days back I saw it growing in two distinct places. It is much relished by sheep, who devour every leaf they can obtain, which makes the plant now difficult to find. There is one fine plant growing in the centre of a Whitethorn bush, very healthy. Thomas Shcrtt, Llandudno, Jan. 8. Erica codonodes. — This Heath has been very handsome here all through December. I do not remember to have seen it before February in previous years. Can you inform me if it is really a native of the Cipe of Good Hope, as stated in Paxton's Botani- cal Dictionary! H.K. [No, South of Europe. Eus ] The Weather.— Up to the time I now wiite (J.\nuary 9) the weather continues to be mild and wet. Daring'the first week of the year upwards of an inch of rain fell here, and the minimum tempefature seldom falls under 40", vegetation is consequently in an unusually forward condition. The bloom-buds on Apricot trees are here about to unfold their petals, while the ends of young shoots are furnished with per- fectly developed leaves ; Filbert bushes are already in full flower, Roses are almost in leaf, and in coverts the Elder has already made shoots of considerable length. It is much to be feared that a change in the weather, which will undoubtedly take place before long, may have a very serious eflect upon fruit trees, more particularly the Apricot. P. Grieve, Culjord, Bury St. Edmunds. Winter Broccoli in Cornwall. — The market gardeners around here have been cutting their first Broccoli since November, and will finish before the end of the present month, when they will commence on their second variety, which will last until the end of March. I may say that from twenty to thirty railway trucks leave here daily for London and the northern markets— price in the field is from u. 3a'. to \s. dd. per dozen. The seed of this Broccoli is sown in the end of February, and the plants are put out after the Potato crop is gone. I believe that this variety would succeed further up if sown early enough, and the seed obtained from some ol the growers, who, by-the-by, are very careful in parting with it. The variety is large, and perfectly wliite and distinct. H. Roberts, Gulove, Penzance. PrematureGrowthof Vine Roots.— I quiteagree with Mr. Wildsmith that it is a bad practice to induce Vines or any plants to make roots when the plants are without leaves ; this I pointed out in your volume for 1S74, p. 719. I have long known that Vines left to themselves do not make new roots until they have made leaves, but I cannot agree with Mr. Wildsmith that inside borders are the best for either early or late forced Vines. You cannot keep the soil so sweet and healthy for the roots in an inside border as when it is exposed to the influence of the outward air ; but let the Vines decide the point. I assert that you cannot keep the roots of Vines in an inside border if they can get out, and they will overcome almost insurmountable difliculties to attain their purpose. If they find themselves so comfortable inside, why do they struggle to get out .'' M. Henderson. Flowering of Agave schidigera — It may interest some of your readers to kno.v that in oar collections we have fine plants of Agave schidigera — one at home, one at Regent's Park, and two at the Alexandra Palace, which are all flowering at once. The tendency to flower at the same time proves to me that they are all from one lot of seeds, though we got them from very different sources. At first they were very different in their development, but with age they have lost these differences, and have assumed the common type. They are about seven years olJ. J. Croucher, Gr. to J. T. Peacock, Esq., Sudbury House, Jan. 4. Paraffin and Carbolic Acid. — Your corre- spondent " F. C. N." does well in being cautious in recommending paraffin oil as a dressing for fruit trees, for nothing can be mote destructive to the bark- it completely destroys it wherever it touches. I con- sider paraffin oil and carbolic acid equally dangerous. If your correspondent would try a bottle of Bridg- ford's Antiseptic Liquid, he would find nothing so effectual, and it is quite safe ; it is a compound of spirits and oils, and need not be diluted for fruit trees. It can be procured at any of the principal seed warehouses. C. IV. B. Fruiting of the Common White Jasmine. — Mr. W. Wilson has called your attention to the fruit- ing of this Jasmine at General Sir F. Gray's. I beg to say that I can testify to the germinating powers of the seeds, as Mr. Hamilton kindly gave me a few dozen, and every one of them grew. Thomas Ri.xon, South Hill Park, Brackntll. Which are the Best Late Grapes ?— In my opinion Mrs. Pince's Black Muscat stands first as a fine keeper. It is of excellent flavour, and a fine bearer. To those who do not succeed well with it, I would say, Don't overcrop, and use plenty of char- coal in the formation of the border, and it will colour all right. I use it quite fine from the bottom of the charcoal heaps after the burners have left. Little did the late Mrs. Pince think when she pushed the seeds of the Grape she was eating into a flower-pot that the result would be as it has turned out— such a first-class Grape. Lady Downe's is the next best with me ; but, singular enough, it never keeps so well as the former, nor is it half such a good flavour. West's St. Peter's , keeps pretty well, and is very fresh and brisk in I flavour. Gros Guillaume should always be grafted 1 on the Hamburgh, when it is easily managed, I and is a very useful late Grape. The finest I . ever saw of this (.kind was 'atl Chiswick, where the roots ran over an arch which covered the hot-water pipes between the boiler and the large house. White Lady Djwne's I dug up, and so I have Royal Vineyard, for it neither set well nor kept well. Our soil is stiff, the rainfall considerable, and the situation 400 feet above the sea. Perhaps these three things had something to do with its failure, but White Tokay does very well, and is not bad eating after Christmas. Waltham Cross I have planted ; it grows capitally, which is saying a good deal after the poor figure some of our new Vines have cut in growth. I have not fruited it. Snow's Muscat lUmburgh had its origin, or was preserved as an old variety, at Hurlingham House, Fulham ; it was propagated by the late James Lane and the late Mr. Snow, of Wrest Park, who sold it jointly to Mr. Henderson, Pine- apple Place, for an incredible sum. The late Sir Joseph Paxton and my late lamented friend, Mr. Thomas Osborn, of the Fulham Nurseries, and many others, believed it to be nothing more nor less than the old Black Muscat. It is a delicate Grape, only fit for a mid.season fruit, and then when grafted on the Hamburgh. Gros Colman is a noble-looking Grape and keep? well, but is only third-rate in flavour. Raisin de Calabre is a late-keeping white Grape, and not bad as to flavour. J. Rust, Erid«a Castle. I was rather surprised to read in your last issue that Mr. Grieve had placed my favourite Grape, Black Alicante, third on his list. In my opinion it far ex- ceeds other varieties in its late keeping qualities, but no doubt soil and situation have something to do with it. Mr. Grieve writes, ' ' the berries become shrivelled long before there are any indications of this taking place in the fruit of Lady Downe's or Mrs. Pince's Black Mus- cat ;" I certainly cannot give it that character here, for I know of no Grape that will keep so long without shrivelling, or carry its bloom so well, although I admit that the Lady Downe's has the finest flavour. I cut a house ol Grapes here on December 15, 1875, bottled, and hung them up in the Grape-room, and on May 17, 1S76, I had bunches of Alicante hanging without a shrivelled berry in them, and the bloom as good as on the day they were cut ; whereas the Lady Downe's began to shrivel long before. J. Browne, Leadenliam, Grantham. The results of the inquiry respecting the most useful varieties of late keeping Grapes best suited to the various localities are somewhat disappointing. Had your invitation been responded to more liberally, and from more extended sources, the information would have proved both interesting and valuable. I send for your inspection this day a few samples that are most appreciated by my employers. They have been grown in Muscat heat, and have been ripe since August, and kept in a temperature of 45° to 56". We find Grapes kept in a low temperature are deficient in flavour. What has become of Gros Colman, so highly spoken of last season? J. H. Goolacre, Elvaston. [The samples received were fine bunches of Lady Downe's, Alicante, and Gros Gaillaume, their order of merit as regards flavour being as we have placed them. Lady Downe's was far in advance of the others. Eds.] Spent Hops for Potato Culture.— Being inter- ested in reading the article by G. A. Dains in the Gardeners^ Chronicle of December 23, 1876, regarding spent Hops, I beg to make a few remarks on the results of a lengthened experience. I live near a farm 2 miles south of Edinburgh, of which my father is land steward, and having an interest in agriculture as well as horticulture, I will briefly state two different trials I have seen spent Hops undergo. Four years ago, when Hops were first introduced on the farm referred to, it was spread over the ground at the rate of 35 tons per acre, and ploughed in in autumn, and the Potalos planted the following spring. When lifted it was found, to the disappointment of all con- cerned, that the tubers were small in size, deficient in quality, and a remarkably poor crop, while the stalks, when measured, were found to be 6 feet in length. Another method, something similar to that referred to by G. A. Dains, was tried the following year : the ground was ploughed in autumn, and in spring, when the drills were made and the Hops spread in them, the sets were placed thereon and covered in ; exactly the same result was witnessed when lifted as already alluded to, but ever since it was mixed with other composites it has done very well, so that in myopinion, and that of practical farmers, spent Hops by them, selves, as a manure for Potatos, are absolutely worthless. J. //. C. • Mr. Ingram's successful practice of using spent Hops as a manure for Potatos, as confirmed by that of Mr. Dains, should draw the particular atten- tion of cultivators to the subject. There is some- thing in this manure, as both these gentlemen observe, especially adapted for Potatos. A delicate vegetable fibre reduced by boiling to a tender condition, and enriched by some small addition of the wort imbibed — the same sweet fluid which is provided in the root itself by the conversion of starch into sugar— to nourish the 52 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1S77. shoots in their earliest stage of growth. And besides this, the crops so manured were not only good, but in successive years, and as a rule, remarkably free from disease. This is important. Perhaps Dr. Lindley's observation that the neighbourhood of fragrant oils prevents the growth of moulds, may have held good here. Some small part of the fine aroma of the Hops may remain after boiling sufficient to repel the attack of the mould. The refuse of distilleries v/here such plants as Lavender and Peppermint are boiled for the oil they yield, should, as well as spent Hops, be tried by those who have opportunity and the results made known. There seems to be a ray of hope in this direction, which may encourage further experiments. ■ A Vision of Poinsettias.— The practice at Acton certainly seems to be a very simple one. Would Mr. Reeves, or some one else, be kind enough to state the lowest degree of temperature for October, November, December, &c., which the Poinsettias will thrive in so as to come to a tolerable state of perfection? By so doing they would confer a great boon on not a few who are expected to grow the Poinsettias and have not much convenience in the way of heat. Enquirer. The Weather at Ochtertyre, Crieff, in 1876.— The mean temperatures of the various months, as computed from daily observations (the thermomttir being shaded and 4 feet from the ground) were : — January, 38°. 34; February, 35°.45 ; March, 37°. II ; April, 43°.3S;May, si°.26; June, S6°.3i ; July, 60°. 14 ; August, 5S°.24 ; September, 52°.33 ; October, 49°.l6 ; November, 40°. 3S ; December, 38°. 39. The highest temperatures recorded during each month were : — ^January, 49° ; February, 49°; March, 51°; April, 62°; May, 67°; June, 78°; July, Si"; August, 76° ; September, 61° ; October, 60° ; November, 54° ; December, 48°. The lowest tem- peratures recorded during each month were : — January, 24° ; February, 25° ; March, 24° ; April, 25'; May, 31°; June, 42° ; July, 45°; August, 43°; Sep- tember, 37° ; October, 37° ; November, 25 ; Decem- ber, 27°. With the thermometer exposed, the highest temperatures in the sun's rays were :— January, 103° ; February, 105°; March, 111°; April, 122°; May, 109°; June, I23°;july, 118°; August, 121°; September, 111°; October, 103° ; November, 100° ; December, 76°. The lowest temperatures with the thermometer ex- posed on the grass were : — January, 14° ; February, 17°; March, 14°; April, 14°; May, 22°; June, 30°; July, 36° ; August, 32° ; September, 27° ; October, 29° ; November, 14° ; December, 21°. The number of nights on which the thermometer fell below 32° in each month were : — January, 23 ; February, 28 ; March, 28 ; April, 16 ; May, 13 ; Jane, 5 ; July, o ; August, I ; September, 3 ; October, 4 ; November, 16; December, 13. The temperatures at 3 inches below the surface were : — January, 37°. 3 ; February, 35°-3 ; March, 37°. i ; April, 44° 4 ; M^V. 53°-5 ; June, 58°.7; July, 62°; August, 59° 9 ; September, 54''.2 ; October, 5o°.4 ; November, 41°.! ; December, 38°,6. At 12 inches below the surface :— January, 38°.2; February, 37°.2 ; March, 38°. i ; April, 44''.8; May, 53°,2 ; June, 5S°.5; July, 62° 5 ; August, 60°. 9 ; September, 56°. i ; October, Si°.9 ; November, 44°; December, 39°. 7. At 22 inches below the surface :— January, 39°.! ; February, 38°.3; March, 38°. 3 ; April, 43°. 5 ; May, 50°.7; June, 55°.6; July, 60°. 3 ; August, 59°.7; September, 56°. I ; October, 52°. 5 ; November, 45°.9; December, 41°. i. The greatest rainfall during the various months was : — January, 3.01 inches ; February, 4 57 inches ; March, 4 50 inches ; April, 352 inches; May, 0,19 inch; June, 3.84 inches; July, i 5S inch; August, 3.32 inches ; Sep- tember, 2.84 inches; October, 6. 70 inches ; Novem- ber, 4 HI inches; December, 11.32 inches. The greatest rainfall during twenty-four hours in each month was :— January 20, 066 inch; February 27, 0.79 inch ; March 4, 0.63 inch ; April 2S, 1.23 inch ; May 14, 009 inch; June 22, o 98 inch; July i, 0.53 inch ; August 3, 1.90 inch; September 5, 0.S7 inch; October 12, 1.14 inch; November 15, 2.63 inches; December 31, 1.53 inch. G. C. Autumn Planted Potatos.— Having read Mr. Webster's letter at p. 816, vol. vi., in your number for December 23, I beg to say, with all respect to him, that I have nothing to retract or add to what I have written on this subject. I think Mr. Webster was easily discouraged from trying more than once, and further that his trying the experiment in a season when the disease was exceptionally bad was all against its success ; for, as a rule, the Potato disease is no respecter of seed Potatos, and when the disease is very rife good seed is diflicult to procure, and as he says his Ashleaf Potatos produced small tubers with- out tops, is to me a proof that diseased Potatos were planted. Plant good sound whole Potatos on light well-drained soil, and the result will satisfy the planter. R. Maker, The Gardens, Boyiic House, Tun- bridge Wells. The Weather of 1876.— A few notes taken from the records kept here may be of interest to the readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle. The total rainfall for the year was 32 98 inches, against 37.14 of 1875. The number of days on which o. I or more fell during the year was 144 ; the heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours occurred on September 28, when 1.36 was taken ; the four wettest months were April, 3.71, September, 5.07, November, 3.04, and December, 5.57, rain falling on twenty-three days during this month. The three driest months were May, 0.78, June, 1.94, July, 0.46, while January, February, March, August, and October, gave a steady average of 257 inches. The maximum temperature in the shade was reached on August 14, when 89° was registered ; the minimum occurred on January 12, registering 17° of frost. The highest reading of the barometer was 30, the lowest 28 3. Two of the most winterly days experienced during the year were April 13 and 14 ; the warm sunshine of the preceding week was succeeded by cold east winds and foggy mornings, and one of the heaviest snowstorms ever remembered in this neighbourhood, being 13 inches on the level, and in places drifted to the depth of as many feet, F. Clarke, Barleythorpe, Oakham. Hatching Boxes. — In Chrisliania and its neigh- bourhood, and doubtless in other parts of Norway, the gardeners and proprietors fasten (with wire or nails) " Ruge Kasser," or " hatching-boxes," to the upper parts of the trees in their gardens and grounds. These are regularly resorted to by such birds as build their nests in holes in trees (which are not frequently to be found in the young, healthy, growing trees in a garden or plantation near a house), and broods are hatched and reared, safe from the depredations of Felis domestica. The presence of such birds in our gardens as the pied and spotted flycatcher, the red- start, titmouse, wryneck, starling, &c. {all of which would, I believe, build in such a ' ' Ruge Kasser "), must be looked upon as an advantage, as they all feed upon insects, and they are pretty and interesting objects in the eyes of young students of ornithology. I send you a rough drawing of a "Ruge Kasser " (fig. 9), and beg to remind your readers that now, in the slack gardening season, is the time to make them, ready to be nailed or wired up in the beginning of February. S. Bryan Crotuther, Emeiy Down, LynJhurit, Hants. [The dimensions are : — Height at back, 16 inches ; and of the front, 11 inches. Diameter, outside measure, 8 inches ; inside measure, 5 inches. Length of sloping roof, 13 inches. Eds.] Holly Berries. — It is perfectly true there is a great deficiency of Holly berries this winter, but that is not a very unusual occurrence after a fruitful year. The reason Is obvious, that if trees bore largely every season they would soon become disea^^ed and worn out. In fact, a rest at times is essentially necessary, in order that the tree may regain its vigour, as an exces- sive fruiting year is not conducive to strong growth, and vice Ttriit With respect to the scarcity of Holly berries being attributable to the want of bees fertilising the flowers on the female plant (the Holly being dicecious), I think Mr. Darwin's theory is wrong, as also that the common Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) is so very hardy, for I know it will not thrive in Canada, and is only indigenous in most parts of the middle and south of Europe. Although the blossoms in early sprmg are likely to be, and frequently are destroyed by frosts, which are so apt to occur at that period of the year, and which would account for a partial or total failure of berries, I believe the present failure has been occasioned by an excess of moisture in the ground, followed by a warm spring temperature, which gave the Hollies an impetus of growth, which they had not had for several precedmg years, and thus, instead of producing berries, an unusual growth was made. To prove this, I transplanted many large Hollies the year before last, which at the present time are full of berries, whereas similar plants, not trans- planted, have not one; showing that when the redun- dancy of sap is checked, whether from removal, drought, or disease, fructification ensues without the intervention of bees. Hollies are particularly fine and plentiful in this locality, and so are bees, but still there are no berries. The failure is of too general a. character throughout the country to be attributed to the dearth of bees, which I think must be more imaginary than real. JV. H. R., Hauls. In my nursery there was up to Sunday night, December 10, a splendid bed of the com- mon Silver Holly, pyramids, 5 to 6 feet, laden with berries, and joining it on the south side ran a bed of similar plants of the small-leaved Silver, male. In other parts of the nursery where the common Silver stands alone, there is not a berry, and the same is observable of the Aucuba plants contiguous to the males, being covered with green berries, while distant plants are without fruit. If bees are the chief ferti- lisers (I have six hives close by), as Mr. Darwin suggests, how comes it that the other beds are without berries, where all stand within an area ol 17 acres? On the Sunday night alluded to thieves entered the nursery, and cut down to the stock fifty-nine of the berried plants, leaving the males alongside looking as disconsolate as their owner. George JJave'.ock, Abbey Wood Nursery, Kent. The Fungi of " Whales"— In a recent number of the Gardeners' Chronicle Professor M'Nab com- municated an interesting and amusing paragraph, headed the ' ' Flora of the South Wales Express." More recently my friend, Mr. Charles 15. Plowright, has published in Grevillca a list of fungi found by himself in the dead carcase of a whale stranded near Kings Lynn. The whale-bones, says Mr. Plowright, pro- duced an " orange Fasarium " and various moulds. From a crack in the skull of the whale sprang (like Minerva from the brain of Jupiter) an A-^^aric very near to, if not identical with, Agaricus bullaceus — a fungus hitherto supposed to be confined in its ravages to liorse-dung. But, strangest of all, "in the very centre of the cranium," luxuriating "upon a thin stratum" of dry brains, grew, says Mr. Plowright, " a cluster of Agaricus ostreatus " (!) Now ihis dis- respectlul parasitism of the Oyster Agaric on the col- lapsed cetaceous brains can only be termed oyster sauce to a whale ! W. G. S. Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury Strawberry (see p. 21). — The Vicomtesse and its synonyms, namely. Marquise de la Tour Maubourg and Duchesse de Trevise or Trevisse, were all raised iiy Jamin and Durand ; but I do not know the parentage. I be- lieve the "bees" know more about hybridisation than the guessing hybridator. I may say, in passing, that I believe Mr. Darwin's article on the Holy berries is right, but frost and excessive droughts may have had something to do with it. I saw some few green berries in our church, but not one "coral." How blind we are. Locke truly said— " We know a little, guess a great deal, and then jump to a conclusion." IK F. Radclyffe, Jan. S. The Weather at Hutton Hall, Guisborough. in 1876.— The rainfall last year at this place was : — In January, o 96 inch ; February, 2,22 ; March, 2.25 ; April, 3.25 ; May, 1.46 ; June, 2 93 ; July, 3 67 ; August, 2.31; September, 433; October, 1.72; November, 3.68; December, 5.15; — total inches, 32.93, being in excess of the rainfrll of 1873 by 12.05 inches, of 1S74 by 7. 38 inches, and of 1S75 by 2 88 inches. 7- Uclndoe. Protection v. Bottom Heat for Outside Vine Borders.— In the case of early vineries with outside borders, all growers will admit that the borders ought to be protected. Now the common method of doing this is to put any amount of fermenting material on the border six or eight weeks before root-action com. menccs, and at the time that this takes place how often do we see the whole covered with snow, which in thawing together with cold rains forms a sad check to the previously, I doubt not, overheated border, and this at a time when fresh material is generally wanted for other purposes. For the sake of argument let us style this bottom-heat, and contrast it with the following plan of protection. Fix a framework to span the width of the border, and sufficiently strong to support shutters (exactly in the same way as lights or sashes are placed on pits). Very early vineries should have their outside borders well watered by the end of September, or as soon after that time as a supply can be had. Next lay on dry leaves, January 13, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS" CHRONICLE. 53 as they can be obtained from time to time, till a good covering is on. A shutter or two will have to be removed for that purpose, but care must be taken to replace them again, as the object is to retain the heat by keeping ofl cold winds, rain, snow, &c. The leaves will check evaporation and keep the border moist. In a border so treated, where the Vines were started in the first week of November, 1S75, a ther- mometer inserted to the depth of 6 inches in the border below the leaves did not fall at any time lower than 58°, and the highest temperature indicated was 62°, the latter being obtained soon after the roots pushed into growth, i.e , after the first leaves were formed. I will only add that the border remained moist enough throughout the period of forcing, and that the shutters remained on till they were required for the protection of bedding stuiT, by which time we had been cutting Sweetwaters, the first bunch being cut on May 3. T. IK Bond, WeybriJge. Unseasonable Christmas Cards.— Mr. W. G. Smith's " Fungus Cards" are evidently quite unex- ceptionable for the time of year, as the fungus is such a late autumn product that it shocks no sensibilities to find it allied to Christmas topics. With a large mass of Christmas cards, however, incongruities are abundant. Warm, sunny landscapes, flowers in the richest and most unnatural of hues, Roses, Violets, and numberless unrecognisable kinds decorate these cards to such a large extent that they only serve to show how thoroughly winterish the Christmastide is. On the other hand, the stereotyped snow and frost of the old school artisis is quite as incongruous, and it seems to be very difficult lor the ordinary designer to furnish much that is at once new, yet seasonable. A. D. Florists' Flowers. In noticing the new Azaleas of 1S76, on p. 14, Dake of Edinburgh (Parsons), a finely formed bright coloured variety of good substance, was unfortunately overlooked. Not only were new Dahlias somewhat numerously produced during the past summer, but there was a larger average than usual of thoroughly good flowers. The list of new show varieties obtained by the veteran Mr. John Keynes, of Salisbury, may appropriately lead the way, and perhaps the highest place should be given to Mrs. John Downie, pale ground heavily edged with rosy purple, perfect in form and petal ; it is also a flower of great constancy, for it could be seen in fine condition at all the Dahlia shows of note, and rarely failed to obtain a First-class Certificate. Next"Jn order of merit should come Perfection of Primroses, beautiful primrose, slightly edged with rose, fine form and substance ; John William Lord, shaded orange-buif, paler on the surface, a novel and pleasing flower of high quality ; Minnie Bond, pale cream, charmingly edged with purple, a very taking flower, vivid self bright scarlet, fine petal and outline; John Wyatt, crimson-scarlet, extra fine form and petal ; John Fraser, chocolate ground, shaded purple and buff, very novel and distinct j and Dauntless, dark orange shaded with buff. Other decidedly good flowers are Mrs. Drummond, pale lilac ; Hon. Sidney Herbert, rich shaded crimson ; David Saunders, dark mulberry, fine quality ; and Benjamin Crossland, rich dark purple, fine form. Mr. Turner's list is, as usual, one calculated to main- tain the great reputation of Slough as a Dahlia pro- ducing centre. Christopher Ridley, bright glowing crimson-scarlet, fully justifies Mr. Turner's remark that it *' is the gem of the season for form," and the fact that it was so often seen testifies to its great con- stancy ; Artiste, yellow, shaded with carmine on the edges of the petals, is a very pleasing flower, of fine form and substance, and is well companioned by Bur- gundy, rich dark puce, sufiused with purple-maroon, a remarkably attractive colour in a show flower ; Canary, clear pale yellow, fine form and substance ; Drake Lewis, rich bright scarlet, very striking in point of colour, fine form ; Figaro, yellow, edged and sufiused with bright red ; and Black Knight, "richdark maroon, a very near approach to a black Dahlia. The following appropiately bring up the rear : — Elsa, French-white, full-sized and good form ; Mr. Urqu- hart, white, heavily tipped with purple ; The Rover, pale bufi", a full flower of excellent form ; and Vivian Grey, a quite new and very pleasing shade of colour, best described as a straw-coloured brown, fine form. Mr. Geo. Rawlings' Earl of Beaconsfield is a noble self of great quality, colour plum, heavily shaded with purple, and probably the best dark Dahlia to be dis- tributed. Mr. Rawlings also has Countess Tasker, white ground, heavily tipped with lilac. Of Mr. Keynes' new fancy flowers the best are Monsieur Chauviiite, lilac ground, striped and spotted with dark crimson, very fine substance, hold and striking ; and Rosetta, a charming flower, white ground, beautifully striped with rosy-purple, most acceptable for exhibition purposes. They are well supported by Hercules, yellow ground, striped and speckled with crimson, a fine bold flower ; Tippy Bob, yellow ground, striped with rose and purple, novel and distinct ; Lucy Fawcett, straw colour, striped and speckled with rich crimson, and Lady AUington, dark scarlet, tipped with white. Edith Turner and Mrs. Standish fittingly head Mr. Turner's batch : the former is pure pale yellow, delicately tipped with pure white, a charming flower of fine form — the latter pale amber-yellow suffu-:ed with carmine and tipped with white, a very pleasing com- bination ; Mrs. Purvis is deep yellow, tipped with white ; Gamester, pale buff; striped with maroon ; Oracle, deep yellow, heavily striped with bright crimson ; and Peacock, dark purple-maroon, dis- tinctly tipped with white. Mr. Rawlings' new Fancy Singularity is something of the character of Mr. Turner's Mrs. Saunders, but quite distinct from it ; the ground colour is amber, edged with red and tipped with white ; very novel, fine, and attractive. So many new varieties of Gladiolus are being pro- duced both at home and abroad, and so few are seen at the London exhibitions, that it is only of the latter some estimate can be given. Messrs. Kelway & Son were awarded Certificates for Dr. Hogg, white, suffused with rosy lilac, and feathered with crimson ; Lady Aberdare, white, streaked with purple ; and the Rev. M. J. Berkeley, salmon-red, the outer petals feathered with scarlet, spike very fine. Marquis of Lothian (Codling) is a fine variety, colour rose, flushed with mauve, the lower segments cream, with crimson flame. In regard to new HOLLYHOCKS, the paucity of them is explained by Mr. W. Chater, who states that the disease has played such havoc during the past three years that he has been prevented publishing his annual autumn catalogue of Hollyhocks, and so severely did the disease decimate the summer cuttings that up to this time he has not been able to send out a single plant so obtained. His new flowers are Crimson Queen, dark shaded crimson, the darkest flower of this colour yet offered ; Her Majesty, bright rosy red, in the way of Victor, very large flowers, extra fine spike ; Le Grand, in the way of Mrs. Chater, but of a deeper salmon, very fine ; Achievement, rosy red, flushed with huff in the centre, very pretty and distinct ; Virgin Queen, pure white, a large bold flower of fine quality ; and Vesuvius, glowing reddish crimson, very bright, and of the finest form. Of the foregoing, Le Grand and Virgin Queen have received First-class Certificates. Messrs. Veitch & Sons have been remarkably successful in the production of fine new forms of HlI'PEASTRUMS, and were awarded First-class Certi- ficates for the following high-coloured flowers : — Agatha, vermiUon, striped with scarlet, very fine broad petals ; Circe, rich blood- crimson, extra fine; Clio, bright scarlet, slightly shaded ; Junius, deep crimson flushed with vermilion, bright and striking ; Phcebe, glowing vermilion-red, very showy. Rev. T. Staniforth, deep red, striped with crimson ; Sultan, deep crimson, very fine ; and Thalia, rich blood- crimson. All the foregoing have large open flowers, and generally petals of great breadth and substance. The new Hyacinths of the past year were not of a character to excite much enthusiasm among the growers of this fine spring flower. Sultan, single blue, dark violet-purple, good bells ; Golden Lion, single yellow, clear primrose-yellow, large bold spike ; and The Shah, single blue, purple, with a peculiar metallic lustre, were shown by Messrs. Veitch & Son, and received Certificates. Messrs. Cutbush & Son had the same award for Princess Louise, double red, bright deep salmon-red, close spike, and well-formed bells. Mr. Bull's new double bedding Lobelia ccerulea albo marmorata is a double form of L. speciosa Pax- toni ; but whether it will be any more effective or useful as a bedder than the first of the type remains to be seen. A deep indigo-blue single variety, named St. Martin's Blue, promises to be a great acquisition among the pumila section. Messrs. Harrison & Son's new Mimulus moschatus Harrisoni is an interesting hybrid, and while the scented character of the Musk is retained the flowers are considerably enlarged and nicely spotted. The newer Zonal Pelargoniums have received so much attention of late in the Gardeners' Clironide that it is not necessary to particularise the varieties in this collection. The new flowers raised by the late Mr. J. R. Pearson, Mr. J. George, Mr. F. Miles, and Dr. Denny, among others, have proved to be inclusive of some very fine forms. The trials made at the Chiswick gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society year after year, by'Mr. A. F. Barron, afford such valuable oppor- tunities for collecting information and instituting com- parisons that the results of these trials may be accepted as reliable. As so many new varieties are constantly being produced, it is well that their claims to value should be investigated and adjudicated on by a com- petent body like the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society. I, for one, sincerely hope these functions will not be abdicated in favour of the Pelar- gonium Society. Theshow or large flowered Pelargoniums have not been so well represented as in former years ; perhaps the new flowers were not in character at the time the meetings of the London horticultural societies were held, and of the three great Pelargonium raisers, Beck, Foster, and Hoyle, only Mr. Foster remains working in the interests of this fine flower. Of the latter's raising the following Pelargoniums received First-class Certificates: — Bridesmaid, rosy purple lower petals, dark top petals, very fine form and sub- stance ; Purity, salmon-red lower petals, dark top petals, large white throat, a fine and striking flower ; and Toby, orange-salmon, lower petals heavily veined with black, glossy dark top petals, a fine painted flower ; Sappho (Turner), cherry-rose, suffused with purple, dark top petals, is a variety of dwarf growth, and extremely free. Of new varieties of Mr. Foster's raising Mr. Turner is distributing Eclipse, Edith, Hesperis, Lord of the Isles, Marchioness, Prima Donna, Rupert, Sovereign, and Viscount, several of which received First-class Certificates in former years. The Rev. J. Matthews received the same award for H. S. Ryder and Wallace, two varieties of considerable promise and good character. The Rev. A. Rawson's striped variety, Queen of Stripes, is extremely distinct in character, and will make an in- valuable decorative plant, the lower petals bright rose, striped with vermilion lines ; the rosy upper petals flaked with glossy dark. In the way of hardy Primulas a most desirable break has been obtained in the cortusoides amcena section by Mr. A. Dean, Bedfont, as a result of cross- ing the forms already in cultivation. About a dozen seedlings have been selected, and two of them have received First-class Certificates, viz., amosna laci- niata, a deep rose-crimson flower, with handsome laciniated segments, and grandiflora maxima, a greatly improved form of grandiflora. A fine yellow hose-in-hose Polyanthus, named Golden Queen, raised by Mr. J. Miller, Upwey, is a decided acquisition, and will be warmly welcomed by lovers of spring blooming hardy flowers. Picotee Princess of Wales is a fine sulphur-coloured self flower, raised by Mr. F. Perkins, Leamington, which is likely to prove very useful for forcing ; it is charmingly scented, and supplies quite a new shade of colour. Messrs. Veitch & Sons' hybrid greenhouse Rhodo- dendrons of the javanicum type will be of great value for house decoration ; and the worth of the strain is seen in the fact that not less than seven varie- ties have received First-class Certificates. A hybrid named Fisher Holmes, shown by the well-known Sheffield nursery firm, is remarkable for its large white sweetly perfumed flowers. Finally the Rose claims attention. Lots of new Roses were exhibited during the past year, and Messrs. Paul & Son received certificates for Duke of Connaught, H. P., deep velvety crimson, flushed with lively red; and Duchesse de Vallambrosa, H. P., a Continental variety, colour glossy rose, tinged with lilac ; Mr. W. Paul for Magna Charta, H.P., a beautiful glow of rose, large and full ; Mr. Laxton for Mrs. Laxton, H.P., bright rosy purple; Mr. H. Bennett, for Comtesse de Seienye, H. P., a beautiful flower, delicate rose, tinged with lavender in the centre; and for Madame Fran93is Jauin, Tea, bright orange-buff, charming in the bud ; and Mr. Noble for Queen of Bedders, a Bourbon Rose, dwarf in growth, very free, colour bright reddish rose. Such is the legacy left to floriculture by the year 1S76. It is however incomplete without some reference to the interesting trial of bedding Pansies and Violas which took place at Chiswick, under the 54 THE ■ GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, during the past summer. The newer forms certificated were, Dr. Stuart (Stuart), mauve-purple; lilacina (Dean), bluish lilac tinged with red ; Peach Blossom (Dickson & Co), reddish or pucy lilac, paler at the tips; Princess Teck (Dean), pale bluish lilac ; Royal Blue, (Dean), deep purplish blue ; Sovereign (Dickson c& Co), bright deep golden-yellow ; White Swan (Dean), pure white ; and Williams (Stuart), a greatly improved Viola cornuta Perfection. R. D. Mr. Dean throws out a suggestion for Auri- cula growers in the last number of the Florist and Pomologist. It is that they should admit a class of Self Alpine Auriculas as an equivalent to the self Auriculas admitted as a class amongst the show flowers. " The first property," he remarks, " in Alpines is the shaded corolla lobes or petals, i.e., the base of the marginal or ground-colour must be dark, with a paler edge, the dark hue shading off into the pale. Another important property is that, whether the centre or paste be yellow, or sulphur-yellow, or cream, or even while, it must be free from any trace of that meaUness which forms the paste in the true self Auricula, But," he argues, " as every correct alpine, according to the Northern estimate, must ;have shaded petals, it is obvious that some of Mr. Turner's flowers, and those produced by other raisers, though perfect in the centre, are yet inadmissible, because of their unshaded margins. But why cannot there be a class for self alpines, as there is for self Auriculas in the show division ? Take flowers like Black Prince, Colonel Scott, Diamond, Etna, John Leech, King of Crimsons, Mercury, Perceval, and Spangle, out of many others which have been raised at Slough, and they would find no place among shaded flowers, because almost entirely self- coloured on the margin ; and yet, though they have large finely-rounded pips, with golden rnealless centres, and briUiant marginal colouring, they are not allowed to start in tlie competitive race. By all means allow the shaded form to be characteristic of the true alpine, but let there be a class for selfs, so that they also may have a chance to make a reputation on the exhibition-table." We are informed that a most important general meeting of the members of the following Florist Societies— namely, the National Auricula Society, the Royal National Tulip Society, and the National Carnation and Picotee Society— will be held at the "Old Bull's Head" (ofl the Market Place), Man- chester, on Wednesday next, January 17, at 2 o'clock p. .M., for the purpose of arranging the dates of this year's exhibitions, the schedules of prizes, the plan of judging, and other matters and work connected with the management of the national flc ' Proposed Show of Carnations and Picotees. — The undersigned beg to be allowed to state that, in consequence of the uncertainty as to the action of the Royal Horticultural Society, they intend to promote a show of Carnations and Picotees, to be held in London during the season (July), and they will be glad of the co-operation of their brother florists in the work. A meeting to arrange preliminaries and commence a subscription for the needed prize funds will be held at the rooms of the Horticultural Club, 4, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at I for 2 o'clock, when the attendance of all interested will be greatly esteemed. Charlis Turner, Royal Nursery, Slough ; James Douglas, Loxford Hall Gardens ; E. S. Dodwell, Larkhall Rise, Claf- ham, S. ]V. )i filla iarkiT. General Operations for January.— The kitchen-garden is practically closed to the Villa gardener. The soil is waterlogged, it is so completely saturated with the rain that falls withsuch persistence — as if Nature were tremendously in arrears in the matter of moisture, and was making rapid haste to pay ofl' the debt — that to move it with advantage is almost impossible. It cannot be dug except under the most favourable circumstances, if they exitt, and therefore it is best not to get on it, for he who does so will only tread it into a kind of quagmire, and tlius increase the difficulties of getting the soil into workable condition when fine weather comes.. If (he rain be accumulating on the surface in puddles, and especially near the roots of newly-planted trees, spme eflbrt should be made to draw it off by cutting little channels, and causing it to flow towards some lower spot, where it can pass away altogether. If he can get at pyramidal and espalier fruit trees from the path, or by laying a short plank on the soil about them, and from this reach the trees, let him prune them by cutting away from the main shoots any small thin growths that are not likely to form blossoms, but being careful not to deprive the tree of any quota of its glory of flower in spring by cutting away blooming buds or fruiting spurs — i.e., short spur-like points that will bear blossom and fruit. They can be readily de- tected by their grey tips. Pyramid trees, when planted in a small garden, have to be pretty freely pruned to keep them within bounds ; and whether severe pruning be or be not a practice to be con- demned, space is of first importance, and, if the Villa gardener desires to have several kinds of fruits grow- ing on a given space, he must prune to keep his trees well within their proper dimensions. But there is such a thing as judicious pruning, as opposed to erroneous pruning. The summer pruning of these trees, as recommended by Mr. Rivers and others, practicilly keeps the trees clear of redundant wood, though it will be necessary to cut back the lateral shoots; thrown out in late summer, but the leading shoots— the tall upright growths which ;are more or less strong, according to the nature of the soil in which the plants are growing — can be cut back at the end of the summer, as recommended by some, or left on till mid-winter. Our practice is to leave them on Apple, Pear, Plum, and Cherry trees till this time of the year, and then shorten them back to six eyes or so, according to the height required by the tree. This is what we do ; and these leading shoots, having become quite hard by Christmas, prove useful as tie- up sticks to support plants, as Carnations, Pinks, &c. This work can then be proceeded with, even if the soil be wet, so that the plants can be reached from the garden-path on a piece of board laid on the soil as above recommended. Then wall trees may receive some attention. In many Villa Gardens of oblong shape and restricted dimensions, the garden paths are frequently so arranged as that there is a warm border of 2 feet or so in width, in which the wall trees are planted. These trees can be reached from the path, or at least by placing one foot on the border, keeping the pivot foot on the walk. The weather being so mild, advantage may be taken of it to get all the leading shoots of Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and Plums into position, fastening them permanently and securely to the walls by shreds, or to the wires by ties, but not troubling about the points, as these will have to be shortened back later on. The wet season being so hostile to gardening operations generally, it is well to get such work as the training of Jruit trees as forward as possible, so that when the long-hoped-for fine weather comes, the attention of the Villa gar- dener may be devoted to clearing up arrears of ground- work. Creepers on walls and on trellises, and also those growing over wire archways and against pillars, should be pruned and trained, and made neat and trim. They are all more or less getting quite active ; and how can they be less than active while the weather is so mild and the atmosphere so clear? Especially is this true of Roses and Clematises. The latter are moving forward rapidly, and such strong growing sorts as rubella, Jackmanni, tunbridgensis, and others are making a remarkably free growth. It is from the extreme points of the ripened wood of the previous summer that the greatest activity is mani- fested (shoots that were shortened back to 4 or 5 feet at the end of the summer). If it be requisite to cut back the Clematises close to the ground let it be done at once, and if the wood quickly breaks out again at the points at which it was pruned back, then a few sprigs of evergreens can be placed against them when cold frosty weather sets in. The Clematis Is among the hardiest of hardy plants, but sappy young growths ar« certain to be.injured by frost, and they should be protected accordingly. Roses must be left to the tenderness of Mother Nature. In the case of climb- ing Roses, thin out the wood rather than cut the lead- ing shoots back hard, unless it is necessary to cut back hard to reclothe naked spaces near the ground. Place some manure and leaves about the roots of the creepers after the plants are pruned and trained ; it will afford protection in frost, and be an invaluable fertilising agency when, in obedjence to the moving influences of a clear, bright, warm spring, all plants and trees will break forth into a renewed being. Here, then, are a few of many matters that may fittingly occupy the attention of the Villa gardener during the present rainy season. But the winter is none the less a time for active operations in the garden because it is wintry and dull, and the weather is sun- less and the days short. There are many things to be done. AU necessary outdoor work should be got forward in suitable weather ; and house work, such as cleaning, repairing, &c., can be attended to when rain keeps the gardener within-doors. Care is requisite in affording protection against extremes of heat and cold and sudden changes of temperature, to tender plants in the open air — being very careful not to uncover too soon or too early in the day after severe frost, and never failing to bear in mind that dryness is always an invaluable help in these matters. Another matter of importance is to refrain from potting and repotting plants in a state of rest, except it be those that are being aroused from a dormant state, and when a little heat can be given them. Fuchsias, for instance, are commencing to grow fast, but it is far better to let them alone, and keep them pretty dry at the roots till lengthened days bring more sunlight, and the necessity for repotting cannot be avoided. These duties will suggest others, for the gardeners' occupa. tion is one requiring a continuous, unceasing, and endless round of attentions, and the more faithfully and intelligently these are rendered, the more are they likely to become so many guarantees for success in the future. iotitcs of gaohs. Among the principal contents of the Gardener for the present month are the following : — Forethought Needed by the Gardener ; Conservatory Decoration ; On Dwarfing Chrysanthemums ; Horticultural Boilers; Ornamental Trees and Shrubs — Betula ; Lessons in Drawing, &c. ; Market-garden Vegetables ; Atmo- spheric Humidity ; The Chrysanthemum and its Culture ; Mr. Shirley Hibberd on " Natural Fruit Culture ;" Wright's Patent Endless Flame- impact Hot-water Boiler ; Flowering Pelargoniums in Winter ; White Banksian Rose as a Stock for Mard- chal Niel ; The Famous Vine Sport ; Scorched Leaves. Among the principal contents "of the Villa Gardener for the present month are :— Water Bouquets ; Embellishing Villa Residences ; Garden- ing for Beginners — Drainage ; The Auricula ; Lilies, Anemones, and Ranunculi ; Delphiniums in Pots ; Epiphyllums — Leaf-flowering ; Cactuses for Villa Gardens ; The Currant, and its Cultivation ; Bush Fruits ; Notes on a Few Useful Vegetables of Recent Introduction ; Winter and Early Spring Cucumbers ; The Treatment of Annuals ; The Villa Gardener's Plant Houses ; , Greenhouse Chmbers ; Artificial Heat for Small Greenhouses or Plant Stoves ; Graft- ing and Storing Dahlia Root?. Puiii^iCATlONS Received. — Journal of Botany. — Journal de la Socicte Centrale d'Horticullure de France.— The Royal School of Mines Magazine, a ■ new publication, conducted by students of the estab- lishment in Jermyn Street, and largely consisting of -the adventures of former geological students in India, Brazil, &c Le Moniteur Horticole Beige. — Revue Horticole. — The Gardener. — Villa G.ardener.— Westnik.— Belgique Horticole.— Illustration Horti- cole.—American Agriculturist. — Hamburger Garten Zeitung. — American Agriculturist. — The Horticul- ■ tural Directory for 1S77. ©I)ttuavi». Mk. Peter Stewart, gardener at The Glen, Peeblesshire, for the last five years, died at Lugton, near Dalkeith, on December 22, at the early age of thirty-three, leaving a widow and young family to mourn his untimely loss. Pie was a native of Dal- lieith, and served in the Duke of Buccleuch's Gardens there for about twelve years, afterwards going to the Tweed Vineyard, Clovenfords, with Mr. Thomson, and then to The Glen. I lis career has been a com- paratively short one, but few yourig gardeners have displayed more energy and ability, or been more suc- cessful during the few years he has been at The Glen, and it is pleasant for his friends to know that to the last his services have been most highly appreciated by January 13, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 55 Mr. and Mrs. Tennant, his kind and ijenerous employers. Under his able management ihe gardens at The Glen have become one of the most noteworthy places in ihe South of Scotland, and during the last three or four years he has been a keen and very successful exhibitor at the "International" and other horticultural shows in Scotland, exhibiting Pines and Grapes in particular in such remarkably fine con- dition as to have won many of the leading 1st prizes with them against the best growers in the country. Although cut off so early in life, his fame as an energetic and successful gardener will not soon pass away, nor will he be readily forgotten amongst his acquaintances as a most kind and warmhearted friend, whose loss they deeply regret. We regret to record the death on December 9 last of Mr. F. G. Wilkins, of The Poplars, Leyton. The deceased gentleman had been in ill-health since August last, but as his ultimate recovery was looked forward to, his death at the age of thirty-nine years was rather unexpected. Mr. Wilkins was a great lover of plants, and a warm supporter of flower shows, a? his contributions to all the leading metropolitan exhibitions for the last ten years bear witness. Thirteen years ago he began to form the collection of plants which ultimately was destined to become so famous. The first things taken in hand were Pelargoniums, and then, shortly afterwards, Heaths, stove and greenhouse plants, and Orchids were added. Of the manner in which one and all of these subjects were cultivated and exhibited by his gardener, Mr. J. Ward, we need not now essay to speak, so well were his speci- mens known to most of our readers, and so well did they always stand in the prize lists. We regret to say that the entire collection is to be sold, and that Mr. Ward has to seek a new employer, but we trust, from his abilities as a plant grower, he will not be long in finding a suitable position. %\t Mcatl^cr. Glaisher's ^eIi'SoI* I B.KOM.TEK. Temperature of WNO. J i s Ill t J 1 m I 1 1 -i,l",8L-8l.-.8l/.3 .%!„•.:«. 46.. 90 s. In. 0.29 = --!— ■-»l™k''+- 436 »Mis.s^.w. 0.t6 29.02 -0.73 S!.7 39.8 " 9,46. ■ Jf 9 7 ;<'-7 B9!ls=^v 0.24 7 2909 -0.6552.244.0 8 2 43.3 -(-.2 043.5 84i"-- 0.33 8 29.34 -».39 S3.. 44.1 7 8 48.0-H,8'46 7 96 s. 0.53 9 29.70 Lao3 SS.04' 7 .3-3Uo...8|449 -\r^- 0.28 ■ 0 2,7.U.02 48 835 4 .3.4 4.8,+ 5 5 4..0 -{;X^ 0.46 Mean 2927 -,.,7-,!.4'„.g .0 5 46.9+.0.6l,4..! ,.[ 3=^V. '".™ bright tin 3 P.M. ; dull 1 6. — Dull with occasional rain : fine at intervals. Strong gale in evening. Mild. 7.— Fine till I P.M., cloudy after, frequent rain through- out. Heavy gale in early morning. Mild. S. — Overcast, dull, and wet throughout. Mdd. p. — A fine day, but occasionally dull and cloudy, with of rain. Cloudless at night. [fall of this week is very rem.arl(able lal fall in December. Beginning v has fallen 9, 10, 13, .„ .,, „..„ „ , _.. , vir. , the 3oth and 24th, the falls were very heavy, .ing to 0.8 inch, and i.i inch respectively. Since the ng of this year rain has fallen every day : on January 8 the amount was nearly half an inch on each day. The : of rain from January 1 to the present time is 3. i inches, ■erage fall for the whole month of January is 19 inch, nount from December i to the present time is 9.02 inches, /erage fall for December is less than 2 inches, and large a fall at this time of the year is the I t unprecedented London : Baroimler. — During the week ending January 6, 1S77, in the subuibs of London, the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea de- creased from 29.50 inches at the beginning of the week to 28. 75 inches by the morning of Jinuary i, increased to 29 76 inches by the afternoon of the 2d, decreased to 29. 17 inches by the afternoon of the 4th, increased to 29 35 inches by the morning of the 6th, anil was 29.cS inches at the end of the week. The mean reading for the week at sea level was 29.29 inches, being 0.43 inch below that of the preceding week, and 0.69 inch below the average. N.B.— The mean daily readings of the barometer have been all below their averages from Nov. 25, 1576, to Jan. II, 1S77, with the exception of four days in December, when they were a little above their average values. The mean amount below the average for this period of forty-six days was o 507 inch. Tcmf^rj/ure.—Thi highest temperatures of the air observed by day varied from 56' on January I to 422" on the 2d ; the mean for the week was 52^°. The lowest temperatures of the air observed by night ranged from 33^° on January 2 to 49^° on Decem- ber 31, 1S76 ; the mean value for the week was 42°. The mean daily range of temperature in the week was 10}°, the greatest range in the day being 16°, on January 3, and the least, 5i°, on the 4th. The mean daily temperatures of the air were as follows :^ December 31, 53°; January i, 50° ; 2d, 38'; 3!, 44°.4; 4th, 49°; 5th, 47°.2; 6th, 46°.!; and the departures in excess of their respective averages were : — I5°.S, I2'.8. i°.i, 7°.7, I2°.4, 10° 7, and 9°.7. The mean temperature of the air for the week was 46°.8, being no less than 10" above the average of observa- tions extending over a period of sixty years. The mean daily temperatures of the air have been greatly in excess of their respective averages since December 27, 1S76. The mean amount in excess of the average from December 27, 1S76, to January 10, 1577, is 11° daily. The highest readings of a thermometer, with black- ened bulb in vacuo, placed in sun's rays, were 77° on January 5, and 734° on the 1st ; on the 3d and 6th the reading did not rise above 57°. The lowest readings of a thermometer on grass, with its bulb exposed to the sky, were 34^° on January 2d, 35° on the 6th, and 36^' on the 3d ; the mean value for the week was 39°. IFm/.—The direction of the wind was S.W., and its strength strong. The weather during the week was generally dull and wet, and exceedingly mild. A strong gale prevailed on Monday, January i, and also on Saturday, the 6th inst. Jiain was again measured on every day in the week ; the amount collected was 1. 37 -inch. England : Tcmperaliire. — The highest temperature of the air was 56° at Blackheath, at Bradford 5o| was the highest temperature ; the mean value from all stations was 53j°. The lowest temperature of the air was 264° at Eccles, at Plymouth 384° was the lowest temperature ; the mean value from all stations was 32J. The range of temperature in the week was the largest at Eccles, 27°, and the smallest at Brighton, Plymouth, and Portsmouth, all about 17° ; the mean range of temperature from all stations was 204°. The mean of the seven high day temperatures was the highest at Truro and Plymouth, both 53!", and the lowest at Bradford, 44° ; the general mean from all stations was 4SJ'. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was the lowest at Manchester, 34°, and the highest at Brighton, Plymouth, and Ports- mouth, all about 444°; the mean from all stations was 39^°. The mean daily range of temperature was the least at Brighton, Portsmouth, Leicester, Norwich, Hull, and Bradford, all about 7i°, and the greatest at Manchester, 15°; the mean daily range of temperature from all stations was 9j°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 44', being 7" higher than the value for the corresponding week in 1S76. The highest was 49°, at Plymouth, and the lowest 39^°, at Sunderland. A'af«.— The falls of rain in the week were large everywhere, and varied from 4 inches nearly at Truro, 2| inches at Plymouth, Portsmouth, Birmingham, Sheftield, and Bradford, to I inch at Cambridge and Norwich ; the average fall over the country was z\ inches nearly, being 2 inches above the value for the corresponding week in 1S76. The weather during the week was cloudy and wet and very mild, though fine at intervals. There was still a continuance of floods in the provinces, and in the Thames they have caused great loss to property. The Heavy Gale of Monday, January i, exceeded any previous for a long time, and was felt all over the country, as well as in Scotland, doing great damage everywhere. Shipwrecks were numerous. Scotland : Temperature. — The highest tempera- tures of the air ranged from 50** at Leith to 44" at Dundee ; the average value from all stations was 47^°. The lowest temperatures of the air varied from 16°" at Perth to 2 5 J" at Greenock; the mean value from all stations was 22°. The mean range of tem- perature from all stations was 254°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 34!°, being ^\° lower than that of England, and 54" below the value for the corre- sponding week in 1876. The highest occurred at Edinburgh, 36', and the lowest at Perth, 324". Rain. — Tne amounts of rain measured at the several stations were large, and varied from 3} inches at Edinburgh to i\ inch (neatlj) at Aberdeen ; the average fall over the country was 2\ inches nearly. Dublin. — The highest temperature of the air was 53J°, the lowest 304°, the range 23°; the mean for the week was 43°, and the fall of rain was I 58 inch. J\MEb GL^IbHCR. Jo ircjpondcnU tED Spider : Liqiuid Carbolic Soap (Qy. 156, p. 25) : We have not used the article for the purpose men- tioned by " Market Gardener," but have done so for American Blight on Apple trees. The article is Liquid Carbolic Soap, and can be obtained of the Clydesdale Paint Company, Three Mill Lane, Bromley- by-Bow, E. P. &> M. Bog : R. Robinson. The experiment might be worth trying if you first drain the ground. You might aUo try Osiers. ClUMONANTlIUS FR.V.RAN.S : Quciulta. This is a sweet-scented winter flowering wall plant, common in gardens. You can obtain it from any of the nurseries. Cranberries : J. V. V. Cranberry Culture, by Joseph T. White. PubUshed by Orange Judd & Co , New York. Grape : W. W. We cannot recognise the Grape in the condition in which you sent it. Send again when fresher, and with a sample of the wood and foliage. Hardy Plants i-or Window Conservatory : J. C. The various forms of Aucuba japonica and himalaica ; the variegated varieties of Euonymus japonicus ; several of the smaller Retinosporas ; Myrtles ; Olea fragrans ; Osmanthus Aquifolius ; various forms of the Ivy, grown both as creepers and bushes ; and the golden forms of Cupressus and Thuja. Nicely grown pot-specimens only should be admitted. Insects : I. H., Peterborough. The galls on the Swede Turnips are caused by the puncture and deposition of eggs in the wound of the root by a weevil, Curculio pleurostigma, the larva of which feeds within the gall, and changes first to a pupa and then to the perfect insect. Marl or chalk have been proposed as the best preventives. /. 0. IV. Names of Plants ; D. .If. The fruits of the Glad- wyn, or Stinking Iris, I. fcetidissima, sometimes called " Wagga-wagga Holly." — S. P. O. Polyboirya bifurcata (.\crostichum bifurcatum, Sw.), of which you send a larger and a smaller sample ; Asplenium tenellum, Roxb. (A. reclinatum, Hort.) ; the other small specimen too juvenile.— C R. P. pyrenaica.— N. G. No. I appears to be O. gloriosum, or a variety of it. — Diss. Cotoneaster buxifolia. — D. r, Helichrysum rosmarinifolium var. ericifolium ; 2, seems to be a Juniperus, which we cannot name without fruit. — Mrs. G. K. The German Ivy, Senecio mi- kanioides. —J . Mclndoe. Calluna vulgaris, the com- mon hmg.—Gal/ieus. Blechnum spicant.— ^. B. Eupatoiium Weinmannianum. — A. j. M. Acacia Planting Cornus alba : G. F. Hf. It depends upon the use it is intended to make of the plantation of Cornus alba, to decide the distance from plant to plant. If for covert, 3 feet apart would be a good distance, but if to be grown for its wood to be used in turnery it should be planted from 6 to 10 feet apart. It is propagated from seeds chiefly. Cornus mas pro- duces much better timber wood than C. alba. Tea Plantation : //. A/. Write to Mr. Smith, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew ; or to Dr. Forbes Watson, the India Museum, South Kensington. Testing of Novelties.— .\ correspondent writes to suggest that the Royal Horticultural Society should undertake this duty, and not only refuse to certificate inferior varieties, but prohibit, by statute for that pur- pose enacted by Parliament, the sending out of such varieties ! Our correspondent overlooks the fact that the best practical work done at Chiswick of late years has been in this direction, though it is a pity it could not be greatly extended, and the results made more accessible. As to statutory powers, we are afraid the principles of free trade would prevent any such law being enacted. ♦,• Correspondents are specially requested to address, post-paid, all communications intended for publica- tion to the " Editors," and not to any member of the staff personally. The Editors would also be obliged by such communications being sent as early in the week as possible. Letters relating to Advertisements, or to the supply of the Paper, should be addressed to the Publisher, and not to the Editors. ^" Foreign Subscrirf-rs sending Post-office Orders, payable at the post-oBice, King Street, Covent Gar- den, London, are requested to be good enough to write to the Publisher, at the office of this paper, 41, Wellington Street, Covent Garden, at the same lime, to inform him of the fact. 56 THE ' GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. Catalogues Received.— Messrs. J. Jefferies & Sons (Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire), Descrip- tive Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, &c. — Messrs. W. Drummond & Sons (Stirling, and 58, Dawson Street, Dublin), Descriptive Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Tools, &c.— H. & F. Sharpe (Wisbeach, Cambridge), Special List of Seed Potatos, also Wholesale Catalogue of Garden and Agricultural Seeds. — Messrs. C. Sharpe & Co. (Slea- ford, Lincoln), Spring Catalogue and Amateurs' Guide.— Herrmann A. Frommer (Budapest, Hun- gary), General Seed Catalogue. — Messrs. Vilmorin- Andrieux & Co. (4, Quai de la Megisserie, Paris), General Seed and Plant Catalogue. — Ed. Pynaert- Van Geert (142, Rue de Bruxelles, Ghent, Belgium), Catalogue and Price List for 1877. — B. S. Wil- liams (Upper HoUoway, London, N.), Descriptive Catalogue of Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seeds, Implements, &c. — Messrs. Webb & Sons (Wordsley, Stourbridge), General Catalogue of Flowers, Vegetables, &c.— Messrs. Haage & Schmidt (Erfurt, Prussia), Trade Seed List. — Messrs. Wil- liam Cutbush & Son (Highgate, London, N., and Barnet, Herts), Descriptive Catalogue of Flower, Vegetable, and Farm Seeds, &c.— Messrs. J. C. Wheeler & Son (59, Mark Lane, London, E.C., and Gloucester), Little Book, or Short Select Seed List.— Messrs. Brook & Gallop (195, Western Road, Brighton), Catalogue of Vegetable, Flower, and Agricultural Seeds.— John Cattell (Westerham, Kent), Spring Catalogue of Kitchen Garden, Flower, and Agricultural Seeds.— Messrs. J. Dickson & Sons (108, Eastgate Street, Chester), Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Tools, &c. Com (many thanks).— W. B. F. -Corrigenda. —C. C— O.— A: F.- — R. McL.— J. J., Kcw (yes, please).— R. H.— E. S. D.- T. H.-J. C. B. DIED, on October 26, at Bankside, Manchester, Chakles Husband Dickson, of the firm of Dickson & Robinson, Seed Merchants, Manchester. COVENT GARDEN, January 1 1. As American Apples are now nearly off the Market, good late home-grown fruit is realising better prices. Good samples of Grapes are selling well, but inferior ones are very dull. There are very few transact" Cobs. James Webber, Wholesale Apple Market, I Oranges, Peaches. Melons, each I Peach,.3, p^. uv 5 o I Pears, per doz. % o ' Pine-apples, per lb.. Mint, green, bu Mushrooms, per p Onions, per bush Beet, per doz. . . i o- s Brussels Sprts. bush. 7 o- . Cabbages, per doz. . . i o- : Carrots, per bunch., o 6- . Cauliflowers.perdoz. 2 o- a Celery, per bundle . . i 6- : Chilis, green, per 100 3 o- . Cucumbers, each . . i o- : Shallots, per lb. Batavian, p. doz. 20-30 Spinach, per bushel : , per bundle i Potatos.— Kent Regents, £s to jC^ '- Essex Regents, £4 i to ^5 ; Kidneys, £8 per ton. Plants in Pots. Radishes, per bunch, i — Spanisn, doz. .. — New Jersey, doz. : Rhubarb, per bundle : Salsafy, per bundle : Seakale, per i Azaleas, per dozen.. 24 0-60 c Begonias, per doz. .. 6 0-12 c Bouvardias, do. . .12 0-24 < Cineraria, per doz. .. g 0-18 c Coleus, per dozen . . 3 o- 9 c Cyclamen, per doz.. 12 0-30 < Cyperus.do... _.. 60-12 ( Dracs;na terminalis 30 0-60 c — vu-idis, per doz. 18 0-24 c Epiphyllum, perdoz. 18 0-42 ( Erica cafFra, p. doz. 6 o-iS ( Fernsjin var.,p. doz. 6 0-30 < ,tro Hyacth,,Rom.,i2&p. : Heliotrope, per doz. 6 — Roman, per doz.. g Lily of Valley, each a Mignonette, do. .. t Myrtles, do 3 Palms in variety.each 3 Pelargoniums, scarlet. Lily of Valley, 12 spr. i 6- r^ Mignonette, 12 bun. 4 o- t Narcissus, 12 sprays 3 o- { Pelargoniums, 12 spr. 2 o- . Poinsettia, 12 sprays 4 o-i: Stephanotis, 12 spr. g 1 Tropecolum, 12 bun. 2 i Violets, 12 bun. .. 1 ( SEEDS. London : y,ui, lo. — A noteworthy feature of the present week is an inquiry from France for red Clover seed. In addition to the orders sent to this country, the French have during the last few days made extensive purchases by cable on the American markets. From some figures received this day it appears that the ship- ments from the United States have continued on a most limited scale ; during the last fifteen weeks of 1876 the total e.\ports from New York to London amounted to only 16,189 bags, equal to about 1012 tons. As respects our home-grown red Clovers the supply to hand is good, especially so when we take into consideration the late unfavourable weather. Provincial houses, in despair of buying in their seed stocks on lower terms, are now beginning to operate. The Trefoil trade .shows some improvement ; quotations in France are 3 francs per boll dearer. For Alsike and white Clover the demand is rrencies unchanged. More attention is now spring Tares, without, however, resulting in " any importance. Rape seed sells at stiffen- ing rates. In Canary seed the movement is upwards ; the moderate terms on which fine samples are now obtainable naturally induces some speculation, yo/in Skaw &• Sons, Seed Merchants, 37, Mark Lane, London, B.C. CORN. At Mark Lane on Monday trade was dull from obvious causes. There was a small supply of English Wheat offering, and not much foreign. Fine dry parcels were firm, while inferior and ill-conditioned produce were cheaper when pressed for sale. The same remarks apply to Barley, the demand being chiefly confined to the better descriptions of grinding. Malt changed hands at about late rates. For Oats, the market, as a whole, was no better. Maize, Beans, and Peas were slow of sale, and tended lower in price. The flour market was steady, with next to nothing doing. The top price of town-made flour was raised 41., or to 50J. per sack.— Want of activity characterised Wednesday's business, and quotations underwent little or no variation. On the whole a rather better tone prevailed, and the belter qualities of produce, whether Wheat, Barley, Oats, Maize, Beans, Peas, or flour, realised fully Monday's currencies. Fine dry samples were scarce.— Average prices of com for the week ending, Jan. 6 :— Wheat, 51J. 2d. ; Barley, 38J. gd. ; Oats, 24J. jd. For the corre- sponding week in last year : — Wheat, 45J. id. ; Barley, 341. 5rf. ; Oats, 23J. 101/. CATTLE. At Copenhagen Fields on Monday the weather operated much against the beast trade ; choicest quali- ties were not much lower, but they were with more difficulty disposed of There was a large supply of sheep, and trade was dull ; late prices were, however, well maintained. The demand was good for choicest qualities. Calves continued scarce and dear. Quota- tions:— Beasts, us. 6d. to 5j., and ss. 6d. to 6s. ; calves, $s. 8d. to ys. ; sheep, 55. 6d. to 6s., and 6s. 6d. to 75. 4d. ; pigs, 4J. 4^. to 5^. ^d. — On Thursday, the few cattle offering being mostly of the rough classes, which were not in request, quotations took a lower range. Sheep sold without much alteration. Prime calves were scarce, and sold at high prices, whilst inferior were very un- saleable. HAY. At the Whitechapel market on Tuesday trade was rather quiet. Prices were without change ; prime Clover, being quoted at 100s. to 1441. ; inferior. 851. to 95J. ; prime meadow hay, gos. to 1351. ; inferior, 70J. to 85^. and straw. 40^. to 561. per load. — Thursday's market was scantily furnished with good dry qualities of pro- vender, which were very firm. Quotations : — Clover, best, loos. to 144J. ; inlerior, 85J. to 95^. ; hay, best, looj. to 135J. : inferior, 655. to 755. ; and straw, 44^. to S4S. per load. — Cumberland Market quotations : — Superior meadow hay, 132J. to 140J. ; inferior, io8j. to T20J. ; superior Clover, 140J. to 147J. ; inferior, 120J. to 132J. ; and straw, s8j. to 6y. per load. POTATOS. The Borough and Spitalfields reports state that sound Potatos continue in request, while a dull trade prevails for other sorts. Quotations show no appreciable altera- tion from a week ago:— Kent Regents, 120J. to 140J. per ton ; Esse.x do., loos. to 130J. ; rocl< foot, buds, for potting, 751. ANDROMEDA FLORIBUNDA, buds, for potting, 75^. and looi. per 100. American Plants Without Peat. WILLIAM MAULE AND SONS beg to offer the choicest hardy English and Continental RHO- DODENDRONS, with EELGIC and other AZALEAS, at 30s per dozen, or £io per 100. The plants are grown in stiff loamy soil, on an exposed and elevated situation, and will thrive in almost any soil, free from iron, lime, or chalk. Handsome standard RHODODENDRONS, with fine heads. Large bushes of PONTICUM. 'cATaVvBIENSE, and other common larie les, a ^5os.^7^5^i^^^iooj,^peyoo. LARCH, FIR, Spruce, 1 to 2 feet, 25J. per 1000. .. Scotch, 1^2 to 2 feet, 25s. per 1000. BERBERIS AQUIFOLIA. 2t0 2K feet, bushy, 801. per i ASH, Mountain, 3 to 6 feet, 40s. per 1000. SYCAMORE, 3 to 6 feet, 51. per 100. BEECH, 3 to 4 feet, 4ar. per 1000. LAURELS, common, bushy, good plants, 2 to 2% feet, x6s. ,, bushy plants, ^H to 3 feet, 20s. per 100. New "Cauliflower. DICKSON, BROWN, and TAIT, Seed Merchants, 43 and 45, Corporation Street, Manchester. DICKSON. BROWN. ANoTAirS " ECLIPSE - CAULI- FLOWER.— This new and perfectly distinct variety excels even the flattering reports of its usefulness given by many of our more self-protecting, the heads larger, pure white, and stands dry hot weather better than any other Cauliflower. Shirley Hibberd, Esq., gives the following report in the Gardencn' Magazine, October 21, 1876 :—" Dickson, Brown & Tail's Eclipse Cauliflower.— This is a superb variety for late supply, and is turning in well at the present time. It grows to a large size, and forms a fine close pure curd, being in respect of appearance a first-rate variety for exhibition. It has the merit also of folding its leaves over the crown, so that it is not soon injured either by strong sunshine or sharp frost. The past sea- son tried Cauliflowers severely, and Eclipse came through the trial so well that cultivators may be properly advised to give this variety a trial. Late Cauliflowers are of immense import- ance, and those that best bear extremes of weather must be made note of.— i". H." A Correspondent in The Garden, October 21. 1876, reports as follows :—" Eclipse Cauliflower.— After two years" trial against all other sorts I find this Cauliflower to be in every way excellent, and a most useful autumn vegetable. The flavour is sweet and delicate, and the 'flower' mellinE. Even average- It is good at any season. In sealed packets for 2J. &d. in postage stamps. Our General Descriptive CATALOGUE of Vegetable and Flower Seeds is published, and may be had free on application. AVENUE TREES. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS (true), lo to 18 feet high, and girthing 4 to 8 inches at 4 feet from the ground, LIMES, 12 to 20 feet high, and girthing 6 to 10 inches at 4 feet from the ground. POPULUS CANADENSIS NOVA, 15 to 16 feet high, and girthing 6 inches at 4 feet from the ground. ANTHONY WATERER Has to offer many thousands of the above. They may be seen growing at Knap Hill. They are straight, handsome, and well rooted, and altogether the finest Trees of the kind to be found in any nursery in Europe. KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. January 13, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 57 HARRISON'S NEW DWARF LATE BROCCOLI, A VALUABLE INTRODUCTION. We have much pleasure in introducing our NEW DWARF LATE WHITE BROCCOLI, which is undoubtedly the best variety of its class. It is the hardiest Late White Broccoli extant. The heads are close, compact, and beautifully white, remaining longer fit for use than any other variety known, coming into use the beginning of May. The footstalk bemg so remarkably short (the heads almost resting on the ground), affords greater protection from frost, and also enables a much larger quantity to be grown on a given space of ground ; thus proving a great acquisition to those possessing small gardens. The quality is excellent, and embraces everything to be desired in a Broccoli, either for a (ientleman's table or for Market purposes. We have received numerous flattering Testimonials from all parts of the kingdom, where it was grown last season, testifying as to its invaluable merits, a few extracts from which we subjoin : — TESTIMONIALS. ^T From Mr. T. Rabone, Gr. io the Earl of Shrewsbury, May 10, 1876. " Broccoli thus far north has not done well this season, but yours has done the best. Nice compact heads, very white and tender, and worthy of a place in every garden, as "■ akes so little room." ••ovi Mr. G. Brighton, Gr. to Earl Mount Edgcumbe, May II, 1876. ' I have no hesitation in pronouncing your Dwarf Late )ccoIi as being the best late Broccoli I have ever grown. ave had it planted with other late varieties, and it has ved infinitely superior to them all. At the present we 'e some splendid heads." From Mr. J. Simpson, Gr. to Lord Wharncliff. May 5. 1876. ■ We have been cutting your New Broccoli for the last ;lc or ten days, and find it an excellent variety, and one .-■--- There is not a single rs injured ; The heac , compact, ly, therefore, be ] good sized, of a cle; 1 flavour excellent." From Mr. J. Renshaw, Gr. to the Marquis of Anglesea, May 30, 1876. " Your New Dwarf Late Broccoli is very good. Dwarf compact habit, with remarkably solid heads of medium size— just the thing for a gentleman's table." From Mr. Grimsdale, Gr. to tJie Duke of Somerset, " Your New Dwarf Broccoli is the best I ever had. I never saw anything to equal it. It is perfectly hardy, with fine flavour. I cannot speak too highly of it, and am thankful to get it. All that have seen it growing have greatly admired it, with many others." Frojn Mr. Geo. Beech, Gr. to the Marquis of Northampton, May 5, 1876. " I am now cutting your New Broccoli. It is a very late one. I have had it cooked, and pronounce the flavour all that can be desired in a Broccoli. The heads are very firm and of average size, quite hardy, and calculated to stand the winter well. The footstalk of the leaf is very short, it is exceedingly dwarf, and the most compact Broccoli I am acquainted with." The Stock bein^ limited^ we would impress upon our Customers the necessity of senduig in their Orders early to ensure a supply for this season. Price, Retail, Is. 6d. per Packet, or may be had of HURST and SON, 6, Leadenhall Street, E.C. HARRISON & SONS, Seed Growers, LEICESTER, T. H. P. Dennis & Company. Motto, " Art with Economy" as applied to Conservatories. HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS & HOT-WATER HEATING APPARATUS ERECTED AND FITTED IN ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM. ESTIMATES GRATIS. Show Rooms : MANSION HOUSE BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.G., where full-sized Specimens of Greenhouses, &c., and Hot-water Apparatus at work can be inspected.. Works: CHELMSFORD. ESTABLISHED A CENTURY. "-.-^*-/-.. NOW READY, ==^^ WM, ROLLISSON & SONS' " NEW AND GENUINE - ,' -^-■^ Flower Seeds, Vegetable Seeds, Farm Seeds, CAREFULLY SELECTED FROM THE BEST ENGLISH AND FOREIGN STOCKS. SEED CATALOGUE FOR 1877 GRATIS AND POST FREE UPON APPLICATION. 'fi- Also TENS of THOUSANDS of WELL GROWN STOVE, GREENHOUSE and HARDY PLANTS Oi I VERY DESCRIPTION ARE ALWAYS TO BE SEEN AT THE NURSERIES, TOOTING, "j^ _, LONDON, tf,\\'. ;^39!i^«i^^, v^^' v'-ir<|^i 58 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. Fibrous Feat for Orclilds, &c. BROWN FIBROUS PEAT, best quality for Orchids, Stove Plants, &c. , Jib 65. per truck. BLACK FIBROUS PEAT, for Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths. American Plant Beds, 17J. per ton. Delivered on rail at Blackwater. S. E. R., or Farnborough, S. W. R., by the truck-load. Sample sack, 5^. td, each. Fresh SPHAGNUM, loj. f>d. per sack. WALKER AND CO., Farnborough Station, Hants. OCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE^ newly made.— Reduced price, 20 bushels, ds. 8d. ; 100, 20s. : or Truck-load, 40s. Delivered free to any rail in London. J STEVENS AND CO:, Fibre Works, High Street, Battersea, S.W. COCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE Protects from Cold, Frost, &c.— No Russia Mats needed. Use a layer of FIBRE REFUSE. 3d. per bushel, 100 for 205.; truck, 40J., free to any rail or wharf. As supplied to Messrs. Carter & Sons, Veitch & Sons, Bull, Wills, Ewing, Daniels Sons, Herr Schmidt, 'M."HVBENY6YErFibre"Mlke7,'Lausknne Road, Nunhead. Germany ; Martin Muller, Strasburg, MANURE. — Composed of the blood, bone, &c., of animals, which are boiled down and carefully manufactured into a splendid manure on the premises of a large slaughterer. This now famous manure, possessing as it indis- putably does all the properties essential to a first-class manure, has been used with the greatest success by upwards of 500 Florists, Nurserymen, Market Gardeners, and Farmers. Many testimonials. Sent in stout bags free to rail or wharf, Jis. per cwt.,^9 " ' ^ C^ ILAY'S FERTILISER or PLANT FOOD, Conservatory or Open Culture, is composed of the richest ingredients, and contains all the elements which enter into the composition of plants, in such proportions as are necessary for luxurious vegetation. It is extensively used and approved by the principal Florists, Nurserymen, sind Gardeners, and is the most economical and reliable Manure for Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, &c. Sold by Seedsmen. Nurserymen, and Florists, in packets, i^. : and bags, 7^. 6d., 12s., and soj. Works : Temple Mill Lane, Stratford, London, E. O D A M S' M A N U (Te sT FOR ALL CROPS. Manufactured by the NITRO-PHOSPHATE and ODAMS CHEMICAL MANURE COMPANY (Limited) cons.stmg of Tenant- Farmers occupying upwards of 1 50,000 acres of Land C/Ktiniian-ROBERT LEEDS, Keswick Old Hall Norwich Managing Bincttn-— JAMES ODAMS Sub-Manager and Secretary~C. T. MACADAM Chief Office — 109, Fenchurch Street. London E C Western Counties Branch— Queen Street, Exeter Particulars will be forwarded on application to the Secretary, Or may be had of the Local Agents. GISHURST COMPOUND — Used by m.iny of the leading Gardeners s nee 1859 against Red Spider, Mildew, Thrips, Greenfly, and other Blii.,ht in solutions of from i to 2 ounces to the gallon of soft water and of from 4 to 16 ounces as a winter dressing for Vines and Fr t Trees. Has outlived many preparations intended to supersede it Sold Retail by Seedsmen, in Boxes, 15., 3J., and los f^d by PRICE'S PATENT CANDLE COMPANY SIMPSON'S RED SPIDER, THRIPS, &c., ANTIDOTE. Testimonials of the highest order on application. Per quart, condensed, 6j. ; per pint, 3J. til. Supplied to Seedsmen and Chemists. Prepared by JOHN KILINER, Wortley, near Sheffield. RUSSIA MAT MERCHANTS.— Seedsmen, Growers, and other large Buyers, can have the Whole- sale Prices for ARCHANGEL and all kinds of PETERS- BURG MATS, RAFFIA MATS. Etc., on application to MARENDAZ and FISHER, James Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C. EUSSIA MATS, for Covering from Frost, from 30J. to 70J. per 100: packing from soi. GUNNY BAGS, from id. each, delivered free to any Station in London. SUTHERLAND, SON and CO., 11. Fenchurch Buildings, Fenchurch Street, London, E. C. USSIA MATS, for Covering Garden Frames.— ANDERSON'S TAGANROG MATS are the cheapest and most durable. Price List, which gives the size of every class of Mat, forwarded post-free on application. JAS. T. ANDERSON, 7, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, KUSSIAMATS.— A large Stock of Archangel and Petersburg, for Covering and Packing (price on application for Archangel)— Petersburg, 6ar. to loo^. per loo ; superior close-wove. 40s., 50J. and 555. per 100 ; Packing Mats at 20J'. , 301. , and 35J. per 100; and all other descriptions of London, E.G. WOOD TRAINING STICKS and TALLIES.ccramended by Royal Horticultural Society. BAMBOO CANES, RAFFIA for tymg, VIRGIN CORK, ARCHANGEL and other MATS, PACKING MATS, &c. , London, E.C. MetaUlc Hothouse Builder to Her Majesty. HENRY HOPE (late Clark & Hope, formerly Clark), HOTHOUSE BUILDER and HOT-WATER APPARATUS ENGINEER. 55, Lionel Street, Birmingham. Established a.d. iSi8. BOOKS of DESIGNS, 51. each. SSr The Extensive Ranges of Metallic Hothouses in the Royal Gardens, Windsor and Osborne, were executed at this Establishment. E. forrprotectmg Wall Trees from Frost and Insects, &c. 54 and 60 inches wide, any length up to 100 yds. Prices on application. SHAW'S TIFFANY, ELASTIC NET- TING, CANVAS, &c., for Shading, Protecting, and other Horticultural Purposes. For Samples and Prices apply to JOHN SHAW AND CO., 29. Oxford Street. Manchester. Garden Wall Wiring. RHOLLIDAY, PRACTICAL WiREWORKER, • 2A, Portobello Terrace, Notting Hill Gate, London. W.. begs to call the attention of all Gardeners who are about to have iheir Garden Walls Wired to his system of Wiring Walls, as being superior to all others for neatness, strength, and durabilitv. FOR NEATNESS— Because all the Wires are kept perfectly tieht, without the use of the Raidisseur. FOR STRENGTH -Because very much stronger Wire can be used, therefore not liable to be drawn out of the horizontal line by the branches of trees. FOR DURABILITY — Because, being able to use the strong Wire, it is not so likely to be eaten through with the galvanism as the thin Wire, as used in the French system. The above engraving is an Example of our system of Wiring Garden Walls. We have recently completed the Wiring of the New Garden Walls for the Marquis of Salisbury, Hatfield House. The Walls are 12 feet high and 753 yards long, wired on both sides ; making a total length of 1506 yards— our system being chosen in preference to any other. Illustrated Catalogues of Garden and Conservatory Wlrework, Rabbit-proof Hurdle Fencing, S:c,, may be had on application The Sole International Prize Medals for GALVANIZED WIRE NETTING Have been awarded to Messrs J B. BROWN AND CO., at the \IENNA E\.HIPITION, 1873, and at the PHILA- DELPHIA CENTENNIAL and INTERNATIONAL EXHiriTin\ lO f. p,, cesperLuual a rf, 24 inches high .-- Sze Mesh. Mostly used for Gauge or Light. Gauge, or Medium. Gauge, or Strong. If in. .Jin. Dogs or Poultiy . SmallRabbi:s,&c. Smallest Rabbits. :: si-/- isl 4ji X8J S\1. 18I 6\d. 17 Sid. IT Sd. *„• Price Lists, with further particulars of WIRE NETT- ING, IRON FENCING, POULTRY FENCES, DIAMOND and other TRELLIS WORK, on application. J. B. BROWN &. CO., Offioes-90, CANNON STREET, LONDON. THE FRENCH SYSTEM OF TRAINING FRUIT TREES, &c. Extreme standards of T or angle iron, tor ends or angles, for straining the wires from, self based ; also stays for these standards, at prices as under : — Intermediate Standards, 10 ft. apart, at half these prices. Painted. Galvd. . .Painted. Galvd. 4K ft. high.. 51. W... 71. 6i. 7 ft. high . . . , Ss.od. ..iis.od. Sft.high.... 6 o .. 8 6 8ft. high.... 9 o ..12 o 6ft. high.... 6 9 .. q 6 1 9 ft. high.. ..10 o ..13 o RAIDISSEURS, for Tightening Wires, one to each wire, 2s. 6d. per doz. Key for winding, 4d. each. SCREWS and NUTS, neater than Raidisseurs, 3s. 6rf. per doz. No. 13 WIRE, 10 inches apart, 2s. 6d. per 100 yards. -,» Prices of Material for WIRING GARDEN WALLS on the FRENCH SYSTEM on application. J. B. BROWN & CO., 90, CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.C, THOMAS'S FITTINGS for WIRING WALLS. NEW and IMPROVED SYSTEM. The following prices give the total cost of each line of wire, in- cluding holdfasts, straining bolt, intermediate guiding eyes, 10 feet apart, and best quality galvanised wire. Length of Wall :— 20 yds. 40 yds. 60 yds. 80 yds. 100 yds No. 14 Gauge Wire 3 8 Illustrated Lists, with full particulars of the abovi Fittings for Espalier Trainers, on very economical principles, Five per cent, discount allowed for prompt cash on orders amounting to aor. and upwards. Special quotations for larger quantities. J. J. THOMAS & CO., PADDINGTON WIREWORKS. 285 and 362, EDGWARE ROAD. LONDON, W. ET. ARCHER'S "FRIGI DOMO."~ • Patronised by Her Majesty the Queen, for Windsor Castle and Frogmore Gardens, the late Sir. J. Paxton,^ and the late Professor Lindley, &c. MADE of PREPARED HAIR and WOOL. A perfect non-conductor of heat or cold, keeping a fixed temperature where it is applied. A good covering for Pits and Forcing Frames. PROTECTION from COLD WINDS and MORNING FROSTS. " FRIGI DOMO " NETTING. 2 yards wide, i^. i,d. and "FRIGI DOMO" CANVAS. 2 yards wide u. xod. per yard run. 3 yards wide 3s. per yard. 4 yards wide ^s. lod. per yard. ELISHA T. ARCHER, only Maker of " Frigi Domo,'* Brockley Road, Forest Hill, London, S.E. ; and of all Florists and Seedsmen. All goods carriage paid to London. NOTICE-REMOVED from 3, CANNON STREET, CITY. Established over a auarter of a Century, Is in use over many thousand miles, And has been awarded the Medals aud highest Commendation of all the leading Agricultural Societies. POWERFUL WINDING STRAINING PILLARS. RIGID INTERMEDIATE IRON POSTS. STRONG .-ind DURABLE WIRE CABLE STRANDS, Forming the most efficient Strained Iron Fencing known for agricultural and general purposes. Continuous Bar Iron Fencing. With bars'securedIby;F.(M.[&SCo.*s Patent Self-locking Joints, which effectually prevent the uprights being pushed aside, and are independent of loose pins, wedges, or staples. IRON ENTRANCE and FIELD GATES, IN WROUGHT AND CAST IRON, Designed for the Mansion, Villa, or Farm, LONDON BRANCH— 1, DELAHAY ST., WESTMINSTER, S.W. January 13, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 59 TOULOUSE GEESE.— Hon. Mrs. Colvile has several good Young GANDERS and GEESE to Dispose of, the same hatches as her prize and highly commended birds. Hon. Mrs. COLVILE, Lnllington, Burton-on-Trent. ILVER-GREY DORKINGS for Sale.— Several good COCKERELS, from the same parents a.s those which took prizes at Derby and Islington, and the highly commended pullet -it Birmingham. Hon. Mrs. COLVILE, Lnllington, Burton-on-Trent. ORTICULTURAL WINDOW GLASS. —A large variety of sizes, 15 oz., 12^. 6(/. ; 21 oz., i6i. bd. per 100 feet. Large sizes, in Cases, for Cutting up, 15 oz. 4ths, 36^.; 3ds, 4fa- per 300 feet, 21 oz. 4ths, 36^- j 3ds, ifis. per 200 feet. Prices forwarded for large and special quantities. ALFRED SYER, Glass, Lead, Zinc, Oil, and Colour Merchant. 8, Pentonville Road, London, N. w. Port U B V good b 7 sheet gla^s pa nted four coat! Port^bfe^BoTv^th°Tvo Lights as ^bove ead 6 feet by 4 feet LIGHTS ONLY. 3 feet by 4 feet Light, not painted nor glazed Ditto glazed, good i6-oz. sheet glass, and painted i. 6 feet by 4 feet, not painted nor glazed . . Ditto glazed and painted four coats Oil Paint No Longer Necessary. This Varnish is door work, while it is fully two-thirds cheaper. duced upwards of thirty years ago by the adve genuine good quality, notwithstanding a host of unprincipled , is fully E may be applied by thinning, and is used cold. It is used in th Windsor Castle, Kew Gardens, and at the seats 1 Gentry, from whom the tly increasing sale. It testimonials have bee forward on application Sold in casks of abc at the Manufactory, 01 Station in the Kingdoi received, which Hill & Sm : 30 gal " Mr. Lloyd Lloyd encloses cheque for £-1, 55. Messrs. Hill & Smith, and he considers the Black Varnish one of the most useful things he ever possessed." Apply to HILL and SMITH. Brierly Hill Ironworks, near Dudley; and 118, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.G., from whom only it can be obtained. CAUTION.— I'i having lately come to the knowledge of Hill & Smith that spurious imitations of this Varnish are being offered by unprincipled dealers at a slight reduction in LAS( i,Li.i':s' i'Aii;\ r r.i:xr wood Cl).\.iLRV,Vil)Ull,;S .i,.a Gia.L.MIilUSES.— All Gardeners know that Wood is bein-r than Iron fr,r Plant Grow- ing, and by the above system a handsome curved house cin be erected as cheaply as a plain straight one. The curved house is more durable, stronger, lighter in con- BELGIAN GLASS for GREENHOUSES, &c., Can be obtained in all sizes and qualities, of BETHAM & SON, 9. LOWER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.G. B. & S. have always a large Stock in London of 20-in. by t1-IE~ PATENT EXCELSIOR LAWN MOWER, The simplest and best ever introduced. Waite, Burnell, Muggins k Co., 228, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.G., Sole Consignees for Great Britain, Ireland and France, have pleasure in submitting the "Excelsior" as pos- sessing the following advantages over other Mowers :— The scaring is all encased. It cannot clog. Its draft is lightest. It needs less repai? Its adjustments simple. Has never been beaten in Competitive Trials. PRICES: (^Including Collecting Boxes) > cut 8 inches . £2 10 o I To cut 14 inches . . £s >5 Catalogues and Trade Terms on application to WAITE, BURNELL, HOGGINS & CO., 223, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.G. PERFECT CURE for SMOKY CHIM- NEYS—The REGISTERED COWL. Made by GEO. HALL, High Street, Worcester. PATENT PORTABLE SMOKELESS STOVES and PATENT FUEL. For Heating Conservatories, Greenhouses, Halls, Passages, ind places without Chimnevs, from i2s. 6d. NASH'S BRONCHITIS KETTLE, loj. 6d. FRETWORK and CARVING FRAMES. SAWS, FILES, PATTERNS and PREPARED WOOD. SWAN NASH, 253, O.'iford Street, W. ; and 4, Newgate Street, E.G. Prospectus free. Hothouses, Hot-water Apparatus, See. HALLIDAY AND CO., Hothouse FACTURERS. Estimates and Plans free. Best Construction ! Best materials ! Best workmanship ! Catalogues free. Offices. Barton Arcade. Ma FOWLER'S PATENT STEAM PLOUGH and CULTIVATOR may be SEEN at WORK in every Agricultural County in England. For particulars apply to JOHN FOWLER AND CO., 71, Cornhill, London, E.G., and Steam Plough Works, Leeds. JAMES LYNE HANCOCK'S Improved India-rubber Socket-rings JOINTS of HOT-WATER PIPES. Description A. The Rubber Ring a n. The Ring before ii These Rings are made any size to order. All ordinary s kept in stock. Illustrated Price List en application. J. L. HANCOCK, VULCANISED INDIA RUBBER WORKS 266 GOSWELL ROAD LONDON E C AVEIGHT'S PATENT ENDLESS-FLAME-IMPACT HOT-WATER BOILER. For prices and full particuUrs please see our pamphlet, entitled " Our Boilers and Heating," which will be handed post-free on application. WILLIAM WRIGHT & CO., HOT-WATER ENGINEERS, AIRDRIE, N.B. STEVENS' TRENTHAM GREENHOUSE BOILER. After long evper ence has proved the most SIMPLE ECONOMICAL, EFFECTUAL, and LASTING BOILER extant ; recently improved. For Illustrations, with full par- ticulars, apply to the Sole Makers, F. a J. SILVESTER. HOT-WATER ENGINEERS, &c., &c.. Castle Hill Works, Newcastle, Staffordshire. ^f Our Boilers are the ONLY ones made with the sanction and under the inspection of the inventor, Mr. Stevens— all others being base imitations. .872. N EXTRAORDINARY BOILER.— - During the Great Boiler Contest at Birmingham, in )r twelve hours (from 9 P.M. to 9 A.M.), it still retained its heat in 1000 feet of 4-inch pipes, and yet had more than i bushel of fire drawn from its hours of continuous firing What a boon to Gardeners. Ihis was THE CHAMPION, Deards' Patent Close Coil Boiler, for Drawings and Prices of which send two stamps to Messrs. DEARDS, Boiler Works, Harlow, who now have their Boilers at work in every county of England e.xcept three. Amateurs will also find THE WONDER, a smaller kind of Boiler, equally as satisfactory, and certainly " the best thing" out. Awarded five First Prize Sliver Medals. AGRICULTURAL LOCOIVIOTIVES, STEAM PLOUGHING MACHINERY, ROAD LOCOMOTIVES, TRAMWAY LOCOMOTIVES, STEAM ROAD ROLLERS. For Prices, Description, and Reports of Working, apply to the Manufacturers, AVELING & PORTER. ROCHESTER. KENT: 72. CANNON ST.. LONDON. E.C. : and 9, AVENUE MONTAIGNE, PARIS. AvEUNG & Porter's ENGINES have gained the highest Prizes at every important International Exhibition. The two Medals for Progress and Merit were awarded them at Vienna for their STEAM ROLLERS and ROAD LOCOMOTIVES ; and at the last trials of the Royal Agricultural Society of England their AGRICULTURAL LOCOMOTIVES gained the First Prize after exhaustive trials, when one of their lo-horse power Engines, fitted with single slide and ordinary hnk- raotion, indicated 35-horse power, with a consumption of three and one-fifth pounds ofcoa I per horse-power per hour. ONES'S rVTENT "DOUBLE L These Boiler^ possess all the advantages^ of the old Saddle Boiler, with the following improvements — viz. , the water-space at back and over top of saddle increases the heating surface to such an extent that a " PATENT DOUBLE L SADDLE BOILER" will do about twice the amount of work with the same of fuel the cost of setting is also considerably reduced and likewise the occupied ; at the same time these Boilers pie in construction and being made of wrought iron are lie to crack They ire made of the following sizes :— Si.es To heat of 4-in. Pipe. Price. High Wide Long. Feet. £ s. d. 300 700 400 500 9 0 0 8 2S 0 0 Larger sizes if required. From Mr. Charles Young, Nurseries, Balham Hill, S.W., May 29, 1873. " Having given your Patent ' Double L' Boilers a fair trial at my Nurseries. I beg to say that they are most satisfactory. economical of all boilers ; they will burn the refuse of other tubular boilers I have in work." PRICE LISTS of HOT-WATER PIPES .and CONNEC- TIONS, with Boilers, of all sizes and shapes; or ESTIMATES for HOT-WATER APPARATUS, erected complete, will be sent on application. J. JONES AND SONS, Iron Merchants, 6, Bankside, South- wark, London, S.E. When ordering Boilers please refer to the above advertisement, 6o THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 13, 1877. GEORGE'S PATENT CALORIGEN, Warming and Ventilating Small Conservatories. itheC Made in Wrought Iron . £3 Zs. Made in Copper ;^5 Height, 28 inches ; dia- It will be found very valuable in the Nursery oi Sick Room, Damp Build- ings, Conservatories. Offices, &c. Exhibited _ at the Exhibition of 1871 ■^-m (Department of Scientific Illustrated Prospectuses and Testimonials on application. J. F. EARWIG AND CO.. 36, Queen Street. Cheapside, E.G. This Stove introduces a strong current of warmed (not burnt) fresh air. LIMEKILN HEATING. This System of HEATING WINTER GARDENS, CONSERVATORIES, ORANGERIES, FERNERIES, VINERIES, FORCING HOUSES, PINERIES, CU- CUMBER, MELON and MUSHROOM HOUSES, STOVES, PITS, &c.— also for WARMING MANSIONS, PUBLIC BUILD- INGS, FACTORIES, &c., is steadily making progress in public estimation, effecting as it does Great Economy of Fuel and Steadiness of Heating Power, and rendering the hitherto onerous duties of Stoker comparatively light— no night stoking whatever being necessary. List of Places where the System is in Opera- tion, with full address in each case, will be sent post-free on application. Gentlemen and Gardeners wishing to adopt this System will then be enabled to view the Apparatus nearest to their own Establishments, or write to the Gardener, and thus get inde- pendent testimony as to the value of this method of Heating. Estimates will be submitted, on recept of pa ticulars,free of charge. Full Particulars Post-free. Cowan Patents Company (Limited), 21, WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON, S.W., and The Vineyard, Garston, near Liverpool. GREEN'S PATENT Wrought-iron Hot-water Boilers, With Shelves and Hollow date Bars. Specially adapted for heating Grt "■ • 1, Chapels, Schools, Pub Halls, Warehouses, Workshops, tflim ElEVfflum loHClIUWNAL SECTION application to THOMAS GREEN and SON, Smithfield Iroiuvorks, Leeds ; and 54 and 55, Elackfriars Road, London, S.E. THE THAMES BANK IRON COMPANY, Old Barge Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London, HOT WATER BOILERS SURREY SIDE, ELACKFRIARS BRIDGE. PIPES. CONNECTIONS. ^^ _ [(" NEW PATENT "CLIMAX" BOILER (1874). See p. 666, 1S74, Gardeners' Chronicle. "GOLD MEDAL" BOILER (Birmingham, 1872). PATENT "EXCELSIOR" BOILER (1871). 1^" The lary,est and most complete Stock in the Trade ; upwards 0/ Twenty Thousand Pounds' worth choose I ' WITLEY COURT" BOILER (Silver Medal 1872). ' TRENTHAM IMPROVED " BOILER, with Water- way End and Smolce Consumer. 'TUBULAR," and every other Boiler of known merit 2/ Contest, MILL'S PATENT AUXILIARY FUEL ECONOMISER, ached to any ordinary Boiler. These Tubes are the greatest Economisers of Fuel and Preservativi /er yet introduced to the public. P'ire-Bars, and Furnace Fronts STAINTON'S NEW PATENT FROST DEPyiNO LIQUID (868 "Gardeners' CUroulcle," Aug. 19, 1876). HOT-WATER APPARATUS ERECTED COMPLETE. PRICE LIST on application; or, Si.\ Stamps for DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, 4th Edition. W. G. SMITH & CO, HORTICULTURAL ENGINEERS, Victoria Worl3iOUSE TREES, Fruiting in Pots :— Peaches. Nectarines, Plums, Pears, Apples, Figs, To the Trade. HAND F. SHARPE'S Special Priced LIST • of HOME-GROWN GARDEN and AGRICUL- TURAL SEEDS of 1876 growth, is now ready, and may be had on application. Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. To Fruit and Fish Salesmen, &o. GREEN PARSLEY.— Five Tons to be Disposed of. Parties wishing to purchase the same, to be delivered weekly, will do well to apply to JOHN SALSBURY, Market Gardener, King's Newton near Derby.. To the Trade. TAMES BIRD, Nurseryman, Downham, has - - ■ ■ MAYDUKE CHERRIES. ready Fel JOHN LAING and CO., Nu Forest Hill, E.G. Home-saved Scotch Fir Seed. WILLIAM WISEMAN and SON i-yr. i-yr. SCOTCH and LARCH. Prices on application. Grove Terrace and Friars' Haugh Nurseries. Elgin. N.B. sowing at present, or spring coming, guaranteed free from soil or other mixture, and thoroughly well preserved. About 30 tons on band. For lowest prices .^ppIy to GRANT AND CO., Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. THORNS. — 3,000,000 of Strong, transplanted. RUSH AND YEATS. Eaton Road and Queen's Park Nurseries. Chester. OAKS, 3 to 4 and 3 to 5 feet. Price on .application to EDWARD HOLMES. Whittington Nursery, Lichfield. SPANISH CHESTNUT, ASH, LARCH, and ALDER, stout, well-rooted, transplanted.— A large tiuantity to be Sold at low prices.-G. CHORLEY, Midhurst. 66 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. SALES BY AUCTION. M Plants and Bulbs. R. J. C. STEVENS will SELL, by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms. 38, King Street, Garden, W.C, on WEDNESDAY, January 24, at ROSES, Specimen CONIFERS, and Ornamental SHRUBS, CAMELLIAS, HERBACEOUS PLANTS, GLADIOLI, LILIUMS, &c. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. M^ ary : past 12 o'clock precisely, several thousands of fine hSulbs ot LILIUM AURATUM, just arrived from Japan in good condition ; also a quantity of rare LILIES, including L. poly- phyllum, L. dalmaticum, L. Erownii, L. Wallichianum, and many other choice sorts ; also a quantity of fine Bulbs of LILIUM SPECIOSUM, GLADIOLI, &c. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. L Mart, ToKenliouse Yard. E.G. UNRESERVEDSALEofabout 4000 LILIUM AURATUM, unusually large roots, nches in circumference, just rived from Japan : M of GLADIOLI, eminent French grower, including several new and beautiful varieties; also some rare ENGLISH GROWN LILIES, and other HARDY BULBS. ESSRS. PROTHEROE AND MORRIS U SELL the above by AUCTION, at the Mart, MONDAY, January 22, be had at the Heatlierslde Nurseries, BagBhot, Surrey. MESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS will SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises, as above, on THURSDAY and FRIDAY, January 25 and 26. at 12 o'clock precisely each day, without reserve, a further portion of the valuable NURSERY STOCK, comprising, in addition to a choice assortment of specimen Evergreen, Coniferai, and other choice Border Plants, millions of rooted layers of choice named Rhododendrons, Aucubas, Andromedas. Azaleas, Moss and other Roses, Magnolias, Filberts, Limes, S:c., 50,000 common Laurels, 50,000 Scotch Fir, 9 to 15 inches ; 30,000 Austrian Pines, &c. May be viewed prior to the Sale. Catalogues had of the Auctioneers and Estate Agents, 98, Gracechurch Street, E.C., and Leytonstone, E, The valuable FREEHOLD ESTATE to be SOLD. Apply to the Auctioneers as above. 10 BE SOLD, a FLORIST'S BUSINESS, - Four Greenhouses, Two long Ranges of Pil Tc W. J. G., Swiss Cottage, 140, Loughborough Road, i,S.W. The Best CucumDer In Cultivation. SUTTON'S DUKE OF CONNAUGHT —From Mr. Robeet Draper. Gr. tc the Right Hon Earl Vane, yw/r 29.— " Your new frame C' Connaughf ■''•■■' Duke of best kind I ever saw ; suitable for exhibition." hd. per packet. SUTTON AND SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, Reading. M ANGEL WURZE L.— 200 Tons for Sale. Apply to R. BATH, Crayford. Kent. ALDERS.— Fine Stout stuff, 3 to 4 and JOHN HILL, Spot Acre Nurseries, near Stone, St.afford- shire. To tlie Trade. ANETTI STOCKS, extra clean stuff, fit Dwarf ROSES on Manetti, extra fine plants and first-class sorts, my selection, 30S. per lOo, £,\'2 per looo. SEAKALE, strong, 40J. per 1000 : if forced will throw some good Kale. For Cash only with orders.— RICHARD LOCKE, Alexandra Nurseries and Rose Farms, Red Hill, Surrey. M HOLLIES and YEWS.— Hollies, Green, 4 inches to 4 feet : variegated do., i to 5 feet. Yews, English, I to 5 feet ; Cedrus Deodara, 4 to 6 feet ; Picea Nord- manniana, 4 to 5}4 feet ; PInus Pinsapo, 3 to 5 feet. To be Sold cheap to clear the ground. W. TRIGG, Hook Hill, Woking Station. ASPARAGUS, Giant and Connover's Colossal, fine plants, strong and extra strong, for plant- ing and forcing. Also several kinds of POTATOS for plant- ing. Kinds and Prices on application to JOHN AND GEORGE McHATTIE, Seed Merchants, Chester. To tne Trade. CUCUMBER (Telegraph) SEED.— Fine true stock. Price on application. HOLLIES, Green, a few hundred, 9 to 15 inches, los. per 100. Cash with order. J. AND G. LOWE, Uxbrldge. BROCCOLI, Mitchinson's Penzance Winter white, 2j. dd. per ounce or if. per packet, free per post. Wholesale Price on application to J. G. MITCHINSON, Seed Stores, 9, Chapel Street, me Best Late Broccoli. BROCCOLI, Christie's Self-protecting Late White. — Pronounced by all who have seen it as the finest self-protecting Broccoli in cultivation. Price per packet, antity to offer to the Trade, price on ^''edmun w applica HyaclntliB.— Choice Named Sorts. M. CUTBUSH and SON have a few hundreds of their splendid HYACINTHS left, which To tne Trade. JAMES GARAWAY and CO., Durdham Down Nurseries, Clifton, Bristol, have to offer : — PEACHES and NECTARINES, standard maiden, in leading varieties, clean and well grown, 24J. per dozen. FILBERTS, best varieties, good, 3M. per 100. CURRANTS, Black, strong and c VERBENAS, VERBENAS, VERBENAS. —Strong, well-rooted, healthy cuttings, perfectly free Ti disease. White, Purple, Scarlet and Pink, 65. per 100, . per 1000. 100 rooted cuttings, in 12 distinct and beautiful icties, first prize flowers, for Sj-. Terms cash. H. BLANDFORD.The Dorset Nurseries, Blandford. PALMS for TABLE DECORATION.— Twelve distinct choice sorts, ready to pot on into 5-inch pots, 215. Established in that size about 2 feet high, fit for immediate decoration, 42J. and 635., according to sorts. A large and valuable collection of exhibition specimens, from zu. each. Packages gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. LARGE TREE BOX and EVERGREEN HOLLY. — Handsome, bushy, and well-rooted, will transplant with good balls of earth, 5, 6, 7, and 8 feet high. Tree Box lives under trees better than any other Evergreen To tlie Seed Trade. OUR WHOLESALE CATALOGUE is now ready, and may be had on application. A copy has been posted to all our Customers, if not received an early intimation will oblige. MINIER, NASH and NASH, 60, Strand, London. Seeds, Seeds, Seeds, 1877. VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, delivered carriage free. Priced and Illustrated Descrip- tive CATALOGUE free by post on application. DICKSON AND ROBINSON, Seed Merchants, 12, Old Millgate, Manchester. PEAR STOCKS.— The Subscribers have a quantity of above to remove at once, and beg to offer them at the following very low prices : — 3-yr. transplanted, fine, 25J. per 1000. 3-yr. seedling, fine, 55. per tooo. THOMAS METHVEN and SONS, Leith Walk Nurseries, Edinburgh. To tlie Trade. PEACHES, CHERRIES, APPLES, and PEARS, splendid dwarf-trained ; finer plants cannot be Uckfield, Sussex. To the Trade. MESSRS. LEVAVASSEUR and SON, NUBSERV.MEN, Ussy, Cal^idos, France, have an immense Stock of Seedling FOREST TREES, Hardy, Coniferous, and other SHRUBS, for transplanting and UESma' • • • '^ AND SC London, E.G. TWELVE BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDS, 42J., established plants of fine sorts, as Cattleya citrina. Ljclia autumnalis, Laelia albida, Odontoglossum, Dendrobium, and upwards of fifty other sorts. They have all made fine growth JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. AUSTIN AND McASLAN ■^-^ GLASGOW. Established 1727. GARDEN »nd IMPLEMENT (64 pages) CATALOGUE, Free on application. CAMELLIAS, 500, from 2\ to 5 feet, of all the leading kinds, in fine bushy, healthy, well-grown the leading kinds, well ripsned, 3oi. per dozen. LISTS on application. HENRY WALTON, Edge End, Brierfield, near Burnley. To tlie Trade. Standard APPLES, PEARS. PLUMS, and CHERRIES. , London, S.W. From Paris.— Roses, Paeonles, CamelUaa. T ^VEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen -LJ 26, Rue du Lie'gat, I\Ty-sur-Seine, near Paris, hav^ many thousand ROSE TREES, Standards, Half-standards. Dwarfs, and on own root-New and Old sorts. LfiVfiQUE AND SON respectfully solicit Gentlemen and Nurserymen visiting Paris to inspect their Stock, the largest in SPLENDID PYRAMID CAMELLIAS, price i2j. to 50J. each ; small, 2^. bd. to loj. CATALOGUES and LISTS on application. From Paris.— Large Bulbs of Gladioli Seedlings, AND NAMED SORTS. LEVEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen, 26, Rue du Liegat, Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris, have many thousand strong, healthy Flowering BULBS of GLADIOLI. The Seedling Bulbs are particularly recom- mended— their flowers equal to the named sorts (seeds have been taken from the best sorts of the collection). GLADIOLI, Seedlings, Zs. per loo, .£3 per 1000, £iQ.(> per 10,000 ; mixed white, red, pink. Separate colours, i2j. to 10s. per 100; yellow, 245-. per 100. Named sorts per 100, 10 sorts, los. ; 25 sorts, 205'. : 50 or 100 sorts (the best), from 255. to £,(}, less The Best Scarlet-fleBhed Melon. QUTTON'S HERO OF BATH. O -From Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gr. to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley.— " I consider your Hero of Bath the best scarlet-fleshed Melon yet in commerce, being A i in quality, appearance, and productiveness. His Lordship, who previously had a prejudice against scarlet-fleshed Melons, pronounces this From Mr. Thomas Lockie, Gr. to the Right Hon. Lord Otho Fitzgerald, August 27.—" I consider your Hero of Bath Melon the best II ' ' . - ■ gro^vn of the ! Seedsmen, Reading. ROBERT AND GEORGE NEAL, Wandsworth Common, Upper Tooting, and Garrett These I forest, fruit, and ROSES, and SHRUBS, all of which are in a most healthy and fit condition for removal. A personal inspection invited. CATALOGUES free on application. The Nurseries are within a few minutes' walk of the Clapham Junction and Wands>vorth Common Railway Stations. New Catalogue of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants. TAMES BACKHOUSE and SON, O York.— This is now in the printer's hands, and will be issued shortly. It will be found to contain many choice novelties ; among which are a new Snowdrop (probably the finest of all), a red-chequered Golden Fritillary, two new Crocuses, a first-class dwarf Campanula, Polygala Chamaebuxus purpurea, Iberis petrsea, &c. Will be sent on application as Shallot Seed- D AVIS' PRIZE JERSEY.-A true Shallot, of immense size and e.xceedingly mild ; with ordinary treatment bulbs have been grown 10 and even 12 inches in circumference— by far the best method of growing the Shallot. Treatment same as Onions. Price i.r. per packet. May be had of all Seedsmen in sealed packets, and Wholesale of Messrs. HURST and SON, 6, Leadenhall Street, London, E.G.. R. DAVIS. Nursery and Seed Warehouse. Yeovil. A ^ E N U E TREES Ghestnut. 2 kinds, 8 to 12 feet. I Poplars, 3 kinds. S to Elms, 6 kinds. S to 12 feet. Sycamores, 3 kinds, S Oaks, 2 kinds, 8 to 12 feet. Sorbiis, 3 kinds, 8 to Laburnum, 2 kinds, 8 to 12 ft. | Limes, S to 12 feet. Hornbeam, 8 to 12 feet. All the above are very fine and very cheap. CHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot. N^ WEBB'S PRIZE COB FILBERTS, and other PRIZE COB NUTS and FILBERTS. LISTS of these varieties from Mr. WEBB, Calcot, Reading. WEBB'S NEW GIANT POLYANTHUS, Florist Flower, and GIANT COWSLIP SEEDS : also Plants ot all the varieties, with Double PRIMROSES of different colours ; AURICULAS, both Single and Double : with every sort of Early Spring Flowers, LIST on application. Mr. WEBB, Calcot, Reading. SPIRAEA (HOTEIA) JAPONICA, very • ' - - ■ foreign, ^ic strong clumps for forcing, equal if not superior t SP"IR;«A PALMATA, fine crowns forforcing, 75J. ; smalle: 'cHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot. Planting Season. E BURGESS beg5 to ofter the following : « —Strong Standard and Pyramid PEARS. ROSES, Evergreen and Deciduous Flowering SHRUBS, English OAK, ELMS, and LIMES, up to 10 feet, LARCH, and Spruce FIRS. Prices on application. The Nurseries, London Road, Cheltenham. CATALOGUES. — His Excellency Pierre Wolkenstein will feel greatly obliged if Nurserymen and Seedsmen will kindly send him their Catalogues. They should SEEDS— SEEDS-ALL KINDS.— Before ordering your Seeds, send for Illustrated CATALOGUE, which contains full Directions, How, When and What to Sow. PENGILLEY a*id POOL (successors to the Heatherside Nurseries Company), 59, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.G. R' Asparagus, Asparagus, Asparagus. OBERT AND GEORGE NEAL have the offer in large or small quantities, i-yr., 3-yr., The Nurseries, Wandsworth t Foster's Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield Court Mrs. Pince, Dr. Hogg, Waltham Cross, 2j. 6rf., 31. 6(/., 5J. each ; Venn's Black Mu ' " . - . . - : and Pearson's Golden Qui hybrid perpetual, best sorts, ^s. per do. ROSES, 50 J. per TOO. APPLES, PEARS, PLUMS, and CHERRIES, pyramids, STRAWBERRY, Garibaldi, ;oJ., 7^. 6(/. per 100 ; Vicomtess( »er dozen, 3^. dd. per 50, 51. SON, The Oldfield Nurseries, January 20, 1877.J THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 67 me Best Medium and Late Kidney Potato In CULTIVATION. MITTON'S MAGNUM BONUM. 5 A remarkably good cooking Potato. Almost entirely free from disease. Indispensable for show purposes. ■om Mr. J. P. Belliss, Gr. ^o Major Thoyis, Sn/Aatn/sfeaef, Nov. 15, 1876. ' I bought of you in March, 1876, i lb. of Magnum Bonum tatos. cut them iflto 50 sets, and planted them 3 feet apart. Le haulm covered every foot of ground, and I am convinced ' t square was not more room than was necessary, being ■ing variety. I lifted the crop in October, and [ dug 21 lb., and altogether 276 lb. of good sound Price 5J. per peck. iqs. 6d. per bushel. SUTTON'S DESCRIPTIVE LIST of choice Seed Potatos strong grownig SUTTON Af Calceolarias (Jamea). CANNELL begs to announce that he ► has a splendid stock of the following, established just ready for shifting : — CALCEOLARIAS, ts. gd. per dozen. PRIMULAS. 2S. td. per dozen. CINERARIAS, ^s. 6d. per dozen. >r. IS. per dozen less, and post-free. Special prices per 100 o. H. CANNELL, Swanley, Kent. WILLIAM HOLMES has to offer the following : — JASMINUM NUDIFLORUM, in pots, strong, sm. per ico. IVIES, Irish, per 1 alternanthera"amcena,"iw. „ PARONYCHIOIDES, 81. per loc Frampton Park Nursery, Hackney, London, E. Surplus Nursery Stock— Special offer to the Trade, FOR CASH, BY M A L L E R , B VINES, strong, 36^. per dozen. ERICAS, ventricosa and hybrida, in 48-pots, at 12^. per dozen, 80J. per 100. CHERRIES, dwarf-trained, strong, iSj. and 24^. per dozen. NECTARINES, dwarf-trained, strong, 24J. per dozen. ROSES, Standard, 2 to 3 feet stems, with fine heads, 60J. E DWARD TAYLOR, NURSERYMAN, Malton, Yorkshire, will be glad to quote special prices ' ■ ' ■■ ■ application :— YEWS, Enslish, ^ to =K and s^ GOOSEBERRIES, loo choice s CURRANTS, Red and Black, i; PRIVET, Evergreen, iK to s fe PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS, d« TRITOMA UVARIA and GRANDIFLORA. CATALOGUES gratis and post-free. ROSES, Dwarf, 4s. per dozen, 25J. per i PEACHES and NEC -" ■ JECTARINES, dwarf-trained. RHODODENDRONS, Hybrid named, fine, with buds, forcing or grouping, iJ4 to 3 feet, ar^. per do; effect, . per dozen. through, 42s. per dozen, 1,00s. pei „ Seedling, r^ to;-" ' „ PONTICUM, iH to a feet, bushy, 61. per dozen, 35J. KALMIA LATIFOLIA, i to i^ foot, buds, for potting, ANDROMEDA' FLo'rIBUNDA, buds, for potting, 751. ERICA CARNEA, very fine, 211. per 100. SOFT-WOODED and OTHER PLANTS, of good quality, true to name, and very cheap. Begonias, tuberous, to name, gs. per dozen ; B. FrosbelU, IS. 6rt. each; Begonias, flowering, of sorts, Abutilons of sorts, 4J, per dozen ; Fuchsias, twelve sorts, 3^. ; Chrysanthemums, twelve sorts, 35. ; Coleus, twelve sorts, 3s. ; Pentstemons, twelve sorts, 3^, ; Phloxes, twelve sorts, 3^. ; Heliotropes in variety, is. 6d. per dozen ; Ageratums, is. per dozen ; Lantanas, in sorts, -^s. per dozen ; Salvias, in sorts, 3^. per dozen ; Carna- tions and Picotees, 6^. per dozen ; Show Pinks and Pansies, ^s. per dozen ; Mimulus, in variety, 3^. per dozen ; Saxifragas and Sedums in variety, 3s. ; Trop^olums, in variety, -^s. per dozen ; Paeonies, Delphiniums and Potentillas, 9^. per dozen ; Pyreth- CHARLES LEE AND SON (Successors to Messrs. John & Charles Lee), of the Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, \V., beg to announce that in con- sequence of the Retirement of Mr. John Lee from the business. the Public both theYr'e" supply with regards quaiiiy ana price, wim a view 10 a more exiensive production of Stove and Greenhouse Plants of the best quality they intend to almost entirely rebuild their extensive ranges of Glass on a new site, a portion of the old Nursery being taken up for building purposes. All orders to be addressed to CHARLES LEE and SON, Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, W. , where the general business of the Nursery and Seed Trade will be carried on ; or to Mr. DIXON, Feltham Nursery ; Mr. CANNON, Ealing Nursery; Mr. WEBB, Arboretum, and Mr. MARSLEN, Wood Lane, Is' NEW SEED CATALOGUE For SPRING, 1877. All intending Purchasers of choice Kitchen Garden or Flower Seeds should send for a copy of the Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners, which will be found the most complete, useful, and beautiful Seed Catalogue ever published. Price Is., Post-free. Gratis to Customers or iiitcndino Purchasers. The Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners, Spring, 1877, Contains 112 pages of beautifully illustrated Letterpress, with two superbly finished Coloured Plates, Original Articles on the Rearing and Cultivation of various Garden Crops and Flowers, and complete Instructions for the successful Management of the Kitchen and Flower Gardens throughout the year, together with a Select List of choice Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds, Seed Potatos, &o. The most practical and comprehensive Guide for the Amateur j et issued, and should be read by every one havmg a garden OPINIONS FROM THE PRESS. e thing mor atalogue of seeds and ; the most copious and carefully or horticulture. The Guide is quite a work of art as well as a compendium of garden woxV."— Nor/oik " The calendar for the kitchen garden will be found most useful. The hints for the rotation of crops are at once compre- hensive and practical." — Land and Water. " The most chaste and beautiful catalogue we have ever seen." — Lloyd's London News, " The flower garden calendar, written expressly for this publication, will be especially useful for all lovers of flowers."— T/ie Record. " Profusely illustrated, and the coloured plates are quite beyond the average of book [l\ustrations."~Livi:r/ool Mercury. DANIELS BBOS., The Royal Norfolk Seed Establishment, SPECIMEN AZALEAS (Winter flowers).— An abundance of splendid flowers can be had in a week or two, or at once, by purchasing a few Specimen Azaleas, now opening flower. The plants are from 2 to 3 feet over, perfect shape, some hundreds of flowers and buds, which will last for months at this time of the year. All new and valuable sorts, sjs., 31J. 6d., and 42J. each, according to size and sorts. Eighteen plants only are for Sale. They are all worth double L ILIUM AURATUM.— Fine Bulbs of this "Queen of Lilies" can now be supplied at 6d., qd., 15., and IS. 6d. each; splendid English-grown Bulbs, is., is. 6(f., 2s. and 2J. 6d. each. Sample of two bulbs, postage 6d. extra ; more cannot be sent by post. Good and varied selection of Lilies I2S., 24,s., and 30J. per dozen. Price List on application. Post-office orders payable at Fenchurch Street, E.C. WILLIAM GORDON, Lily, Bulb, and Plant Importer, To ExhlDitora and Otliers. THE following SPECIMEN PLANTS, in fine health and condition, from the plant-houses of a Gentleman relinquishing their growth for the cultivation of Grapes, wiUbe Sold cheap. '' ■ -■ - ^^^^- -:— - ■- '— i of trellis : undifoha, -i Ptychosperma Cunninghamii, Clerodendron Balfourianum ij^ foot stem, 3 — 3 feet speciosum, 2% by 2 fronds Chamxrops excelsa, 2% by 2]^ Phcenix dactylifera. Cissus discolor, 2% by 2 Euphorbia splendens, z^ by Ficus Parcellii. 2 by 2 fi^ tr. Hoya carnosa, 3 by tJ4 tr. Jasminum Sambac, aj^ by 2 STEPHEN BROWN, Se. Weston-super-Mare. Rondeletia speciosa Thunbergia laurifoli: Plant Establishment, STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA.— Strong specimen plants of a very free-flowering variety, 10s. 6d. each : smaller, but fine half specimens, which will produce abundance of flower early, the buds just appearing on some, -js. 6d. each, 63J. per dozen ; in 48-pots (flowered last summer), 30s. per dozen. This offer is for six weeks only, to make room, the plants being worth double the money. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. To tlie Trade.— Sandringham Early Kidney Potato. HAND F. SHARPE have secured a fine • stock of the above excellent POTATO, which is pronounced to be not only the earliest, but the most prolific, and the finest quality in cultivation. Being very short in the haulm It is peculiarly adapted for forcing purposes. Price and further particulars may be had on application. Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. To Pxircliasers of Large Quantities, MarJcet GARDENERS and OTHERS. SUTTON AND SON can offer true stocks of the following Peas at \ "sUTTON'IVmPROVED early champion, thel and most productive in cultivation. Sutton's Ringleader I Advancer Daniel O'Rourke Sutton's Racehorse Fortyfold \ Champion of England 1 Veitch's Perfectioi ;nd other leading kind SD SONS, Seed Gro» Readir Rhododendrons. MATTHEWS and SON, Milton Nurseries, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, have to offer RHODODENDRONS, loo.ooo, fine bushy plants, thinly grown and well-rooted. SPLENDIDUM, 10,000, white, i to I'A foot, 37J. 6/1. CAUCAsiCUM PICTUM, ro,ooo, light scarlet, 1 to JACiCSONIirsSleT ifoot,4oy. per 100; . to rj^ HYBRIDS, from all le choicest named varieties, i I to 1}^ foot, 30!. per too; ij PONTICUM, 10 to 12 inches, sor. per 1000 ; i 00 ; .5 to 18 inches, rsi. per Jt0 2.inches.V per 100 ; 5 to 3 f==t. 5os. per CUPRESSUs'^ LAWSONIANA, fine Ornamental Lawns or Wood Planting as shelter for Game, Garden Fencing, z to 3 feet, 30J. per 100 : 3 to ASH, Mountain, !}'i to 3H feet, 255. per 1000. BOX, Tree, CURRA^TsT quantity of' strong Black Grape. CATALOGUES of all other Nursery Stock free on U R P L U S STOCK. CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA, green and well-rooted, 6 feet, THUJOPSIs'BORE'ALIS,''t\ai'i^ianted last spring, a to sM feet, 7^. per dozen, 50J. per 100. YEWS, common, 2 feet, 30.S. per 100. LIMES, straight, stout, and well-rooted, 6 feet, 4^. per dozen, HOLLIES, Green, bushy, and well-rooted, i}4 to 2 feet, 25J. SKIMmTa JAPONICA, cvtra transplanted, nice bushes, 10 inches high, with flower-buds, 4^. per dozen, ass. RHODODENDRON PRECOX, bushes, covered with flower- buds, iS^. per dozen. AZALEA MOLLIS, seedlings, about 6 inches, very bushy, 6s. RHUBARn. Victoria, large roots, for forcing, 25J. per 100. GREENHOUSE AZALEAS, small, 71. per dozen; fine flowering pUnts (including many novelties), 15s. to 24J. 68 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. TO THE TRADE. HURST & SON, 6, LEADENHALL STREET, LONDON, E.G., Beg to announce that they have again secured the ENTIRE STOCK of SEED of the PRIZE QUILLED ASTERS, so successfully exhibited for several years past by Mr. G. Wheeler, Warminster, and now offer the same in Collections of 12, 18, and 24 varieties. For Prices see Addenda to CATALOGUE, which will be forwarded to our Customers. Those whom it may not reach will oblige by applying for a copy. The Gardeners' Chronicle of September 4, 1875, remarking on the Royal Horticultural Society's Exhibition, says ; — "Amongst the Asters nothing was shown equal to the samples staged by Mr. G. Wheeler, of Warminster, which were grandly finished flowers. He took the First Prizes easily in the Classes for 24 French and 24 German or Quilled varieties." HURST & SON, LEADENHALL STREET, LONDON. E.G. Complete Liberal Collections of pHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS, vy 15s., 215., 425., 635.. and 105J. each, caniage paid. As my new and choice seeds are now in large demand, please order early. SPECIALITIES:— CAULIfLOWER, Veitch's Autumn Giant, true, is. 6d. per packet. LEITUCE. Alexandra Cos, true, ij. per packet. ONION, Cantello's Prize, true, ii. per packet. BROCCOLI, Leamington, finest late, ir. erf. per packet. CABBAGE, Alpha, fine, large, and early, is. per packet. CATALOGUE of New and Choice Seeds on application. R. B. M'COMBIE, Grower of Choice Seeds, &c., Christ- church, Hants. Yeovil Nursery.— Late E. Pierce. BR. DAVIS, having taken this Nursery, • offers the following :-Extra fine, well-rooted BEECH, 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 feet : LIMES, CHESTNUTS, ELMS, &c , 10 to 12 feet : MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA. Exmouth variety ; BOX, Minorca, Tree, and varieg.-ited, ^% to 5 feet ; KIR, Spruce, 2j< to 3M feet. Prices and particulars on application to B. R. DAVIS (late E. Pierce), Yeovil Nursery and Seed Warehouse, Yeovil. AM. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, • Tottenham Nurseries, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, Netherlands, has to offer the following : — YUCCA ANGUSTI FOLIA, strong plants, . foot high, £2 per dozen, £.iz los. per 100. In my nursery this beautiful new Yucca withstood, without the slightest protection, APPLES, strong 2-yr. Palmeltes and Pyramids, 421. pet 100, .£18 15J. per 1000. HARDY AQUATICS at the lowest prices. MESSRS. JNO. STANDISH AND CO.'S CATALOGUE for Autumn, 1876, and Spring, 1877, is now ready, and may be had, post-free, on application. /i contains tlt£ following : — Plants of Recent Introduction. Conifera;. Plants for Winter Forcing. Azalea indica and Camellias, Tree Carnations and Bricas. Ferns and Lycopods. Hardy Trees and Shrubs. Transplanted Forest Trees. Roses, Standards and Dwarfs, c Superb Ridge Cucumber. UCUMBER, Foster's X.L. Superb Ridge. —This variety is a remarkably fine hardy, long, d.ark CABBAGE PLANTS, SEEDS, ROOTS, &c., of all kinds, for the Farm or Garden. — "Gee's superior Bedfordshire-grown Plants and Seeds have a.ttained much celebrity." — Vide Bedford Mercury^ July 29, 1876. "The soils of the district offer facilities enjoyed at few places foi bringing^ away plants. &c. , and under the skill and perseverance of Mr. F. Gee they arc turned to good account." — Vide Agri- cultural Gazette, July 31, 1876. See other opinions of the Press, also a TreaUse on the Cabbage. CATALOGUES, lowest prices, &c. , on application to FREDERICK GEE. Seed and Plant Grower. &c., Biggleswade, Beds. For Information i of Fruit Trees, see SCOTT'S ORCHARDIST, free, %s. 6d. the Royal Nurseries, Merriott, Somerset, _, ^ in of Nursery Stock is grown largely, and at Scott's Royal Seed Stores! Yeovil, choice Seeds, Biilbs, Garden Requsite may be obtained, Monro's Duke of Edlnburgli Cucumber. MONRO begs to inform the Trade, &c., ■■^-- ■- ■^-. SOLD the ENTIRE STOCK of Seed of above-named Firm are bound t Potter's Bar, January 8, 1877. Special OfTer of Q E E D POT 0 until the Present Stocks A T re Sold. 0 s, Name. Subject to being sold out. 1 1 Per Sack Per lb. Per 14 lb. 1 of Ir6 Stones. Alpha Magnum Bonum Snowflake Imported Snowflake .. American Early Rose . . American Late Rose . . The old Early Ashleaf Kidney Veitch's Ashtop Mona's Pride Ashtop . . Myatt-s Prolific Thorbum's Early Paragon . . ! s. d. I 9 \ 6 I 6 I 6 I 6 ; I ' 3 I 6 I 6 28"o i°t^ Early Vermont:: :: Brownell's Beauty .. Hundredfold Flukes .. Round Fluke Fluke Kidney Red-skinned Flourball Bresee'sKingoftheEarlies.. Bresee's Prolific Bresee's Climax iatL"n°rv^roria :: :: Walker's Early Regent -y Nonsuch Lapstone Kidneys . . ^2 0 GIANT ASPARAGUS SEED. id. peroz., a^. 6d. per lb, CONOVER'S COLOSSAL, 6d. per oz., 45. per lb.,nett growil of 1876. TANNED GARDEN NETTING, id. per square yard. 7s. td. per 100 do.. 35J. per 500 do., 65J. per 1000 do. Carriage paid to any station on the Great Northern, London and North- western. Midland, and Great Western Railways, for orders of yards and upwards. Wholesale Price LIST on receipt of CRANSTON'S NURSERIES, KING'S ACRE, near HEREFORD. Established 1785. SPECIALITIES. ROSES, FRUIT TREES, CONIFERS. Descriptive Priced Lists on application. VINES, VINES, VINES. F. & A. Smith, THE NURSERIES, WEST DULWICH, S.E„ Offer from a large Stock strotig well-grown fruiting and planting Canes, at low prices. List on application. To me Trade Only. SAM DYER has to offer to the Trade fine Standard MULBERRIES, Standard LIMES, from layers, 8 to loand lo to ti feet, very fine : GOOSEBERRIES, best named sorts; CURRANTS, Red, White, and Black; THORNS, 3-yr. transplanted, extra strong. Prices per loo or looo on application. The Nurseries, Bridgwater. FRUIT TREES.— One of the largest Stocks in the County, consisting of Standard, Pyramid, and Espalier APPLES, CHERRIES, PEARS, and PLUMS, from 70s. per 100 : CURRANTS, 4-yr. old, from 5^. per ico ; GOOSEBERRIES, 4-yr. old, from lar. per 100. CATA- LOGUES of T. EVES, Gravesend Nurseries.— Established 1810. Richard Smith's guinea collection of vegetable SEEDS Contains the following excellent sorts (Carriage Free) :— PEAS, Ringleader i quart „ Improved Sangster's . . . . . . . . . . 1 „ „ Veitch's Perfection i „ „ Fortyfold . . . . r „ „ Prizetaker 1 „ ., Blue Scimitar i BEANS, Johnson's Wonderful 1 \, „ Broad Windsor r pint ,, Dwarf French /^ ,, „ Scarlet Runner. . . . . , i „ BEET, Nutting's Red i pkt. KALE, Asparagus . . . . . . i „ BRUSSELS SPROUTS '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. '.'. i " BROCCOLI, Adams' Early i „ „ Snow's Winter Whue r „ ,, Purple Sprouting .. .. .. .. .. i ,, „ Walcheren r „ CABBAGE, Early Nonpareil i ,, „ Enfield Market i „ ,, Worcester Incomparable r „ ,, Red Pickling i „ CARROT, Early Horn i oz. ,, Improved Altringham .. .. ., .. i ,, CAULIFLOWER i pkt. CELERY, fine Red i „ „ fine White i ,, ,, Curled .. .. .'.' .'.' !.' '.'. '.'. I .'■ „ Australian i pkt. CUCUMBER 2 pkts. ENDIVE. Moss Curled i pkt. LEEK. Musselburgh i „ LETTUCE, Paris White Cos i ,, „ Drumhead i ,, „ Worcester Cabbage . . . . 1 „ MUSTARD 4 oz. MELON pkt. ONION, White Spanish 2 oz. ., James' Keeping 1 ,, PARSLEY, Extra Curled i pkt. PARSNIP, Hollow-crowned i oz. RADISH, Wood's E.arly Frame „ ,, Long Scarlet .. .. .. .. .. .. t „ „ Red Turnip .. .. .. .. .. .. i ,, ,, White Turnip i „ SAVOY, Green Curled i pkt. SPINACH, Round 7 02. „ Prickly 2 „ TURNIP, Early Snowkill i „ „ Early Red-top.. 1 TOMATO, Large Red i pkt. VEGETABLE MARROW i „ SWEET BASIL i „ SWEET MARJORAM r ,, SEED WAREHOUSE, 61, HIGH STREET, WORCESTER. SEKDS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. Wm. Paul & Son (Successor to the late A. Patil & Son— Established i3o6), PAUL'S NURSERIES and SEED WAREHOUSE, WALTHAM CROSS, N. TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OK SELECT VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SEEDS, &c., JVill be ready shortly, and will be forwarded, post-free, on application. Many sorts are home-grown, and all are selected with the utmost care from the most celebrated stocks at home and abroad, in order to secure for their Customers the best quality that can be obtained. IMPORTANT— Observe the Christian Name, WM. PAUL & SON, WALTHAM CROSS, N, January 20, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. SPEED'S VINE AND ROSE MILDEW ANNIHILATOR. James Veitch & Sons. ROYAL EXOTIC NURSERY, KING'S ROAD, CHELSEA, S.W., Have much pleasure in olTering this excellent preparation for the destruction of Mildew. It proves to be perfectly harmless to the Grape Vine, the Rose, and the Peach when applied to the youngest and most tender foliage, and the fruit itself may be dressed with perfect impunity in any state, even before the thinning period, and there are few things more sensitive than the cuticle of young Grapes in the early stage of their growth. It kills the Mildew instantaneously, and can be rinsed oft within a few minutes of being applied, leaving no smell or sediment, or other traces of its application. It is not poisonous to Animals, although it is instant death to all Fungi. Experiments were made on a piece of Mushroom spawn, and one puff of the spray distributor on its little active thread-like mycelium shrivelled it up as if charred. As it kills the fungus in a resting state as well as in an active state, there is every reason to hope that it may be found useful in checking diseases of the Potato, the Hollyhock, &c., that are caused by Fungi. The following: Testimonials have been received :- From RoriERT HoGC. Esq., LL.D., F.L.S., &c., Pomological Director 0/ the Royal Horticultural Society. ." I have great pleasure in bearing my testimony to the magical effect which your mixture has upon the Mildew of the Vine. When I was at Chatsworth a few months ago, the ap- plication of the mixture, through a spray distributor, on the foliage of the Vine, was so destructive and so instantaneous as to leave no doubt on my mind as to its perfect efficacy in destroying the Mildew. On examining the foliage with a magnifying glass after the application, I could find no trace of the disease." From Mr. William Thomson, Tweed Vineyard, Clovenfords. " I tested Mr. Speed's remedy for Mildew this last summer, when staying for a few weeks at Chatsworth, and in my life I never saw a more radical remedy for any such pest. One puff of the spray distributor cleared the leaf of a Vine badly affected with Mildew, doing the leaf no harm, and I believe it can be safely applied to the most tender plant, as well as the fruit of the Vine. I believe it will completely supersede the use of sulphur for destroying Mildew on Peaches, Roses, Heaths, and all other plants liable to attack by Mildew, and that it will prove ' I have n liquid applie Stevens. Gardciicr to His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, Trentham. jch pleasure in bearing testimony to the efficacy 1 for destroying Mildew upon Vines, 1 saw the with a spray distributor, in one of the vineries at D some badly infested leaves, and upon , Kiunvsley Gardens. ns effectually to prevent the > very cleanly in use, being almost From Mr. Ha " Your Mildew mixti spread of Mil liule ( From Mr. James Anderson, Nurseryman, Meadowbank " The solution prepared by Mr. Speed is the most effective that has come under my cognisance. By simply blowing the spray through a pipe on any leaf affected with Mildew the destruction of the fungus is complete, without the slightest injury to the most tender leaf. For the Stove, Greenhouse. Orchard-house, Vinery, or Peach-house, or even for the Rosary out-of-doors, this solution will undoubtedly prove invaluable, all that seems necessary to guard against is that the leaves operated upon should be as dry as possible." So/d m Bottles^ at 2J-., 3^. 6^., 6j., atid \os. each; to make 2 Gallons, ready for use. Quart. ^'Gallon, i Gallo?t. Price to the Trade on application to J. VEITCH & SONS, Sole Wholesale Agents. GARDEN AND FLOWER SEEDS Thomas Methven & Sons BEG TO INTIMATE THAT THEIR DESCKH>TIVE I'KICED CATALOGUE of KITCHEN GARDEN and FLOWER SEEDS, IMPLEMENTS, &c., for 1877, Js now ri:aiiy, and ?nay be had post-free on application. EAST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK (true), in three colours. In packets, u., SNOW-WHITE WALL-LEAVED EAST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK. This is a sterling novelty. The purity of the while shows up well upon the grassy green foliage, and it bears the large truss of the East Lothian varieties. In packets, u., 2.1. dd. and 5y. each. THE HUNTINGDON NURSERIES. Wood & Ingram's CATALOGUE OF SEEDS FOR THIS SEASON Is now ready, and will be forwarded free on apfilieation. THE NURSERY AND SEED BUSINESS So successfully conducted for a number of years by the late Mr. JoilN Ingram, will be continued to be carried on in its various branches, as heretofore, by his Widow and Two Sons, in the name of WOOD AND INGRAM, who respectfully solicit a continuance of the kind and liberal patronage which has been given for a lengthened period to their Establishment. THE NURSERIES, HUNTINGDON.-January, iSj-^ WILLIAM THOMSON, 1' or many years connected with the Seed Establishments of Messrs. Peter Lavvson & Son, Edinburgh and London, and latterly Manag- ing Partner of the Firm of Peter S. Robertson and Co., Seed Merchants, begs to intimate that he has secured commodious premises. No. i6. Saint Giles Street, where he will carry on the business of Seedsman and Nurseryman, under the Firm of William Thomson & Co., and he respectfully solicits a share of the patronage of his friends and the public. CATALOGUES of GARDEN and FLOWER SEEDS, and IMPLEMENTS, &c., are now ready, and will be sent on application. William Thomson & C >,, Seed Merchants and Nurserymen, No 16, SAINT GILES STREET, EDINBUKGH. The abo t Catal gue ts now teady gr%t s Post free to all appiicaytts B. S. W. begs to intimate that in the event oi 'ustomers not receiving this Catalogue, if they > WM. PAUL SON Established 1806,) ROSE GROWERS, TREE, PLANT, BULR, AND SEED MERCHANTS, WALTHAM CROSS, HERTS, Adjoining the " \VaIth:im " Station, Great Eastern Railway. Inspection of Stoclz invited. riced Descriptive Catalogues free by post. AVENUE TREES. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS (true), lo to 18 feet high, and girthing 4 to 8 inches at 4 feet from the ground. LIMES, 12 to 20 feet high, and girthing 6 to 10 inches at 4 feet from the ground. POPULUS CANADENSIS NOVA, 15 to 16 feet high, and girthing 6 inches at 4 feet from the ground. ANTHONY WATERER Has to offer many thousands of the above. They may be seen growing at Knap Hill. They are str.light, handsome, and well rooted, and altogether the finest Trees of the kind to be found in any nursery in Europe. KNAP HtLL NURSKKV, WOKINO, SUt^REY. 70 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. TO THE TRADE NEAPOLITAN ONION SEEDS NEW QUEEN, MARZAJOLA, GIANT ROCCA, GIANT FLAT RED TRIPOLI, EARLY WHITE TRIPOLI, LATE WHITE TRIPOLI. G. V. DE LUCA, Nephew of the late Mr. Domenico Piccirillo, begs to inform the Trade that the usual annual consignments of the above selected varieties of these justly celebrated Seeds are now in his possession, and comprise the entire Crop of this Season. Being at present under no engagement with any London Firm, he can deal direct with Buyers for these noted specialities. The NEW QUEEN ONION was first introduced by G. V. de Luca, on behalf of the estate of the late Mr. D. Piccirillo (see Gardeners Chronicle, November 21, 1874), since which time he has spared no pains to improve the Stock, with marked success ; and he can most confidently recommend these Seeds as being the true varieties. Prices on application (stating Quantities required) to G. V. DE LUCA, G-UILDHALL CHAMBERS, BASINGHALL STEBET, LONDON, E.G. NAPLES— VILLA VOLPICELLA. The Names of all Finns who are Sicpplied with the above zvill be Published later. T. H. P. Dennis & Company. Motto, " Art vrith Economy" as applied to Conservatories. HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS & HOT-WATER HEATING APPARATUS ERECTED AND FITTED IN ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM. ESTIMATES GRATIS. Show Rooms: MANSION HOUSE BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.G. where full-sized Specimens of Greenhouses, &c., and Hot-water Apparatus at work can be inspected. "Works: CHELMSFORD. ESTABLISHED NOW READY, . WM, ROLLISSON & SONS NEW AND GENUINE ^-j \\^~^ Flower Seeds, Vegetable Seeds, Farm Seeds, CAREFULLY SELECTED FROM THE BEST ENGLISH AND FOREIGN STOCKS. A CENTURY. SEED CATALOGUE FOR 1877 GRATIS AND POST FREE ON APPLICATION. Also TENS of THOUSANDS of WELL GROWN STOVE, GREENHOUSE and HARDY PLANTS OF EVERY DESCRIPTION ARE ALWAYS TO BE SEEN AT THE NURSERIES, TOOTING, LONDON, SW January 20, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. W^ E B B S' CHOICE VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS. ALL WHO HAVE A GARDEN Improvtd and Enlai^ed Edition, Profuse!) Illiisitated with beautifully executed En^iaz- tngs and Chromo-Lithographs, and contain tng Instructions for the successful Cultivation of Vtgetables, Flowers, (a'c ew The best Worli on Gardening matters yet published, which will be found invaluable to the Amateur as well as the Professional Gardener. Post ft Gratis to Customers. Extracts from Opinions of the Press. ' A most excellent specimen of the modern Seed List and Horticultural Guide to Successful Cultivation We have gone careruUy through the Calendars of Operations and hnd them comprehensive plain full and thoroughly trustworthy — Midland Countus Herald January zi i%Ti ' Will be found of great value by all who have a Garden and highly interesting to everybody —Chamber of AgncuUure Journal, January 8, 1877. " The book is of the highest order, and reflects the utmost credit on this enterprising ^rm."— Worcester Herald, Janmry 6, 1877. " A publication of remarkable beauty and interest. The book is one of the best works on Gardening that has yet z^pz&rzi"— The Magnet, January 8, 1877. All Goods of 20J. value and upwards Carriage-fr( any Railway Station in England or Wales. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash. The Queen's Seedsmen, WORDSLEY, STOURBRIDGE. FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR 1877. Per packet.— BALSAM, Williams' Superb Strain .. ji. 61/. and BEGONIA FRfEBELif BEGONIA SEDENI SEMI-PLENA, per packet BEGONIA, Hybrid, finest mixed CYCLAMEN PERSICUM GIGANTEUM.— This is a great improvement on the old type, the flowers being thrown well above the foliage, each flower measuring from 2 to aj^ inches in length ; pure white, with a fine bold violet-purple eye . . 5^. and CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, Williams' Superb Strain, 6rf.,and CINERARIA, Weatherill's Extra Choice Strain %s J bd -s td , and GLOXINIA Finest Drooping Varieties Finest Erect Varieties PRIMULA Williams Superb Strain Red White, or Mixed 5^ 3^ 6/ ss 6d and PRIMULA SINENSIS FIMBRIATA COCCINEA (new) colour brilliant scarlet with bright sulphur eye, exquisitely fringed and of great substance PVRETHRUM GOLDEN GEM SOLANUM Williams Improved Hybrids STOCK Williams Improved Giant Scarlet Brompton WALLFLOWER Harbinger, Autumn and Wmter flowering Pad els /rioverSc is . VEGETABLE SEEDS. Per packet. — s. a BEANS, Williams' Early Prolific Dwarf French— per qt. 3 BRUSSELS SPROUTS, Welch's Giant, one of the finest in cultivation per packet r CUCUMBER, Walker's Hero (New) 2 Osmaston Manor 2 ENDIVE, Williams' Gloria Mundi 1 MELON, Osmaston Manor Hybrid 2 ,, Laura's Beauty, (New) 2 ,, Surprise (New) ..2 ONION, Williams' Magnum Bonum i PEA, Williams' Emperor of the Marrows per quart 2 TOMATO, The 100 Days per packet i /« Ait seeds amounting to -zos. ivill he delivered free of carriage to any Railiuay Station in England. e^ ILLUSTRATED SEED CATALOGUE gratis an post-free to all applicants, g^ggei; fNURS E R I E sigV^f^ SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1S77. THE SWILOAE LAWN OAK. LEAVING the train last autumn at Sudbury, and passing from the fertile valley of the Dove to the high ground of Needwood Forest, we soon observed the towering head of the Swilcar Lawn Oak on some high ground 2 miles distant. This venerable old tree is the patriarch of the forest. Strutt says, in his Portraits of Forest Trees, 1S24, that this tree measured 19 feet in circumference, at 6 feet from the ground, fifty-four years previously, and that it then measured 21 feet 4 inches at the same height from the ground. It could not now be measured fairly at the same part of the trunk in consequence of an excrescence, which has been many years growing, and has now attained large dimensions ; but at 5 feet from the ground it now measures 27 feet. The trunk runs up to a great height, and still carries an imposing top and some widespread lateral limbs. A lover of trees cannot but feel emotion on finding himself for the first time beneath this towering specimen, the grandest in the forest. Its gigantic size reminds me that some Oaks, as well as some men, must be predestined to distinction. You may stumble over a future Lord Chancellor in a village-boy at marbles with his companions, and there are inherent qualities conferring marked individuality on trees as well as men. At first it may seem extravagant to compare even the most wooden men with timber trees, but it will be found on examination that they have much in common. For example, they are both built up by food, and that is a substantial similarity. On the other hand, there are differences. A young fellow hovered about a park-keeper's lodge on an errand connected with a young domestic residing there ; the bloodhounds were loosed, and he was brought to bay in a Holly tree. Here is an example of the wear and tear of life in the higher class of animals, and of hereditary tendencies. The Oak is without a nervous system, but it possesses life and hereditary tendencies, and its growth is not purely mecha- nical. There are both Oaks and men in Needwood Forest possessing unusual vitality, size, and strength of fibre. There was an old deer-stealer, who could throw a fat buck over his shoulders, and who lived to the age of 100. His son mowed the grass around the Swilcar Lawn Oak at eighty-eight, and died at ninety of an epidemic. There is a grandson who closely resembles the portraits of the deer- stealer, and seems likely to five as long. This, then, is a tough and long-lived breed of men. Some Oaks may be constitutionally tough, too, beyond the average. Gardeners have frequent opportunities of observing the individuality of plants under cultivation, whose reproductive organs are subjected to special disturbance owing to the artificial circumstances of their growth. The Oak is not subjected to the same disturbing causes as garden flowers and fruits, yet every acorn buried in the ground has its family disposition planted with it, and it may turn out a Swilcar or prove a pigmy by comparison, even with equal opportunities. There is an old Oak growing near the Swilcar Lawn Oak, on the same yellow clay, and difter- ing from it in size, toughness of fibre, and other respects. Both are English Oaks, and both are of the same variety, with stalked Acorns, their differences being merely individual peculiarities, such aslthe offspring of two Apple pips might 72 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. exhibit if sown side by side. Mr. Jesse men- tions the anomaly of an English Oak in Windsor Park producing sweet fruit, closely resembling the acorns of the sweet fruited Oaks of Spain and Arcadia. Climate may have rendered our acorns bitter, but it may be that our Oaks are derived from the same primeval parents as the sweet-fruited species of Spain and Greece, and in Mr. Jesse's specimen we may suspect the reproduction of an ancestral characteristic. The Swilcar Oak has small round acorns, those of its near neighbour arc more than an inch long. Not far oiT, in Bagot's Park, there is a variegated Oak called the White Tree, and pro- ducing leaves marked with white and occasion- ally blotched like those of the Aucuba. The effect of such foliage on a large tree in a park devoted to the growth of the Enghsh Oak is very striking. The whiteness of the leaf seems a peculiarity rather than a disease. Pel haps this ornament of the leaf may be another example of a quality latent in the sad. From our present point of view, it does not appear irrelevant to speak of the inherited ten- dencies of men in connection with our subject. It has often been remarked that the courage of the Plantagenets has descended to the Queen, and a courtly Uean discovered, by examination of a mural painting in West- minster Abbey, that a singular graciousness of aspect in the handsome face of Richard II. had reappeared in a remarkable degree in one of the Queen's children. Such inherited tendencies certainly exist in royal and other families, and also in Oaks. In many woods Quercus Robur exhibits its two varieties with acorns of several shapes and sizes, and with long stalks and short stalks or none, and with leaves whose foot-stalks present similar variations. The fibre, too, differs in texture in the same varieties of the tree. And these ditferences are inherent, and theircauses untraceable; they are individual peculiarities, as size and longevity are to some extent. We are dealing, however, with excep- tions, which only prove the rule that " like pro- duces like." Oaks may be improved, no doubt, and rendered more uniform by selection, and therefore Lord Bagot, whose breed of Oaks is a good one, and similar to that of the Swilcar Lawn Oak, is a benefactor in the distribution of pood Oak seed from his famous woods amongst his friends. The Swilcar Lawn Oak was poetically named the " Chief Mourner," on the occasion of the destruction of Needwood Forest. On that occa- sion it was protected by being enclosed with a pale fence, and a few years since the man who set up the first post of this fence was still living. It is a satire of the small sort on human affairs that this person who assisted in the enclosure o( the forest was one of the most notorious deer- stealers who ever walked its paths by moonlight with a flint-and-steel gun. Several acres of Needwood have been preserved around the old tree, and immediately around it is a screen of the greenest Holly, which was encouraged here for the winter feeding of the deer, and kept bushy and vigorous by constant chopping. A poet of Needwood sings plea- santly of a " green robed nymph with a buskined leg and a bosom bare," who was accustomed to linger in this spot. Her name was Zephyr, and she still breathes among the branches of the patriarch, faithful to him as in his youth, and sweeps the grass-plot on which he stands. So sings the poet in old-fashioned verse, just a little too long, his buskined maiden in the ilh^^nfie attire still lingering to pause and breath, and so forth, till you fear a fainting fit or worse. The classical names and notions imported so unnecessarily into English poetry in the last century arc not so popular as they were. Fashions alter, ideas only are im- mortal— even Oaks ehange from day to day. Hi Evershid, New Garden Plants. Acer Van Volxemii.* It is unquestionably a rather unsafe proceeding to establish a new species of Maple with such imperfect material as we have yel been able to obtain. Never- theless its discoverer, M. Van Volxem, who knows trees well, asserts its complete distinctness, and we have been quite unable to refer his specimens to any living plant in the nurseries, or in the arboretum at Kew, nor have we been more successful in identifying it with any of the specimens described in books or contained in the herbarium at Kew, nor with speci- mens obl'gingly forwarded for the purpose by M. Bois- sier. On these grounds, coupled with the fact that whether a seedling variety of the Sycamore, A. Pseudo- Platanus, or entitled to specific honours, it is amply deserving a separate name for garden purposes, we have named it in honour of its discoverer. It is evidently a handsome quick growing tree, the light green upper surface and silvery under surface of the " A few years ago I discovered in the Caucasus (and imported) a Maple entirely different from any in the col- lection of more than eighty species and varieties of hardy Maples in my collection. I think, but am far from sure, I sent a plant of it to ICew last year or in 1873 under the name of 'Acer spec, nova de Kakhi5tie (Georgie, Caucase).' I found the tree on the southern slope of the Caucasus, in the valley of the Jora, or Yora, a tributary stream of the Cyrus (or Kura), above the military station of Lagodechi. It climbs up the slope till the forest ends. It is a very large tree, very distinct from A. Pseudo- Platanus, which grows intermixed with it, in its larger size and its pale green colour, by which it is recognisable hundreds of yards away. The winged fruits are also smaller. It grows intermixed with A. Pseudo-Platanus in the same forests, with no intermediate forms, hence it is not a local form, nor would a mere variety remain dis- tinct in its wild state. It does not grow at so great a height on the slopes of the Caucasus by at least looo or 1500 feet, so far as I was able to observe. The form of the tree is more columnar. The light green colour of the leaves makes the difference between the two conspicuous and unmistakable. The colour of the bark and the shape of the buds are different, even in the winter time. "The country around Lagodechi is very interesting. Near the place is a very large forest of Juglans regia, certainly wild there. Near the river are extensive swamps, where I saw the Pterocarya caucasica, growing sometimes as an enormous tree, and sometimes as a large shrubby bush. The two forms are intermixed with each other ; so that no condition of soil or exposure can explain the fact ; and there is, as far as I saw, no intermediate form, and I could not detect any difference between the two forms except as to their habits and size." So far M. Van Volxem. We find the leaves differ in shape from all the forms of Acer Pseudo-Platanus, being more oblong in outline, with shallower oblong-lanceolate lobes, and very acute wedge-shaped sinuses between the lobes. The margins are very coarsely toothed, the texture thin, the colour light green above, silvery and quite glabrous beneath. In all the forms of A. Pseudo- Platanus the nerves are much more prominent beneath than in this plant, and always more or less hairy towards the base. In this plant the under surface is perfectly glabrous. Acer insigne of Boissier, of which, thanks to the courtesy of M. Boissier, we have seen the type specimen, is also quite different. We shall await the flowering of M. Van Volxem's tree with much interest, and in the meantime commend it as a distinct and valuable addition to the arboretum, (See fig. 10, P- 73) Dendrobium (Dendrocoryne) U ntil now we had only one single truly Pleurothalloid Dendrobe, Dendrobium longicoUe, Lindl., from Sinca- pore. Our species, however, has a much narrower leaf, on a very long, slender, shining stem. The spider-like flower, whose sepals and petals end in long bristles, is purplish in lieu of being straw- coloured, with the points only purplish, as in D. longicoUe. The lip, too, is much more broken up in long side laciniie. It is nothing to excite the wonder ; (syn tliiis) palmato 3 — 5 lobis subtus argenteo-glaucis neivis parum prominentibus, sinubus inter lobos parum pro- fundos oblongo-lanceolalos grosse dentatos cuneatis basi acutis; fructibus in cvmas paniculiformes laxas disposi ' '' 'ergentibus ; floribus Kakheiie in Georgia Cau alls giaons legit cl. Van Volxem)"'* Ab t altiore, foliis subtus argen- Acere Pseudo-Platani dififert : nervisque minus prominentibus. t Dendrobium (Dendrcc^ryA tiMi/erum.~kfi. D. longi- cnlli, Lindl. : caule spilhama;o tereti nitido ; basi opaco-vaginato : folio liueari-ligulato basi cuueato apice minute bidentalo erecto ; paucissimis aggregatis hyster- porrecta ; sepala scrrato ddntieOlato. FlorOB purpurei,-.>-?ici; F, Veitsh, of Orchidists, but botanically speaking it is very curious. It was discovered in the Fiji Islands by their latest explorer, Mr. Peter Veitch, who sent it to Messrs. Veitch, Royal Exotic Nursery. H. G. Rchb. f. SODKALIA CaTTLEYA, n. sp* All travellers in tropical America are unanimous in praising the charms of the Sobralias and the large EUeanthus (Evelynas). I have heard the same glow- ing description from Humboldt and Poppig as from Linden, Roezl, Warscewicz, Wallis, Wagener, Bruch- miiUer, and others. The Sobralias are accused of having too fugacious flowers, of being bad travellers, and bad exhibition plants. This may all be true for the species generally grown, but I remember that in 1S74, at Florence, an exhibitor, I think Prince Demidoff, sent two or more magnificent masses of Sobralia macrantha in competition for the highest prize for specimens of flowering Orchids. The buds had not opened at the moment of judgment, owing to the cold and dry air, and the majority of the jurors (who had declared themselves to be able to judge Orchids) did not even take notice of these plants, which were probably unrivalled in Europe. There are, however, Sobralias with flowers of a firm, fleshy texture, like those of Cattleyas. I have only met with one species of that kind, the true Sobralia ligustrum, at the late Mr. Pucker's, at Wandsworth, who was very proud of it. Yet even this is not so firm as one would like it to be, and as they are in strong Cattleyas or Vandas. The species long known to me, but only now published, has very strong, thick flowers, which ought to last a good while. The stout stem has shining oblong acuminate plaited leaves, and bears several lateral slightly flexuose inflorescences with splendid Cattleya- like flowers. All my herbarium specimens are described as bearing purplish-brown sepals and petals and a beautifully purplish lip. I have now at hand a sketch made by Mr. Shuttleworlh from the living plant, which shows the same colours with a white column and three yellow lines over the centre of the lip. No doubt the gold parts are the raised crested keels. The lip appears to form a sharp angle by its lateral lobes overlapping the column, so that it may be compared to a roof. It is represented three times in the same very unusual manner. It may well be compared to S. Roezlii, a species I published with some doubt, but which I now regard as a very distinct, beautiful thing, quite worthy to bear M. Roezl's name. This species has five to seven fully developed keels over the lip, and no small prickly crests on the sides, such as are to be seen in quantities in S. Cattleya. The present plant comes from the revolutionised States of Columbia, and was collected by Messrs. Carder and Shuttleworth, as Mr. Bull, the possessor of the stock, informs me. Now there is an opportunity of trying a species which, in its wild state, bears a profusion of large, nicely coloured, long-lasting flowers. Since its nearest allies have a powerlul, agreeable smell of Wallflowers, probably this one will not prove inodorous. Good drainage and no end of water during the sea- son of full growth will prove essential conditions to success. H. G. Rchb. f. THE NEW PLANTS OF 1S76. We resume from p. 43 our brief sketch of the more impoitant of the New Plants which were introduced to the notice of the public during the past year. Orchids. Orchids received some good accessions, irre- spective of the many interesting forms of Masdevallia which have rewarded the search of the collectors, and of which one of the most remarkable is the long- tailed M. macrura described and figured at p. 13, the tails of which are fully 6 inches in length. The species now, however, require to be separated into at least two categories— the ornamental and the curious, and a large proportion of those now known must be relegated to the latter. Amongst OJontoglossums, O. cirrhosum, with its handsome white purple-spotted flowers ; O. Chestertoni, with its cream-coloured flowers, marked on the sepals and lip with rich brown ; and the beautiful yellow-lipped O. Londes- boroughianum, are all charming additions to this deservedly popular genus. Bollea coelestis, from tropical South America, with its blue, white-tipped, • Sobralia {Brasolia) Cattleya. n. sp. — Foliis oljlongo- ligulatis acuminatis ; racemis panicutisvc lateralibus ; bracteis triangulis parvis ; tloribu-i coriaceis : sepalis cuneato-oblongia acutis : tepalis suba;qualibus obtusioribus ; labello trilobo, Icbis lateralibus obtusangulis, magnis supra columnam sub angulo acuto volutis, lobo antico lobulato crispo obiongo emarginato transverso ; cirinis per medium una seu ternis obscuris, antioe cristatis, cristulis paucia lateralibus minutiB ; papuiis muricatia circumatancibus AumerosiD; golumnsi falcibiis latit.^Ngra: Ornnats, H, G, RM./, January 20, 1S77. Tim G/l RDENERS' CHRONICLE. 73 yellow-lipped flowers, is said to be very distinct and of considerable beauty ; while Pescatorea Roezlii, with its large white flowers tipped with blue, affords another distinct and charming type of a meritorious character. Some fine varieties of established species have been added to our lists, as the purple-tipped Dendrobium Devonianum var. Elliottianum ; the thick- slemmcd D. Wardianum var. Lowii ; a fine form of having the fronds glaucous beneath ; the latter a very distinct bipinnate thick-leaved Fern, with Blechnoid fructification. From New Caledonia M. Linden has introduced Lomaria gigantea and L. neo-caledonica (two large-growing arborescent forms of the L. gibba type), together with Dicksonia Delplanchei, Cyathea nigra, and Marattia attenuata. Mr. B. S. Williams has imported fr jm New Guinea a di5tirct Adiantum Williams, who both hold stocks of it. An Austral- asian plant, introduced under the name of Davallia Youngii, proves to be a larger growing variety of a well-known species, the Dennstcedtia davallioides, alias Dicksonia davallioides; it is a noble-looking plant for bold rockwork in greenhouses, and extremely ele- gant, though of large growth. As a garden sport, we have had introduced a Gymnogramma Allstoni, one of ^^^ 1 ,^ Fig, 10.— ACER VAN voLXEMii. (see p. 72, D. densillorum which M. Linden calls Guibertl ; and Phalrenopsis intermedia Brymeiiana. Not the least interesting of these plants are the fine novelties in the shape of hybrids amongst the Cypripediums and Catlleyas, for which we are chiefly indebted to the Messrs. Veitch & Sons. Ferns. Amongst Ferns we have to add the Sandwich Island Cibotium pruinatum and Sadleria cyatheoldes, the former a plant closely allied to C. Menziesii, but of the Klhioplcum type, which has been named A. neoguineense (see p. 12), and is remarkable for its broadly triangular outline and its roundly-lobed pin- nules. The name of Adiantum palmatum has also been recently given to the Andean plant associated by some botanists with A. speciosum, but which proves to be quite distinct when the two are seen growing together, and also different entirely from the A. digi- tatum of Presl, under which name they had been thrown together. The A. palmatum is in the col- lections of Messrs. Veitch & Sons and Mr. B. .S. the golden-backed series, the peculiaiily of wh-ch is that the tips of the pinnules are uniformly recurved, so that the gold colour shows on the upper surface. A still more curious sport is the Pleris serrulata Lcyi, in which the ends of all the segments are convened into elongate leafless tails. Greenhouse Plants. Of greenhouse plants we have usually but a limited number to record, and though the term is expansive enough, our Ust of subjects still remains small. Thr 74 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. hard-wooded section yields us a beautiful highly- coloured species in the Australian Boronia elatior brought out by Messrs. Veitch, which has narrow pinnate leaves, and abundant blossoms of a deep purplish rose ; it is doubtless a little inclined to grow tall, but our cultivators will know how to grapple with this peculiarity. Then Grevillea Preissii, shown by Messrs. RoUisson & Sons, another Australian shrub, if not exactly showy, is exceedingly neat and pretty, being of dense bushy habit, with narrowly cut bipinnate leaves, and very abundant racemes of rosy- scarlet flowers. Mr. Bull's double-flowered Epacris onosmxflora (llore-pleno), with its little button-like white flowers crowding up the elongated branches, will probably become one of the most useful amongst greenhouse decorative evergreen shrubs of slender habit. Araucaria Goldieana, introduced by Mr. B. S. Williams, is likely to prove a fine conservatory plant, and may be described as intermediate between A. elegans and A. Rulei, the branches being pendulous. Bomarea Carderi (see p. 793, vol. v.), from Colum- bia, is a very handsome greenhouse climber of the tuberous-rooted section, from Mr. Ball's col- lection ; its pendulous umbels of numerous bell- shaped rose-coloured flowers are very beautiful. We gain a dwarf but exceedingly striking green- house perennial in the Peruvian Begonia Davisii, which has short-stalked radical leaves of the usual oblique type, and small cymes of brilliant crimson- scarlet flowers on slender scapes taller than the leaves ; while in the hybrids of this tuberous-rooted race we have some ol the most attractive ot summer flowering plants for the greenhouse. Finally, we regain a greenhouse bulb of considerable beauty in the Brazilian Crinum ornatum rubro-vittatum, the flowers of which are white with a crimson band down each of their six segments. Hardy Perennials. Amongst hardy perennials, including with them the hardy bulbous plants, by far the finest object we have seen is the Lilium auratum cruentum, a splendid form of that most splendid of all Lilies, in which the golden band is obliterated by a band of crimson extending from the apex to the very base of each segment, and in- creasing in intensity from the point downwards, the base being a blackish blood-crimson, which suggested to us the name. Lilium neilgherrense (see p. 332, vol vi.) is another fine Lily of the longiflorum type, and a decided acquisition, as it blooms latter than most other sorts. The Californian Fritillarii recurva is a beautiful dwarfish-growing hardy bulb, with sessile linear leaves, and bell- shaped scarlet flowers, having reflexed segments spotted inside with scarlet, " the red being as bright as that of a Lily." Fritillaria aurea from the Cilician Taurus, is another dwarf species, with yellow flowers minutely tessellated with black spots, and is very dis- tinct from anything previously known in gardens. In Meconopsis Wallichii we have a wonderfully handsome Poppy, with pure sky-blue flowers — a plant known to botanists, but not previously generally accessible. Mr. Bull has now offered it. Monardella macrantha, a herbaceous perennial of the labiate order, from California, introduced by Messrs. Veitch, is a charming acquisition, having low tufted stems, with small ovate leaves, and terminating in capitate heads of scarlet tubular flowers— a " very beautiful, and highly aro- matic" plant, according to Dr. Hooker, who states that it flowers in October. Another "strikingly beautiful" Californian plant, introduced by Mr. W. Thompson, is the Mirabilis multiflora, which has large panicles of flowers, with broad, flat, bright rosy- purple corollas, having a darker ring round the throat. The Himalayan Androsace sarmentosa will be a wel- come addition to hardy spring flowers, and forms a pretty object with its rosulate tufts of obovate-lan- ceolate leaves, its red-stalked runners, by which it is freely propagated, and its heads of pale bright rose- coloured flowers, which are decorated by a yellow throat surrounded by a deep rosy ring. To these as a possibly hardy, possibly half-hardy plant, may be added the beautiful striped-leaved grass which has appeared at some of our shows under the name of Eulalia japonica variegata — a plant large enough to be eflective, and yet without a touch of coarseness. Annuals. At present there seems to be a dearth of newly- introduced annuals, and we have nothing of very special importance to enter to the credit of the past ear. The Chinese Moricandia sonchifolii, from its early flowering habit (March), and its large Stock-like single deep purple cruciferous flowers, something like those of a single Rocket, may be useful for spring gardening ; it grows from i to 2 feet high, and flowers in racemes. Helianthus cucumerifolius, from Texas, is a novelty of some merit ; it is of large growth, from 3 to 5 feet high, but freely branched, and altogether devoid of coarseness ; the flower-heads are yellow, 3 to 4 inches in diameter, with a black disc. The new seminal form of Godetia named Lady Albemarle is so exceptionally fine, both in its magenta colour and its stocky floriferous habit, that we cannot refrain from mentioning it in this place ; while Zinnia Darwinii, a hybrid between elegans and Haageana, is Ukely to be a useful decorative plant. Hardy Trees. One of the most striking of hardy trees which has lately been made known in Europe is the sapin- daceous Xanthoceras sorbifolia, a faithful representa- tion of which will be found at p. 564 of our vol. v., new series. Populus canadensis aurea Van Geertii, as a robust-growing deciduous tree, and Weigela amabilis Looymansii, as a deciduous shrub, are both remarkable for the pure and bright golden hue of their summer foliage, and will consequently be effective objects in plantations and shrubberies. The Hydrangea Hortensia Thomas Hogg (alba), if accu- rately described, must be a fine hardy shrub, and at the same time invaluable for decorative purposes as a pot plant, since a white Hydrangea would afford a fine contrast with the more usual colours, pink and blue. Last, but far beyond all these in point of merit, is Mr. Waterer's Abies Menziesii Parryana, mentioned at p. 4S, and referred to under this name by M. Andre in the last part of L' Illustration Hortkole, a Colorado Spruce Fir, of hardy charac- ter, with the foliage as blue as a thick glaucous covering can make it— as blue as that of the glaucous Echeveria, and even of a brighter blue than Picea magnifica, and a habit as symmetrical as that of Picea Pinsapo. T. Moore. RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FLORA OF ICELAND. By W. Lauder Lindsay, M.D., F.R.S.E., F.L.S. Since I visited Iceland (in 1S60) and published a Flora oflcdand* (In 1861), several small collections of flowering plants and Ferns — made mostly in the south-west of that island — have been sent to me from time to time. These collections came directly from Reykjavik, from my worthy friend and correspondent Jon Amason, inspector of the College there.f He had much official influence to induce various of the students of the said College to make, during their summer holidays, and in their own districts, botanical collections, in order to their transmission through him to me. The collections that reached me prior to 1S70 were placed in the hands of Professor Charles C. Babington, of Cambridge. The names of the plants of which they were made up were no doubt included by him in his R/zhion of the Flora of /(y/i!;;,/ j (published in 1S71), but . other collections have been made and sent since 1870, have been deposited in the national Herbarium at Kew, and have recently been examined by Professor Oliver and J. G. Baker, F.L.S. To these gentlemen I am indebted for a list of the aforesaid most recent plant collections made in Iceland by the Icelanders themselves. It appears to me desirable to publish the short list, in order to the encouragement of botanical students in Iceland itself. The fact that their gatherings are duly appre- ciated and utilised in this country will no doubt stimu- late to further gatherings of a more valuable kind. For one of the purposes of this preface is to show (i) that certain Icelandic plants are common and others rare ; (2) that certain districts have been sufficiently explored botanically, while others have not ; (3) that certain classes of plants have hitherto received all the of botanical collectors and botanists, while : EditiiiirgJi Ntrji Philosophical Journal i rjuly. t This gentlemen is one of the most distint^uished liv Icelandic litterateurs — an indefntiL'able colleclor and trr criber of the grand old sagas il '1, n If I. 1,11 ! '-i;'.. i In on the Continent of Euruj-c , i 1 _ i volumes of leclandic /■''■' : I , and 18(34. Selections from ih 1 in an English dress, in two \-liiiiii.. m 1 ■ ; ml 1 > ' , 1111 the title oi Icelaiidic Legends, collected by bui Amason. translated by George E. J. Oiwell and Ewiker Magnusson." t In the yoiirnal of tlte Z.innean Society (Botany), vol. Others have received little or none ; and (4) that, in short, much remains to be done in the collection and study of certain classes of plants from all parts of Iceland, or from particular districts thereof, otherwise that there remains much to deserve and repay special collection and examination. In the first place, then, the following catalogue may be held to represent simply the commoner flowering plants, Ferns and Horsetails, of the south-western districts of Iceland — those within a radius of perhaps 50 miles of Reykjavik, the capital. The list con- tains no plant not mentioned by Professor Babington in his Revision, with three exceptions, that are not given by him as separate species, viz., Potentilla aurea, Plantago maritima, and Equisetum pratense. There are several instances, however, in which, though the plant would appear to be more or less common. Professor Babington has seen it from only one locality, or has found it recorded as having been by others only so found. Moreover, the list now given enumerates only 105 species, while my own Flora in 1S61 gave 455 of PhKnogams, Ferns, Lycopods, and Horsetails ; and Professor Babington, in 1S71, 467 ; * so that the present catalogue of recent collections does not represent one fourth of the higher flora of Iceland. In the second place, while the south-western dis- tricts have been pretty well examined as to flowering plants. Ferns, Lycopods, and Horsetails, there are certain other parts of the island of whose flora, whether Phsenogamic or Cryptogamic, we know com. paratively little. These botanically unexplored dis- tricts include especially :— i, the little visited portions of the north-western, northern, eastern, and southern districts ; 2, the volcanic deserts of the interior ; 3, the snow mountain regions as a whole, and particularly the yet almost unexplored great Jokul regions. At present the flora of Iceland may be said to be very much a flora o( certain inhabited portions of the coast and its comparatively fertile plains and valleys ; of the desert and alpine flora we have yet to learn a great deal. In the third place, the attention of travellers or collectors, botanical or non-botanical, has been hitherto almost exclusively confined to Pha;nogams ; to these and their allies Professor Babington's Revision con- fines itself ; and though in my own Flora I have given a list of all the Cryptogams known to occur in Iceland up to 1S60, there is avowedly much yet to be accomplished, especially as regards the more minute, mostly microscopical lichens and fungi, as well as alga3, particularly freshwater ones, such as the Diatomacece and Desmidiace^e. In my Flora the desmids are represented by a single species, the dia- toms not at all, the fungi by thirteen — numbers that serve to show how absurdly meagre is, or at least was in iS6o,t our knowledge of the microscopic flora of Iceland. J In the last place, the value of all such collections, made by persons not themselves practised botanists, is seriously detracted from by the failure of the collector to label each plant or group of plants with the name ol the exact locality in which it or they were found. Thus in September, 1873, in sending me one of his Icelandic plant collections, Jon Amason wrote me that the plants were gathered in three localities very different in their character, viz.; — i, very high on Mount Esja ; 2, at Thingvalla ; and 3, in the neighbourhood of Reykjavik. Unfortunately, how- ever, we are left to guess which was found in each locality, and in the case of duplicates the same species may have occurred, so far as we know, in all three localities. In another letter, of date November, 1872, he referred to a collection made *'in the small islands of the Breidifjord (broad firth or bay) in the wesL" In March, 1S71, he mentioned some plants "almost all gathered in the South of Iceland (the . Trim of the British Museum, informs me (/« litt. hat the latest and best Flora of Iceland is he Botatitsk Tidskrtjt, of Copenhagen, for n the Journal of Botany for 1875, p. bio. several of Babington's species, but adds about Phanerogamic flora as given by Babington ; " t myself seen GriJnhund's Flora of 1875, and am iretore, whether it or others subsequent to i860 lower Cryptogams. L \" the dale of my Flora I published certain 1 intributions to the Lichen- Flora of Northern iiil; Icelaxid.— Journal 0/ ttie Linneati Society, 3, 'The Protophyta of Iceland," emarksonitsDiatomaceffi. Desmidiaceae. and microscopic -Quarterly Journal 0/ Alicrosco^ical Science for 1867, JANUARY 20, 1S77 ] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. IS Kingarvalkijsler), though a very few were from the east (Mislasijsler). I had asked the gatherers to take only the most rare plants, but I thought, when I saw them, that some of them were rather common." In August, iSyi, he sent a few plants, "all of which were gathered in the district of Borgarfjord, north of Reykjavik ; only one, a creeping Ranun- culus, was from a hot spring here, not far from Reykjavik." In November of the same year he wrote :— ' ' I fear it will be in vain to promise you some plants from the north, west, and east, and especially from the mountain districts, as few people go there who interest themselves in botany. ... I think there are very few new plants in this collection, though I know there is one vc:y rare in Iceland, which we call Eyar6s. I have been told that it is found only in two, or, at most, three places, in my country.* In our college we have two residents who specially interest themselves in botany. . . . But both of them live here in the south of Iceland, and are not likely to go either to the west, north, or east of their country, and least of all to the central deserts, where few people go except those who drive a train of ponies loaded with dried fish, and who will not stop for the gathering of plants." These explanations were offered in reply to certain suggestions of mine as to the localities most deserving of botanical exploration, and most likely to yield the greatest botanical novelties. The apparent hopelessness of getting the Icelanders themselves to make a thorough botanical exploration of their own island, and the inaccessibility of its desert, snow, and alpine regions from the difficulties of overland travel, lead me to repeat more emphatically a recommendation I made in l86o,t that Iceland should be visited by a yacht party of British naturalists for exploratory purposes. The whole summer months might be spent in visiting at least the less known parts of the coasts or fjords that give readiest access to the deserts or alps of the interior. The yacht would always answer as a floating hotel, on the one hand,t and as headquarters for natural history apparatus and collections on the other. It could be made to anchor for any length of time at a given spot, and it could be ordered to any point to wait the arrival of a party travelling overland. KALOSANTHES. These are showy, sweet-scented, succulent-leaved greenhouse plants, which bloom from June to August, just at a time when hard-wooded greenhouse plants, the majority of Pelargoniums, Azaleas, iSic, are over — a lime when a great and sudden dearth of flowering plants for the conservatory is frequently, 1 had almost said always, felt ; they help to fill a gap which without their aid would sometimes be a gap indeed. In the first place, the soil I have grown them best in has been loam, peat, and cowdung, rotted to mould in equal parts ; any well rotted dung will do, but I prefer cow- dun'g if it IS to be had. The cuttings should be put singly into 60-pots, and either the few shoots which do not show flower in the spring may bemused, or the stems which have flowered may be cut into lengths of about 4 inches, stripped of leaves half their length, and each mserted to the remaining leaves in the compost named, with a little sharp sand added. They do perfectly well out-of-doors if the weather is not wet ; as good a place as any is a frame where they may be shaded a little for the first week after being put in and kept from heavy rains. The tops of the non-blooming shoots which are used for cuttings should be broken out, m order that the cuttings may break three or four shoots. If the soil is in a moderately moist state when the cuttings are put in they will not need waterfor a few days, but after they receive water they should be kept fairly moist. They will soon root and throw out three or four shootseach, and on the approach of winter should be put on a shelf where they will just escape frost and be in the light. As early in the spring as the points of the shoots can be fairly got at, so as to * 1 do not find any such name a native names of Icelandic plants given itappeario- specimens s Eyaros " among the ly Flora. Nor does attached, by way of label, : identifying t 1, Iceland ; a New Field /or TourisiSj August, i860 : 3, " Contributions to the Natural History of Volcamc Pheno- mena and Products m Iceland "—Proctedings of tlie R oyal Society oj Edinbursk for i860. X When I visited Iceland there was no such thing as a hotel in the island ; but I was most fortunate in procuring quarters in the private residence of one of the leading merchants of Reykjavik, leave the shoots themselves 3 inches long, pinch them out ; and as soon as the plants can be trusted without danger in a cold pit shift them into 32-size pots : the soil for this shift will not need sand ; they will then start away with from six to ten good shoots. When all danger of morning frosts is past, let them have all the sun and air out-of-doors. See that they stand on a good bottom impervious to worms, for if worms get possession of the pot, though it is easy to expel them, it is not so easy to fill up the channels they leave ; and it is sometimes troublesome to get a plant which requires keeping dry at any paiticular season, when worms have invaded the soil, wet again, without soaking the ball in a tub or trough. As the shoots elongate it will be advisable to put four sticks round the edge of the pot, and pass one or two strong strips of matting round to keep the wind from breaking them. Should a few specimen plants be needed it will be a good plan to select some of the thinnest plants of the batch and cut them down in good time for them to break nicely before winter. The tops taken ofl them may be used as cuttings, and if three or four of them are cut to the length of 6 inches, leaving the top of the shoot intact, and put in a group in the middle of a 48-size pot and looped up to a stick placed in the middle of the group, these will, if put in a semi-shady place, root and make useful stufi for vases and other uses where those in 32's would be too large. These may all be wintered in a similar situation to that recom- mended for the previous winter, giving them only sufficient water to keep them from shrivelling. As the spring advances nearly every shoot on the plants in the 32-sized pots will set for bloom, when more water and room will be necessary for them. Those which were cut down, should be potted on as soon as proper space can be found for them. If these are required to bloom the next season they must not be stopped after March. Having potted them and got them established, they must have all the sun and air an open situation will afford, and be carefully attended to in the matter of water ; they must also be properly secured from breakage by the wind. If larger specimens are re- quired they had better not be allowed to flower, but the tops of the shoots may be put in, in a group as before directed, or potted singly, if small plants with a single truss of flowers are likely to be useful. Those that have been cut down to grow larger will fill 16-inch pots in the spring, and will make plants as large as are manageable, particularly those of Iv. coccinea, which is a large grower. One thing I have tried to inculcate, but which for fear of misapprehension I will put into plain words, is, that to insure a good and regular head of bloom one clear season's growth with- out stopping is imperative. There are several kinds of these plants. One small-growing recumbent species has white flowers — I regret I never have been able to get a plant of it when I have been growing them — it is named K. albiflora, I believe. The best kinds I have grown are, K. coccinea, crimson scarlet, with white eye, the largest grower; Madame Celeste Winans, rosy-dink ; Madame Truphemus, rosy scarlet ; Phcenix, deep scarlet. The only insect which troubles the Kalosanthes is the aphis or green-fly, which is easily removed.by fumigation or syringing. They sometimes are affected with a kind of mildew which takes the form of black spots, generally in the points ; it is caused by damp- ness with cold : a little sulphur dusted on it checks it, but a dryer and warmer atmosphere is the only cure, as far as I know. John Bester, THE PHYLLOXERA AND INSECTICIDES. Some time ago we published in our columns a short account of the results of the investigations of various scientific men in France into the nature of the Phylloxera — that terrible scourge which is committing such wide-spread ravages among the French vine- yards. Latterly we have received some reports com- municated to the French Academy of Sciences deal- ing with the attempts which have been made during the last three or four years to arrest the mischief done by the insect, and ultimately to destroy it altogether, by means of some potent drug. It is obvious that the remedy to be employed must possess two qualities at starting, viz., it must destroy the insect, and it must not damage to any great extent the Vine. But, further, it is not sufficient that when put in. close con- tact with the roots of a plant— as in a pot— it should prove fatal to the insect, it is necessary, if the remedy is to be of real practical value, that it should reach and destroy the Phylloxera on all the parts attacked by it in Vines which are planted out in the open ground. This is a real difficulty to overcome, as the remedy, be it in the form of solution or of vapour, cannot easily permeate the soil, sometimes clayey, sometime vhich the Vine is growing. and act upon the smaller root branches whose nutri- tion the Phylloxera diverts into itself. M. Mouillefert, a Professor at the School of Agri- culture at Grignon, was the gentleman delegated by the Academy of Sciences to make the necessary experi- ments for the purpose of determining what agent was the most practically applicable to the destruction of the Phylloxera, and the account of the numerous substances employed by him with varying results fills no less than 200 pages of a memoir presented to the Academy of Sciences. It is not our intention hete to do more than give a brief ristimi of the results at which he arrived. He divides the substances used by him into seven groups, the first of which was composed of manures of various kinds, such as guano, superphosphates, farm-muck, &c. ; the second of neutral substances, as water, soot, and sand ; the third of alkalies, as ammonia and soda ; the fourth of saline products, amongst which were the sulphates of iron, copper, zinc, potassium, and ammonia, alum, and sea-salt ; the fifth of vegetable essences and products, as decoc- tions of hemp, datura, absinthe, valerian, and tobacco ; the sixth of empyreumatic products ; and the seventh of sulphur compounds. It was only with some of the substances contained in this last group that really satisfactory results were obtained, and it is to M. Dumas, the permanent secretary of the French Academy of Sciences, that the credit is due for s uggest- ing the employment of the alkaline sulpho-carbonates of potassium and sodium and those of barium and cal- cium. All the other classes of remedies mentioned above were either without effect on the Phylloxera, or, in destroying it, also destroyed or damaged the Vine. The sulpho-carbonates, which were carefully studied by the great Swedish chemist Berzelius, are obtained by eombining the alkaline mono-sulphides with the bisulphide of carbon, are either liquid or solid, and emit a powerful odour of sulphuretted hydrogen and bisulphide of carbon. The alkaline sulpho-carbonates in the solid state are of a beautiful reddish yellow colour and deli- quescent, but are not easily obtainable in that condi- tion ; the sulpho-carbonate of barium can be easily procured, however, in a solid state, and presents the appearance of a yellow powder, but little soluble in water. The sulpho-carbonates decompose under the influence of carbonic acid, forming a carbonate, and evolving sulphuretted hydrogen and bisulphide of carbon. These two latter substances are gradually liberated, and, as they have a very powerful effect on the Phylloxera, one can understand that the sulpho- carbonate, placed in the ground, may prove, by its slow decomposition, a powerful insecticide. In the case of the sulpho-carbonate of potassium, over and above its toxic efiect, it has a direct invigorating influence upon the Vine, as the carbonate of potassium is an excellent manure. The employment of the sulpho-carbonates as a means for the destruction of the Phylloxera was sug- gested to M. Dumas by the clearly-recognised need that there was of some substance that would evaporate less quickly than the bisulphide of carbon ; he saw that it was desirable to apply the insecticides in some combination which would fix them and only allow them to evaporate gradually, so that their action might continue long enough in any one place to infect with their vapours all the surrounding soil. But the task of eradicating the Phylloxera has by no means been accomplished by the mere discovery of the value for the purpose of these substances ; there is the further difficulty of applying them to the Vine in cultivation. One thing seems very certain, that in order to render the sulpho-carbonates practically effica- cious in killing the insect, it is necessary to use water as the vehicle by which they may be brought to all the underground parts of the plant, and that the best time of year for their application is the winter or early spring, when the earth is still moist and the quantity of water necessary to be brought on to the ground by artificial means is consequently less. Mixed with hme in the proportion of 2 to i, these sulpho-carbonates give a powder which can be spread over the ground before the heavy rains, that is, between October and 76 THE GARDENE-RS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. March, and which will probably prove itself very efficacious. The conclusion at which M. Mouillefert arrives .at the end of his report is that the efficacy of the sulpho- carbonates is proved, and all that is necessary is to bring to perfection their employment in agriculture, which can only be accomplished by the intelligence and practical knowledge of the Vine grower, who is well ab'e to discover ihe economic processes of cul- ture which are conducive to their successful applica- tion. He ends by saying that " Science has accomplished ts mission, and it remains for Agriculture to fulfil it part" in the eradication of the Phylloxera from the vineyards of France. Nature. BOTTOM-HEAT: ITS USE AND ABUSE. I QUITE agree with most of what your correspond- ent, Mr. D. T. Fish, has so ably said, at p. II, in favour of bottom-heat, and believe that, when applied at the right time and in moderation, it is one of the most powerful aids to successful cultivation a gardener can make use of. That it is highly injurious to Vines during the early stages of their growth I have long since found from experience, and for years have discontinued it altogether, substituting a thin coating of dry leaves or bracken, covered with shutters or old lights, just to keep out frost and wet from the border. The roots of Vines respond so readily to heat when applied to them that they pump up sap much faster than the slow swelling of the buds require, and the fluid, once started and finding no natural outlet, is forced into other channels, and effects its escape possibly by some of the very roots through which it was taken up, thus keeping up a continuous circulation in that manner till the Vines are exhausted. Those who have attempted to stop a Vine from bleeding after it has once started to do so, will have some idea of the irrepressible force of sap after it is once fairly set in motion, and with what energy it pur- sues its course along the various channels allotted. Heat applied to the roots propels it at a quicker rate, and causes it to expand much in the same manner as does water ; and I am strongly of opinion that the sap of Vines thus set actively moving travels up the stem and returns again to the border, where it is discharged in the soil. If this is the case, as close observation has led me to believe, it is no wonder that Vines sub- jected to such treatment should start but feebly, and only make progress after they have got fairly into leaf, when any downward current that had previously been set going, would have ceased and take course. The fact of Vines starling stronger at the extreme end of the border, where they do not feel the influence of heat, shows clearly and unmistakably the evil of piling a mass of (ermenting material on their roots, and if those who have been in the habit of so using it will only test ihe thing for themselves, by covering a portion of their early border, and simply protecting the remainder, I am convinced that they will soon abandon the practice. It is not many years since that elaborate and costly works were undertaken in several gardens to heat Vine borders by means of hot water, but excepting the fine Muscat Grapes produced under the system by Mr. Drewett many years since, I have not seen anything to warrant the practice being adopted. As to pot Vines doing better with bottom-heat than without it, it should be borne in mind that it is generally applied to them when they are making their growth and have leaves, which is a very different matter to piling it on an outside border or plunging the pots in a mass of fermenting material to start them to fruit. That some do this I am well aware, and they will continue to do so till they are convinced of their error ; but if I re- member rightly, oneol our best gardeners (I think Mr. Gilbert, of Burghley) stated some year or two ago that he found they started much stronger and better with- out it. If pot Vines suffer less than those in a border, it is because the soil is very much drier, in which case the efl'ect of heat would not tell so injuriously on them. I note that Mr. Wildsmith, in his paper re- lating to the subject of bottom-heat to Vines, says that he lays no claim to originality in discovering that they do not make fresh feeding roots till the buds are expanded. That they and all other deciduous plants do so, is a fact known to most people, or if it were not 50 what is the use of transplanting such things at the time of year at which all operations of that kind take place ? Vine borders are generally overhauled in the autumn, many of them not being interfered with till after the leaves have fallen ; and does Mr. W. sup- pose that the old mutilated roots remain in that con- dition till the buds start again in the spring, before forming fresh fibres ? There are few gardeners who have not had some- thing to do with renovating old Vine borders, and in doing so they mu,t hare observed numbers of rootlets to all appearance as active as at any time of the year. It is one of Nature's laws that roots are ever elongating and ever at work, although no doubt in a much less degree during the winter than at any other time ; but that they are at work then is beyond all question, for if it were not so, how is it possible that any deciduous plants could exist ? In the act of trans- planting, or during any interference with a Vine border for the purpose of renewing the soil, most of the main roots are broken or damaged ; this involves the loss of the principal feeders, but the plant imme- diately sets to work to repair the loss by forming others, without which it would live but a very short time. I know there are many who think that because they see trees leafless, they are entirely at rest, and that there is no movement going on either above or below, but this is one of the most erroneous ideas ever entertained. If the roots were not at work, send- ing up sap to replace that carried ofl' by drying winds, and to nourish the incipient buds during their slow process of swelling, trees would cease to exist. Nature is never at rest, but goes on unceasingly in all her various departments, and there can be no doubt that as regards root formation she is never at fault, but that the process is ever going on in a greater or less degree so long as there is life in the plant. With Vines I take it that it is not the formation of fresh feeders that does the mischief, as their increase would be highly beneficial, but that the sap is put in rapid circulation, and instead of finding its natural outlet it returns to the soil, thus keeping up simply a flow and return, to the great detriment of the swelling buds, as they would thus be in a measure starved. With plants in leaf, or with such as have had their feeding-roots disturbed or injured, the eflect of bottom-heat would be very different, as it would greatly aid the formation of fresh fibres to take the place of those destroyed, and thus enable them to get quicker to work to repair the injury; indeed, with many plants that have been shaken out and partly disrooted bottom- heat is absolutely necessary. There are many stove subjects that will do in from 10° to 20° less top-heat if they can have their roots in a hot- bed, and although they may not be so serviceable for the decoration of cool houses or exhibition purposes as when grown without it, most of them do best when they have it supplied. What, for instance, should we do without it in the case of Melons and Cucumbers ? and do they not always succeed in a more satisfactory manner when the bottom-heat is greatly in excess of tfie top? And so with many other plants. Mr. Andrew Knight and others tried to do without It for Pine-apples, but the attempt was so much a failure that all who cultivate them now have returned to the old system. As of all good things, it is an easy mailer to have too much of bottom-heat, and to use it for a wrong purpose, as is the case when it is applied to the roots of leafless Vines, where the only effect it has is to cause them to pump themselves dry. S^W. LOCKINGE, WANTAGE. This extremely picturesque domain, the resi- dence of Colonel Loyd-Lindsay, M.P., is situated about 2 miles eastward of Wantage, in the midst of a purely agricultural district. The roadway runs through the village of Lockinge, which is immediately con- tiguous to the park grounds, and Lockinge Church is almost close to the mansion, the main road being almost within a stone's-throw of it. It is one of those places in which the park grounds melt almost imper- ceptibly into the fields beyond them, and village and patk alike have the appearance of being blended in one community bound together by a common bond of mutual interests. As the visitor drives up to the gardener's residence at the top of the village he has the park grounds on the left hand of the hill, and on the right a line of semi-detached labourers' cottages, quite picturesque in appearance, in an elevated posi- tion, with charming flower-gardens in front and good vegetable gardens behind ; and their appearance testifies to the desire of Colonel Loyd-Lindsay that the abodes of his labourers should be examples of domestic convenience and sanitary arrangements. Prizes are annually offered for the best-kept flower and kitchen gardens, and some of the former, on a gentle slope towards the roadway, are excellent illustrations of taste and skill in the arrangement. Lockinge is a place of great antiquity. The old Saxon name was "Laking," which at the Norman Conqueit was corrupted into '* Lachinges." In the ninth century Laking was granted, by charter of Qaeen Adelsinth, to the Abbey of Abingdon, and for some centuries this estate continued vested in the abbey, until its dissolution in 1538, when it was placed at the disposal of the Crown. Clarke's Parochial Topography of the Hundred of Lockinge gives full details of the successive holdings of the property until it became the property of Mr. J. P. Bastard, M.P. for Devonshire, and was sold by his successor to its present respected owner. The mansion occupies a low position, and the manor-house as it was called was built about the year 1740. Since it came into the possession of Colonel Loyd-Lindsay the grounds have been con- sidered improved, and these are constantly being carried out under the superintendence of Mr. James Atkins, the able gardener at Lockinge. The view of the mansion (fig. 12, p. 81) is taken from the rising ground near to the roadway, and it has been admirably executed by the artist. The church is situated on the right-hand of the mansion, but is hidden from view by the group of trees and shrubs in the fort ground. There is a pleasant terrace flower garden along the front and at the sides of the mansion, the principal entrance and carriage drive being on that side of the residence farthest from view. The rising ground and slopes about the residence, and the stretch of park away beyond, are all modern, and there are to be found some splendid examples of Beech, Elms, Sycamore, Limes, &c,, also of Yew, Box, Thujas, Wellingtonias, Picea Pinsapo, many kinds of Berberis, Laurustinus, Aucubas, &c. Many choice shrubs are but newly planted, but they are all doing well. Some of the Yews are of handsome pyramid shape, and iS feet in The grounds are remarkable for the air of repose about them ; they seem to be so entirely removed from the busy haunts of men— forming a place in which to seek rest and quiet from the cares of business, the heat of party warfare, and the incessant requirements of modern social life to dwellers in the metropolis. There are extremely pleasant winding walks about the slopes, with here and there artfully constructed pieces of rock- work and waterfalls that look as if they had been fashioned by the hand of Nature ; and at the lowest point a winding stream and rustic bridges, the banks clothed with Primroses and other flowers in spring, and in summer with Ferns, Periwinkle, &c. At almost every point some charming feature is introduced, appropriate groups of plants and shrubs, patches" of bright flowers, &c. In one spot which the visitor comes upon suddenly— for it is artfully surrounded by a bed of shrubs and trees— there is a small circular flower garden, which at this time of the year is bedded with spring flowers of different kinds, such as Daisies, Arabis, Polyanthus, Aubrietia, Wallflowers, Pansies, Forget-me-nots, &c. In summer-time a charming display is obtained here by means of ordinary flowering and foliaged plants, admirably arranged, and conspicuous among the subjects were some very charming beds of Lantanas, which were a most pleasing feature. In addition to the terrace garden, in which the beds are similarly filled as above during spring and summer, there is also what is termed the saloon garden, which is situated in front of the smoking saloon leading to the large conservatory. Here small shrubs are intermingled with Hyacinths and Tulips at this season of the year, and the stone vases, filled with flowering plants in summer, have Yuccas, &c,, as their occupants. There are eight plant and forcing houses in addition to a spacious conservatory, all of which are filled with the usual occupants in excellent condition. Lockinge is not a plant-growing place, but there are many admirably grown specimens of great value for house decoration. A new road, 600 yards in length, leads from the mansion to the new walled-in kitchen garden, which occupies an open, elevated, and some- • what exposed spot. The new kitchen garden was iS77. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 77 commenced by Mr. Burr, Mr. Atkins' predecessor in the management of the gardens, in 1S71, and was completed under Mr. Atkins. It is about 6 acres in extent, with substantial walls and a range of vineries and Peach-houses. The kitchen garden is on the chalk, and originally there was not more than 6 inches of natural soil resting on the chalk bed, but it has been made up to the depth of 30 inches by means of soil brought in from the great stretch of downs immediately contiguous, which was mingled with the natural soil. The wall trees are all in a concrete bottom, 5 feet in width. The Peaches that do best outside are Early Grosse Mignonne, Dr. Hogg, Tc-ton de Venus, Early Silver, Noblesse, Royal George, and Princess of Wales. It may be remarked that all the trees are comparatively young and in process of being established, and during last summer bore good crops of fruit. To ensure a due supply, water is laid on to all parts of the kitchen garden by means of eighteen branch pipes from the waterworks on the estate. The six vineries are planted as follows :— No. I, BOURNEMOUTH. Close to the beautiful estuary known as Poole Harbour, not far from Sludland and Swanage, with their fine coast scenery and almost inexhaustible points of interest for the geologist and naturalist, lies the town of Bournemouth. Situated on a sandy coast, and well sheltered by hills thickly clothed with Pinasters and other Conifers, this comparatively new town possesses almost unrivalled advantages as a health resort. To its other attractions has lately been added a winter garden and conservatory, a representa- tion of which is given below (fig. 11), and which was opened on Tuesday last. The winter garden is situated near the centre of Bournemouth, and within easy walking distance of the pier and the public pleasure grounds, and bids fair to become a fashionable and attractive lounge. A quantity of Palms and other ornamental plants has been placed within the wing of the building which has been specially erected for their reception, the corre- sponding wing being intended for a concert-room. iron piping being covered with ornamental iron con. tinuous grating. The ventilation is carried out on Taylor's system applied to a portion of the hot-water pipes, the fresh air being conducted by means of zinc piping and covers over the pipe troughs, and commu- nicating with the outer air, thus giving a continuous supply of warmed and vapourised fresh air through- out the building. Additional summer ventilation is provided. The quadrangle is lighted by a fringe of gas jets round the inner side of the gallery, and the wings, i.e., the concert-room and the tropical department, are lighted by starlights. Water is laid on, and drainage, as well as protection from lightning, is also provided for. The height from the floor to the centre of the roof is about 70 feet, and there is a floor surface of 2i,oco square feet. The extreme length of the building is 220 feet, and at its widest part it is 125 feet. The views obtained from the outer balcony, running round the upper structure, are very fine, embracing the Needles and great portions of the Isle of Wight, the Solent, the English Channel, &c. Fig, II.— the new winter garden at Bournemouth, with Madresfield Court and Foster's Seedling'; No. 2, with Muscat of Alexandria ; No. 3 is a mixed house ; No. 4, with Black Hamburgh ; No. 5, with Alicante and Lady Downe's ; No. 6, with Hamburgh and Foster's Seedling. Mr. Atkins has been very success- ful in showing that it is possible to have the Madres- field Court Grape fine in berry, in bunch, and with- out the trace of a crack, as shown at p. 367 of the last volume of the Gardeners' Chicntch. In the two Peach-houses are Noblesse, Royal George, Stirling Castle, Ward's Late, and Barrington ; of Nectarines, Albert Victor, very fine, and Elruge ; and there is a capital Fig-house also. The kitchen garden paths are spacious, a centre path being 14 feet in width, and all the other paths 10 feet in width, to admit of carts going round with manure, &c. ; and on either side of the main path there is a mixed flower border, which admits of many flowers being grown that are invaluable lor cut purposes. Mr. Aikins is well known at various exhibitions as a successsful cultivator and exhibitor of fruit and vegetables, and the improvements that are going on at Lockinge serve to give him a wider scope for the display of his energy and practical skill, R, £>. The' building has been designed by the contractors, Messrs. Fletcher, Lowndes & Co., of Great George Street, Westminster, and the erection has been super- intended by Messrs. Tuck & Cumber, of Bourne- mouth. The building consists of the quadrangle, which is 100 feet square, with galleries approached by staircases, and running round three sides ; an upper structure, or dome, 42 feet square, with external balcony ; a vestibule, within the main entrance ; and the two wings, each 50 feet long by 70 feet wide, and 27 feet high. The roofs are curvilinear, and are con- structed on Messrs, Fletcher, Lowndes & Co.'s system, with their patent iron tubular ribs, and sup- ported by cast iron columns. The building is approached from the Exeter road by a carriage drive, and the principal entrance con- sists of a flat glazed roof, over the carriage-way, pro- jecting from the vestibule. There are similar entrances at each end and at the back of the building, those at the wings consisting of vestibules projecting 10 feet, and being 10 feet in width. The principal entrances are paved with Carter & Co.'s tiles from the Poole Pottery. The heating apparatus is sufficient to raise the temperature as required from 32° to 65° Fahren- heit, throughout the building, a portion of the cast- Florists' Flowers. Messrs. Downie & Laird's Nursery at PiNKHILL is situated about two miles west of ■' Auld Reekie," on the Glasgow Road. The Pinkhill Nursery is a branch of the West Coates establishment, where the firm a few years ago built a fine winter garden, now recognised as one of the sights of Edinburgh. Pinkhill has always played the part of a feeder to West Coates, and does so still, but to a greater extent, insomuch that since Mr. John Downie, the senior partner, has taken up his residence there, Pinkhill has become emphatically the home of the various types of florists' flowers, in the culture of which for so many years the firm has achieved a well-merited success ; and now that the crossing and propagation of the various flowers is carried on under the watchful eye of Mr. Downie, one of the keenest of florists and most genial of men, we may expect to see many more fine garden flowers added to the already long list sent out by the firm. Pentstemons.— At the time of our visit one of the grandest of sights in the floral world was to be seen in V8 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, [January 20, 1877. very two large beds of Pentstemons, the one composed entirely of named sorts, and the other of seedlings flowering for the first time. Which of the beds pleased us most we were at the time, and still are, unable to say, so abundant were the charms of each. The batch of named sorts included all the varieties catalogued by the firm, while the bed of seedlings contained a great number of their prototypes— in fact, as was remarked by a well-known nurseryman, if all the named Pent- stemons were lost they could almost be replaced out of this bed of seedlings. In the improvement of the Pentstemon this firm has taken the lead. Indeed it is to Mr. Downie that the credit is mainly due of bringing the flower to its present high standard of excellence, and as he was kind enough to tell us how in a great measure this was brought about, it may as well be recorded. It seems that, some years ago, a variety named perfoliatus was introduced, —by whom we did not learn ; but at all events it was a very fine introduction, and distinguished from the ordinary varieties in cultivation in those days by its lengthy spike and thickly set whorls of short- tubed flowers. Well, this particular variety was planted amongst the other named sorts— and the bees, who are particularly partial to Pentstemons, carried the pollen of perfoliatus from flower to flower, and so started the improvement which has resulted in a complete change in the character of the plants, which are distinguished now from the old type of Pentstemon by their much more lengthy spikes and more thickly placed flowers. A batch of seedling Pentstemons has been raised annually at Pinkhill for some years past, and from these have generally been selected about a dozen of the best to send out. When we saw them last ten varieties had been so selected, and these were named Countess of Tarbat, a very fine variety, with flowers of a deep shade of rose, the throat being white and pencilled with puce; Mrs. Kinghorn, a fine round flower of a rich dark rose, with a white throat, pencilled with rose ; John M'Nab, which had a very fine spike of rosy scarlet flowers and a pure white throat ; Dr. Masters, a very large flower, crimson scarlet, and pure white throat ; Lady Houston Boswell, a large and well- formed flower, in colour a curious combination of white and rose ; Octoroon, a dark rosy-crimson flower, with a fine bold throat ; Mrs. A. F. Barron, a pretty and very distinct flower, light rose shaded with violet ; Lennie Barron, a shaded French-white and carmine pencilled throat ; William Fowles, a white crimson- shaded flower, of fine size ; and Percy Wynne, dark crimson, and white throat veined with rose. Two of these, Mrs. A. F. Barron and Octoroon, were figured in the Floral Magazine for December last. Turning now to the named sorts already distributed we noted as the best of the new varieties sent out last year Mrs. Sutherland Walker, bright scarlet, white throat ; David P. Laird, crimson, with a white throat, pencilled with a deeper shade of crimson ; Mrs. Wills, pale crimson, with a white throat ; pyramidalis, crimson scarlet, with a deep crimson blotched white throat ; Lady Dundas, white, shaded with purple ; Captain Boyton, purplish maroon, with a white, crimson-striped throat ; and Emma Marsh, dark rose, with fine white throat. The whole of these are distinguished for their fine lengthy spikes, and bold even flowers. Out of the dozen sent out in 1S75 we noted eight varieties that proved to possess a high degree of merit, viz.. Beauty, light purple, with white throat ; Duke of Sutherland, bright scarlet, with white throat, very fine ; James Watt, rosy crimson, throat blotched and striped with deep claret, the upper lobe white ; Mrs. Macfie, purplish crimson, with a white throat ; David Thomson, rosy crimson, throat white veined with crimson ; Andrew Kemp, ruby-red, white throat heavily veined with crimson ; and Dr. Gray, a blueish shade of purple, with a white throat, striped with claret. The Pentstemon is one of the hardiest of florists' flowers, but in ordinary gardens it is better known as a very showy and useful border plant. Somewhat outside the pale of exhibition flowers in the South, though more favoured in the North, it yet has points of excellence that make it well worthy the attention of the florist, and the many fine named sorts now in . cultivation attest that that attention has not been wanting, especially among the Northern growers. Partaking even more largely than the Wallflower or the Antirrhinum of a perennial habit, it is yet best treated as a biennial, or, at the most, as a triennial, because it is apt to get ragged and shapeless after that period of growth has been passed. Still farther, new plants are so easily raised from seed that it is but necessary to sow a pinch of seed each recurring season to secure a constant supply of robust young plants. It is also an excellent characteristic ol the Pentstemon, as seen in the PinkhiU seedlings, that it very fairly reproduces by means of seed all the best features of the parent. The better the parents the better will be the stock of seedlings produced, and a selection from the best flowers is a matter of the greatest ease to any grower. Probably a knowledge of this fact accounts for the general non-appearance of named varieties in our gardens, although it by no means accounts for the too common absence of the Pentste- mon from garden borders altogether. It may be that the fine qualities of the Pentstemon are not sufficiently understood in the South, and it is less doubtful that if understood they would ensure for the plant a much more general cultivation than it at present enjoys. Why the Pentslemon should not receive as much encouragement amongst us for exhibition purposes as does the Stock or the Antirrhinum is one of those things that can only be explained by the compilers of floral schedules. Good spikes of flower are more showy than either of these are, quite as easily grown, and admit of the skill of the florist being more fully displayed in adjudging of their merits than do either of the flowers mentioned. Arrangement of flowers on the spike, size and shape of tube, colour, and mark- ings, all call alike for accuracy of judgment, and therefore it is from no intrinsic defects in the Pentste- mon that it is, so far, shut out of the pale of exhibition flowers. An interesting fact in connection with the Pentste- mon is the extraordinary fondness of the bees for its flowers. What there is about the flowers that the bees so much appreciate we are unable to say, but the fact remains, that while bees were generally very scarce everywhere last year, as pointed out recently by Mr. Darwin, they might have been counted by hundreds amongst the flowers of the Pentstemons at any time of the day when the weather was fine. We have no recollection of having seen the Pentstemon recommended to be grown as a bee flower, but that bees are remarkably fond of the flower there can be doubt, and this furnishes another reason why this beautiful flower should come into greater favour. Antirrhinums. — Another interesting feature in the Pinkhill nursery was a fine border of Antirrhi- nums in full bloom — a brilliant display of richly hued blossoms. A batch of seedling Antirrhinums is also raised here every year, but a great number have to be grown to secure one good flower distinct enough to name. It is a singular characteristic of this plant that its continued cultivation developes so little improve- ment in the way of colour. The shape and size of the spikes and flowers have undergone immense improve- ment ; but as regards new shades of colour, such as are so freely produced by the Pentstemon, the ad- vancement of the Antirrhinum maybe said to have stood still. There are three or four permanent colours, on which the variations or changes are rung, but from which the flower does not seem to be able to break away. Phloxes.— The raising of new varieties of Phloxes of the autumn-flowering section is also being vigor- ously carried on. The seeds will not ripen out-of- doors so far North, but when grown in pots and flowered under glass they ripen very well. There was a fine batch of seedlings just coming into flower at the time of our visit, and we have heard since that their flowering has given great satisfaction, and several fine varieties have been saved to bloom again this year. Pansies. — Next to the Pentstemons, the glories of Pinkhill lay in a large bed of Pansies and Violas planted on a gentle slope facing due south, and which was liter- ally one sheet of blossoms. Long before mid-summer the Violas with us were completely burned up, and it was indeed a treat to see such a display at the time. As a bedding plant the Viola stands pre-eminent in Scot- land, where the less glaring sunshine and longer dewy nights suit it so much better than our hotter and drier summer weather. The Viola has been largely improved by the Southern growers, and so it has in the North, where our familiar names are seldom met with, the Scottish fanciers sticking more to their own productions. Amongst the fine varieties growing in front of Mr. Downie's residence we parti- cularly admired Viola Duchess of Sutherland, of a pale Cambridge-blue shade of colour, free-growing, •jnd very floriferous, an improvement on Dean's Prince Teck, from which it is a seedling ; Mrs. Henry Pease, a pure white flower, dwarf and compact in habit, and very free-flowering ; Max Kolb, a fine purple tlower; Pinkhill Beauty, a fine shade of purple-plum colour with a dark centre, and fine in form ; and King of Bedders, a variety sent out last year, and in the same way as the last-named. It will interest lovers of Pelargoniums to know that Dr. Denny's new varieties will be distri- buted this spring by Messrs Veitch. PLANT HOUSES. Greenhouse Hard-wooded Plants. — The tying and staking of these plants should be pushed on with, so as to finish it as soon as it can conveniently be got through. The bloom-buds of many things will now begin to increase in size, and if training is delayed too long there is danger of their getting knocked off in the operation. Large plants that are only wanted for home decoration will not need as much tying as they would if intended for exhibiting as well. The material that shows the least is black carpet thread, indeed it has to be nearly looked for to be seen ; in its use it is necessary to be careful not to tie the shoots too tight, as it will not stretch. Always have new sticks, for even if those used last year seem sound they will before the season is over decay, and then, when the plants are moved about, they are in danger of the collar being injured. Soil of the various descriptions necessary — loam, peat, leaf- mould, and sand — should immediately be got under cover and spread out in open sheds to dry, so as to be in proper condition by the time for potting ; and empty flower-pots should be well washed and crocks . broken, so that all may be in readiness. Heaths.— With these also let the tying be com- pleted as soon after this time as possible, by so doing the plants will when in bloom have a better appearance, as when tying is done a good while before tlie flowers open the points of the shoots and the leaves have time to assume their proper position. It is well now to make a calculation as to the time it is desirable to have the plants in bloom ; this applies equally to those for home decoration as well as to any that may be wanted for exhibition purposes. As soon as we get any sun they should be put in positions to keep back and push on their flowering according as may be necessary. Any that may be placed in the north or retarding house must have a good situation where they will get plenty of light, for Heaths cannot bear being in badly ventilated or dark houses. Putting them at the coolest or warmest end of the house they are grown in will cause two or three weeks' difference in the time of their blooming. Early flowered plants of the Hyemalis section that have been in conservatories or pother places where a higher temperature is kept up, and where they may also not have had enough light and air, should as they go out of bloom be put where they will gradually receive treatment better suited to their wants. Do not let them be exposed to cold draughts of air, but give them abundance of light and the requisite venti- lation, and encourage them to begin growing. Soft-wooded Greenhouse Plants.— Lilies, if wintered under plant stages, or such-like places, must on no account be allowed to suffer for want of water. If from any cause they were not potted at the proper time last year, they should at once be attended to, getting the soil in the pots above the bulbs carefully away without disturbing the roots, and replacing it with good loam, to which has been added rotten dung, a little sand, and some leaf-mould, giving just enough water to keep the soil in a healthy state. Let Primulas have a position as near the glass as possible, and if in a night temperature of 48° they may have plenty of water to their roots, as the light and extra warmth will make them not liable to their greatest enemy, damp. Cuttings of show Pelargoniums struck in the autumn should, when they have filled their little pots with roots, be moved into larger ; from 4 to 6 inches, according to their size and the nature of the variety, will be big enough for them this first season. Give them good loam . well enriched with rotten manure, to which add a little sand. Those that have not been stopped should have their points pinched out to cause them to break. Cinerarias that were sown late and are in small pots, if they do not show signs of blooming, will be benefited by being moved into larger ones. These will come in late, and be of service when the earlier bloomed plants are over. If they have commenced to push up their flower-stems do not repot, as all that can then be done to help them is giving them liquid manure. To manage Primula japonica in a satisfactory manner it wants treating well, not stinting it for pot-room, and giving it soil consisting of good loam with the addition of a fair sprinkling of sand and a fifth of leaf-mould and rotten January 20, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 79 dung in equal proportions. Any pbnls that need it should now have a liberal shift ; they will llower strong and late. Those that are intended to bloom early ought to be well fed with manure-water. Campanula pyramidaiis, both the white and blue varieties, are very useful decorative subjects, and deserving of being more generally grown than they are ; if sown in good time in the spring and well done they make fine bloom- ing plants in about sixteen months. Give plants either grown on from suckers or sown last spring a good light position, and never let them get stunted through an insufficiency of pot-room. T. Balms. Orchids.— Advantage should now be taken, whilst there is a comparative slackness of work in the other departments, to carefully go over the collection, and give every plant a thorough cleaning. This matter of sponging will be necessary during almost the whole of the season more or less, for dust will be sure to follow the leaves, and insects to get upon them also ; but just now it will be better that a more persistent course be adopted, and the plants carefully gone over. The different forms of scale that attack these plants, whether the soft woolly one that is found chiefly on Catlleyas and Lrelias, or those that affect more parti- cularly the Aerides, Vandas, and Saccolabiums, or again that small hard one that we meet with chiefly on Cct'logyne crislata, are all imported with the plants, and as soon as we have the plants under culti- vation the insects appear to thrive and increase immensely. Get a small brush or a pointed stick for the removal of these, and with a piece of sponge carefully go over the leaves and bulbs, and thus give a fresh and glossy appearance to the whole. In sponging it is always better to use a little soft soap in the water, and if a few drops of turpentine are added it helps to kill the smaller scale, whilst it is quite safe and will not hurt the tenderest leaves. Only those should be trusted to perform this duty who have previously had experience in the clean- ing of plants that are less costly, else if one who is new to the work is set to it, and due oversight is not given, the number of cracked and split leaves and scratched bulbs will soon show signs of inexperience and want of care, and in a few hours the results of years of care and toil may be completely spoilt, and what should give pleasure and satisfaction will then only bring disgust and disappointment. Let a suffi- cient quantity of sphagnum moss and carefully assorted peat be got under cover, and on wet days, or when time can be spared, give the moss a good picking over, and take out all grass and weeds that will be sure to be amongst it, so that when required for potting it will be ready and fit for use. Pots and crocks should also be washed, and placed under cover, and some charcoal obtained, so as to be at hand when needed. The Odontoglossum-house will now begin to wear a cheerful aspect, and from the time the first flowers of Alexandra expand we may look forward to a continuance of bloom. One of the pleasures in connection with this class of plants, more especially those that are purchased as soon as imported, is the fact that it has often happened that where a number have been obtained for Alexandra, and grown on lor a year or two under that impression, when the flowers have opened they have proved to be triumphans, and in some cases the even more rare and choice Ander- sonianum ; where such is the case a single plant will be worth much more than is often given for the lot. It may be said, however, that some- times the results are the other way, and that a worse thing turns out amongst what were expected to be all very fine : this is true in a measure, but the chances now-a-days are much more in favour of the buyer than when this class of plants was first introduced. Again the different, and, at the same time, beautiful varieties of Alexandix and Pescatorei are such, that where convenience can be given these should be grown by scores or by the hundred, and when established and in flower there are very few sights that can be compared to a stage in the Odontoglossum-house with the spikes of these spreading and drooping over dark green healthy foliage. When the first flowers of Alexandra; were seen some twelve years ago, it was directly looked upon as one of the most desirable and useful that had ever been sent over, and each year, though it has been imported by thousands, and gladdened the heart and pleased the eye of numberless spectators, it is now sought for as eagerly as at first, and is in higher estimation than ever. IV. Swati, FallmvfidJ. FRUIT HOUSES. Peaches and Nectarines. — When the time of flowering of these subjects takes place under the vari- able external aspects which usually prevail during the present month, it may reasonably be considered a somewhat critical time for the process of fertilisation ; the most suitable artificial means should therefore be adopted to effect the object perfectly. At times, however, when this peculiar function fails, the cause is too readily ascribed to it alone, without duly considering other primary reasons which are in- separably connected therewith ; for example, such as would naturally arise from an unmatured state of the wood by reason of over-exuberant growth being allowed to go unrestricted, or by suffering the borders about the roots to become exceedingly dry before the buds are perfectly developed. To these may be added other matters of detail in management, to which failure in this particular way may therefore with justness be associated and not solely limited to the conditions which are existent in the house at the period in question, for cases occur where excellent sets of fruit are secured, even under very oidinary circumstances. We invariably pursue a definite course of keeping up a moderate equable tem- perature of from 50° to 55° at night and from 55° to 60° in the day-time by fire-heat if it be necessary; and under the influence of sunshine range.it from 65° to 75°, at this time admitting a free course of air through the house ; on other occasions ventilating and closing the house at from 57° to 60° ; and at times when severe pressure exists externally we are content with 5° less both by night and in the day-time. As the flowers expand, and when the pollen is dry, brush these over with a camel's-hair pencil, or a jar of the trellis by the hand is not amiss ; the customary course of sprinkling is likewise adhered to throughout the whole process, and the trees are lightly syringed every morning and early in the afternoon every day, providing the moisture from the former syringing has dispersed. The temperature and treatment in the successional-house may, with an increased amount of light, be kept identical with that of the earlier started house. No time should be lost in completing what- ever remains to be done in this department in the way of pruning, clearing, and training, as the flower-buds are already considerably advanced, and will speedily, with sunshine and favourable conditions, expand, and render such operations injurious. Ceo. T/ios, Miles, Wycombe Abbey. Cucumbers. — A very important item in the man- agement of winter Cucumbers is cleanliness. Every portion of the house should be kept sweet and free from decaying matter ; free ingress of light should be provided for by frequently washing the glass. If green or black fly put in an appearance dress with Pooley's Tobacco Powder. Destroy red-spider by the removal of old leaves, a few at a time, and careful sponging of the remainder with tepid soapy water— a tedious pro- cess many will say, but if taken in time a house of plants may soon be gone over. Smoking at this season, particularly alter so much dull weather, is dangerous, the young foliage being exceedingly soft and tender. The steaming of pipes or other heated surfaces should also be avoided for the present, as plenty of moisture may be obtained by damping the paths and walls. If severe weather sets in, blinds, mats, or other non-conducting materials may be used for covering with at night. Maintain a night tempe- rature of 6S° to 70°, with a rise of 10° to 15° by day. Pay constant attention to the preparation of materials for frame Cucumbers by frequent turnings and pro- tection from heavy rain. Make further sowings of seeds of the most approved kinds for succession, placing single seeds in small pots. Shift on young plants as they require more pot-room, and keep them near the glass. Orchard-house.— In large places, where an early forcing orchard-house has been provided to save the hard forcing of old-established trees, a selection of the best early kinds should be used for this purpose. One of the very best is Hales' Early, a fine, large, richly.flavoured Peach; Early York, Early Grosse Mignonne, and Abec, equally large and good, although a little later than Beatrice and Louise, are really pre- sentable when well-grown in pots ; indeed, these four kinds form the cream of the early varieties. To answer their purpose properly these trees should now be going out of bloom, and treated liberally. The fruits will swell rapidly under frequent syringings with tepid water, and a temperature of 50° to 55° at night, with a rise of 10° by day. In the orchard- house proper— f. a, the cool house — the mild weather is bringing the buds very foiward. When fire can be applied in severe or wet weather this is of little consequence, but where the house is unheated every door and window should be thrown open night and day to keep vegetation in check. All pruning, dressing, and cleaning should be finished, the trees gradually watered, until every particle of soil is brought into a growing state, when the final top-dressing maybe applied. Trees established in houses like a hard border to grow in ; good turfy loam, not too light, with a fair sprinkling of old lime rubble, suits them well. The drainage, too, must be good, as size of fruit depends so much upon feeding and the amount of healthy foliage the trees are allowed to carry. Trees intended to come in late may now be pruned and kept out-of-doors under a north or west wall until the blossoms begin to show colour, when they must be taken under glass. If well managed through the past summer, but little cutting will be required at this season'; but where it is necessary to shorten- back, care must be taken that the cut Is made in front of a triple bud. W. Coleman, Eastnor Caslk. KITCHEN GARDEN. With the advance of the season renewed vigilance must be exercised in order to keep pace with the different requirements in this department, one of the principal of which is to see that a constant succession of Seakale is regularly put to work at such intervals as the supply required renders necessary. The ordinary method of covering with pots and ferment- ing materials is useful and good in its way, but cannot always be thoroughly depended upon for supply ; it may with very great advantage be supplemented by taking advantage of the splendid roots for forcing which have been so largely cultivated of late yeais for that express purpose. Our practice is to pet from seven to nine large roots in lo-inch pots, water them thoroughly, and invert a pot of the same size over them, and place them on the top of the brick- work over a large boiler which heats several houses, covering them with a good thickness of old mats to exclude light. The soil must not be allowed to get dry, and about fourteen days is the average time required to have it ready for table ; if pushed faster it comes weak. Another batch of Asparagus crowns should be put to work, care being taken to avoid over- heating, of which it is very impatient. A few roots of early sorts of Rhubarb may have cement barrels, with the heads knocked out, placed over them, and these well covered with stable litter which has not been too much fermented. In a season like the present, when Apples are so scarce, well forced early Rhubarb cannot fail to be appreciated. Another batch of French Beans should be put to work for succession ; where conveniences serve it is better to get in smaller batches at shorter intervals than a great ch, however, I by sowing half the batch f in the way of i later sort. Some time in the last ' a good bed of prepared fermenting materials should be ready for the sowing of early Carrots the first week in February. This is often done in movable frames with very good success, but it does not economise material. For some years we have devoted a small brick pit a little over 4 feet deep and half sunk in the ground to this especial purpose, and have never failed of a satis- factory result: we usually sow two- thirds Early French Forcing and the other Early Horn, thus securing a succession to bring in the same two sorts in the open quarter. We take advantage of the heat for a sprinkling of Wood's Early Frame Radish, which is away before it can harm the Carrots. Early Potatos intended for planting in frames next month should be at once laid out on the floor of any erection where there is a con- stant heat ; the advantage to be derived from this practice, both for framework and early planting in the open, is very great, because some sets will either not sprout at all or so late that they would be useless in frames, where every plant is expected to tell ; and for the open border it is always a great advantage to be able to select such sets as will ensure a certain growth. When the sprouts have advanced an inch they are ready for planting. If the weather is open at the end of the month, and the ground in such a state that trenching may be carried on, all vacant plots should be attended to at once, and where new plantations of Horse Radish are required now is the best time to plant, or as early after this as the weather will permit : this crop requires deep trenching and plenty of manure. Now is a good time to decide upon the various plots to be occupied by the forthcoming crops, and proceed with the work of preparation in the order required. One of the first as a general crop will be that of Par- snips, which should be sown next month, the Hollow- Crowned and Student are two good sorts; take care to have new seed, as seed even two years old is very un- certain. Look well to the sowing of small salading in heat, and see that Chicory and Witloof are put in heat to blanch for succession, and to help out the supply of Endive from the winter stores, iohn Cox, Redleaf. The Rev. F. Simcox Lea, writing from Worcester to the Titius, remarks that "Mr. Darwin's statement (quoted in the Times of the nth inst. from our columns) that the Holly is a dioecious plant ex- plains a difficulty which the older writers on botany do not solve. Neither Withering nor Sowerby (original editions) gives the Holly as dicecious, while in common experience the trees which are full of flower in the spring, and which never bear berries are familiar. A peculiarity noticed during 1S76 in this district was that the abundant berries of the Holly of 1S75 remained on the trees all the year, and in my own garden I had the berry of 1875 at the Christmas of 1876. The berry of 1S76 was very rare, but the year was remarkable here for a generally deficient fruit crop, the stone fruit and Apples having alike failed. The Portugal Laurel, however, ripened its berries in unusual plenty. This, I believe, is a monrecious plant, but the Vew, which is dicecious, had also an abundant yield of berry." 8o THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1S77. Wednesday, Jan. 24 | Thubsday, Jan. 25 — Sale of Lilies, at Stevens' Rooms. „„ , „ r Sale of Hardy Plants and Bulbs, at Utuhday, Jan. 27) Rooms. SOMEWHAT to the astonisliment we sus- pect of those who thought they had really ^een the last of the Royal Horticultural Society, a large and interesting display of mis- ;cllaneous plants was collected in the Council- room on Wednesday last, thanks to the exer- tions and good feeling of such exhibitors as Messrs. Veitch, Williams, Lee, Sir Henry Peek, and others. We must refer to another column for the details of what was really a large and interesting meeting, though but thinly attended by the general public. It was gratifying also to hear a long list of new Fellows proposed. All these signs should encourage the Council. It scarcely admits of doubt that a large accession of new Fellows would accrue if the Society could only get clear of its entanglements to the debenture-holders and the Commissioners. To be saddled with the gardens one day longer than is absolutely necessary will, be believe, be fatal to the rejuvenation of the Society. All that is wanted is an official meeting place for the committees, with space enough for shows, if desired. Any attempt to conciliate the fashion of the town by bands, and such non- horticultural things, will simply be to pursue the same fatal policy which has so well nigh wrecked the Society. Let the Society stick to its own work, and that only. If any consider- able section of the Society want bands and promenade-gardens let they pay for them them- selves, but let not a penny of money that ought to be spent upon horticultural objects be again frittered away upon unproductive matters of this kind. Every effort should also be made to conciliate and bring in the country Fellows and the real horticulturists of the country. The butterflies will come if the flowers are provided. An answer which was given in our columns a week or two a^o relating to the COURSE OF THE Sap has ehcited a paper from Mr. Andre\v Murray, which was read before the Scientific Commirtte on Wednesday last, and which, at his desire, we reproduce. In our reply, to which Mr. MURRAY takes exception, we gave what we believe to be a substantially correct answer according 10 the present state of science, but one which it was necessary to compress into as few words as possible. There are three principal theories, which, disregarding modifica- tions, may be thus briefly summarised : — i. The old theory of a regular continuous ascent in the season, and an equally regular descent later on. This seems to be the view of a correspondent at p. 76 of our present issue, but it is one to which we cannot assent. 2. The more modern theory, according to which the descent is not absolutely denied, but whereby it is supposed to be limited by the requirements of the plant at the time ; and, lastly, there is the theory broached by Mr. Murray himself There are numerous modifications of these several notions, but it is not our intention to speak of thein now. Any text-book may be consulted with reference to them, and hence we prefer to let Mr. MURRAY speak for himself, and to solicit the attention of our readers to the subject, that they may favour us with their views. Only, as the subject is essentially a practical one, we trust they will not rely on their imaginations, but base their statements upon trustworthy facts. ' ' A great revolution has of late years taken place in the ideas of vegetable physiologists regarding the course of the sap ; and, what is very unusual, it has taken place silently, and with scarcely any discussion. One regret- able consequence of this has been that those who are out of the current of scientific unwritten opinion remain in ignorance of the change that has been coming over men's minds ; and even those who are in the midst of it are sometimes in doubt what the real verdict of the scientific world is. That this is so will be admitted by those who attended the Botanical Congress at Brussels in May last, where this question formed one of the sub- jects selected for discussion, and elicited much diversity of opinion ; and that a hke uncertainty still prevails here may be seen from a reply to a correspondent in the G^irdaters Chronicle, January 6, 1S77 : — " ' It is not aflrrmed by any one that we know of that the elaborated sap does not descend ; the modern notion is simply that it may and does ascend, go horizontally, or in any other direction, as well as descend, according to time, circumstances, and the need of the plant. Suppose, for instance, starch is to be stored in a Potato tuber, or wood to be formed in a Vine rod, the matter out of which that starch or that wood is formed must in a great measure pass through the leaves, and therefore it must descend to reach its destination. But starch is hkewise stored up in the grain of Wheat ; in this cise, then, it is obvious that the nutrient and store-containing, or store- forming sap, must ascend from the leaves, and the same holds true of fruits and stones (seeds) placed above the leaves.' " This is not at all what I understand to be the modern view of the subject ; neither is it the view which was come to by the Congress at Brussels. It is neither more nor less tiian the old theory, with scarcely any qualification. That theory was that the sap described two courses, viz., an ascending and a descending course ; the ascending course to the leaves, where it was sub- mitted to certain influences which fit it for the nutrition of the plant ; the descending one from the leaves, in a condition fitted for that purpose. The modern view, as I understand it, is that the sap describes only one course, viz., that from the root to the leaves, being drawn up by the power of the sun and other concurrent influences. In its course it is like a great river, which while steadily flowing to the sea, turns to the right or left, as obstacles present themselves or opportimiiies occur, and when in the delta near the termination of its course, which may be compared to the arrival of the sap at the leaves, it flows in any direction, now dividing to the right and to the left, and again even regurgitating and flowing in a backward direction, but all these anastomose together, and end by emptying into the ocean, which for the sap is the atmosphere, into which its watery portion is drawn by evaporation from the surface of the leaves. " It is ten years since Mr. Herbert Spencer's paper on circulation and formation of wood in plants \Linne.iti Society's Trans, for Roses in pots ; Messrs. Paul & Sons, the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, .,^5, for cut Roses ; Messrs. Cranston & Mayos, of Hereford, two guineas, for Tea-scented Roses ; Messrs. Lazenby & Sons, York, two guineas ; Mr. Williams, London, one guinea ; and Mr, Douglas, York, one guinea. The Southampton papers report that the recent high tides have been peculiarly destructive in their effects on the stock in Mr. W. Kingsbury's small nursery at Bevois Valley. The nursery is the same as that originated some years since by the elder Mr. Windeeank, Mr. Kingsbury's former partner, and is so well known in the locality that its desertion, in spite of the occasional danger of inundation, was always regarded as objectionable. It abuts on to the banks of the Itchen River on the one side, and on the other is subject to receive the overflow of storm waters from the Bevois Hill when an unusual storm takes place. Some years since, from this last-named cause, the place was flooded and much damage done. On the recent occasion the flood of sea-water broke in and literally flooded all the houses, destroying thousands of seedling plants, and doing mischief to the estimated extent of about ;^6oo. A very charming eflect in spring bedding may be obtained by interspersing strong clumps of the beautiful vermilion-scarlet Anemone fulgens with the charming pale blue Myosotis dissitiflora. If planted in a sheltered spot this lovely Anemone will flower as early as February, but in the open flower, beds it would produce its blooms at about the same time as does the Myosotis. The latter might be planted up closely to form a carpet, and the Anemone in clumps as pot plants. This Anemone will trans- plant easily in the autumn, when the clumps should be carefully divided but not be reduced too much. It would be undesirable to divide it in the spring when transplanted back to their summer quarters, as the less disturbed at the growing period the better. A correspondent sent us a few weeks ago a double flower of Lapageria rosea, so remarkable in its double condition as to demand notice. Several times it has fallen to our lot to see more or less double flowers of this beautiful and useful trailing plant, but the one to which we now allude exceeded them all in beauty and the extent of its doubleness, if we may be pardoned the use of such a word. The colour of the outer, or, as v/e may term them, the guard-petals was rich, and within them was a dense mass of narrow petals as regularly disposed as in the best of the double PiEonies. Our corre- spondent, who gave no other name than that of a " Constant Reader," informed us that the flower in question was produced as a sport from the ordinary form, and inquired of us as to whether it was likely to be perpetuated. Analogy would lead us to expect that if the sporting branch be propagated by layering or otherwise, that the peculiarity in question will be perpetuated : and for the sake of those to whom double flowers are an attraction it is very desirable that the experiment should be tried, for assuredly this variety is one of the most desirable we have seen. On examining the flower more minutely, we found a calyx of three pieces of the usual form, but rather greener and more leaf-like than usual ; within these were three rose-coloured petals of the usual form, colour, and size. Within the petals was a row of stamens combined, with a cup below and above bearing imperfect and more or less petal-like anthers. These, which would be a defect from a florist's point of view, were completely concealed by the pet.ils until the flower was pulled to pieces. Within these imperfect stamens came four or five tiers or whorls of petals, one above another, each tier or whorl consist- ing of brightly coloured petals of the same form and colour, and nearly of the same size as the normal petals. The extreme centre of the flower was occu- pied by a tuft of small irregularly shaped segments, exhibiting various transitions from the shape of the petals to that of the pistils, many of them showing imperfect ovules on their edges. One of the most exquisite plants for wreaths or for adorning dresses is undoubtedly Clematis calycina. Its tufts of bronzy, deeply divided leaves, from the centre of which hang the whitish bell- like flowers, render it one of the most elegant plants we know of. It is not often that we see it "in full bloom," but this winter with us it has been excep- tionally full of bloom. Talking of wreaths reminds us of the grotesque abominations which one sees now and then on the heads of ladies or in the shop- windows of fashionable milliners and artificial flower- makers. In a window of one of the most celebrated of these establishments at the West-end we lately saw wreaths of Daffodils and of Polyanthus Narcissus, not mixed in with but bearing pinnate leaves like those of Mahonia. After this we were not surprised to see large yellow Calceolarias treated as climbing plants ; while Hops of bright gamboge and of clear magenta excited no particular astonishment. In these days, when knowledge and taste are supposed to be so much more widely difi"used than heretofore, it seems a pity that artificial florists either do not copy Nature more accurately, or, ceasing to copy servilely, profit by her teachings, and adapt in a suitable and becoming manner the means to the end required. Pure conven- tionalism is far better than hideous or grotesque cari- catures. Haerothamnus elegans under certain circumstances is not only valuable for its flowers, but also for the berries, which for a length of time have been very attractive in the temperate-house at Kew. They are purplish-crimson in colour, and some of the clusters may well be compared to bunches of small Grapes. As usually grown this plant does not produce fruit in any quantity, the only requirement, however, seems to be a freedom of growth, such as easily obtained by planting out. We learn that Mr. J. F. Johnson has resigned the Curatorsiiip of the Royal Bo- tanic Garden, Belfast, with the intention of devoting the whole of his time and energies to the more congenial occupation of a landscape gardener, in which profession he has already a fair share of practice in Ireland, and in other parts of the United Kingdom, The Annual Dinner of the employes of Messrs. Daniels, nurserymen, of Norwich, took place on the 9th inst., when the community of interest betwe en master and man was pleasantly illustrated. Dracisna indivisa.— Looking over the Gai-Jenei-s' Chronicle for Dec. 16, 1876, p. 785, I see what I think an erroneous statement respecting the D. indivisa. I have been acquainted with it some ten years. I first saw it at the Abbey Gardens, Trescoe, Isles of Scilly, where I was much struck with it, several being in flower. The gardener gave me some seed, and I was successful in raising several dozen plants. I visit the Isles every year, and am always proud to see the plants, which are in almost every garden ; and several splendid rows of them, about 10 feet high, are in the churchyard at St. Mary's Isle, where the unfortunate passengers of the SJiiller are laid. At the Vicarage, in Gulval, Penzance, there is a splendid plant, about 12 feet high, that has seeded, and plants raised from the same. Large plants flower and seed freely. There is a possibility for small plants to be taken for D. australis. I planted some two years since, in a very exposed situation, where they have no protection, and are only about 2 feet high. Your correspondent says that he dug one up after being planted two years, and found that it had multiplied sixfold, forming six handsome pot plants 30 inches high ; and again, he says some planted out in the shrubberies have reached 9 feet high in the same time. He really must be talking about some- thing else, for with us it does not increase in this way, neither does it grow so fast. J. G. M., Penzance. Lily of the Valley.— Mr. Thomson, in addressing you on this subject, draws a comparison between Lily of the Valley of French origin, and Lily of the Valley of Belgian origin. Now the two great sources from which our supplies are drawn is Holland and Germany ; from the former they are imported in clumps full of flowering crowns, from the latter in single flowering crowns or buds, a number of which go to make up a potful, and it is these which are grown so much for Covent Garden. I have noticed the diflerence between the two, and am quite sure they are distinct varieties, the German being much superior. Now, without troubling you with my idea of the points of difference, I would suggest that flowers of each be sent to the Gardeners^ Chronicle office, and, if proved to be distinct, that Mr. V^. G. Smith should favour us with an engraving. F. H. [Illustra- tions of the German and Dutch Lilies of the Valley were given in this journal in March last, p. 405. The two plants are quite distinct enough for garden purposes. Eds] The Supply of a Family.— What extent of kitchen-garden ground and glass would be required to provide a regular supply of forced and choice vege- tables, fruits, table plants, and cut flowers the whole of the year for a family of five persons, with twenty- three attendants and a constant influx of visitors ? £. C, North Durham. [Your question is a some- what difficult one to answer, as so much depends upon the special requirements of the family, and various other circumstances, such as situation, climate, soil, &c. However, assuming that " B. C." resides in the country, the extent of ground under cultivation for the supply of such a family should not be less than 4 acres, two of which should be inclosed with walls ; the other 2 acres should surround the walls in the form of slips, bounded by an evergreen protecting fence. This quantity of ground, with a judicious system of simultaneous cropping, should pro- duce a large and sufficient supply of hardy fruits ^ and vegetables to meet any reasonable demand. The size and number of the forcing houses must to a great extent be determined by the actual requirements. The vineries should not be less than three in number, and may average from 40 to 50 feet in length for the production of early, mid-season, and late Graper. There should also be two Peach-houses of a propor- tionate size, and Melon, Cucumber, and Mushroom houses respectively. There should also be a house set apart for the forcing of the various products. These houses, with the usual appendage of framef, if judiciously managed, should produce a good supply. In making this calculation of necessary houses, I have omitted such as Pine-houses, Fig and orchard.houses, &c., which may be added at will. AVith regard to plant-houses for the production of plants for table and cut flowers, &c., it is very desirable to have two heated structures as stoves, as there is a great difference in the general treatment necessary for stove plants. A large proportion of the thin, tender foliaged varieties require shade to insure perfect deve- lopment, while on the other hand there are many flowering and fine-foliaged plants, such as Crotons, Coleus, &c , which require full exposure to light to ensure anything like real perfection of character ; therefore we shall say two stoves, two greenhouses, and two span-roofed pits with a passage down the centre for the production of bedding-out plants, and also to come in handy for the culture of soft-wooded plants for table, such as Carnations, Mignonette, &c. The 20,000 bedding plants required for planting out January 20, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 83 ily occupy considerable space, but as I should calculate that at least one-half of this number can be supplied in the shape of hardy plants which will prove far more satisfactory than such a host of gaudily coloured tender things, then the accommodation above indicated will be sufficient in the way of glass. To make anything like a trustworthy calculation of the actual labour required for the working of such a place, it would be necessary to know the nature and extent of the grounds and flower garden, as without this any calculation must be only approximate. Therefore I should say that eight to ten men, including the head gardener, would be ample to keep the whole in perfect order; but much, however, depends upon what the actual labour in management is constituted. More than one-half of the places in England are under-manned, and consequently badly managed. Large places and inadequate assistance is the order of the day, but such conditions give no real pleasure, profit, or satisfaction to any one. G. W. ] A Quick Method of Forcing Asparagus.— By the same post I have sent you a sample of Asparagus, and as my method of forcing may be of interest to many readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle I beg to send you the details. I have forced two beds this season with great success. My first was taken from the ground on November 14, and from those crowns I cut on November 17, and continued so doing, with a daily average of 150 nice heads, until December i. I also began taking up my second bed on December i, and began cutting in six days after planting. At the time of writing I can cut about 150 beautiful heads daily. The plan I adopt is to place the roots on a shelf in a hothouse within 3 inches of the hot-water pipes. I plant them on a thin layer of manure and soil, and after placing the roots thickly together I cover all over with a shallow dressing of soil, and then one thing only remains to be done to ensure success, and that is to give plenty of water, either clear or as liquid- manure. This mode of forcing has great advantages, insomuch that it effects both a saving of time and also of material, and many who have hot- houses but who have not manure for forcing purposes can adopt it. One trial will, I am certain, prove satis- factory. J. Clarke, The Gardens, Melton Constable, East Dereham, Norfolk. [ We received a very good sample, and are much obliged to our correspondent for the hint. Eds.] Eucharis amazonica in the Garston Vineyard. — Amongst the many objects of interest to be seen at this famous vineyard at this dull season is a gorgeous display of this beautiful Lily, the culture of which has been ably treated on by several correspondents lately in the pages of the Gardeners' Chronicle. All or very nearly all agree that to do it well it is necessary, alter a liberal season's growth, to give it a perfect season of rest, and then plunge in a brisk bottom-heat, when every plant will throw up flower-spikes in accordance with the strength of the bulbs. What prompts me to write of the stock at Garston is not the individual merits of one, two, or even a dozen plants. Your readers must imagine one of those large span-roofed bouses, the centre bed of which is filled from end to end with plants in robust health, all about in the same stage of growth, and yielding hundreds upon hundreds of flowers, which for marketing purposes must be a very profitable investment. When we bear in mind how simple it is to grow and flower these plants, is it not surprising why any one possessing a hothouse or two should be without them ? Taken as a a whole, I must confess to never having seen anything to equal this display for uniformity of merit, and upon asking Mr. Cowan how such a result was brought about I was informed that nothing novel in the shape of treatment was tried. The plants had a good season of rest in a cooler temperature than is generally supposed to be good for them, which is some en- couragement to those who think they must be in possession of ranges of hothouses to grow these and simUar subjects. Vine-growers will be glad to hear that the house devoted exclusively to Madresfield Court is now filled with that " well-abused " Vine, and that it can be grown to perfection under such cir- cumstances there can be no doubt. The Vine is just breaking, and promises well, and I should say that a visit to the Garston Vineyard next July or August ought to satisfy those who complain of the whims of this Vine as to whether it is worth house- room or not. W. Hinds. Superheating Vine Borders. — Would it not greatly facijitate the arrival at a correct estimate of the value of superheating Vine borders if it were pos- sible to obtain an exact comparison of the relative temperatures of soil and atmosphere in which trees in a state of Nature first start into growth in the spring ? Such an experiment should not be difficult of execu- tion, as a thermometer might be fixed in the head of the tree, and another placed in a hole in the ground from 12 to iS inches deep, according to the depth at which the roots are found. In this way a fair guide might be found as to the relative differences of tem- perature for roots and branches essential for successful Vine culture. It is assumed that witii Vine roots inside the temperature of the border there is equal to that of the house, but the probability is that it is con- siderably lower. This will, no doubt, be found the case with trees growing in the open air. In the case of Vines with the roots outside of the house there can be little doubt that without artificial heat the diflerence at starting time would be considerable, and that with the application of internal heat the difference must be extremely unnatural. The obvious course in such a case would be to bring the temperature of the border somewhat nearer to that of the house by means of leaves, manure, or other heating material, but the danger in this case lies, not so much in exciting the border roots to action, as in the fact that the heat is unduly apportioned, the greatest heat being applied to the surface-roots, whilst those several inches in depth scarcely feel the stimulus. Probably the most natural temperature for outside Vine borders would be found by covering them during the spring with a temporary glass protection, and this course would doubtless be found safer and more satisfactory in the long run than in applying fermenting material, as the mere exciting unduly of surface-roots is not the beau ideal of Vine culture. D. Veitch's Self-Protecting Broccoli.— In your review of the "Fruits and Vegetables of 1S76 " I observe you do not notice the above Broccoli. Although situated as this place is, high up among the cold bleak Cleveland Hills, I, like your correspondent Mr. Johnston, have indeed found it to be a gem of the first water, and I think the following particulars respecting this excellent vegetable cannot fail to be interesting to many of your readers. In June last we planted out 300, which begun to be ready for cutting about the middle of November, and from that time up to the present (Jan. 6) we liave been cutting from six to ten fine heads almost daily, and when cooked their delicate flavour and tenderness leave nothing to be desired. Where vegetables are wanted in quantity during November and December every gardener should have a good stock of this choice Broccoli. It only requires to be known to become a garden necessity. J. Mclndoe, HiMon Hall, Guisborough, The Scarcity of Holly Berries and Bees.— Few but a philospher like Mr. Darwin would have thought of linking these two facts together as cause and eflect. It may, however, be so. Wasps, too, of course, may be held to be bees in this matter, and the scarcity of wasps during the spring and summer of the past year was notorious. I have noticed that wasps frequent the Holly a good deal in the spring. Of course, too, the movements of bees and of wind is more important to such plants as the Holly than to other flowers in which the male and female organs are not only on the same plant but in the same flower. Neither does the scarcity of bees theory cover such exceptional facts as the one I recorded — one tree among thousands being literally coralled o'er with berries, while all beside were berryless — ^though, for that matter, neither does the severity of the weather nor of drought explain such exceptions ; still I am in- clined to think the severe cold when the Hollies were in flower had much to do with the destruction of the crop, just as it destroyed Apples, Pears, Plums, Gooseberries, acorns. Beech-mast, and other fruit- bearing, flowers by wholesale. No doubt the Holly is a hardy plant— very hardy, in fact ; so is the Oak ; but, nevertheless, I have seen Oaks killed dead by May frosts : and hence it is reasonable to suppose that Holly flowers might be frost-bitten beyond the power of bearing berries by frosts biting them hard when in full bloom. No one knows better than Mr. Darwin that the ability of plants to resist cold is a matter of condition rather than constitution. A plant may pass through zero unscathed when at rest, while all its embryo fruit may be cut off, and even its life be destroyed, by from 10° to 15° of frost out of season. Thus it comes to pass that the cold a plant may safely endure in its native clime is no safe criterion of what it may with- stand in another country, inasmuch as in the latter the cold may come upon it in a different stage. Alike in regard to maturity or state of growth, spring frosts, for instance, are not destructive in the ratio of their severity, but rather in the degree of their un- seasonableness. The plants are allured into abnormal tenderness through fair promises of fine weather that are not fulfilled, or unwise cultural devices, and tlie plants thus taken unawares, and in a tender condition, succumb to the cold. It would, however, be inte- resting to know if the scarcity of bees or wasps was co-extensive with the scarcity of Holly berries, and whether that scarcity was at all affected by the proximity, or otherwise, of hives of honey-bees, which were active last spring in some localities. In regard to this place, for instance, we had four good hives near to many of our Hollies, but not a single berry within more than 500 yards of | them ; while the solitary example of a bush laden with berries was nearly double that distance from any honey-bees. Also how far the scarcity of bees would be likely to account for the scarcity of, say, acorns and Beech-mast, which are almost as rare as Holly-berries in some localities this season. Much Clover seed was also grown in this and other parts of the kingdom : perhaps some of the old agricultural readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle will say whether the scarcity of Clover seed last year was general. It was a good bee season in this neighbourhood — the remark of course, being confined to the honey-bee and its produce, and having no reference to the wild bee or wasp. The latter were very scarce throughout the earlier parts of the season, though they put in a pretty strong appearance here for their share of mellow fruit in the autumn. D. T. Fish. I beg a little space in your journal to confess my error with respect to the cause of the scarcity ol Holly berries. I have been convinced of this by the two communications in your last number, by a state- ment in the Garden by Mr. Fish, and by some private letters which I have received. It appears that several causes in combination have led to this scarcity ; but I still think that the rarity of bees of all kinds in this neighbourhood during the spring, of which fact I feel assured, may have played a part, though a quite subordinate one. Charles Darioin, Down, Beckenharn, Jan. 17. There is little doubt that several causes may have made the scarcity of Holly berries last year so apparent everywhere. I think, however, that Mr. Darwin's hypothesis of bees not fertilising the blossoms is not one of the causes, for bees last year were very plentiful, and the hives stronger than usual. I never before knew such crops of the white Clover as were to be seen in this district all through the season, every pasture-field and roadside being covered with plants in flower. The bees, therefore, had plenty of food, and an excellent honey harvest was the result. There are immense quantities of Hollies in the hedges and plantations in this district of North Nottingham, and the failures in their berry-bearing are all alike. On the outskirts of Sherwood Forest there are some very long hedges of tall Hollies, and it is only where the bushes have been sheltered with trees that any berries are to be seen on them. The Holly likewise grows and prospers on some magnesian limestone crags near this, where the soil on the surface is very thin, but no berries were produced on the bushes last year, although they usually show more berries than the bushes grown on rich soils. William Tillery. Something like a confirmation of Mr. Dar- win's theory of insect fertilisation has occurred locally here this year, where our Holly trees are a "glorious sight," as Evelyn well describes them when covered with their coral berries. We have generally myriads of insects here in spring and summer, and also several strong hives of honey- bees quite close to the Hollies. One old bush never fails in any season to have a fine crop of berries ever since it was nearly ringed or barked round by rabbits one severe winter several years ago. T. R. B. The Blackthorn in Bloom on January g. — Is it not nearly three months in advance of its usual period of flowering ? I have not been able to go and see the hedge, but I am assured that there are several sprays of white blossom out in full beauty on some Blackthorns, near here ; so " spring's banner," as W. Howitt termed this flower, has been unfurled early this year. Primroses have been in blossom in the garden for some weeks. Helen E. IVainey, Liss, Hants. Luminous Mycelium. — In the Gardener's Chronicle for December 4, 1875, p. 719, will be found an illustration and description of a remarkable case of phosphorescent fungus-spawn found permeating entirely through the wood of a rotten stump of O.tk. Captain H. King, of Chithurst, Petersfield, who kindly forwarded the original materials to us, has kept the spawn-infested stump in view, and the mycelium has now produced a dense crop of Agaricus fascicularis. Captain King has obligingly sent me another portion ol the stump with the Agarics in situ, and they apparently spring from the same dense white spawn which was luminous a year ago, but it is not luminous now. IV. G. S. The " New Danger for Orchid Growers."— I am obliged to Mr. McLachlan for recalling my atten- tion to the notice of the Embix contained in my friend Lucas' work on the Insects of Al-oia, in which it is distinctly stated that the young Embia; inhabit little silken tunnels, as was also stated to be the case with the insects sent by Mr. Michael ; hence the suggestion in the Gardeners' Chronicle that the web was pro- bably spun by a species of spider common in Orchid- houses is not supported, although not actually dis- proved. I have since, however, received a further communication from Mr. Michael of specimens of the gnawed roots and webs, with the statement that he had "seen the insect make its web, apparently for 84 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. purposes of concealment, with some organs situate in or near the head ; also you will observe the di'bris" i. e. , the insect's excrement, which appears to me exactly to resemble that of some Tinea larva, and is certainly not that of a spider, /. 0. Wahvood. Inside v. Outside Vine Borders.— When such men as Mr. Henderson, who, I believe, has taken more first prizes for Grapes than any other grower, and Mr. Wildsmith, who bids fairly to do as much in the future as Mr. Henderson in the past, differ in opinion, we may well exclaim, " When doctors differ, who shall decide?" My own experience in Vine culture, as compared with these gardeners, is indeed small ; but, nevertheless, I find that white Grapes keep far better and ripen better when planted in inside borders, though the latter give certainly thrice the trouble in watering. In the case of early Vines, I have always seen inside borders preferable. I am sorry to differ with such champions, but experience alone tells me to plant in inside borders. R. GUbcrt. Notes on Grapes. — Observing several inquiries concerning Mrs. Pmce's Black Muscat Grape, I am inclined to give your readers a short account of my experience with it. I have It worked on Lady Downe's, both sorts bearing ; the bunches are very large, with fine berries, but lacking colour, and the bunches partake somewhat of the parent shape, viz., large shoulders and conical bunch, but not so particularly one-shouldered as Lady Downe's. Another, inarched on Black Prince, does very well, colouring almost to perfection, with pyramid (in- verted) shaped bunches ; both these are growing in a late-(orced vinery. A third, grafted on Black Hamburgh, both bearing colours equal to the parent, quite black ; this in a mid-season vinery. I am convinced that Mrs. Pince's requires a longer sea- son, with less fire-heat. Black Alicante does equally well on Lady Downe's and its own roots with me. Bowood Muscat does first-class on Foster's Seedling, throws very long bunches, with rounder berries than upon its own roots ; upon Black Hamburgh it does well, and the bunches in shape partake of the character of the Black Hamburgh or parent. I don't know better stocks than Foster's Seedling and Black Hamburgh ; the former is a remarkably free grower, requires more restraining or pinching than any other I know of. I find stocks influence the style and character of the bunch more than most writers venture to observe or state, and I have tried a good many one time orother. With regard to late keepers I would place Black Alicantefirst, LadyDowne'ssecond, Mrs. Pince's third. West's Saint Peter's fourth, Gros Guillaume fifth, Gros Colman sixth ; (the latter requires a long season to grow it to perfection, with plenty of heat, and it is the noblest looking Grape grown. Of while Gr.Tpes Muscat of Alexandria and Bowood are best flavoured, but Syrian and Trebbiano for late keep- ing, also White Lady Downe's. Perhaps I may give you some further remarks about early Grapes on another occasion [Yes, dc], for information on Vines and Grapes seems always welcome amongst gardeners, and the chief question is, '* How do his Grapes look?" and I am sure Dr. Lindley wasn't far out when he said, " A good supply of Grapes covered a multitude of sins." A. S. Kimf, Haii^hlon Gardens, Shifuall. A Holly Tree Fruiting Twice the Same Year. — .\s there has been a good deal of correspondence lately about Holly berries, I send you the following, quantum valcat. Some few years ago I had a shoot- ing place in Argyllshire, and on one part of the ground was a very fine Hully tree, which had one summer a splendid crop of berries. As the summer passed the berries disappeared, eaten, I conclude, by birds, or blown down. To my astonishment, a second crop appeared, equally fine, the same winter. The tree was covered irom top to bottom both in summer and winter. It strikes me that this is rather a singular circumstance, and I do not think bees had anything to do with the fructification of the berries, as I doubt if there were any near, as it is in a wild part of the county. The tree was on a hillside, facing, I should say, about E.S.E., sheltered, and near a salt-water loch. It was standing by itself, and was, and I hope still is, a very fine tree. That winter was an exces- sively cold one— snow and frost for three or four weeks continuously, and woodcocks most abundant. C. RndJcU-Todd, Jan. 13. The Clive House Seedling Grape. —This Grape, for which the Fruit Committee o( the Royal Horticultural Society, at their meeting on De- cember 6, 1876, awarded Mr. D. P. Bell, Clive House, Alnwick, a First-class Certificate, was raised twenty years ago in the garden of His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, by William Caseley, who then, as now, was employed in the forcing-houses there. The female parent was Black Morocco, impregnated with the pollen of White Syrian, for the purpose of causing the former to set its fruit better than it had been in the habit of doing. By the time that the Grapes were ripe some of the berries were noticed as being of unusual size. From these Mr. Caseley saved seeds, which were sown by him, and which produced several plants, the fruit of some being black, and that of others white. After being fairly tested, all but two were found to be nearly worthless. These two are still in cultivation in the houses there, that for which the certificate was awarded being one of the two. My only motive for Interfering in this matter is that honour may be given to whom it is justly due, and that this excellent Grape may not be "sent out" under a false name. I may also state that Mr. D. P. Bell has only had it in his possession for the last few years. Roiert Br.i'ie, The Gardens, ChilUn^ham Castle. Notes on Vine Culture. — I have more than once been struck with the apparent difference in the produce of Hamburghs and Muscats upon the same soil. Indeed it may be a question for physiologists to solve whether or not these two kinds of Vines may be termed distinct species. Though I have seen cases where Hamburghs are more at home and seem to do better in some places than Muscats, I am inclined to think that the difference in the results of Muscat culture on different soils is even greater than the difference in the Hamburghs, and perhaps more especially in their keeping qualities. To illustrate this point I well recollect the beautiful samples of Muscats that Mr. Denham, the Duke of Roxburgh's gardener at Broxmouth, used to show at Edinburgh over a dozen years ago. They were large in bunch and berry, and better in that respect than those grown at Floors, but for keeping qualities I am under the impression they could not be compared. The same thing also, I might say. is the case here as compared with my experience of Muscat culture at Elvaston. All things being equal, I think finer looking Muscats could be grown at Elvaston than could be grown here, but after being ripe they would not keep nearly so long ; at any rate I should have no difficulty in keeping good Muscats here well into March, whereas at Elvaston they were finished, and I might say in good time to make the most of them by about the new year, A soil that produces gross bunches of Muscats I should conclude would be apt to be against their keeping qualities. However, I am inclined to think that inside and outside roots also exert a great influence on the keeping in proper condiiion of late Grapes. If the roots are wholly inside, and the soil is of a porous nature, to get dry soon, it will be against the keeping of late Grapes without shrivelling to keep the border without water, which is to be avoided, lor the proper afmospheric condiiion. Outside borders for Ule Grap( s, protected with litter, and a proper atmosphere in the house, would be a safe mode of culture in any locality. The Vine is such an accommodating plant that it might be said that only wiih very early Grapes is su much care required, and these as far as possilile, for various reasons, should be substituted widi late Grapes or with those of ihe previous season. With an early house it is an anxious time bringing Vines on when the atmospheric conditions tend to give the cuUivator more tendrils than bunches, by watering with water of too high a temperature, and when the Vines are in an early stage, causing the shoots to make way without the proper vigour that the cultivator would desire. Circumstances do a great deal in Vine growth. Last autumn in looking at the early vinery border here, which is inside as well as out, I observed that where the front sashes were up (the house being a lean-to), with the sashes being open nearly all weathers, new roots were to be found in this very damp part when I could find none elsewhere, the Vines being in a state of rest. Too much moisture in this part caused an untimely root-aciion. What the general deduc- tion Irom observations in Vine culture is every culti- vator has to prove for himself, and to learn at the same time from his friends so as to make his practice safe. R. Macular, Ainey Hall. Saponaria ocymoides. — In a recent number of the Gardeners' C/iromele a correspondent inquires if seed of this plant preserves its vitality for any length of time, or whether it should be sown as soon as gathered. As no one else has offered a reply, I venture to give you the result of my experience, and it is to the following effect .-—That well-ripened seed of this plant will, in a temperature of 55" to 65°, vegetate freely at any period within a year of its maturity, and in a moderate percentage after an interval of eighteen months, so that your correspondent has a fair right to conclude that the seed supplied him, fand which failed to germinate, was old or defective in quality. East AngUan. Fermenting Materials on Vine Borders.— Mr. Hind's theory and my practice differ very much with regard to the value of fermenting materials for horticultural purposes, and I fear his remarks are cal- ulated to mislead. I fail to see how he could produce ripe Grapes in May, where all the roots are outside, without the aid of the old-fashioned dung- bed. If we start two vineries at the same time and under the same conditions in November and Decem- ber, using manure on one and not on the other, the benefit arising from the hot dung will soon be very evident, teaching us not to despise the old plans. Whatever differences of opinion may exist with regard to the practice of starting early pot- Vines in bottom- heat, the results are more favourable with it than they are without it ; an abundance of roots in a healthy condition is a most essential element in the successful culture of the Vine. It is hardly possible, and quite unnecessary, to start the roots in advance of the top, as they rarely start naturally before the fruit is thinned or sometimes stoned, as may be seen by growing a plant in a glass pot. An incident occurred here a short time since which is worthy of notice. After pruning a Walthara Cross Vine, I noticed a lump of transparent gum exuding from the cut on the main rod ; this in a few days became quite hard, and would not dissolve in cold water, but I found it would readily dissolve in warm water. I think this proves beyond a doubt that the hard condensed sap' in well ripened Vines requires warmth the sap sh the Vines into growth. If we cut a pot Vine" off level with the soil, and plunge it in a warm manure-heap outside, where the top remains cold, we find it soon commences to bleed, or as some would say to set the pump going ; and it will be found that the roots will not move before the Vine has started at the top again, whereas had it been put on the hot dry pipes without moisture it might not have moved at all. I once made a plug of Muscat wood to stop a hole in the pipes ; this started into growth, and showed a fine bunch of Grapes, whereas had I put it into a hole in the dry hot flue of the same temperature as the pipes it would have speedily lost its vitality. It is not an unfrequent occurrence for Vine eyes when put in to push into growth five or six leaves, and show a bunch of Grapes before making any roots whatever. J. H. Goodacre, Elvaston. Forestry. As most of the moorland devoted to planting is too wet for the purpose without drainage, underground deep tile drainage is of all other systems de- cidedly the best for thoroughly drying the ground, but is less adapted for arboricultural purposes than those of agriculture ; not that forest trees are less appreciative of well-drained ground than corn or Turnips are, but the compara- tively large expense entailed in doing the work being about three times greater, acre for acre, than for open surface drains, and the insurmountable difficulty of preventing the t ee roots from penetrating the soil till they reach the tiles and choke them. The soil being rendered loose and open in the act of cutting the drain, becomes on that account still more attrac- tive to the roots of the trees than the surrounding unbroken ground, hence they soon fill the drains. Many plans have been proposed for remedying this evil, but none have hitherto proved available or successful. The depth of drain, description of soil, size of tile, &c., severally aid in determining the length of time the drain will act without being choked by the tree roots, but under the most favourable circumstances they will reach them, and render them useless. A modification of the underground tile drain has also been tried, and not without success. It is constructed in the following manner : — The drain is first cut to the usual depth of Si to 4 feet, and laid with tiles proportionate to the quantity of water it is to contain, and filled in to about half its depth. It is sloped on the sides, and made in all other respects the same as an ordinary open surface drain. The advantages of this over that of the common tile drain is that the roots are longer in reaching the tile, on account of the sloping exposed surface they must traverse before reaching the loose soil in the bottom of the drain ; and often they do reach the tile, and ultimately choke it, so as to lorce the water to the surface. It then acts as a common surface drain, and in that capacity does its work with- out entailing any additional expense either by deepen- ing or enlarging the drain in any way. No part of the surface of a plantation is so com- pletely interwoven with the roots of trees as the margins and bottoms ol drains, footpaths, and places rendered bare, whether of herbage or soil ; and such being the case it is both expensive and hazardous to deepen existing drains, for the obvious reason that in doing so roots are necessarily cut to such a degree as to cause many trees to be blown down by the first severe gale that occurs. January 20, 1S77 ] THE ■ GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 85 Tlie distance apart at which drains should be laid must be regulated by a variety of circumstances Sometimes they require to be put as close as 10 feet apart, and at other times as wide as 30 feet, and the depth must vary, if not in accordance with the distance apart, at least as greatly. The object sought to be attained by open surface drainage is altogether dilTer- cnt from that of deep underground tile drainage, and the one system should never be compared with or confounded with the other. Trees, unlike agricul- tural crops, do not require deep drainage, for as soon as the former grow to such a height that the wind gets hold of them, the soil is shaken and loosened, and thereby the surface stagnant water sinks to such a depth that it ceases to injure their growth. The process of absorption in a plantation is also much greater than in an agricultural field, especially in winter. Trees at all seasons absorb from the soil a great quantity of moisture, and carry it into the air, but in winter there is strong evidence that trees exert a more powerful influence by absorption than vegetation of other descriptions does, and therefore when once fairly started in growth they effect an amount of drainage for themselves that other vege- table products cannot do. Drainage is a work that can be done by contract better than most others can, and it should always be so done when convenient. For ordinary purposes drains answer well when made 20 inches deep, 30 inches wide at top, and 10 inches wide at bottom. These dimensions are applicable to clay soils and other descriptions, except soft peat bog or flow moss, in which case, on account of its tendency to subside when the water is drained out of it, the drains should be specified to be 36 inches wide at top, 24 inches deep, and 12 inches wide at bottom. The excavations of the drains should in all cases be spread over the surface, both because it induces the herbage to decay and form plant food ; but the soil itself, when washed into the ground, acts in a marvellous manner upon the growth of the trees. C. Y. M-.chU; CiitUn House. Reports of Societies. Royal Horticultural : Jan. 17.— Lord Alfred S. Churchill in the chair. At the meeting to-day there was an excellent display of plants for the season, and a full attendance of committee-men, but we are sorry to say that but few Fellows put in an appear- ance in the afternoon. The excellence of the meet- ing was, however, full of significance to the plodding horticulturists, who appear to be determined to stick to the old ship, though it still remains in troubled waters. At the afternoon meeting but little business was transacted, and after Dr. Masters had dealt with the subjects brought before the Floral Committee, and Dr. Hogg those of the Fruit Committee, it was announced that on February 14 the Council proposed to hold the meeting in the large conservatory, and have a band in attendance. Scientific Committee.— Rev. M. J. Berkeley in the chair. The Late i\!r. Alfred Since.— T)r. Masters moved, and Mr. Andrew Murray seconded, a proposition to the effect that a letter of sympathy be sent to the family of the late Alfred Smee, Esq., a constant attendant at the Committee, and who had just been nominated by the Council as one of the Vice- Presidents. Nmi Members. — Rev. H. Harpur.Crewe and the Rev. G. Henslow took their seats for the first time. Triticum repens {Twitch). — Dr. Masters showed, on the part of Mr. Melville, roots of Triticum repens, which were found most serviceable in binding the sand together on the sea-coast at Dunrobin. Mr. Berkeley remarked that at one time it was proposed to utilise the roots of the Twitch in the manufacture of paper, but that the experiment had not been successful. Mr. Edge- worth remarked that Twitch formed good food for pigs. Monstrous Cyclumeu.—Dt. Masters showed, for Mr. Parker, of Tooting, a Cyclamen, in which one of the flower-stalks bore a tuft of leaves and flowers at its extremity. Mate Spike of Encephalarlos villosiis. — From Mr. Bull came a fine spike of this (recently fig:ured in our columns), and having a delicate perfume like Meadow Sweet Daphne Laurcola.— The Chairman showed speci- mens of this plant from Wales, in which the bark was hypertrophied in places, and gave origin to adventi- tious buds and leaves, which were, however, of short duration, the bark and wood eventually dying. Diseased Osiers. — The Chairman reported that some diseased Willows which had been submitted to him were affected with an imperfectly developed state of a fungus (Rhytisma maximum). Emiia.—Mr. McLachlan made some remarks on this insect (see p. 845, vol. vi.), confirming both the web-spinning properties of the insect, and also the fact of the insect eating the roots of the Orchid. Course of the Sap. — Mr. A. Murray read a com munication on this subject, which will be found in another column, p. So. Crocuses. — Rev. H. Harpur- Crewe exhibited flowers of Crocus syriacus, a native of Aleppo, and which flowers in December and January. 2. C. biflorus estriatus (?), which flowers in the turf of the Boboli Gardens of Florence in February. 3. A species from Mentone, supposed to be C. lineatus. Australian Insects. — A letter was read from Mr. Stein seeking a remedy for some beetle (?) which attacks certain trees at the Cape, but as the informi- tion given was of the vaguest and most meagre character, and no specimens were sent, no opinion could be given. Diospytos Kaki.—Vlt. Hiern confirmed the state- ments already made, that the astringency of these fruits disappears as the fruits blet. Cattiphruria sp. — -Mr. Hemsley reported that the supposed new Eucharis exhibited at the last meeting was a new species of Calliphruria, a figure and description of which will be given in a subsequent number of the Botanical Magazine. Floral Committee. — W. B. Kellock, Esq., in the chair. The available space was more than filled by the contributions sent to this meeting, principally by the leading nurserymen. The only Certificates awarded were one of the first class to Sir Trevor Lawrence, M.P. (Mr. J. Spyers, gr.), for the beauti- ful Lcelia Dayana, described by Professor Reichen- bach at p. 772, vol. vi. ; one of the second class to the same gentleman for Dendrobium Lindley- anum, a species much resembling D. nodosum or D. crassinode ; and a Botanical Commendation to Sir Trevor also for Schlimia trifida, a curious while sweet-scented Orchid, whose flowers bore a singular resemblance to a small inverted Cypripedium. Messrs. James Veitch & Sons, Chelsea, were awarded a silver-gilt Djvis Medal for a beautiful group of flowering plants, principally consisting of Orchids, but including also showy groups of Cyclamens and hybrid Amaryllis. Amongst the Orchids there was nothing particularly requiring comment, the most noteworthy being small flowering examples of such well known subjects as OiontQglossum Alexandrce, Lycaste Skinneri, Cattleya Triante, Ccslogyne cris- tata, Sophronites grandiflora, L^lia anceps, Pleione humilis, &c. To Mr. B. S. Williams, HoUoway, a bronze Davis Medal was awarded lor a choice group of Orchids and Palms, which included the new L^elia Dayana, Cypripedium insigne, Odon- toglossum Alexandrie, Goodyera discolor, Cypripe- dium villosum, Odontoglossum cordatum, Lnslia anceps, Masdevallia ignea, &c. A small, but well- flowered group of well-known Orchids, tastefully set up in a mass of Adianlum farleyense, was contributed by Sir Henry Peek, M.P., Wimbledon House (Mr. Ollerhead, gr), and a similar award was voted. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs. Charles Lee & Son for a group of small specimens of fine-foliaged stove and greenhouse plants, and also for an interesting dis- play of Japanese and other evergreen plants ; to Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing, for a group of well-flowered pot specimens of Lee's Victoria Regina Violets, &c. ; and to Mr. Howard for a display of dried leaves and Fern fronds from America. From the Society's garden at Chiswick, Mr. Barron sent up flowering branches of Chimonanthus grandiflorus, Jasminum nudiflorum, Lonicera Standishii, L. frag- rantissima, and the Glastonbury Thorn. Fruit Committee.— Henry Webb, Esq, in the chair. As usual at this time of the year but few sub- jects came under the notice of the committee. The most important was another specimen of the handsome and finely-flavoured Pine-apple shown at the last meeting by Mr Miles, gr. to Lord Carington, who was then requested to get what information he could about the variety for the use of the committee. Mr. Miles has, we understand, failed to get any satisfactory details respecting the variety, and cannot even get its name ; so that the committee, considering it a desirable acquisition for winter fruiting, gave it the provisional name of Lord Carington, and awarded a First-class Certificate. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. J. Fowler, gr. to Lord Harewood, of Harewood House, Leeds, for a well-preserved bunch of the Muscat of Alexandria Grape, cut from the original Vine at Harewood, known as the Charlesworth Tokay, and which last year carried a crop of over 300 bunches. A Cultural Commendation was also voted to Mr. Miles for a dish of new Black Hamburgh Grapes, well- coloured and of good flavour, the second crop which the Vine has produced within twelve months ; and a vote of thanks to Mr. J. Hepper.gr. toC. O. Led- ward, Esq., The Elms, Acton, for three baskets of Mushrooms. Mr. J. Perkins, The Gardens, Thornham Hall, Suffolk, sent a specimen of Cox's Golden Gem Melon ; and from Messrs. Lolt & Hart, Whitehill Nursery, Faversham, came specimens of a large seed- ling Apple named Hart's Glory, of fair cooking quality. Specimens of Beurre de Jonghe and Josephine de Malines Pears were sent up from Chiswick. Jfoitrgii Contspnknce. New Caledonia : its Character and Cata- bilities.— This:iisland has lately been placed in a somewhat prominent position before the world on account of its being the destination of several thousands of French Communists, and the scene of their many gallant but often desperate efforts at escape. It however has other claims to notice, though perhaps not of a very distinguished character. Dis- covered by Captain Cook during his second voyage round the world, it was named by him from its supposed resemblance to the Caledonia of the North. He described it as a "country unable to support many inhabitants. Nature has been less bountiful to it than to any other tropical island in this sea. The greatest part of its surface consists of barren rocky This description is true at the present time, so far as it goes. To the stranger coming from tropical countries, either to the east or the west, the barren- ness of the island (especially of the southern half) is little less than appalling. Mountains are seen running up from the water's edge to an elevation of nearly 4000 feet, with scarcely a trace of forest on their slopes, but in its place only a species of wretchedly stunted brushwood or scanty grass unfit for herbage, or what is quite as frequent as scrub, huge scars, sometimes of hundreds of acres in extent, where the surface soil has slipped away and exposed the brick-red earth beneath. Even in the ravines, where one naturally expects to find dense jungle and perennial streams, it is extremely rare (at least, in the southern half of the island) to meet with either. The valleys seem almost as dry and parched as the spurs, and a more miserable appearance than that presented by He Uen, a mountainous little island, only separated by a narrow channel from the southern mainland, can scarcely be imagined. Even Cocoa-nut Palms, which the authorities, with a most praiseworthy desire to benefit the natives, have planted in narrow bands along the coasts, do not seem to thrive ; and the ordinary hardy littoral vegetation of the tropics— certain species of Ficus, Mangroves, Pandani, Cerbera, wild Almonds, &c. — is only found in a few isolated spots, and is by no means general. One may sail along the coast for many miles without seeing a single tree, except perhaps a ragged wind-blown Pine (Araucaria montana) here and there on the highest ridges. The rainfall is heavy at certain seasons, especially from December to April, and the amount of soil carried down by the rivers is often very great, but there are scarcely any alluvial flats, such as one looks for in all mountainous tropical countries as the result of denu- dation ; indeed, the proportion of this class of fertile land, as compared with the whole extent of the island, must be extremely small ; and it is thii fact, when considered from a geological point of view, that affords an explanation of the poverty of the country, and the smallness of its native population, which has been esti- mated, but probably very erroneously, at from 30,000 to 50,000. There can be little doubt that the whole island is sinking about as rapidly as the alluvium from the mountains is deposited ; and as a result, except in a few specially favoured localities, there are no alluvial flats, although the whole island is surrounded by a very wide coral reef, and the water within is free from ocean currents, and therefore most favourable for de- position. In place of rich alluvial areas are found exten- sive inlets or sounds, such as those of Dombea, Kanala, and Diahot, with, for the most part, bare hill and mountain slopes rising abruptly out of the water. The serpentine, of which the southern half of the island is composed, never very rich under any circumstances, is hopeless for purposes of cultivation when it has been disintegrated on a mountain slope, and deprived of its more fertile properties through the denudation that is continually going on, whilst at the same time this disintegration and denudation are not a source of much fertility at lower levels, on account of the deposition taking place on an ever-sink- ing sea-bed. A hungry and stoney soil on the slopes, that seems to defy all efforts at improvement, is the result. Even the Lantana, which has so rapidly over- run Southern India and Ceylon, shows here no ten- tency to spread and to oust the scanty vegetation in- digenous to the soil. On the lower hills the Niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora), one of the Myrtacese, is found scattered about, at considerable intervals, even on the poorest soils. This is by far the commonest tree in 86 THE - GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, [January 20, 1S77. the island, and with its silvery bark, scanty, light- coloured foliage and dwarfish aspect lends quite a peculiar character to the general barrenness of the country. A dwarf Casuarina, generally from 3 to 9 feet in height, and commonly called a Swamp Oak by the Australians resident in the island, occupies irregular patches on the hill-sides near the coast. The wood is tough and the form of the shrub elegant, but in masses the effect is sombre and unpleasing. In Noumea itself the usual tropical ornamental shrubs are to be seen, such as Flamboyant {Poinciana regia). Oleander, Bougainvilleas, Bignonia venusta. Aloes, with young specimens of Cocoa-nut and Date Palms. In the neighbouring jungles numbers of Freycinetise and Cordylines, with a few Ferns, Blech- nums, Lygodiums, Davallias, a Gleichenia, a Pteris, and large masses of Asplenium Nidus may be found. Further inland — but it is never possible to get far from the sea, the island being about 230 miles long, and only 40 in width at the broadest part — very irre- gular and isolated patches of jungle are to be met with, generally, but not always following the course of a stream. Their appearance is very striking. The upper foliage is extremely dense and massive — fre- quently almost as dark in tint as Ivy, and matted together with heavy-foliaged creepers. In the midst ol this, and in striking contrast with it, may be seen the snow-white foliage of the Kekune, or Candle-nut tree (Aleurites triloba). As a rule, there is very little undergrowth, such as Ferns, mosses. Orchids, &c., in the jungles of the southern part of the island of which we have been speaking. Cordylines are quite a feature in these forests, as is in the damper places a certain species of Araliacefe closely resembling Theo- phrasta, and I have come upon splendid white Lilies at the edges of the forest at considerable elevations. Sometimes the ground is perfectly bare, scarcely a moss being seen even on the trunks of the trees, and it is possible to move about with the greatest ease and security, except in the neighbourhood of the Supple- jack. At other times the jungle is a mass of creepers, through which it is extremely difficult to penetrate, but the contrast is always most marked between these and the jungles of South India, Ceylon, or Java. In all the forests of New Caledonia that I have been in, the shade afforded is most complete, and this may possibly have something to do with the absence of ground vegetation, but I am inclined to think that it is the porous character of the subsoil and the consequent rapid draining away of the moisture that renders the surface so unsuitable for the growth of Ferns and mosses. In the North, where the rainfall is heavier and the geological formation different, consisting chiefly of schists and slates, the forests are both more extensive and really very rich in the undergrowth spoken of— as may be seen by the fact that they contain something like 200 species of Ferns and over 120 mosses. Some of the valleys south of Balade on the north-east, coast where Captain Cook first landed, are very steep and densely clothed with forests, sug- gesting splendid opportu- nities for the cultivation of Coffee after the Ceylon ^=r- system ; but I was told _''^^^^ that the force of the wind =^1^^=^^ is so great during the cyclones which visit the island in the early part of the year that Coffee trees would be torn bodily from the ground and their cul- tivation under such clima- hopeless. At Kanala, "W^ about 100 miles to the south-east of this part of the coast, I visited the largest Coffee plantation in the island. This is one of the few spots where any alluvial soil is to be found, and the pro. prietor of half of it (100 acres) has about fifty planted with Coffee, the rest being under Rice, Maize, Sugar, or Manihot cultivation. Even under such favourable conditions of soil as this, it is found necessary to manure the Coffee trees in order to obtain a satisfactory crop. Several varieties of the primary branches allowed to grow unpruned in any number from the stem, so that the tree presents an extremely bushy appearance totally different from that of the best crop-bearing trees of Ceylon. Even under these conditions individual trees will bear 2 lb. or more of Coffee (prepared), and 7 or S cwt. per acie in a favourable year may sometimes be gathered. The injurious prevalence of the black-bug (Capnodium) fungus proves that the climate is somewhat too 4amp and perhaps too cold for the perfect growth of the plant. A white coccus, too, does a certain amount of injury, but the "leaf disease" of Ceylon, and South India (Hemileia vastatrix) is here, as in Java, totally unknown. The crop-time generally ex- tends over the five months of wet season and considerable diihculty is experienced in drying the parchment coffee for market. At present there are in all about 150 acres of Coffee in the island, planted almost entirely on small alluvial flats, and the annual production, except in a good year, is barely sufficient to supply the wants of the colony ; and unless some of the sheltered valleys in the north can be planted up — which as y^t has not even been thought of— it seems probable that the importation of this commodity will continue. The only article of consumption that is not imported is sugar. Special efforts have been made and special privileges granted by the Government, in the shape of cheap convict labour and suitable lands in order to make this enterprise successful. The cultiva- tion is chiefly carried on on the west coast from Noumea northwards, where alluvial flats are more extensive than elsewhere ; but these have long ago been all taken up, and the production of sugar has as yet but rarely allowed of much more than a nominal exportation. The fact is that, what with the difficulty of obtaining labour and the natural poverty of the soil, there is little hope that the island will ever yield much more than an ample supply for its own population of 12, 000 or 15,000 whites (convicts. Communists, soldiers and settlers), together with its 20,000 or 30,000 Islanakr^ in any one of its articles of consumption, unless it be sugar, and even this I think is very doubtful. Several old Bourbon sugar-planters are settled in the colony ; one of them, M. de Greslan of Dombea, near Noumea, kindly showed me all the objects of interest on his estate, which consists partly of alluvial lands suitable for Sugar, Maize, &c., and partly of mountain jungle and grass. From ten to twenty varieties of cane I was informed are cultivated on this estate, the work being chiefly performed by Tamil coolies, for- merly imported into Bourbon and exported thence into New Caledonia. Maize, though planted year by year, is frequently a complete failure,;on account of the ravages of a brownish-coloured ladybird when the plants are young. Under the shade of the forest M. De Greslan was planting Coffee trees, those which had been previously planted in the open not having proved a success. He informed me that there were nu less than 112 varieties of fruit trees on his estate — Mangoes, Oranges, Rambutans (Nephelium lappaceum), Loquats or Japanese Medlar, Cosur de Bceuf (Anona reticulata). Sour- sop (Anona muricata), ^^ Pine-apples, Strawber- ries, Cerises de Brazil, Moreton Bay Chestnut, SapodiUa-plum, &c,, and that he had been at con- siderable 1 try- ing to introduce foreign fruits into the island, lie has had to contend with an ineradicable weed called Tea-shrub, which is very disheartening. In the neighbourhood of Noumea, Potatos, Cab- bages, French Beans, and other European vege- tables are cultivated, ^^:^ chiefly by libcrh, or ticket-of-leave men, in ARAUCARIA COOKII. ""e S3™e gardens with the Papaya (Carica Pa- paya) and the Banana ; but the want of water Coffee have been employed, and the trees are I for irrigation, as well as for other purposes, is very planted 8 feet apart and in rows 8 feet wide, so | severely felt, and the vegetables and fruit for the that it is possible to plough up the weeds between supply of the town are chiefly brought from a them. The plants are topped at 5 or 6 feet and , distance. The natural grasses of the country are Fig. 13.— islet off new caledoni i JANUARY 20, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 87 Fig. 14.— araucasia cookii (from r t Ma ) considered by Australian stockmen to be very poor I when swallowed by sheep into every part of the body, for the purposes of pasturage, and one of them I The land consequently must be eaten bare by cattle (Andropogon austro-caledonicum, I believe) pos- before smaller stock are turned on it. Another pest, sesses a spiky seed-case which is said to penetrate | which threatened at one time to be very injurious, was Asclepias curassavica, said to have been introduced in soldiers' mattrasses from Bourbon or Tahiti. This plant was rapidly overspreading many of the pastures when a Fritillary butterfly appeared in enormous quan- tities, both in the larva and imago form, and ate it down to the ground. It is perhaps worth suggesting here that this plant may possibly prove of great ser- vice to the island, as the Lantana promises to be to Ceylon and Southern India, through the renovation of poor or exhausted soils by the deposition of humus. There are either four or five different species of New Caledonian Pine found in the island, the princi- pal of which is Araucaria Cookii or columnaris — the one discovered by Captain Cook in the southern parts of the island and on the adjoining Isle of Pines. Some of these trees attain a height of 200 feet, and they appear to thrive best on little rocky islands a few acres in extent or close to the sea. They have a some- what curious habit, even when growing alone, of shed- ding their branches for five-sixths or more of their height, and then replacing them by a smaller and more bushy growth, so that the tree at a distance presents a very columnar appearance, the resemblance being increased by the summit being crowned with a mass of foliage somewhat like a capital (fig, 13). The natives not unfrequently plant these trees m their burial grounds, or rather in the bits of bush where they expose their dead to the birds and the hermit-crabs. As to the natives themselves, there is very little chance of making them generally useful in the cultiva- tion of the land. Although very muscular they are extremely lazy and independent, and will not submit readily to the necessary discipline of plantation life. Indeed, one can scarcely expect men— many of whom at an earlier period in their lives have been cannibals, and who have indulged themselves with the mad excitement of native warfare— to settle down readdy to the humdrum employment of hoeing corn. Other tillers of the soil have consequently to be obtained, by means of labour vessels, from the neighbouring islands, or else by the importation of Tamil coolies from Bourbon. This latter is by far the most suc- cessful plan as yet adopted, but it has only been carried out to a very limited extent. The Tamil is exceedingly docile, and though not very muscular, it is surprising how much work he will get through if properly managed. The Kanak, on the other hand, is very difficult to deal with, and the manner in which he has been obtained is not likely to render him cheer- fully amenable to the requirements of the planter. The food which the natives used before the arrival of Europeans was almost exclusively the Taro, I believe of two kinds (Colocasia esculenta and macrorhiza), which were cultivated in terraces on the hillsides where water was available for the purposes of irriga- tion The root of the Fern (Pteris esculenta), so urversally eaten by the Maories of New Zealand, vas scarcely ever used by the Kanaks of New Cale- don a The pith of Cycas circinalis, which is com- mon IS often made into a kind of sago and eaten. A few fruits, but none of much importance, are eaten nor have the natives much animal food except the flesh of pigs that have run wild since 1 e r ntroduction by Europeans. There are no w Id animals indigenous to the island— the only g ound game ever hunted by the natives being ttie 1 agou (Rhinocetus jubatus), a member of the crane a ly living in the woods, that has enjoyed security f om four-footed enemies so long that it has lost the use of its wings, and can be easily captured by dogs Young birds, the size of thrushes, I have seen na ve vomen transfixing with pieces of stick and roast ng alive before the fire. When the locusts make their appearance, as they sometimes do, in enormous swarms, the natives readily procure a meal by setting fire to the grass on a hill-side, and p ck ng up their food ready roasted after the flames have passed. At the present time it is perhaps somewhat early to form a decided opinion as to the ultimate capa- b 1 t es of the island when plants from all parts of the trop cal and subtropical world shall have been intro- duced for the purposes of acclimatisation. It is poss ble that some may be found to overspread the as e places of the island and to impart a fertility to the so I which it does not at present possess, but it nay be assumed that as some of the hardiest speci- mens of tropical vegetation, e-.:^., Lantana, Ageratum, Couch-grass, have failed to make any progress except in very isolated spots, the prospects are not very It may be mentioned that owing to the absence o( THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. jungle vegetation and lowlands, as well as on account of the narrowness of the island, the climate is extremely healthy, no case of epidemic sickness (unless recently Imported) having ever been known in the island, although the filthiness of the low-lying parts of Noumea, owing to the utter absence of any sewage system, is such that it seems little less than a miracle that the town has escaped so long, R. Abbay. It is with the greatest regret that we announce the death, on the nth inst., of Alfred Smee, Esq. An enthusiast in whatever he undertook, he threw himself as warmly into the pursuit of gardening as into the chemical, electrical, surgical, and other subjects in which he attained fame. His garden at Wallington was a perfect epitome of all departments of gardening, useful and ornamental ; a keen lover of Nature, he had gathered together a vast variety of interesting plants. Nothing came amiss to his wide sympathies in this way, and if bedding plants were nearly excluded from his garden it was because he liked them less than other plants. His collection of hardy fruit trees was one of the largest of any private collector in this country. The outcome of his garden experience was manifested in his richly illustrated work, My Garden — a treasure-house of information for amateur gardeners, Mr. Smee was for some time chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, and served on its Council. Few men had clearer and juster notions of the duties and objects of the Society, or was more emphatic in giving them utterance. His feelings were always those of a staunch horticulturist, firmly impressed with the conviction that the Royal Horti- cultural Society, if it were to take its proper position as the national representative and exponent of garden- ing, should devote all its energies to scientific and practical horticulture. In private life Mr. Smee was beloved for his unvarying kindness and liberality of spirit. As we hope in a short time to publish a portrait of the late Mr. Smee, we defer for the present any further notice of his career. \t Wit'&.^n. STATB OF THE WEATHER AT BLACKHEATH. LONDON, Foe the Week endino Wednesday, Jan. 17, 1S77. &5r Barometer. Temperature op '"from' Wind. 3 \1.'K" J ? S Si's Ill pi. III I X I 1 Si ill 1 1 1 1 'fr'4".'--J.-.J3.. 5".2|38.4|+V. l6.S «{ N.N.E: ■.28 13 29.71 -o.oi .,5,5 29.2 63U2-4.2 29.9 9' clim 0.00 •3 29 S? + 0.,5:42.7|3..5|...»'s6.6:+02 -1 Calm: o.co 14 29.53 -=.,9«.3'38.. .> 2,«.,+ 7.4 * S.S.E. 0 28 1 S5{ WSW, 'S 29.83 '°-Tr '^Ti " 34!, WNVV. 0.02 16 29. 88 -^0.Is's3■.7'38.1 .4.J462+95 43-7 .2I S.S^W. 0.00 17 2966 -0.07I53J..O ,6.8.3! + ».5 45.6 a.C9 — — — Mean 2972 o.<.o|4S.9 3S.5;.o.o;40.6'+ 4.. ,8.2 92 variable 0,67 Jan. II. — Overcast, dull, and cold. Strong wind. Gcsa- — 12,— A very dull, cold, foggy day. Hoar-frost on ground all day, — 13,— A fine bright cold day. Fog in morning, A little thin rain about 10 P.M. — 14.— A dull miserable wet day. Mild and damp, — 15.— A fine pleasant day. Cool and bright. Shower — 16,— Very fine and bright till 3 r. m, ; dull and overcast after. Thin mizzling rain at ii p.m. Mild. — ' 17. — A dull cloudy day. Frequent thin rain. Very mild. Cloudless at night. London : Barometer. — During the week ending Saturday, January 13, in the vicinity of London the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea in- creased from 29.0S inches at the beginning of the week to 29 55 inches by the morning of the Sth, decreased to 29.48 inches by the afternoon of the same day, increased to 30. 05 inches by the morning of the loth, decreased to 29 66 inches by the morn- ing of the I ith, increased to 30,07 inches by the morn- ing of the I3lh, and was 30,07 inches at the end of the week. The mean reading for the week at sea level was 29.75 inches, being 0,46 inch above that of the pre- ceding week, and 0.17 inch below the average. Temperature, — The highest temperatures of the air varied from 55° on the 9lh to 354° on the I2th ; the mean value for the week was 46}^ The lowest tem- peratures of the air ranged from 29^° on the 12th to 44i° on the Sth ; the mean for the week was 37!°. The mean daily range of temperature for the week was 9.1°, the least range in the day being 5j° on the nth, and the greatest 13.^° both on the 9th and loth. The mean daily temperatures of the air and the de- partures from their respective averages were as follows :— 7th, 4S°.3, -I- 12°; Sth, 48°, -m''.S ; 9th, 4S°,-1- ii°,S ; loth, 4i°,8, -|-5°,5 ; I Ith, 38°,4, +2°, I ; I2th, 32°,2, -4°.2; 13th, 36°.6, -Ho°.2. The mean temperature of the air for the week was 41° 9, being 5°. 6 above the average of sixty years' observations. The highest readings of a thermometer with blackened bulb in vacuo, placed in sun's rays, were Soi° on the 7th, 73-1° on the 9th, and 7oj° on the I3ih ; on the I2Lh 36° was the highest reading recorded by this instrument. The lowest readings of a thermometer on grass with its bulb exposed to the sky were 244° on the 12th, 301° on the I3lh, and 33i° on the 10th ; the mean value for the week was 34 r. ;(7«(f.— The direction of the wind was S.W. and N.E,, and its strength brisk at times. The weather during the first five days of the week was dull, wet, and very mild ; on Friday and Saturday the weather was somewhat finer, cold, but foggy. Rain fell on five days during the week, the amount collected was I.SS inch. England : Temperature. — The highest tempera- tures of the air observed by day were 55° at Black- heath and 54° at Truro ; at Hull 48° was the highest temperature ; the mean value from all stations was 5t}°. The lowest temperature of the air was 274" at Nottingham ; at Portsmouth and Norwich 32° was the lowest temperature. The mean value from all stations was 30°. The range of tempemture in the week was the greatest at Blackheath, 25J°, and the least at Bradford, i8J°. The mean range from all stations was 213°. The mean of the seven high day temperatures was the highest at Truro, 503°, and the lowest at Hull and Sunderland, both '43J°; the general mean from all stations was 46°. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was the lowest at Sunder- land, 35|^, and the highest at Plymouth, 41° ; the mean from all stations was 38". The mean daily range of temperature in the week was the least at Norwich and Leicester, 54°, and the greatest at Truro and Manchester, both 114° ; the mean daily range of temperature from all stations was 8°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 41 i*, being io4° higher than the value for the corresponding week in 1876 ; the highest was 454°, at Plymouth, and the lowest 39^°, at Sunderland. Rain. — The amounts of rain measured at the several stations were comparatively small as compared with previous weeks. The heaviest fall, however, was 2} inches at Brighton, and the least fall was two- tenths of an inch nearly at Leicester, Sheffield, and Liverpool. The average fall over the country was seven-tenths of an inch nearly. The weather during the week was dull, wet, and very mild till the nth, and on the I2th and I3ih the sky was cloudy, and the weather was frosty and cold, with fog. Scotland : Temperature. — In Scotland the high- est temperatures of the air varied from 494" at Leith to about 48° at Dundee, Aberdeen, Greenock, and Paisley ; the mean value from all stations was 48.!°. The lowest temperatures of the air ranged from 24° at Paisley to 31° at Edinburgh; the mean from all stations was 274°. The mean range of temperature from all stations was 21°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 38°, being 54° higher than the value for the corresponding week in 1876. The highest occurred at Edinburgh, 394°, and the lowest at Dundee and Perth, both 374°. .ffaiH,— The falls of rain varied from 2 inches at Greenock, to half an inch at Dundee and Aberdeen ; the average fall over the country was i inch. Dublin. — The highest temperature of the air was 564°, the lowest was 24^°, the range was 3ii°, the mean was 414°, and the fall of rain was 0.17 inch. lAMES GLAISHER. (Enquiries, He that qiicstioneth much shall learn mnch.—V.i^zos. 158. Maidenhair (Brazilian). —Will you kindly tell me how the fronds are grown or prepared for market so tliat they may preserve their freshness for so long a time as they are seen to do in Covent Garden? In whatever stage I cut them, whether old, young, or medium, they wither or dry up in a very few hours — before they are in a bouquet an hour they are withered. C. Z. [We believe that only the most wiry and best matured fronds are cut and sent by the growers to Covent Garden, and these will only keep fresh for about twenty-four hours. In the florist's shops the fronds are kept in a dark moist place, and when sent any distance are packed in airtight boxes. They should not be grown too hot or too moist. Eds.] 159. White Varieties. — Will any floriculturists kindly inform me if they have noticed whether white or pale varieties of garden plants are relatively more self- fertile than the coloured? Mr. Darwin's white Mimulus, pale Pelargonia, according to Dr. Denny, and a white Antirrhinum, show this peculiarity ; but I should be glad to hear of other instances. George Henslow, 7, Bentinck Terrace, Regent's Park, N. IV. 160. Damage from Falling Trees.— Can you?ay wheiher, if a large tree be blown down on a neighbour- ing land, and fall upon another's, doing great damage, the injured party can claim damages ? j'. S. [This is a legal question which some of our readers may be able to answer from their own experience. Eds.] 161. Asphalte Walks.— May I inquire of some of your correspondents the best means known of laying down asphalte walks in gardens ; the composition of tl e materials in parts ; wheiher it should be mixed with hot or cold tar ; what thickness is best to withstand the washings of heavy rain ; and, if laid now, would frost affect it ? To give it a bright glistening surface, would Derbyshire spar, or the chippings of tuffa rock, be most durable and effective ? Cephas, Answers to Correspondents. Books : Reader. Yes ; at 171, Fleet Street, or through your agent. Price zs. Galls on Yews : I enclose what seems to be an un- usual tufted growth of Yew leaves, in case it may be of any interest to you from a teratological point of view. F. C. [The tufted growth, as shown in the accompanying illustration (fig. 15), reproduced from our volume for 1873, p. mo, is the work of the gall midge of the Yew, Cecidomyia taxi.] Diseased Leaves : Ainatenr. The so-called diseased leaves of Statice and others look as if suffering from attack of red-spider. The Cinerarias can only be suf!ering from too much damp either at the root or top, and perhaps also from want of a sufficient circu- lation of air. Double Primula : E. HiUicr. The flowers are very pleasing— a delicate blush, very full, and nicely fringed. Double varieties are, however, now so plentiful that it needs to be seen growing beside the others to judge if Gkape Cure : J. Fryer. We do not understand you question. Do you refer to the Vine pest, Phylloxera to the Vine mildew, or what ? If you mean the medi cinal uses of Grapes, apply to Messrs. Churchill, Nev Burhngton Street. Mistleto : E. F. The Mistleto will grow on the Thorn, and also on the Apple, Lime, and \ other trees. The best plan is to fix the berries bark in a sheltered part, and protect them from they will adhere by their own viscidity if crushed on the surface of the bark. The underside of a branch is generally preferred. It may be done now. i January 20, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 89 Names of Plants : Darlington. Your Dendrobe is, tliere is little doubt, D. Linawianum (the moniliforme of the older botanists). As to the LceHa, it is no doubt the best Orchid of the actual year, whether mule or variety it is impossible to say. Please send us your name and address. — A. B. i, Panicum latifolium ; 2, Elymus virginicus ; 3, next week. — W. E. E. It is beyond our power to name the miserable scrap sent. Send a better specimen.-^« Old Subscriber, i, we are at present unable to determine, but will try and work it out ; it is a species of Podocarpus unknown to us : 2, Retinospora plumosa aurea ; 3, Chamas- cvparis sphferoidea variegata : 4, Podocarpus chinensis (Wallich) ; 5, Fitz-Roya patagonica ; 6, Juniperus ^abina; 7, Retinospora ericoides.— C B. C. i, Garrya elliplica ; 2 and 3, species of Ceanothus which we do not recognise ; 4, Asplenium cicutarium ; 5, Sparmannia africana.— 5. F. The New Zealand Tea tree, Leptospernmm scoparium. Pai'Hinia hugosa : //. G. R. We have received no communication about this plant. Pe.vches : Horace. Your proposition to grow Peaches on a boarded fence (east and west aspects) will end in utter failure, excepting you are in one of the most favoured of situations. Peaches require a full southern aspect — all the sun you can give them. A few of the early sorts, &c., may fruit elsewhere, but there is no certainty of success. Poisonous Hekb : E. W. G. The "poisonous herb" mentioned in the paragraph from the Birmingham Daily Post, as having been eaten by sailors with fatal results, being mistaken for Watercress, is possibly Slum latifolium, but we cannot possibly speak with any certainty without seeing the plant. Proliferous Cabbage Leaf: IK C. Such branch- ing of the leaves is not uncommon in Cabbages. Doubtless the curled Kails originated in this way. Thuja Cavendisihi : G. B. T. The fruit become yellowish when ripe, and in that state are excellent for dessert. We are not aware that it is used in the green or unripened condition. Waltonian Cases : J. C. Write to Messrs. Barr & Sugden, or Messrs. Dick Radclyffe & Co. Wash for Stems of Fruit Trees : J. G. L. Use enough clay to give it body and take off the glaring colour. Give the bark a good hard scrubbing before applying the wash. Young Gardeners : J. B. No, thanks ; we could not find space for su " Catalogues Received : — Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons (Royal Exotic Nursery, King's Road, Chelsea, Lon- don), Catalogue of Garden and Flower Seeds, Horti- cultural Implements, &c.— Charles Turner (Royal Nurseries, Slough), Catalogue of Seeds for the Kitchen and Flower Gardens, and Farm. — Messrs. Haage & Schmidt (Erfurt, Prussia), Trade Seed List of Trees and Shrubs.— Messrs. Dick Radclyife & Co. (129, High Holborn, London), Catalogue of Vegetable, Flower, and Garden Seeds, Tools, &c.— John Scolt (Yeovil, Somerset), Descriptive Catalogue of Seeds lor the Flower and Kitchen Gardens, and Farm.— Messrs. Waite, Burnell, Huggins & Co. (79, South- wark Street, London), Spring Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds.— Messrs. Austin & M'Aslan (16, Buchanan Street, Glasgow), Descriptive Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Implements, &c.— Messrs. Kent & Brydon (31, Priestgate, Dariington), Descriptive Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds. — E. P. Di.xon (57, Queen Street, and 75 to 77, High Street, Hull). Catalogue of Flower Seeds, and also Descriptive Catalogue and List of Flower Roots.— R. G. Fortt (29, Clare Street, Bristol), General Spring Catalogue.— Messrs. Thomas Kennedy & Co. (Dum- fries), Select Vegetable and Flower Seeds, &c. -Ommunications Receivkd.— R. C.-A. G.-G. J.-A. D.— W. E.— W. H.-F. W. F.-F. H.-J. M.-D. T. L — W. M. — W. T.-J. S.-H. E.— D, T. F.— R. B. F.— J. H —J. R. —J. E. B.-G. A. H. -Finder. —W. D.— G. S.— T. W. B.— A. J.— J. H. G.— W. D. F-J. T.-E. S.-J. K.-l. S.- C. F. M.— J. G.— E. A.-H. M., Enysfnext week).— W. W. CO VENT GARDEN, January Our market is now so very bare that there of importance to quote. James Webber, Apple Market, Artichokes, per bush. 4 o- — Eng. Globe, doz. 4. o- Asprtragus, Fr. , bun, 20 o- — English, p. bun. 3 0-. — Sprue, per bun. 1 6- Beans, French (new). Beet, per doz. ..10- Leeks, per bunch ..02- Lettuces, per score.. 1 6- — French, per doz. 1 o- Mint, green, bunch i o- j Mushrooms, perpott. o 6- I Onions, per bush. ..50- — young, per bun. o 8-0 Parsley, per bunch- . o 4- ! Potatos, new, per lb. i o- Kadishes, per bunch, o i- — Spanish, doz. ..10- Rhubarb, per bundle i o- Salsafy, per bundle i o- Seakale, per punnet i 6- Shallots, per lb. .. o &- Spinach, per bushel 3 o- I Tomatas, per dor. ..20- Turnips, HoracRadiahjp.bun. 40-.. | Potsioa.— Kent Regents, ;C5 to ^t\ Essex Regent*, ;C4 J ^:: s, per Grapes, per U [ o- 8 o Pears, per dc i o-ii o Pine-applcs, 6-30I Plants in Pots. Hyacinths, per c — Roman, per c Lily of Valley, . Myrtles, d Palms in v; Pelargonii Poinsettia, Primula sin Bouvardias, 1 Camellias, 12 blooms 2 0-12 Carnations, perdozcn 16-4 Cyclamen, per doz... 03-0 Epiphyllum. 12 blms. i o- 3 Eucharis, per doz. .. 6 0-12 Euphorbia, 12 sprays 2 o- g Gardenia, per doz. .. 9 0-18 Heliotropes, 12 spr. 06-1 Hyacth.,Rom.,i2sp. 20-6 Lily of Valley, 12 spr. i 6- 9 *s* Stephanotis and Gai Valottapurpur., doz.i Mignonette, 12 bun. Narcissus, 12 sprays Pelargoniums, 12 spr. Violefs^ SEEDS. London : Jan, 17. — We have to report a greater spirit of inquiry for farm seeds, which with better weather would soon develope into extreme activity. For every variety of seeds the trade exhibits great firmness, whilst for several descriptions higher prices are obtained. From all the American seed-saving sections there comes con- current testimony as to the shortness of the yield, and the firm feeling consequently entertained by holders. The markets of the United States are of course greatly strengthened by the fact that not only this country, but also France and Germany are looking across the Atlantic for their supplies for the ensuing spring. The late advance of ^3 to ^^ per ton in the value of white Clover seed i.s well sustained. Trefoils, although not quotably dearer, are held with more confidence. A good trade has recently been doing in foreign Italian, fine samples of which are making more money. A limited business has been passing in Baltic Tares. The position of the Canary seed market shows no variation. Fine qualities of Mustard and Rape seed are scarce, and a little demand would soon enhance currencies.— yt?/;« Shaw &* Sons, Seed Merchants, 37, Mark Lane, London . E. C. CORN. At Mark Lane on Monday trade was quiet, but steady. Dry parcels of English Wheat were held at an advance of i^. per quarter, which in a few instances was obtained ; for foreign Wheat quotations were much the same as on Monday se'nnight. Good malting Barley was about IS. per quarter higher on the week, while grinding and other sorts fully maintamed previous currencies ; malt was quite as dear. Oats and Maize remained at the quotations of last week ; Beans and Peas underwent no appreciable alteration; and flour was firm, especially fine American, but no actual advance can be noted m prices. — Trade on Wednesday was quiet, and quotations were much the same as on Monday. A firm tone pre- vailed for all dry and superior qualities of produce, the supply of these, in consequence of the unsettled weather of late, being very short ; but for damp and inferior parcels the market remained dull. — Average prices for the week ending Jan. 13 :— Wheat, sir. 3*/. ; Barley, 39J. ; Oats, 24J. M. For the corresponding week last year : — Wheat, 4^. jd. ; Barley, 34J. -^d. ; Oats, HAY. In the Whitechapel market on Tuesday trade was brisk, but there was a large supply, and prices were un- changed :— Prime Clover, looj. to r44-r. ; inferior, 855-. to 955. ; prime meadow hay, 90J. to 135J. ; inferior, jos. 10 85^. ; and straw, 40J. to 56^. per load. — Cumberland Market quotations : — Superior meadow hay, 132J. to 140J. ; inferior, iioj. to 120s. \ superior Clover, 140J. to i50j^. ; inferior, 120J. to 130^-. ; and straw, 585. to 63J. per load. POTATOS. The Borough and Spitalfields^markets reports stale that there were moderate supplies of Potatos, and trade remained steady at the lollowing quotations : — Kent Regents, 100s. to 140J. per ton : Essex do., loor. to 130J ; Scotch do,, 100s. to i6os.\ rocks, 85J. to looj. ; flukes, i6o.r. to 190J.; Victorias, 150.J. to i8oj. ; and Kidneys, loos. to 120.1.— The imports into London last week consisted of 12,540 bags from Hamburg, 10,781 Irom Antwerp, 2585 irom Brussels, 1965 Ghent, 1195 Rotterdam, 990 bags 100 barrels Harlingen, 400 sacks from Boulogne, and 40 barrels from New York. COALS. Business at both Monday's and Wednesday's markets was firm, at previous prices, viz. : — East Wylain, 17.1. ed. ; Walls End— Harton. i3i. ^d. ; Hetton, 20s. ; Hetton Lyons^ i8j. %d. ; Lambton, igj. 6d. ; Original l.>iCHAKU S.MinrS FRUIT LIST J- ^ contains a Sketch of the various forms of Trees, with Directions for Cultivation, Soil, Drainage, Manure, Pruning, Lifting, Cropping, Treatment under Glass; also their Syno- nyms, Quality, Size. Form, Skin, Colour, Flesh, Flavour, Use, Growth, Duration, Season, Price, &c. RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Evergreen and Deciduous Shrubs, Rhododendrons, Standard Ornamental Trees, Climbing and Twining Plants, with their Generic. Specific, and English Names, Native Country, Height, Time of Flowering, Colour, S:c., and S M ITH'S LIST nged in their several sections, and fully their Shapes,_Colours, and Adaptations ; with t and Prices. RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants, with their Scientific and English Names, Height, Colour, Time of Flowering, Price. &c. FMCHARD SMITH'S LIST ^ of all the Evergreen Fir Tribe suitable for Britain, Giving Size, Price, Popular and Botanical Names, Derivations, Description, Form. Colour, Foliage, Growth, Timber, Use in ivith Copious Index of their Synonyms. Free by NEW PLANTand BULB COMPANY CONTENTS : NEW HARDY BULBS, NEW and RARE LILIES, NEW HARDY CYPRIPEDIUM, NEW FERNS, SEEDS of NEW HARDY FLOWER- ING PLANTS, &c. ; LION WALK, COLCHESTER. BLOOMING RHODODENDRONS. Two Hundred Thousand good healthy plants, having not less than five up to ten and fifteen buds each, of the finest named hardy kinds, will be supplied at from £s to £io per 100, and i8i. to 30J. per dozen. KALMIA LATI FOLIA. Well furnished and healthy and covered with bloom-buds, 15 to i3 in., at I2i. and i8j. per doz., or £$ per loo. HARDY AZALEAS. The finest English and Ghent varieties, splendidly budded, ,^5 to £y 10s. per loo, or iSs. per dozen. ANTHONY WATERBR, KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. 90 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. CHERRIES, tall Standards, to be Sold cheap, being upon ground that must be cleared ; also some trained Morellos. T. EVES. Gravesend Nurseries.— Established iSio. Splendid New Melon. 1877. CHARLES LEE and SON (Successors to Messrs J. & C. Lee) have the pleasure to announce that they have purchased the entire Stock of MANN'S HYBRID GREEN-FLESH MELON, which they now offer for the first time. It has already earned a high reputation in London and the provinces for its many excellent qualities, among which may be mentioned a remarkably high and exquisite flavour at all seasons of the year — perfection of shape and size for dessert — a thin rind and melting flesh, with an overflow of perfumed juice. It is also a heavy cropper, and forces well. Dr. Hogg has spoken of this excellent Melon in the highest terms, and after tasting it pronounced it a fruit of the highest Mr. CuLVEBWELL, of Thorpc Perrow, fellow judge with Mr. Fowler, of Harewood House, at the Leeds Horticultural Show, where they awarded a First-class Certificate to " Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon." speaks of it as " an exceedingly fine Melon, especially at that early season— the early part of Mr. Ingram, of Belvoir Castle, writes, in the third week of October, " that in spite of the disadvantage of a long term of gloomy weather, at that season of the year, ' Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon ' was sweet, tender in flesh, very juicy, Messrs. Charles Lee & Son are now prepared to offer this very useful and delicious new Melon in sealed packets, at 3s. 6d. per CHARLES LEE and SON, Hammersmith, W. Special Offer. GEORGE FARNSWORTH has to offer large quantities of the following :— ASH, Mountain, aj^ to 3H feet, 16.1. per 1000 : 4 to 5 feet, 205. ALDER, 20 to 30 inches, zoj. per 1000. BIRCH, i^ to zK feet, 20s. per 1000. BERBERIS AQUIFOLIA, bushy, i to 2 feet, 4«. per 1000 ; CHESTNUT, Horse,' 7 to 9 feet, lOJ. per 100. LARCH, 2 to 1% feet, 35J- per 1000. LIMES, 2-yr. layers, i-yr. transplanted, 3 to S feet, gj. per Black Italian, 1% to 3K feet, feet, 305. per 1000 ; 5 to 6 fe RHODODENDRONS, Hybrid : seedling, fine, 5^. per 1000 ; di per 1000; extra transplanted, 1000 ; I to 1^ foot, iioj. per SYCAMORE^2\o 3 feet, 20 J. per : CHOICE TUBERS and ROOTS.— Twelve tuberous BEGONIAS, including Frosbelli, rosseflora, intermedia, Sedeni, vivicans, &c., for 2if., very fine bulbs. Twelve CALADIUMS, splendid tubers, fit for exhibition, ready to start, i\s. A few collections of these latter at for. per dozen. Arbor-vitaeflagelliformis,6 feet. Tree Box, 2 to Broom, fine, 35. per dozen. Cedrus Deodara, 2 to -2.% feet, i\s. per dozen. Cephalotaxus Fortii, \\i to 2 feet, i8j. per dozen. Cryptomeria japonica, 2 to 3 Laurus, common, 3 feet, good, Ligustrum sinensis, 3 to 4 feet, Pinus Cembra, specimens. Ivy, I to \% foot, 1 \s. per dozen. Yew, English, , English, "Wy^ch!°6' „ giauca, 3 feet, 30J. per Fir, Austria tSJ. per Lilacs, 4 feet, 5^. per dozen. Laurus caucasica, 2 to 3 feet, per joo. 251. per dozen. dozen. Syringas, 5 f Cash or reference. Catalogues of Tree application to Cottingham, and 61, Market P feet, fine, i6j, B Fibrous Peat for OrcMds, &c. ROWN FIBROUS PEAT, best quality for Orchids, Stove Plants, &c., £,(, 6s. per truck. BLACK FIBROUS PEAT, for Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths, American Plant Beds, 17J. per ton. Delivered on rail at Blackwater. S. E. R., or Farnhorough, S. W. R. . by the truck-load. Sample sack, 51. id. each. Fresh SPHAGNUM, ros.6rf. per sack. WALKER AND CO.. Farnhorough Station, Hants. MANURE.— Composed of the blood, bone, &c., of animals, which are boiled down and carefully manufactured into a splendid manure on the premises of a large slaughterer. This now famous manure, possessing as it indis- putably does all the properties essential to a first-class manure, has been used with the greatest success by upwards of 500 Florists, Nurserymen, Market Gardeners, and Farmers. Many testimonials. Sent in stout bags free to rail or wharf, 11^. per cut.. ^9 per ton. Sample; ' M, ft. BENTOTE, Junction), London, S.E. COCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE Protects from Cold, Frost, &c.— No Russia Mats needed. Use a layer of FIBRE REFUSE, srf. per bushel, ioofor20i.; truck, 40J., free to any rail or wharf. As supplied to Messrs. Carter & Sons, Veitch & Sons, Bull, Wills, Ewing, Daniels Bros., Dixon & Co., Dickson & Sons, Herr Schmidt, Germany : Martin Muller, Strasburg, &c. .. ,. „„„ „., ., , , ;Road,Nunhead. COCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE, newly made.— Reduced price, 20 bushels, ts. Sd. ; 100, 2ar. : or Truck-load, 40J. Delivered free to any rail in London. J STEVENS AND CO., Fibre Works, High Street, S.W. CLAY'S FERTILISER or PLANT FOOD, for Conservatory or Open Culture, is composed of the richest ingredients, and contains all the elements which enter into the composition of plants, in such proportions as are necessary for luxurious vegetation. It is extensively used and the most economical and reliable Manure for Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, &c. Sold by Seedsmen, Nurserymen, and Florists, in packets, is. : and bags, js. 6d., r25., and 20^. Works : Temple Mill Lane, Stratford, London, E. C:|.ARDEN COMPOST, manufactured ^ entirely of Horse Stable Manure, inodorous and dry, for Bulbs, Flower-pots, and all Flowers. Delivered free in - • - ■ • ' '/ cwt. S.W. ODAMS' MANURES, FOR ALL CROPS. Manufactured by the NITRO-PHOSPHATE and ODAMS' CHEMICAL MANURE COMPANY (Limited), consisting of Tenant- Farmers occupying upwards of 150,000 acres of Land. Chairman— R.O'B^.WI LEEDS, Keswick Old Hall, Norwich. Managing Dinctor-]AMES, ODAMS. Sub-Manager attd Secretary— C. T. MACADAM. Chief Office — 109, Fenchurch Street, London, E.G. Vk'ESTEEN Counties Branch— Queen Street, Exeter. Particulars will be forwarded on application to the Secretary, Or may be had of the Local Agents. G 1S59. , _ ,, .lerBP ■ the gallon of soft ■ of from 4 to 16 ounces as a winter dressing for Vines and Fruit Trees. Has outlived many preparations intended to supersede it. Sold Retail by Seedsmen, in Boxes, ij., js., and roj. 6d. Wholesale by PRICE'S PATENT CANDLE COMPANY RUSSIA MATS.— A large stock of Archangel and Petersburg, for Covering and Packing (price on application for Arch.angel)— Petersburg, 60s. to looi. per 100 ; superior close-wove, 405., 50s. and 55J. per too : Packing Mats at2a^.,3ar., and 35^. per 100: and all other descriptions of Mats at equally low rates, at J. BLACKBURN and SONS, 4 and s, Wormwood Street, London, E.G. RUSSIA MATS, for Covering Garden Frames.-ANDERSON'S TAGANROG MATS are the cheapest and most durable. Price List, which gives the size of every class of Mat. forwarded post-free on application. JAS. T. ANDERSON, 7, Commercial Street, Shoreditch, London. E.G. MATS.— Archangel, Petersburg, Packing Mats, &c. RAFFIA for tying. TRAINING STICKS, BAMBOO CANES, &c. Before purchasing send for prices to C. J. BLACKITH and CO., Cox's Quay, Lower Thames Street, London, E.G. R USSIA MATS, for Covering from Frost, from 30^. to 705. per too; packing from 20s. GUNNY BAGS, from 3^. each, delivered free to any Station in London. SUTHERLAND, SON and CO., 11, Fenchurch Buildings, Fenchurch Street, London, E.C. RUSSIA MAT MERCHANTS.— Seedsmen, Growers, and other large Buyers, can have the Whole- sale Prices for ARCHANGEL and all kinds of PETERS- BURG MATS, RAFFIA MATS, &c., on application to MARENDAZ and FISHER, James Street, Covent Garden, London, W.C. LABELS. Secure Tree and Plant Labels. JARCHMENT or CLOTH LABELS, TREE or PLANT LABELS. Punched parchment. Road, Nunhead 4s. per 1000. Vellum cartridge, 4 inches long, 31. per 1000 ro.ooo. Sample Labels sent on receipt of postage stai Orders delivered free in London. FISHER, CLARK and CO., Label Works, Boston. Indestructible Terra-Ootta Plant Markers. AW AND CO.'S PATENT.— Prices, Printed Patterns, and Specimens, sent post-free on ation ■ also Patterns of Ornamental Tile Pavements for ories. Entrance Halls, Sic. MAW AND CO.. Benthall Works, Eroseley. Under tie Patronage of the Queen. SMITH'S IMPERISHABLE STRATFORD LABELS. SHAW'S TIFFANY, ELASTIC NET- TING, CANVAS, &c., for Shading, Protecting, and other Horticultural Purposes. For Samples and Prices apply to JOHN SHAW AND CO., 29. Oxford Street, Manchester. RH. HAMPSON, Egerton Mills, Stockport, • Manufacturer of HORTICULTURAL SHADINGS for protecting Wall Trees from Frost and Insects, &c. 54 and 60 inches wide, any length up to 100 yds. Prices on application. T. ARCHER'S " FRIGI DOMO."— • Patronised by Her Majesty the Queen, for Windsor Castle and Frogmore Gardens, the late Sir. J. Paxton, and the late Professor Lindley, &c. MADE of PREPARED HAIR and WOOL. A perfect non-conductor of heat or cold, keeping a fixed temperature where it is applied. A good covering for Pits and Forcing Frames. PROTECTION from COLD WINDS and MORNING FROSTS. " FRIGI DOMO " NETTING, s yards wide, r j. 4 ds 40 yds 60 > ds )>ds >>ds No. 14 Gauge Wire 11 18 22 28 32 No. 13 ,, „ I 4 I n 2 6 3 T 3 8 Illustrated Lists, with full particulars of the above, and Fittings for Espalier Trainers, on very economical principles, free on application. Five per cent, discount allowed for prompt cash on orders amounting to 20J. and upwards special quotations for larger qnantitits J. J. THOMAS & CO., PADDINGTON WIREWORKS. 285 and 362, EDGWARE ROAD, LONDON, W. W, C. SMITH & CO,, Victoria Worl»Il JAMES LYME HANCOCK'S Improved India-rubber Socket-rings JOINTS of HOT-WATER PIPES. . J. L. HANCOCK, NISED INDIA-RUBBER WORKS, GOSWELL ROAD, LONDON, E.C. 1^ ^:. LASCELLES' PATENT BENT WOOD CONSERVATORIES and GREENHOUSES.— All Gardeners know that Wood is better than iron for Plant Grow- ing, and by the above system a handsome cur\ed house can be erected as cheaply as a plain straight one. ""' ' durable, stronger, lighter in con- , and no bent e w. H LASCELLES, Horticultural Builder Finsbury Steam Joinery Works, 121 Bunhill Rou London E C ^^^. GARDEN BOXES ind LIGHTS Each rtable Box with One Light 6 feet by 4 feet glazed ^ rf good 16-02. sheet glass, painted four coats, and packed ready for use .. .. .. -- . . 35 o rtable Box with Two Lights, as above, each light 6 feet by 4 feet 65 o LIGHTS ONLY. ;et by 4 feet Light, not painted nor glazed . . . . 36 tto glazed, good i6-oz. sheet glass, and painted 4 coats 10 o ;tt by 4 feet, not painted nor glazed 60 Works on Botany, by Dr. Llndley. DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY; or, THE ART OF Describing Plants Correctly, in Scientific Language, for Self Instruction and the Use of Schools. Price is. rpHE E] MEDICALandCECONOMICALBOTANY; Employed in Medicine or Domestic CEconomv. In One Volume, 8vo, with numerous Woodcuts, price v. ELEMENTS of BOTANY, StruC- siOLOGiCAL. With a Glossary of Technical Terms and numerous Illustrations. 95. cloth. This completes the series of Elementary Botanical Works by Professor Lindlev, of which Sc/u^al Bofaity and The Vegetable Kiftgdo7}i form the other parts. The first two Parts of TJie Elentents of Botany, comprising Structural and Physiological Botany, and a Glossary of Techni- cal Terms, are published in one 8vo volume, price gj. These three Parts form a complete Manual of Botany for Medical and other Students who have made themselves acquainted with the Author's School Botany. N.B. The Glossary may be had separately, price 5^. London: BRADBURY, AGNEW, and CO.. Bouverie Price zd, ; post free, z^d. Post-office Orders are to be made payable to Wm, Richari nt the King Street Office, Covent Garden, W>C. Published at the Offict of the Gardeners' Chrvnifltt . WfllUngton Street, Cevent Garden^ Londoni WiCi January 20, 1S77.I THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 93 GARDENERS' CHRONICLE SHEET ALMANAC. With the Number for Jan. 6 Is Issued (gratis) an ILLUSTRATED SHEET ALMANAC for 1877 (an enth-ely new and orighial design). The Almanac may be had separately, mounted on rollers, price 6d., post-free. Also on thick Cardboard, which must, however, bt ordered throufrh a News Agent, as it cannot go through the Post. PUBLISHED BY W. RICHARDS, 41, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. PARHAM'S PATENT SYSTEM of GLAZING (without Putty) on CHANNELLED WROUGHT-IRON RAFTERS secures almost entire immunity from Breakage of Glass, extreme facility for Repairs, and absolute freedom from Drip. // is most extensively adopted, and meets with unqualified approval. WILLIAM PARHAM, Horticultural Builder and Hot-water Engineer, •^ ORTHGATE WORKS, BATH ; -"So, Oxford Street, London, W. A Crop of Fruit in Spite of Frost Is made a certainty by tile „se of Full size Specimen Houses and PARHA'M'S PATENT GLASS COPING, D ngs of many important Works which ^f ^^;^^ ^^^^ _^;|^^ ^^^ .^ ^^^ . M. ; 1 feet wide, GALVANISED WALL -WIRING and ESPALIERS. free of I Ki,? Designs and Estimates prepared ___ charge for Horticultural Buildings and Holdfasts, 5 m. long. Raidisseurs. Eyes, 4 in. long, No. 13 Wire, Hot-water Works of any magnitude. is. 6d. per dozen. 3J. per dozen. ^%d. per dozen. 2^-. per 100 yards. The Agricultural Gazette ALMANAC, 1877. Profusely Illustrated, Price 4d.; Post Free, 5ld. CONTENTS Mechi and Tiptree (with Portrait). Calendar, compiled especially to meet the wants of Farmers. Cattle Feeding. Early Spring Food. Kohl Rabi. The Mangel Wurzel Crop. Lands for Roots. Turnip Manuring. Lambs. Turnip-Fly. Bare Fallows. Harvest Work. Harvest. Cattle Feeding. Cattle Food for Winter. Fatting Cattle. The Dairy. Lincoln Sheep. The Harvest of 1S76. The Shorthorns Sales in 1876. A Bee at Bainesse. Modern Agriculture, by J. J. Mechi, e.'cpressly written for this Almanac. Teaching a Child How to Swim. Poultry Feeding Apparatus (Illustrated). Bull Staff and Nose Ring (Illustrated). The Cow. Drugging Horses in the Spring. Determination of the Carcase Weight 01 Cattle. Table to Calculate Wages and other Payments. In the Showyard (Illustrated). Younger Sons as Emigrants. The European Harvest of 1876. Substitutes for Beer in the Harvest Field (Illustrated). Hints to Shepherds (Illustrated). Results of Cirencester Experiments. Over-feeding for Exhibition. Weights and Measures. Agricultural Societies, Farmers' Clubs, and Chambers of Agriculture. The Imperial Parliament: — House of Peers. House of Commons. Postal Information. American Beef. Sporting Fixtures for 1S77. Notes on Farm Buildings. Licences and Certificates. Principal Cattle Fairs. Our Portrait Gallery. Lady Pigot (with Memoir). Baron Liebig (with Memoir). Mr. John Bravender, F.G.S. (with Memoir). Mr. Charles Randell (with Memoir). Mr. Henry Corbet (with Memoir). Mr. George Drewry (with Memoir). PUBLISHED BY A. K. BRUCE, AT THE OFFICE OF "THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE," 7, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 94 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. Scale of CHarges for Advertising. And two shillings for every additional five lines. set across columns, the lowest charge will be 30J. Page If) o o Hall Page 500 Advertisements for tlu current week must reach tJie Office bv Thursday ttoon. POO. to be made payable at the King Street Post Office.W.C. to W. Richards. lUustrated Catalogues. HM. POLLETT'S COLLECTION . of over SEVEN HUNDRED BLOCKS suitable for Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seed Catalogues. Customers can have the use of any of them gratis. H. M. P. Publishes small SEED CATALOGUES in two sizes', which can be altered to suit the requirements of small consumers. Specimens and Prices on application. POLLETT'S Horticultural Steam Printing Works, I2 to 13, Bridgewater Gardens, Barbican, E.G. THE CULTIVATO R.— A Portuguese Monthly Agricultural Journal, which circulates in Portugal and her possessions, and in the Prmcipal Towns of the Brazils. This Paper offers an excellent medium for Advertisements of every description of industry and of every article of consump- tion in the countries and places above mentioned. Advertising charges, Zd. per square inch. Translation included. Ten per cent. Discount for six months : 20 per cent. Discount for twelve months, if paid in advance. Address, the Editor of the Cultivator, St. Michael's. Azores. THE SYDNEY MAIL NEW SOUTH WALES ADVERTISER. CONTENTS: — INTERCOLONIAL and GENERAL NEWS. SPORTING and the FIELD, in which is incorporated BELL'S LIFE in SYDNEY. RECORD of RACES, and NOTES on the TURF. CRICKET and AQUATICS. THE FLORA of AUSTRALIA (Drawn and Engraved specially for this Journal). NATURAL HISTORY (Original Articles). AGRICULTURE, PASTORAL. HORTICULTURE. GOLD FIELDS and MINING generally. STOCK and SHARE REPORTS. ORIGINAL and SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES. TALES by POPULAR ENGLISH and AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS. THE FASHIONS. DOMESTIC ECONOMY. INDOOR AMUSEMENTS. THE CHESS PLAYER. THE HOME CIRCLE. COMMERCIAL NEWS. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. The SYDNEY MAIL has a wide circulation throughout the Australian Colonies, New Zealand, Polynesia, &c. It contains a large amount of informa- tion on a great variety of subjects. Subscription in Advance, £1 per Annum. Single Copies, 40'.; Stamped, jif. Publishing Office— Hunter Street, Sydney, New South London Mr. George Street, 30, Cornhill, E.G. Mr. F. Aigar, 8, Clement's Lane, Lom- bard Street, E.C. Messrs. Gordon & Gotch, St. Bride Street, Fleet Street, E.C. Birmingham Mr. R. S. Kirk, 90, New Street. Liverpool ,. Lee & Nightingale, 15, North John Street. Bristol James & Henry Grace, Royal Insurance Buildings. Edinburgh .. Robertson & Scott, 13, Hanover Street. Glasgow .... 'W. Porleous & Co., 15, Royal Exchange Place. Copies of each Journal are filed at the above Offices for the use of Advertisers. Now ready, In clotli, I63. 6d., JHE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE VOLUME for JULY to DECEMBER, 1S76. W. RICHARDS, 41, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C. Just published, fcp. 8vo, price 45. in cloth, THE CACTUS and other TROPICAL SUCCULENTS : Aloes, Agaves, Sempervivums, Sedums, &c., with Directions for Constructmg a Miniature Greenhouse. Sixty Illustrations. By H. Allnutt, Author of" Cropping a Kitchen Garden." " Our Flower Garden," &c. 200, Fleet Street, London, W.C. Farms, Estates, Residences. Any one desirous of Renting a Farm or Residence, or Purchasing an Estate, can have copies of the MIDLAND COUNTIES HERALD supplied free for six weeks on stating the purpose for which the paper is required, forwarding name and address, and six halfpenny stamps for postage, addressed, " MidlandCounties Herald Office, Birmingham." The Midland Counties Herald always contains large numbers of advertisements relating to Farms, Estates, and Residences for Sale and to be Let. Belgian. BULLETIN d'ARBORICULTURE de FLORICULTURE, et de CULTURE MARAI- CHiiRE. A monthly horticultural work, with superb Coloured Plates and Illustrations. Published since 1S65 by F. BUEVENICH, E. Pavnaert, E. Rodigas. and H. J. Van HOLLE, Professors at the Horticultural School of the Belgian Government at Ghent. Post paid loj. per annum. H. J. VAN HULLE, Botanical Gardens, Ghent, Belgium. KEVUE de I'HORTICULTURE BELGE et feTRANGKRE (Belgian and Foreign Horticultural Review).— Among the principal Contributors are :— A. Allard, E Andr^, C. Baltet, T. Buchetet, F. Burvenich, F. Crepin, Comte de Gomer, De Jonge van Ellemeet, O. de Kerchove de Denterghem. P. E. de Puydt, C. de Vis. J. Gillon, A M. C. Jongkindt Coninck, C. Koch, J. Kickx, L. Linden, T. Moore, C. Naudin, B. Oliver, H. Ortgies, E. Pynaert. E. Rodigas, A. Siraux, O. Thomas, A. Van Geert Son, H. J. Van HuUe, J. Van Volxem, H. J. Veitch, A. Westmael, and P. Wolkensteln. rras of Subi payable in advance, '^'ishing Office : 143, R for the United Kingdom:— Oni ! Bruxelles, Ghent, Belgium. Post-office Orders to be made payable to M. E. PYNAERT, t the Chief Post-office. Ghent. ^ ADVERTISERS are requested to note that although we do not object to receive Letters to be called for, we cannot undertake to forward them. Partnerslilp. WANTED.a good WORKING PARTNER, to join the Advertiser in a good Ready Money Business. Must understand Rose Growing under Glass and Open Ground, also Cucumbers and Hard and Soft-wooded PI.-ints for Market. Capital about £500. — Full particulars given by applying to PARTNER, Post-office, Derby. WANTED, a GARDEN SUPER- INTENDENT, for the Roy.al Aquarium and Winter G-arden Society, Westminster. He must be a well qualified Gardener, and one who thoroughly understands his business.— Apply, stating terms, references, fee, to Mr. W. W. ROBERT- SON, Offices, Royal Aquarium. Westminster, S.W. w ANTED, a GARDENER of thorough practical experience in every branch, age 30 to 45, d atid without family : a knowledge of Land and Stock lie. Also an UNDER GARDENER, of fair experience. WANTED, at once, a thorough WORKING GARDENER, who understands all branches. Help found for half the day. Married man preferred, with Wife as good Cook or Parlourmaid.— Address, stating character and wages. Rev. W. VALE, Bagshawe, Uppingham. Gardener. WANTED, a Single-handed thoroughly experienced WORKING GARDENER, who under- stands the Management of Vines, Greenhouses, and Gardening in all its branches. Good character indispensable. Must be a married Man, and one whose Wife is a good Laundress would be preferred. A good cott.age provided.— Apply, stating wages, &c., to Mr. W. HYDE, Jun., Louth, Lincolnshire. WANTED, a SINGLE-HANDED GARDENER, accustomed to Stove and Greenhouse. Wages, 24J. to i(ys. per week. Good character indispensable.— Apply, by letter or personally, to R. W. T., Lawn House, • ■ ■ Road, Clapham Park. _ The Advertiser^ may r'- ^- , Pall Mall, betw 1 the hours of 12 and 4 o'clock. WANTED, in a Gentleman's family, a GARDENER, and WIFE as Laundress or Cook. Ages about 40, without incumbrances, and wages required to R- R., Mart( London, S.E. Lil! panic , Blackh Library, Blackheath, WANTED, MAN and WIFE, without young children — Man as Gardener, to Wait at Table, and be generally useful Indoor and Out, occasionally to take Charge of a Pony, Carriage, and Harness ; Wife as good Plain Cook and General Servant. The Family consists of two people ; Garden small. Three good rooms provided and good wages given.— Apply, by letter, to G. B., Compton. Streatham, S.W. Nursery Foreman In the Houses. WANTED, a thoroughly steady, industrious, and persevering MAN, well up in Plant Growing in all its branches, and Cut Flowers wanted in quantity ; also a skilful PROPAGATOR. None need apply who have not been used to Nursery Work.— Address, in own handwri ting, with references and wages expected, W. TROUGH TON, Manager, Preston Nursery and Pleasure Gardens Company (Limited), Preston. WANTED, as GROUND FOREMAN, a steady competent married Man, who has had good practical experience in the Cultivation of Roses, Fruit Trees, and General Nursery Stock. Wages 30^.— Address X., care of Messrs. Hurst & Son, Seedsmen, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C. None of those who have previously replied to this advertisement are eligible. Ground Foreman. WANTED, a good GROUND FOREMAN, for a public Park, with 3 good knowledge of Bedding " ' 'Vages, 27J. per week. ^" Must have satisfactt 1 & Tait. Seed Merchai W nng Agents, Spring Gardei WANTED, for a first-class Garden in the West of England, a good KITCHEN-GARDEN FOREMAN. Wages 151. per week and lodgings.— Apply, stating age. and giving details of experience, to R., Messrs. Nur i Veitch & Sons, Royal 1 •lursery, Chelsea, S.W. To Pelargonium Growers. WANTED, a first-class MAN, to take Charge of a large Stock kept under Number. Liberal wages.-F. AND A. SMITH, The Nurseries, West Dulwich, London, S E. Assistant Propagator. WANTED, a young Man, as IMPROVER. — Apply, stating service and salary expected, to CLARK BROTHERS and CO, Nurserymen, Carlisle. w Manager and TraveUer. ANTED, by a leading London Nursery Travelling occasionally. Character must bear the strictest in- vestigation.—Apply by letter only, giving particulars of previous employ, and stating wages required, to NURSERYMAN, 117, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. WANTED, for the Seed Season (six months), and probably a permanency, an ASSISTANT SHOPMAN.— Apply, with references, stating age and salary required, toM. H. C, 7, Temple Street, Swansea. Assistant. WANTED, an active SHOPMAN, with a thorough knowledge of Seeds and Plants. State expe- rienceand salary required.-PENGILLEY AND POOL, Seeds- men, 59, tjueen Victoria Street, E.C. WANTED, in a Wholesale Seed Ware- house, an ASSISTANT at Counter and General Warehouse Work, accustomed to the trade ; sober, steady, and willing, and good quick Penman and Parceller. — State age, S^i ANTED, in February, as IMPROVER, a young Man, from 18 to 20 years of age, with some iwledge of the Nursery — ■< =—' ■>•-'- "' w ^.^^.j — ^ Seed T ...^..^....f, .J-. _ week. Good test: GODWIN AND SON, Ashborne, Derby. WANTED, as BOOK and TIMEKEEPER, a steady, active, persevering Man. — Apply, with references, character, and age. to Mr. JOHN HOUSE, Eastgate Nurseries, .Peterborough. WANT PLACES. BS. WILLIAMS, having at the present • time several very excellent GARDENERS upon his Register, is desirous of placing them in Situations where great experience and trust are required. B. S. W. would at the same time beg to intimate that when a Gardener is applied for that the filling of the situation should be left with him, as that would prevent unnecessary correspondence and delay. — Victoria and Paradise Nurseries. Upper Holloway, London, N. SON have many excellent GARDENERS of approved testimonials for ability now waiting in their Nurseries for re-engagement. E. G. H. & Son will be pleased to answer any enquiries from Noblemen and Gentle, men requiring such.— Pine-apple Nursery^ Maida Vale, London, W. JOHN HARRISON has at present on his Register several energetic and practical GARDENERS. of first-rlce character, FORESTERS, GARDENERS and BAILIFFS, who he can confidently recommend to any Lady or Gentleman. —The North of England Rose Nurseries, Catterick Bridge, Yorkshire. Head Gardeners. JOHN LAING can at present recommend with every confidence several energetic and practical Men, of tested ability and first-rate character. Ladies and Gentlemen in WANT of GARDENERS and BAILIFFS*, or GARDENERS for First-rate Establishments or Single-' hand Situations, can be suited by applying at Stanstead Park ; Forest Hill, London, S.E. : Establishments or Single^ and have full particulars* nd Rutland Park Niirseries,r GARDENER (Head).— Age 30, married; thoroughly practical. Five years He.-id Gardener to present employer. Highly recommended. State wages.— J. FORSTER, Nurseryman, Edgware, Middlesex, GARDENER (Head).— Age 30, married, no family ; practically experienced in the profession and duties of Gardener.— C. T,, i, Albert Terrace, South Road,- Forest HUI, London, S.E. January 20, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 95 GARDENER (Head), where two or three are kept. — Single ; has a thorough knowledge of Pines, Vines, Melons, Cucumbers. Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Orchids, &c.— G. F., Post-office, Woodford Green, Essex. G ARDENER (Head).— Age 35, married thoroughly proficient in all branches of the profession . a large quantity of Glass. Eight years' good character , 4, New Street, Hampton, Middlesex. GARDENER (Head), age 30, married.-- Practical in all branches of the profession ; highest references as to character and abilities. Fifteen years' expe- rience.—A. B., The Gardens, Hatfield, Herts. GARDENER (Head).— Age 36, married; twenty years' good practical experience. Good character. Cause of leaving, death of employer. — J. P., 2, Cedar Cottages, - " e, Hornsey, London. N. Middle Lane, GARDENER (Head).— Age 30, single at present ; thoroughly experienced in all branches of the Ijrofession.— ALPHA, 5, Newhall Gardens, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury^ /::< ARDENER (Head).— Age 29, married, VJ one child (aged 4) ; thoroughly experienced in all branches of the profession.— H. T., North Elmham, Dereham, Norfolk. G ARDENER (Head).— Age 48 ; practical Growing Pines, Grapes, Peaches, Melons, Cucumbers, e and Greenhouse Plants. Six and a half years' , Wife can take charge of Poultry.— G., 2, Belvedere GARDENER (Head).— Age 40, married; Scotch ; can Manage Park. Woods, Buildings, &c. Twenty years' practical experience in Noblemen's and Gentle- man's Gardens in the three kingdoms. First-class recommen- dation.—R., 12, Devonshire Street, Hammersmith, W. G ARDENER (Head), where one or two are kept.— Age 31, married; sixteen years' thorough prac- experience m all branches of the profession. Seven years' GARDENER (Head, or good Single- handed), where neatness is studied. — Age 40, no incumbrance ; twenty-five years' experience. Good reference. Near London preferred. — Address, with particulars, to K. D., 19, Bedford Street. Brighton. GARDENER (Head), age 32.— Mr. Scott, Gardener to Lord Sherborne, Sherborne Park, North- leach, wishes to recommend his Foreman to any Nobleman or Gentleman requiring a thorough practical and trustworthy Gardener. He has had sixteen years' experience in some of the best places in England. — Apply as above. (^ARDENER (Head), to any Lady or VJ Gentleman requiring the services of a practical Gardener. — Age 29 ; thoroughly understands the general routine of the Garden, Highly recommended from present employer. —For full particulars apply to G. L, Drinkstone " ' , Bury St. Edmunds. G ARDENER (Head).- A thoroughly competent, respectable Man. who has had great expe- rience in the several branches of his calling ; also understands Land and Stock ; neighbourhood of London preferred. Or Advertiser offers his services to any Gentleman making a new or remodelling an old Garden wanting his own ideas carried out by a practical man.— HORTUS, 6. Avenue Road, Clapham, S.W. GARDENER (Head>, to any Nobleman or Gentleman requiring the services of a competent Man.— Well versed in the Cultivation of Vines, Pines, Cucumbers, Melons, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, General Forcmg, and General Routine of Gardening. First-class references, which will bear strict investigation. No small place accepted.— W. J. G.. Swiss Cottage, 140, Loughborough Road, Brixton, London, S.W. G^. RDENER (Head), age 31.— David Long Lady, or Gemle- and Greenhouse Plants, and Kitchen and Flower Gardening, Has been in some of the best places in England and Scotland. Excellent references. — DAVID LONG, The LonghiUs, Branston, Lincoln. GARDENER (Head, Working).— Under- stands every branch of the profession. Six vears' eood 3, Chester Place, Leslie Park Road, GARDENER (Head, Working).- Married, no family ; understands Gardening in all its branches, Dinner-table Decorations and Forcing. Good character.— R. WALKLING, Calverton Hall, Nottingham. GARDENER (Head, Working), where two or more are kept.— Age sS, married, no incumbrance ; thoroughly understands Gardening in its various branches — S. D. H., Alton Post-office, Hampshire. GARDENER (Head, Working).— Age 27, married ; experienced in all branches of the profession. Good character.- A. D., Mr. Simmons, The Pavement. Bromley, Kent. GARDENER (Head, Working), where four or more are kept.— Thirty houses at last situation, consisting of all kinds of Fruits and Plants, including Pines and Orchids. Four years' highest references.— E. H., 35, Sotheron Road, Watford. Herts. GARDENER (Head, Working), in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Garden.— Has a thorough knowledge of practical Gardening, understands Vines, Peaches, Orchids, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Early and Late Forcing. Will be highly recommended from last place as to capabilities. -W.J. , New Street, Halstead, Essex. GARDENER (Head, Working), where two or more are kept.—Middle-aged, married, no family ; twenty-five years' experience in all branches of Gardening ; has a thorough knowledge of Stock and Land. Wife can take charge of Dairy and Poultry if required. Good character.— W. T., Post-office, Haverhill, Suffolk. GARDENER. — Married, no family; of Christian principles, strictly honest, sober, and indus- trious ; understands the general routine of Gardening. Wife as Laundress, if required. Good characters. -GARDENER, Leverington House, near Wisbeach, Cambs. GARDENER (Single-handed).— Married. Ten years' experience in high families. Near London preferred. Good character.— J. W., Post-office, Dorking. i^XARDENER, Single-handed or where two VT are kept.— Age 28, single; six years' good "oyer. Leaving through employ Apley Rise, Ryde, Isle of Wight GARDENER, Single-handed or otherwise.— Age 30, married ; understands Vines, Melons, Cucumbers, and Greenhouse Plants. -A. D., Post Office, Or Middlesex. GARDENER (Second), where four or five are kept.— Age 24,, single. Good character. State wages given.— R. J., Cheapside, Sunning Hill, Berks. G ARDENER (SECOND), in a good Estab- '■ ' Tient, in the Houses.— Age 25 ; two years in present Good character.— W. B., Escrick Park Gardens, G ARDENER (Second), in a good Establishment. — Age 23 ; five years' experience in good ns.- J. E., 2, Wright's Cottages, Hamilton Road, Lower GARDENER (Second).— Age 28, married, one child ; thoroughly understands the profession. Good character and reference. — S. H., Stationer's, 3r, Devonshire Street, Holborn, W.C. GARDENER (Second), or FOREMAN, in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Garden.- Age 24 ; understands Early and Late Forcing, both Grapes and Peaches, Strawberries and Flowers, &c. Good recommendation from a Head Gardener. State wages given. — R. S., Post-office, Stoke, Slough, Bucks. G ARDENER (Under). — Age 21. Three years' character from last employer.— A. R., " Cord- ler's Arms," High Street. Lewisham, Kent. G ARDENER (Under).— Age 24 ; has a fair knowledge of the profession, and can be well recom HORTO. 160, Highgate, Moseley Road, Birminghar G ARDENER (Under), in a good Estab- ""■^ ■ under Glass. — Age 20: six years' e,\perience. -G. TAYLOR, Escrick Park Gardens, York. GARDENER (Under), in a good Estab- lishment, under Glass preferred. — Age 20 ; good general knowledge. Can be well recommended. — GARDENER, Sandal Grange, Wakefield, Yorkshire. GARDENER (Under), in the Houses.— Age 19 ; has a good general knowledge of the work. Two years' good character from last place.— H. D., Post-office, Pembury, Kent. GARDENER (Under), in a good Garden, Young : has had three or four years' experience.— G. BLAKE, Ombersley, Droitwich. (^ARDENER (Under), in a good Estab- VJ lishment. Outside preferred.— Age iS ; nearly four in present situation. —J. V ■" Lodge, Notts. W. W.. The Garde GARDENER (Under), in the Houses, age _ 22. — The Advertiser wishes to recommend to any Head :worthy young Man.— G. H., Granby Gardens, VT 22.— The Advertiser Gardener a trustworthy London Road, Reading GARDENER (Under), or FOREMAN.- Age 21 ; has a good knowledge of Gardening in all it- branches. Good references. — Apply, stating terms, to E. H., 2. Monson Parade, Cheltenham. FOREMAN (Head).— The Foreman in large Establishment in Ireland seeks a situation asabov Thoroughly practical in every department. Highest reference -HORTUS, Post-office, Chapelizod, Dubhn. FOREMAN, in a good Establishment.— Age 23 ; has a good general knowledge of the profession in all its branches. Excellent character. — State particulars to , Post-c Handsworth, Sheffield. To tne Trade. FOREMAN (Working), or PROPAGATOR and GROWER of Soft-wood and Bedding Stuff. -A sober, active, intelligent, middle-aged Man, wiUting, obliging, and trustworthy. Could look after a small place in a methodical manner, if required. First-rate reference.- FLORICULTURE, Windsor Nursery, Lower Richmond Road, Putney, S.W. N To the Trade. URSERY FOREMAN (General). — '" ' ' Salesman: thorough knowledge of Culture. First-c King's Road, Chelsea, London, S.W. To Nurserymen. MANAGER, or GENERAL FOREMAN. — First-class Grower and Propagator of Fruit Trees, Coniferse, Clematis, Roses, Rhododendrons, Hardy Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, &c., the Management of all kinds of Indoor Stock, and a large staff of Men ; first-class Salesman. Could Travel if required. Ten years' good character.— QUE RCUS, Mr. Munro. King's Acre, near Hereford. 'OURNEYMAN, in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Establishment.— Age 20. Good reference. Bothy preferred. — A. B,, Poulton-c , near Birkenhead. JOURNEYMAN, in a good Establishment (indoors or out).— Age ■21 ; good education. First-class character. Six years' experience.— K. G., Post-ofiice, Seaton Carew, West Hartlepool. PROPAGATOR (Indoors).— Good experi- ence in some of the leading Nurseries. — C. T. , 6, Cromwell lerrace, Birbeck Road, Upper Holloway, N. ROPAGATOR and PLANT GROWER (first-rate).— Knows all branches of ihe trade. State salary and e.ttent of place.— KNIFE, Mr. Howard, 29, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C. M Seed Trade. ANAGER, or SHOPMAN and MANAGER, or TRAVELLER.— Age 40; thoroughly practical Nurseryman and Seedsman, steady and energetic. References first-rate.— A. B. C, Mr. Ware, Nursery. Tottenham, N. To Nurserymen. MANAGER, or SALESMAN and TRAVELLER. — Thorough practical knowledg every department of the '" .... Seed Trade. First-cla «TO«ii;& Office, W.C. M."p.' Gzrdeners' Seed Trade. SHOPMAN (Head, or Second}.— Town and Country experience. Good references. — Address, with full particulars, F. B., Mr. F. Camerou.x, ig and so, London Street, E.C. Seed Trade. SHOPMAN (Retail).— Age 21 ; three years in present situation. First-class references.— C. D. , Post- oflicc, Glasgow. SHOPMAN (Head), or to Manage a Business— Has had nearly fifteen years' e.vperience, London and Provincial. First-class references.— A. B. , Messrs. Hurst & Son, 6, Leadenhall Street, E.C. To Nurserymen and Seedsmen. CLERK, CORRESPONDENT, or ASSISTANT SHOPMAN.— Age 27; thoroughly con. versant with the trade in all its branches. —L. B., Mr. Goad, 54, Bishopgate Street Within, E.C. 0 NURSERYMEN and SEEDSMEN.— A Gentleman, age 32, desires a situation as MANAGER, SHOPMAN, or CLERK in a Seed or Nursery Business. First-class references.— FLORAL, Post-office, Cheltenham. TO^EEDSMEN.— Wanted, by a highly respectable and industrious Man, a situation in a first-class Seed Warehouse ; thoroughly understands the business, and is willing to make himself useful. Good address and a capital Salesman. — W. B. M., 63, Sandbrook Road, Stoke Newington, N, ASSISTANT, in a Seed Shop.— Age 19 ; three years' experience. Good references. _W. W., Wavertree Nursery, Wavertree, near Liverpool. KINAHAN'S LL WHISKY. Kinahan ife Co. finding that, through the recommenda- tion of the Medical Profession, the demand for their CELE- BRATED OLD LL WHISKY for purely medicinal purposes Dr. Hassall : — " I have very carefully and fully analysed sam- ples of this well-known and popular Whisky. The samples were soft and mellow to the taste, aromatic and ethereal to the smell. The Whisky must be pronounced to be pure, well-matured, and of very excellent quality. The Medical Profession mayfecl full confidence in the purity and quality of this Whisky." London, W. , Great Titchfield Street, Oxi "r\INNEFORD'S FLU FLUID MAGNESIA. The best remedy for ACIDITY of the STOMACH, HEARTBURN, HEADACHE, GOUT, and INDIGESTION ; and the safest aperient for delicate Constitutions, Ladies, Children, and Infants. A : EPPS'S COCO GRATEFUL— COMFORTING. " By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by careful appli- cation of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a deHcately- flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished {rs.m^."— Civil Service Gazette. Sold only in packets, labelled JAMES EPPS AND CO., HOMCEOPATHIC CHEMISTS. 48. Threadneedle Street, and 170. Piccadilly. Cures of Diseases of tlie Cheat by DR. LOCOCK'S PULMONIC WAFERS, — M. T. Wiles, Market Deeping, writes :— " Your valuable Wafers are very efficient for Chest Diseases. I have tried them myself, and recommended them to several friends, aed proved their beneficial effects." In Asthma, Consumption, Bronchitis, Coughs, Colds^ Rheumatism, and all Hysterical and Nervous Pains mstant relief is given. Sold by all Druggists at IS. \%d. per box. HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.- This purifyini; and regulating medicine should occ: sionally be had recourse to during foggy, cold, and wet weathe: It is the best preventive of hoarseness, sore thro.nt, diphtherin gratifying; even when they fail to cure they always assuage the seventy of the symptoms and diminish the danger. 96 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 20, 1877. SUTTON'S NEW OR IMPROVED VEGETABLES, ETC. ^- SPECIAL NOTICE TO PUCHASERS — Sutton &= Sons have No Agents, and do not supply ilu Fiadi. Every Pad et direct from them bears their Registered Trade Mark as above. THE BEST CAULIFLOWER, Per Packet, \s. 6rf. Excellent for early Crop, and useful for a succession through Autumn and Winter. SUTTON'S KING OF THE CAULIFLOWERS. From Mr. T. Rabone, Gardener to tJte Right Hon. the Earl of ! Alton Towers, September 16. ' King of the Cauliflowers ' is ' A'sbuiy and Talbot, We have hundreds of the inches across, and as close best Cauhfiowers I ever saw ; they ar and compact as possibly could be. It is a wonder, certainly. From Mr. Robert Cocks, Gardener to Lord Auckland, September t. " Your ' King of the Cauliflowers ' is a good variety, with fine compact white heads ; stands the drought well." THE BEST RIDGE CUCUMBER, Equal to a Frame Cucumber, but can be grown out-of-doors. Pu PacUt, IS 6d SUTTON'S KING OF THE RIDGE CUCUMBER, From 12 to i6 inches in length, very level and uniform, smooth, unribbed, and remarkably productive. From Mr. Wm, Wildsmith, Gardener to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley. "Your 'King of the Ridge" is the best Ridge Cucumber I have yet seen. It grows as straight as possible, a rare occurrence with this kind of Cucumber." THE BEST AND MOST DISTINCT EARLY DWARF WRINKLED PEA. SUTTON'S ^j,\) BIJOU PEA earliest and best of Dwarf Wrinkled Pea, coming m j . i before " Little Gem," but is much more prolific, and with larger and better filled pods. In growth it is exceedingly level and uniform, i8 inches high ; particularly suitable for Amateurs and small Gardens, as it requires no sticks. It is also valu- able for large Gardens, as it forces well. The pods are produced in pairs, very thickly set, extremely large and well filled, often containing from eight to ten fine Peas, which are of most delicious flavour. During the past season this Pea has become a great favourite, and we feel sure it will be universally grown for early use. Per Quart, y. (>d. SUTTON'S BIJOU PEA. SUTTON'S BIJOU PEA. Ftom Mr. Robert Cocks, Gardener to Lord Auckland. ' ' Your ' Bijou ' is the best Pea of its height have seen, and an immense cropper ; the flavour is also very good." From Mr. T. LocKtE, Gardener to the Right Hon. Lord Otho Fitzgerald. "Your Dwarf Wrinkled Pea 'Bijou' has proved the earliest and best Marrow Pea of its class I have ever grown." From Mr. A. Hayter, Gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Shaftesbury. ' ' I find your ' Bijou ' is a good Dwarf Wrinkled Pea, growing about i8 inches high with me ; useful for forcing." FromMr. Geo. BEiGnTON. Gardener to lie Right Hon. the Earl of Mount-Edgcumbe. " * Bijou ' is a Wrinkled Marrow Pea of excel- lent quality, and very prolific ; the first Wrinkled Pea coming into use ; height i4 fe From Mr. R. W. ToDD, Gardener to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. " Your ' Bijou is the best Dwarf Wrinkled Pea I ever grew, a good cropper, only i8 inches high. Sowed first week in April, gathered first dish third week in June." For full particulars of SUTTON'S CHOICE NOVELTIES see SUTTON'S SPECIAL LIST of NEW or IMPROVED VEGETABLES, Gratis and post-free on application. The following well-known authorities have grown most if not all the varieties offered in Messrs. Sutton's List. Mr. WM. PATEBSON, Gardener to Her Most Mr. JOHN TOWILL, Gardener to the Right Hon. Mr. "W. " ' Gracious Majesty the Queen. Mr. CHARLES PENNY, Gardener to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Hon. the Earl of Ha Mr. B. "W. TODD, Gardener to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. Mr. A. INGRAM, Gardener to His Grace the Duke His Grace the Mr. JOHN TOWILL, Gardener to the Right Hon. theEarlofGlaszow. Mr. JNO. GOODACRE, Gardener to the Right Mr. T. RABONE, Gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Shrewsbury. Mr. GEO. JOHNSTON, Gardener to the Right Hon. the Earl of Strathmore. Mr. ROBERT DBAPEB, Gardener to the Right Earl Vane. Mr. P. PIBIE, Gardener to the Right. Hon. Lord Stanley of Alderley. Mr. BOBT. COCKS, Gardener to Lord Auckland. Mr. GEOBGE ABBEY, Gardener to Sir C. M. Palmer, Bart. SUTTON & SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, READING. iai Communications should be addressed to " The Editor ; " Advertisements and Business Letters to " The Publisher," at the Office, 41, Wellin^oi I by William Richards, at the Office of Messrs. Bradbury, Agnew. & Co., Lombard Street, Precinct of Whitefriars, City of London, in the Cou [ RiCHAKDS, at the Office, 41, Wellington Street, Parish of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, in the said Count — Saturday, January 2 Agents for Scottana— Messrs. J. Ma llington Stre -John He BNZiBS & Co., Edinburgh and Glasgow. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE atstabltsbcb 1841. A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND ALLIED SUBJECTS. No. -Vol. VII.js^Bs.} SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1877. i Registered at the General ) PriC6 6d. ( Post Office as a Newspaper, j Post Free, s\d. CONTENTS. Blackberries .. Bottom-heat withoul Cedars of Lebanon Cyclamen persicum var. HUlii I DracKna indivisa Encephalarlos Alten- Florists' flowers . . Folklore, weather Foreign correspondence Fruit, culture of hardy.. Rainfall, the, at Arundel , , at Alnwick Park . . ,, at Dynevor Castle . Royal Horticultural So- ^rachelospermum 'jas- minoides (with cut) . . 'ilia garden, the . Vine roots, condition of . Weather, the „ folklore Walking-sticks . . Tie " Oardeners' CbTonlcle " In America. THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, Including postage to the United States, is $6.30 gold, to which add premium on gold for U.S. currency at the time, and 25 cents exchange— PAYABLE IN advance. Agents : — Messrs. B. K. BLISS and SONS, Seed Merchants, 34. Barclay Street, New York : Messrs. M. COLE AND CO., Drawer No. 11, Atlanta Post Office, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia : and Mr. C. H. MAROT, 814, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia ; through whom Subscriptions may be sent. Now Ready, In clotli, 163, 6d., r/lE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE VOLUME for JULY to DECEMBER, 1876. W. RICHARDS. 41, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C. CRYSTAL PALACE ARTIFICIAL FLOWER and FRUIT SHOW, March 3 to 17, tS??. Intending Exhibitors may obuin Schedules on application to GENERAL MANAGER, Crystal Palace. SPALDING HORTICULTURAL SHOW wiU be held on JUNE s? and 28. GEORGE KINGSTON, Secretary. RICHMOND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. PreslJinl-H.SM. THE DuKE OF Teck, G.C.B. Under the Royal and DistinguUhed Patronage o/—K. R.H. the Duchess of Cambridge ; H. R. H. the Princess Mary of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck ; H.R.H. the DucD'Aumale, &c. The THIRD EXHIBITION of PLANTS, FLOWERS, FRUIT, VEGETABLES, DINNER TABLE DECORA- TIONS, and COTTAGERS' PRODUCTIONS, will be held m the Old Deer Park, Richmond Green, on THURSDAY, June 28. Schedules may be obtained of ALBERT CHANCELLOR, Hon. Sec. T, King Street, Richmond, S.W. WEST OF ENGLAND ROSE SHOW, Hereford. ■ This ANNUAL EXHIBITION of ROSES is fixed to take place on THURSDAY, July 6. January 22, 1877. By order of the INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION, 1877. A GREAT INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION will be held at Carlisle on THURSDAY. FRIDAY, and SATURDAY, September 6, 7, and 8, when nea.ly ;Ct2oo will be OFFERED FOR COMPETITION in FRUITS, FLOWERS, EXOTIC and NATIVE PLANTS, &c. SPECIAL PRIZES have also already been promised ; and as the SCHEDULE of PRIZES will be issued in a few weeks, it is hoped that Gentlemen interested in the Advancement of Horticulture, and inclined to give SPECIAL PRIZES, will communicate with the Acting Secretary, in time to insure their appearance in the Schedule. A select number of Advertise- ments will also be inserted at £2 21. per Page, £i is. per Half- Copies for Ad" page, coi February i A Constant Supply of tlie Beat Vegetables Is Ensured SUTTON'S COMPLe't'e'cOLLECTIONS of CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS, specially arranged for v.arious size gardens. ZUR BEACHTUNG. — Hiermit eriauben wir uns ergebenst anzuzeigen, dass der VEREIN DEUTSCHER GAERTNER IN LONDON, mit Anfang dieses Jahres das Vereinslocal verlegt hat nach dem Hotel '• City Arms," Bridge Road, Hammersmith, am Fusse der H. Brtlcke, unweit der Eisenbahn Stationen. Hammersmith. Naechste Vetsamralung SONNABEND. d. 27 JANUAR. Abends S% Uhr, wozu freundlichst sammtliche deutsche Gaertner, zur Zeit in London, enigeladen werden.— J. V, For a. Large Garden. For a Moderate-Size Garden. < UTTON'S £2 2s. and £1 i is. 6d. COLLEC- For a Small or " Amateur's " Garden. lUTTON'S ^t i.r. COLLECTION ' of CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS. Carriage free to f Railway Station in England. Every one wlio lias a Garden should read UTTON'S AMATEUR'S GUIDE ' IN HORTICULTURE. Now ready, post-free for 14 The Formation and ImproTement of Garden Lawns. SUTTON'S SPRING CATALOGUE and PRICE CURRENT is also ready. Gratis and post-free on application. HAWS, or THORN QUICK SEED.- Sound Haws, fit for sowing at present, or spring comir guaranteed free from soil or other mixture, and thoroughly w preserved. About 30 tons on hand. For lowest prices apply GRANT AND CO., Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. NEW CHRYSANTHEMUM, Golden Empress of India.— A splendid yellow^ sport. Plants ready February r. Post-free. zs. 6d. each JOHN LAING AND CO. "' , Forest Hill, E.C. O^ B Vines, Vines, Vines. S. WILLIAMS begs to announce that his . . ^ unusually fine, and POT VINES.— 3000 Pot Vines, of all the best varieties, on Sale at the Garston Vineyard, 6 miles from Liverpool. Price LISTS post-free. COWAN PATENTS COMPANY. Garston. near Liverpool. VINES.— Splendid Planting Canes of leading varieties, perfectly ripened without bottom-heat. Extra Strong Canes for immediate fruiting. JAMES DICKSON and SONS. Newton Nurseries, Chester. Grape Vines. FRANCIS R. KINGHORN has still to offer strong planting and fruiting Canes of most of the leading sorts. Particulars on application. Sheen Nursery, Richmond, Surrey. Araucarla ezcelsa. WANTED, One or Two well-furished large Plants. Any one having such that have grown too large for their houses can have them EXCHANGED for New and Rare Plants, Orchids, Ornamental-foliaged, or other plants, King's Road, WANTED, LILY OF THE VALLEY, clumps. English-^own. Address, stating price and quantity to C. Z. . Crediton. ^AN TED, MANETTI STOCKS, WHEELER AND SON. Kingsholm Nursery, w lowest [ W. TRIGG, Hook Hill, Woking Station. WANTED, LARCH FIR POLES, i6 to 18 feet long. State size, and price delivered at a Railway Station. CHARLES LEE and SON, Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, S.W. WANTED, BAMBOO CANES, of sizes imported, fit for Staking Plants. State price, size, and lengths, to CHARLES LEE and SON, Royal Viney.ard Nursery Hammersmith, S.W. New BroccoU. HARRISON'S DWARF LATE.— This splendid kind is fully described on page r2i of this paper, with testimonials of its value. Price 1^. 6d. per packet. HARRISON AND SONS, Seed Growers, Leicester. SYMPHYTUM ASPERRIMUM (Prickly ) Comfrey). —Whole Roots Purchased at per cwt, after mination. State price delivered at Railway Station. F. CHRISTY AND CO., 155, Fenchurch Street, E.C. w THOMPSON, Seedsman, Tavern • Street, Ipswich, begs to announce to Amateurs FLOWER seed CATALOGUE for the present now ready, and may be had gratis on post-paid LARCH, SPRUCE, and SCOTCH FIR, 2 to 3 feet : also a great variety of excellent strong TREES and SHRUBS suitable for New Parks. W. JACKSON AND CO., Nurseries, Bedale. LARCH, 2 to 3, and 3 to 4 feet, extra fine : English OAK, strong, j]i to 4M feet : SYCA- MORE, 2^ to i'/^ feet ; Silver FIR, iJ4 foot. Price on applic W. HALSTEAD, The 1 Special Culture of Fruit Trees and Roses. THE DESCRIPTIVEandlLLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of FRUITS (by Thomas Rivers) is now ready ; also CATALOGUE of Select ROSES. Post-fre« on application. THOMAS RIVERS and SON, Sawbridgeworth, Herts. Eoses. Fnilt Trees, Evergreens, &c. WILLIAM FLETCHER'S CATAL is now ready, and Stock generally is very fine, healthy, and well- Early orders are respectfully solicited. Ottershaw Nurseries, Chertsey, Surrey. R^ JACKSON, To the Trade. STANDARD and DWARF ROSES of the leading sorts— splendid Plants, no better in the Trade, well-ripened wood — about 15,000 Standards and 5000 Dwarfs, guaranteed true to name. For lowest prices apply to GRANT AND CO., Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. NUTTING AND SONS' WHOLESALE GARDEN and FLOWER SEED CATALOGUE is now published. A copy has been posted to their Friends : any one not having received it, on application another shall be sent. Seed Warehouses, 60, Barbican, E.C. S. WOOLLEY, Nurseryman, Cheshunt, I Special Offer.— Garibaldi Strawberry, true. rCOLE begs to offer Plants of the above • splendid forcing variety, at i^. 6d. per dozen, or ts. 6d. r 100. The Trade supplied. Promenade Gardens, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. SNOWFLAKE POTATOS. — Warranted true and free from disease, in cwt. bags,_26j., bag free, and carriage paid to any Railway Station in England on receipt of Post-office Order or Cheque. DANIELS BROS., Royal Norfolk Seed Establishment, DICK RADCLYFFE and CO.'S WHOLE- SALE CATALOGUE of SEEDS and SUNDRIES has been posted to all Customers : kindly write if not received Everything in the Trade supplied. 128 and 129, High Holborn. London. W.C. Now Ready, CHARLES TURNER'S Descripti' CATALOGUE of SEEDS. Post-free on application. The Finest Dwarf Marrow Pea is URNER'S DR. MACLEAN See CATALOGUE, now ready. New Early Prolific Pea, LLAN'S CHAMPION Full description in CATALOGUE, now ready. Schoolmaster. FINEST ROUND POTATO. Description, with testimonials, in CATALOGUE, now "^ CHARLES TURNER. The Royal Nurseries, Slough. Gentlemen's Gardeners, Amateurs, and Others GARDEN POTS of best quality, are requested to send their orders to J. MATTHEWS, Royal Pottery, Weston-super-Mere. Price List on application. Notice of Removal. HEREMAN AND MORTON, HOTHOUSE Butr.DERS and Hot water Engineers, from 14. Tichborne Street to 2, Gloucester Street, Regent's Park, London, N.W. Estimates and Price Lists on application. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [JANUARY 27, 1S77. SALES BY AUCTION. Heyfleia Nursery, London Eoad, St. Alban's, Herts. MESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS will SELL by AUCTION, a.s above, without reserve, by order of Mr. J. Horwood, on THURSDAY, February i, at 1 o'clock precisely, a L-irge quantity of valuable NURSERY STOCK, consisting of large Limes, Poplars, Horse Chestnuts, &c., also Cupressus Lawsoniana, Thujas of sorts, Aucubas, Common and Portugal Laurels, Berberis, Green and Variegated Hollies. &c. : Fruit Trees in variety. Standard and Dwarf Roses, best sorts ; and numerous other Trees and Shrubs. May be viewed any day prior to the Sale, and Catalogues had Street, E.G., and' Leytonstone, E. Edgware, N.W. IMPORTANT CLEARANCE SALE OF VALUABLE NURSERY STOCK, comprising a great variety of Lawn M . and a number of Camellias and Greenhouse Plants. ESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS SELL the above by AUCTION, on the Prer the Whitchurch Rectory, Edgw SATURDAY, , . . >'Ciock precisely. May be viewed prior to the Sale, and Catalogues \ Premises, and of the Auctioneers as above. Tooting, S,W. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. MESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS are instructed to SELL by AUCTION, on the Pre- mises, the Exotic Nursery, Tooting, S.W., on THURSDAY, February 22, a general assortment of healthy and thriving young NURSERY STOCK. May be viewed prior to the Sale, and Catalogues may be had on the Premises and of the Auctioneers. Sobralla Cattleya. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION at his Great Rooms 38, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY February i, at half-past 12 o'clock precisely, some fine plants of this NEWSOBRALIA, which was fully described by Professor Reichenbach in the Gardeners' Chromcle of January 20, 1S77. p. 72. Unlike most of the ordinary Sobralias, this species has large thick flowers of a firm fleshy texture ; the sepals are purplish-brown with rich rosy-purple lip ; instead of the flowers being borne singly, they are produced on stout spikes each with six or seven flowers, two three on each spike being expanded at the ; which it will be seen what a remarkable Sobralia this is. plants are good, and just showing strong breaks. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. The M Lines, OrcUds, &c. R. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by of the rare .and valuable GLAZIOUA INSIGNIS ; an impor- tation of CYMBIDIUM EBURNEUM and other ORCHIDS, in good condition; Cases of ARAUCARIAS. 4 lb. of SEED of ABIES MAGNIFICA ; also some SEED of MENT- ZELIA ARNATA, PENTSTEMON COBCEA. P. SE- CUNDIFLORUS, ERYNGIUM LEAVENWORTHII, a few GREENHOUSE PLANTS, &c. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. Imported Coelogynes. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms, 38, King Street. Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY, February i. at half- i CCELO- CCELOGYNE ODORATISSIMA, .and : DENDROBIUM ALBUM, which Vl^ight in his tarum India Orientalis describes thus : — " This is one 01 the handsomest of the genus I have yet met with— large pure flowers." Also some imported plants of the rare ACANTHO- PHIPPIUM BICOLOR : this Orchid gives flowers of large size, bright yellow and scarlet. Also some good plants of the exceedingly chaste and beautiful new SOBRALIA VIRGI- NALIS : this has large pure white flowers with rich golden throat ; the plants are showing strong breaks. At the same time will be sold several plants of ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM (Alexandra), ODONTOGLOSSUM VEXIL- LARIUM, and various other ORCHIDS. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. Valuable Lilies. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY, February 8. at half-past 12 o'clock precisely, an importation of good BULBS of the beautiful LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE. The white flowers of this magnificent Lily are deliciously fragrant, and of great substance. It bears several flowers on a stem, each flower nearly a foot long. Also some excellent Bulbs of the following - LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE ROSEUM-the exterior of the flower-tubes of this variety is pink, the interior LIlTuM NEILGHERRENSE ILAVUM-a h.andsome light yellow-coloured form of this charming Lily. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM — a magnificent pure while Lily, with very long flowers ; figured in Wight's Iconcs Plantantm India Orieu' tali!. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM LUTEUM, a very handsome yellow-flowered variety of tubiflorum. And some splendid flowering bulbs of other CHOICE LILIES, including Bloomerianum ocellatum, purpureum, Humboldtii, giganteum, pardalinum, parvum, californicum, and Wallichianum. Also a quantity of CHOICE BULBS and TUBERS from California, including Calochortus, Cyclobothras, Triteleias, Calliproras, Erythronit some fine BLOOMING BULBS t brachynema, C australe. C. pratense canaliculatum. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. Enockliolt, near Sevenoaks, Kent. (About 2 miles from Halstead Station on the South-Eastern Railway.) IVTR. HOpSOLL will SELL by^AUCTION; quantity c drons, &c. ; also several Garden Frames, and other useful iten Catalogues may be had of the Auctioneer, Farningha To BE SOLD, a SMALL NURSERY, containine between 2000 and ^ooo feet of Glass : eood Dwelling-house. C. FAIRNINGT0N,4 Elm Tree Road, London, N.W. and 3000 feet of Glass : good John's Wood, To Nurserymen, Florists, &o. TO BE SOLD, TWO capital VINERIES, each 26 feet long, with Forcing and Boiler Houses, erected about nine years since by Messrs. Weeks & Co., of Chelsea. The whole are in excellent repair, and are fitted in the most complete manner with Hot-water Apparatus, Staging. &c.. and have Tesselated Pavement. They are at present standing in the grounds of a mansion on Wimbledon Common. For further particulars, and cards to view, apply to Messrs. WATLIN, SON and CO.. Estate Agents, Comer of Putney Hill, S.W. To Nurserymen and Others. TO BE LET, the GOOD-WILL and Old-established BUSINESS of the late Mr. John Thomas, Nurseryman, Brecon. Appl ■ Mr. T. E. TR— • ~ ■ ~ TREW, Ship Street, Brecon. THE GARDENER S' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. - At a General Meeting of the Members of this Institution, held on January 18, for the purpose of ELECTING THREE PENSIONERS on the Funds, the following was the result of the Ballot ; — CANDIDATES. Name. Age. Votes. HENRY BUTCHER 72 605. JOHN BLACKSHAW .. MARY ANN ADDISCOTT .. 63 WILLIAM BLACK STEPHEN WEST WILLIAM TRUSTY ELIZABETH AYRES .. 60 H MATHEW NISBET ELIZABETH ROGERS .. 69 233 The Meeting then declared James GosTt AvRES, and Mary Ann Addiscott, as ha\...(- ..... number of Votes, duly ELECTED PENSIONERS Society. EDW. R. CUTLER '~ 14, Tavistock Row, W.C— January 20, 1877. rHE GARDENERS' ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. J. WILLS takes this opportunity of thanking all who have liven their Votes in favour of Mrs. E. AYRES, which have ecured her Election. Number of Votes, 854. Royal Exotic Nursery, South Kensington, S.W. (ROTHEROE and MORRIS, Horti- cultural Market Garden and Estate Auctioneers Valuers, 98, Gracechurch Street, City, EC, and at Leyton- le, E, Monthly Horticultural Register had on application. IPANISH CHESTNUT, ASH, LARCH, ' and ALDER, stout, well-rooted, transplanted. — A large intity to be Sold at low prices.-G. CHORLEY, Midhurst. To the Trade. JAMES BIRD, NURSERYMAN, Downham, has to offer extra fine Standard MAYDUKE CHERRIES. Grape Vines.— Strong Fruiting and Planting Canes. M. CUTBUSH AND SON have a large W^ I Barnet, Herts. • EED POTATOS (true and good).— Rivers' * Royal, Myatt's and Mona's Piide ; a few bushels of each. W. JACKSON AND CO., Nurseries, Bedale. Large Evergreen Trees for Screens. WILLIAM MAULE and SONS offer Norway SPRUCE and CEDRUS DEODARA, ro to 15 feet high, well-rooted — the former at 51. each, the latter lor. 6d. The Nurseries, Bristol. Notice. EDMUND PHILIP DIXON'S CATALOGUE of NEW and CHOICE SEEDS is now ready, and will be forwarded gratis and post-free on application. EDMUND PHILIP DIXON, The Yorkshire Seed Estab- lishment, Hull. To the Trade and Others. PATERSON'S VICTORIA POTATOS, seed size, grown on the best Lincolnshire soil, in large or SPECIMEN PLANTS for Sale, consisting of FERNS, ALLAMANDAS, MARANTAS, &c. For full particulars apply to WILLIAM PAYNE, Nurseryman, Covent Garden House, The Best Cucumber in Cultivation. SUTTON'S DUKE OF CONNAUGHT. —From Mr. Robert Draper, Gr. to the Right Hon. Earl Vane, Jidy 29.—" Your new frame Cucumber, Duke of Connaught,is the best kind I ever saw ; suitable for exhibition." , Reading. E Johnstone's St. Martin's Rhubarb. ARLIEST and BEST in CULTIVATION Open Ground, has a splendid colour and excellent for z. Trade price on application. , Nurserymen, Dundee, N.B. Genuine Garden Seeds. M. CUTBUSH AND SON have for many years held some of the finest Stocks of SEEDS in the Trade, and they believe that no house can possibly supply better quality. CATALOGUES post-free on application. HIGHGATE, LONDON, N. ; and BARNET, HERTS. w Spring Bedding Daisy. DAISIES, and strong healthy WALL- FLOWERS, w. per ICO. cheaper by the 1000. Terms Cash, or would EXCHANGE for Value in Primulas, Cinerarias, Spir3;as. Cyclamens. Deutzias, Early Rose, or any Early Blooming Plants. Merton Abbey Nursery, near Wimbledon. Cheap and Good. W FIELD, Tarvin Road Nursery, Chester, • has to offer the following : — TREE BO.K, 3 to 4 feet, 40J. per roo. AUCUBA JAPONICA, i to 1% foot. 251. per too. SYCAMORE, strong, 8 to 10 feet, I2j, per 100. Alt excellent well-rooted stuff. Cash. Monro's Duke of Edinburgh Cucumber. J MONRO begs to inform the Trade, &c., • that he has SOLD the ENTIRE STOCK of Seed of the above-named Cucumber to Messrs. CARTER AND CO., The Queen's Seedsmen 237 and 238, High Holborn, London, W.C. ; and as no other Cucumber is grown by J. Monro, those having it from the above.named Firm are bound to have it true. Potter's Bar, January 8, 1877. ''^•ARIBALDI STRAWBERRY. ber 6. The Raiser can supply for cash strong plants at 5; per 100, package free. See Gardeners' Chronicle for Jan. page 21. THOS. ARMSTRONG, Nurseryman, Moorville, Carlisle. SILVER FIR.— Fine clean grown and clean leaders. Transplanted Silver Fir, 9 to 12 inches, 2ar. W. P. LAIRD AND Sinclair"^ N^serymen, Dundee, N.B. To the Trade. lY/TANETTI STOCKS, extra clean stuff, fit -^'-*- to work this season, 3or. per 1000, ;^i2 10s. per ro.ooo. Dwarf ROSES on Manetti, extra fine plants and first-class sorts, my selection, 301. per 100, ,£12 per 1000. SEAKALE, strong, 4or. per 1000 ; if forced will throw some good Kale. For Cash only with orders.— RICHARD LOCKE, Alexandra Nurseries and Rose Farms, Red Hill, Surrey. Pelargoniums, Pelargoniums. JAMES HOLDER and SON have a fine healtivy Slock of the above to offer, at the following low prices for Cash, viz. , 355. per 100, distinct sorts, hamper and package included ; also extra strong plants, in 32-pots, i8i. per dozen, in 48-pots, gr. per dozen, 60s. per 100, basket and packing extra. Crown Nursery, Reading. K. AND MORRISON LARCH, transplanted, 2 to 3J4 feet, at 25^. per looc 18 inches, i-js. td. per 1000. ,, i-yr. seedlings, £^ lor. per roo,ooo. FIR, Scotch, 9 to 18 inches, at 17^. 6d. per 1000. True Native SCOTCH FIR SEED, price per lb. on application. Pinefield Nurseries, Elgin. Verbenas, Verbenas, Verbenas. WILLIAM BADMAN offers Purple King, White, Scarlet, Crimson, and Rose Verbenas, best per 100. Good rooted Cuttings, 6j. per 100, 505. per 1000, package included. Cemetery Nursery, Gravesend, S.E. Green Ivies of Sorts in Six Kinds. ROBERT PARKER, having a Surplus Stock of fine Plants in pots of the above-named, will be pleased to Dispose of them in quantities, at very low prices. Names, sizes, and prices per dozen, 100, or 1000, will be given on application. Exotic Nursery, Tooting, Surrey, S.W. ARECA BAUERI (Seaforthia robusta).— Of this rare species, one of the finest of Greenhouse Palms, a fine stock of young plants is to hand, and offered at unprecedentedly low prices, viz. : — Nice young Plants, in single pots, 32J. per dozen, i-yr. seedlings, in store pots, ;£8 per 100. To tbe Trade. HAND F. SHARPENS Special Priced LIST • of HOME-GROWN GARDEN and AGRICUL- TURAL SEEDS of 1876 growth, is now ready, and may be had on application. Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. EED POTATOS in several excellent ' Garden varieties, grown specially for Seed. List, with :e3 per cwt. or ton, on application. A change of Seed V. P. LAIRD AND SINCLAIR, Seed Merchants, Dundee, G To Fruit and Fish Salesmen, Sec. REEN PARSLEY.— Five Tons to be Disposed of. Parties wishing to purchase the same, to Fox and Game Covert. ENGLISH FURZE, i-yr. old, fine, Jj. ; 2-yr., extra fine. xas. per rooo. ENGLISH BROOM, ilAHONIA AQUI FOLIA, extra I SONS, The Nurseries, Bristol. January 27, 1877.] THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE. 99 To Clear the Ground. STRONG LIMES, POPLARS, ASH, SYCAMORE. OAKS, HORNBEAM, WALNUTS, SPRUCE FIRS, &c., 10 to 20 feet ; well tiansplanted. w! P. HUME, Exotic Nursery, Gloucester. FOR SALE, CHEAP.— Box Edging, io,c yards ; Orchid Sphagnum, Spirarajajjonica, Semperviv californicum, Sedum glaucum, Polemonium cceruleum 1 b'. young. Landscape Gardener, Bridge of Allan. Partii Special— To the Trade and Fruit Growers. MAIDEN APRICOTS, PEACHES, and NECTARINES, .000 Victoria PLUMS, 1000 Lord Suffield APPLE. Other Maiden Fruit true to name, D. HEIFFERMAN. Egham. To the Trade. SEEDLINGS.— 2,000,000 LARCH, 500,000 ALDER, a quantity of BEECH and SYCAMORE, and 2-lT. ELM : every plant guaranteed true native. For samples Co. Meath. Ireland. The above t r low prices. ASPARAGUS and SEAKALE. — Good Forcing, Zos. per looo, or 95. per 100 ; also 2-yr. and RHUBARB, Matyear's Early Red, 61. and gs. per dozen. Prices to Trade on application. J. COOPER, Balfour Cottage, Fulham Fields, S.W. Spring Seed Guide. LITTLE AND BALLANTYNE, the Queen's Seedsmen, Carlisle, respectfully intimate their illustrated CATALOGUE of SEEDS is now ready, and may be had post- free. It contains every requisite for the Garden and the Farm, and much valuable informatii G^ jou. Beauty 1 ... , Amy Hogg, Waltham Seedling, Crystal Palace Gei o : strong Cuttings, half the above price. '. BROADBRIDGE, Wellesbourne, Warwick. EAST LOTHIAN STOCK (true). White Scarlet, and Purple, is. and is. 6d. per packet. Wardie variegated BORECOLE, very choice, is. per packet. CATALOGUES of GARDEN SEEDS, &c., are now ready, °°wTlLI am" Thomson" AND CO., Seed Merchants and Nurserymen, 16, St. Giles Street, Edinburgh. To the Trade. WM. WOOD AND SON, The Nurseries, Maresfield, Uckfield, Sussex, have to offer ;- AUCUBA JAPQNICA, fine bushy plants, 9 to 12, 12 to 18, CEDRUS DEODARA, splendid stuff, each plant a specimen, I to I'A, I'A to 2, 2 to 3. 3 to 4, and 4 to 5 feet. Price on application. ONION is undoubtedly the finest Onion in Cultivation, either for Market or Exhibition ; 'grows to a large size, very handsome, with excellent flavour ; a long keeper. New seed, own growth, iO(/. per oz., free by post, with Hints on Cultivation. THOMAS SMITH, Seed Grower, Long Wittenham, Abingdon. The Best Late Broccoli. BROCCOLI, Christie's Self-protecting Late White. — Pronounced by all who have seen it as the •:DiMUND PHILIP DIXON, The Yorkshire Seed Estab. >EAR STOCKS.— The Subscribers have a quantity of above to remove at once, and beg to offer m at the following very low prices : — 3-yr. transplanted, fine, 25J. per 1000. To tHe Seed Trade. /VLOG ay be had on application. A copy has been posted to all our Customers, if not received an early IVIINIER, NASH AND NASH. 60, Strand, London. LARGE TREE BOX and EVERGREEN HOLLY. — Handsome, bushy, and well-rooted, will transplant with good balls of earth, 5, 6, 7, and 8 feet high. Tree Box lives under trees better than any other Evergreen PALMS for TABLE DECORATION.— Twelve distinct choice sorts, ready to pot on into 5-inch pots, 215, Established in that size about 2 feet high, fit for immediate decoration, 42,^. and 63^., according to sorts. A large and valuable collection of exhibition specimens, from 21s. each. Packages gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. VERBENAS, VERBENAS, VERBENAS. — Strong, well-rooted, healthy cuttings, perfectly free from disease, White, Purple, Scarlet and Pink, 6s. per loo, 50J. per looo. 100 rooted cuttings ' .■ ■ . - ■- . ' • ■ " ' r 8j. ndford. ieties. first prize flowers, for 85. Terr H. BLANDFORD.The Dorset Nu BROCCOLI, Mitchinson's Penzance Winter White, 2S. 6d. per ounce or is. per packet, free per post. Wholesale Price on application to J. G. MITCHINSON. Seed Stores, 9. Chapel Street, ASPARAGUS, Giant and Connover's Colossal, fine plants, strong and extra strong, for plant- ing and forcing. Also several kinds of P0TAT06 for plant- ing. Kinds and Prices on application to JOHN AND GEORGE McHATTIE, Seed Merchants. FIRST-CLASS NURSERY STOCK. JA8. BACKHOUSE & SON Beg to offer the following, of zuhich they have a7i extra stock : — • POBESr and ORNAMENTAL TREES and SHROBS. ABIES DOUGLASII, extra transplanted, 2 to 3 feet, looj. ; ARBOR-VIT/E, American or common, 2 to 3 feet, line, 27s. 6i. „ WALLICHII, BROOM, common, i-yr. seedling, gj. per i „ ,, bushy, transplanted, soj. per 1000, ,, Spanish, transplanted, 70J. per 1000, c CEDAR, Red, 1% to 2 feet, 5s. per doze 3 feet, ^s. per dozen, 50^. per 100 ELM, English, from s " ' I 18 inches, 35J. per 100 : 7 tl grafted, 3 1 . per 100 ^s. 6d. per 100 ; 5 to 6 ft s, 6^. to 30J. per dozen „ Weeping, 6 to 9 feet stems, good heads, 30^. to 50J. per dozen EUONYMUS RADICANS VARIEGATUS, excellent dwarf shrub for edgings or borders, 25^. per 100, 4J. to 6j. JUNIPERUS TRIPARTITA, a fine branching semi-erect Juniper, well adapted for covering banks, &c. , 1 ^ to 2 feet, bushy, los. dd. per dozen ; 2 t0 2>^ feet, bushy, i6j. dozen ; hardy s LIMES, from layers, 3 t good variety, ^os. 1 LILAC, Common, 2 ., White, 2 to 3 I MAPLE, Norway, I 8 feet, r2i. ;et, 2SJ. per i et, 3SS. per ic 42^. per dozen ; 3 to 3>^ feet, do., 3SCW. per 100, 52^. kd. POPLAR, Black Italian, 10 to 12 feet, 305. per too, ds. per dozen ; 15 to 18 feet, extra, lis. per dozen ,, Lombardy, 2 to 3 feet, 35^. per 1000, 5^. per 100 ; 3 to 4 feet, 455. per 1000, 6s. per 100 ; 4 to 5 feet, 60s. per THUJOPSIS DOLABRATA and VARIEGATA, 9 to 12 inches, 8oj. per 100, 12s. per dozen : 12 to 15 inches, 120^. per 100, i8j. per dozen : 15 to 18 inches, 24^. per dozen VINCA ACUTILOBA (Italian Periwinkle).— A fine addition to the number of hardy creepers, and will be especially valuable for clothing banks or rockwork. It is of com- pact and bushy growth, with shining deep green leaves, and pale lilac or French-white flowers, zs. 6d. each : 24J. per dozen YUCCA CONSPICUA, extra fine stout plants, 2 to 2^ feet. variety, and centres of fiower-beds, &c. FLOWERING SHRUBS, of sorts, ir strong plants, 45. to 8i. per dozen For prices of LARCH, SCOTCH and SPRUCE FIRS, and other Forest Trees, see Catalogue, which will be sent on FRUIT TREES. VINES, strong planting canes, leading sorts, sj. to 7^. 6d. each FIGS, strong, of sorts, 3^. 6d. to 7J. 6d. each APPLES, pyramid or bush, with fruit-buds, extra transplanted, iSs. per dozen CHERRIES, best sorts, fine maidens, los. per dozen ,, ,, dwarf trained, 3ar. to 42J. per dozen CURRANTS and GOOSEBERRIES, good useful sorts, 21. per dozen, i2j. 6d, per 100 ; large prize sorts, t,s. per dozen, 25 j. per 100. PEACHES, of sorts, dwarf-trained, 4J. to 51. each PEARS, of sorts, dwarf-trained, strong, 2S. 6d. to 51. each „ „ Pyramids on Quince, is. 6d. to 31. 6rf. each „ 2-yr. seedling, extra fine. Price to the Trade on applica- STANDARDS and HALF-STANDARDS, fine named sorts, our selection, iss. per dozen, loss. per 100 DWARFS, fine named sorts, our selection, 9s. per dozen, 635. LISTS ON APPLICATION. JAS. BACKHOUSE & SON, YORK. ALDER S.— Fine stout stuff, 3 to 4 and JOHN hill; Spot Acre Nurseries, near Stone, Stafford- AUSTIN AND McASLAN, GLASGOW. Established 1727. GARDEN and IMPLEMENT (64 pages) CATALOGUE Free on application. ^^ To tHe ' OSBORN AND SONS can still supply dwarf maiden PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS of the leading kinds, and a few Standards. Also Dwarf and TWELVE BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDS, \2s., established plants of fine sorts, as Cattleya citrina, L=lia lis Lailia albida, Odontoglossum, Dendrobium, and of fifty other sorts. They have all made fine growth JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. To tlie Trade. MESSRS. LEVAVASSEUR AND SON, Nurserymen, Ussy, Calvados, France, have an immense Stock of Seedhng FOREST TREES, Hardy, Coniferous, and other SHRUBS, for transplanting and trans- Tower : , London, E.C. The Best Scarlet-fleslied Melon. SUTTON'S HERO OF BATH, —From Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gr. lo the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley.— " I consider your Hero of Bath the best scarlet-fleshed Melon yet in commerce, being A i in quality, appearance, and productiveness. His Lordship, who previously had a prejudice against scarlet-fleshed Melons, pronounces this ""^roL^Mr^fhomas Lockie, Gr. to the Right Hon. Lord Otho Fitzgerald, August 27.—" I consider your Hero of Bath Melon the best I have ever grown of the scarlet-fleshed class. It is very handsome, of good constitution, and excellent in flavour. Price zs. 6d. per packet. SUTTON AND SONS, The Queens Seedsmen, Reading. From Paris.— Eoaes, Psaonles, Camellias. T ^VEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen, JU 26, Rue du Lie-gat, Ivry-sur-Seine, near Pans have many thousand ROSE TREES, Standards, Half-standards, Dwarfs, and on own root— New and Old sorts. LfiVfiQUE AND SON respectfully solicit Gentlemen and Nurserymen visiting Paris to inspect their Stock, the largest in SPLENDID PYRAMID CAMELLIAS, price 12J. to 50s catalogues' and LISTS on application. T EVEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen, -Li 26, Rue du Li^gat, Ivry-sur-Seine, near Pans, have many thousand strong, he.althy Flowering BULBS of GLADIOLI. The Seedling Bulbs are particularly recom- mended—their flowers equal to the named sorts (seeds have been taken from the best sorts of the collection). GLADIOLI, Seedlings, 81. per loo, .£3 per 1000, £.26 per 10,000 ; mixed white, red, pink. Separate colours, 12s. to 20s. per 100 ; yellow, 24^. per 100. Named sorts per 100, 10 sorts, 10s. : 25 sorts, 2M. ; 50 or 100 sorts (the best), from 251. to 16 ess or more, according to the novelty. All good flowermg bulbs. English Cheques on London, or Post-office Orders on Pans, accepted in payment. To the Trade. CELERY, Calderstone's, the finest old grown, 101. per lb. : also GOOSEBERRIES, Lancashire Prize, t accompany orders from unknown To the Trade. PEACHES, dwarf-trained, a fine Stock- Royal George, Noblesse, &c. : MORELLO CHERRIES, dwarf-trained, all very fine, 7 to 15 shoots each; APPLES, Pyramid, 4 to 5 feet, and 6 to 7 feet 1 FRUITING TREES, fine, best varieties. Price on application. SAMUEL HARTLEY, Headingley Nursery, near Leeds. YRUS or CYDONIA, the NEW JAPAN APPLE or QUINCE.— This gorgeous hardy scarlet May Eolde deliciously-scented fruit in September last, notwithstanding the general failure of our common Apple crop. The jam made is most delicious, which may be tasted at the nursery, or sample sent to those who really take an interest in the delicicies of the dinner-table. Original plants 21s. and 151. each ; younger, los., 7s. 6a., and WILLIAM MAULE and SONS, The Nu E^ for present ; ^,-. .J the Trade on application. THOMAS METHVEN and SONS, 15. Pri Edinburgh. Asparasus, Asparagus, Asparagus. ROBERT AND GEORGE NEAL have the above to offer in large or small quantities, i-yr., 2-yr,, and 3-vr. old :— i-yr. old. 20s. per 1000. 3-yr. old, 25*. per 1000. 3-yr. old, 35J. per 1000. Price to the Trade on application. The Nurseries, Wandsworth Common, S.W. SEEDS— SEEDS— ALL KINDS.— Ileforc ordering your Seeds, send for Illustrated CATALOGUE, which contains full Directions, I How, When and What to Sow. PENGILLEY Amd POOL (successors to the Heathers.dc Nurseri«s Company). 59, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C THE ' GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. (January 27, 1877. To tlia Trade Only. SAM DYER has to offer to the Trade fine Standard MULBERRIES, Standard LIMES, froin layers, 8 to loand lo to 12 feet, very fine : GOOSEBERRIES, best naraed sorts ; CURRANTS, Red, White, and Black : THORNS, 3-yr. transplanted, extra strong. Prices per 100 The Nurseries, Bridgwater. M ESSRS. JNO. STANDISH and CO.'S CATALOGUE for Autumn, 1876, and Spring, 1877, is ready, and may be had, post-free, on application. It contains the followittg : — Plants of Recent Introduction, Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Plants for Winter Forcing Azalea indica and Camelli Tree Carnations and Eric; Ferns and Lycopods. Hardy Trees and Shrubs. Forest Tre Dutch Bulbs, Flower Roots, & Royal Nurseries, Ascot, Berks. AM. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, • Tottenham Niurseries, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, Netherlands, has to offer the following : — YUCCA ANGUSTIFOLIA, strong plants, i foot high, £i per dozen, jCj2 ios. per loo. In my nursery this beautiful new Yucca withstood, without the slighti APPLES, strong 2-yr. Palmettes and Pyramids ;£i8.5J:periooo. HARDY AQUATICS at the lowest prices. Complete Liberal Collections of CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS, 15^., 21^., 42s., 63^., and 1055. each, carriage paid. As my new and choice seeds are now in large demand, please order early. SPECIALITIES ;— CAULIFLOWER, Veitch's Autumn Giant, true, is. 6J. per packet. LETTUCE. Alexandra Cos, true, 11. per packet. ONION. Cantello's Prize, true, 11. per packet. BROCCOLI, Leamington, finest late, 11. Cd. per packet. CHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot, can offer the following ; — ROSES, Dwarf, 4s. per dozen, 25s. per 100, 210s. per 1000. PEACHES and NECTARINES, dwarf- trained, 21s. per dozen, 150^. per 100. RHODODENDRONS. Hybrid named, fine, with buds, for forcing or grouping, ij^ to 2 feet, 2ts. per dozen, f ». .. .. for immediate effect, 2j4 to 4 feet, and same through, ^2s. per dozen, -^oos. per 100. „ Seedling, il4 to 3% feet, a+s. per dozen, 2oo,r. per 100. „ PONTICUM, 1^ to 3 feet, bushy. 6s. per dozen, 35^- KALMIA LATIFOLIA, 1 to j% foot. buds, for potting, 75s. ANDROMEeTa ^LORIBUNDA, buds, for potting, 75^. and ERICA CARNEA, 'very fine, 215. per 100. w American Plants Without Peat. ILLIAM MAULE and SONS beg to offer the choicest hardy English and Continental RHO- DODENDRONS, with BELGIC and other AZALEAS, at 30s. per dozen, or ;^io per loo. The plants are grown in stiff loamy soil, on an exposed and elevated situation, and will thrive in almost any soil, free from iron, lime, or chalk. Handsome Standard RHODODENDRONS, with fine heads, well set with bloom, los. td.^ 21s., and 42s. each. Large bushes of PONTICUM, CATAWBIENSE, and other The Nurseries, Bristol. SOFT-WOODED and OTHER PLANTS, of good quality, true to name, and very cheap. Begonias, tuberous, to name, 9.1. per dozen ; B. Froebelli, IS. 6i/. each; Begonias, flowering, of sorts, Abutilons of sorts, 4s. per dozen ; Fuchsias, twelve sorts, 3^. ; Chrysanthemums, twelve sorts, 31. ; Coleus, twelve sorts, 3J. ; Pentstemons, twelve sorts, 35, ; Phloxes, twelve sorts, js. ; Heliotropes in variety, 2s. 6d. per dozen ; Ageratums, qs. per dozen : Lantanas, in sorts, 3^. per dozen ; Salvias, in sorts, 3^. per dozen ; Carna- tions and Picotees, 6s. per dozen ; Show Pinks and Pansies, 4,^. per dozen ; Mimulus, in variety, 31. per dozen ; Saxifragas and Sedums in variety, 35. ; Troparolums. in variety, 3^. per dozen ; Paeonies, Delphiniums and Potentillas, 9^. per dozen ; Pyreth- SON, The Oldfield Nurseries. Khododendrons. J MATTHEWS and SON, Milton • Nurseries, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, have to offer the following : — RHODODENDRONS, 100.000, fine bushy plants, thinly 1 and well-rooted. SPLENDIDUM, 10,000, white, 1 to j% foot. 37J CAUCAsicUM PICTUM, 10.000, light scarlet. iKfoot, 50J. per 100. JACKSONII, scarlet, i foot, 40s. per 100 ; i to 1% bushy, 60s. per 100. HYBRIDS, from all the choicest named varieties, 1 bushy, 20s. pel 2 feet,^as-. per PONTICUM, I iH foot, 30J. per I iches, 50s. per ic 5 to 18 inches, IC CUPRES^US" SWSONIANA, fine Ornamental tree for Lawns or Wood Planting as shelter for Game, also for Garden Fencing, 2 to 3 feet, 3ar. per 100 ; 3 to 4 feet, ASH, Mountain, aj^ to 3% feet, 251. per 1000. BOX, Tree, i to iH foot, J2S. 6d. per 100 ; x% to 2f eet, 20s. per 100 ; 2 to 3 feet. 30J. per 100. CURRANTS, quantity of extra strong Black Grape, los. AVENUE TREES. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS (true), lo to 18 feet high, and girthing 4 to 8 inches at 4 feet from the ground. LIMES, 12 to 20 feet high, and girthing 6 to lo inches at 4 feet from the ground. POPULUS CANADENSIS NOVA, 15 to 16 feet high, and girthing 6 inches at 4 feet from the ground. ANTHONY WATERER Has to offer many thousands of the above. They may be seen growing at Knap Hill. They are straight, handsome, and well rooted, and altogether the finest Trees of the kind to be found in any nursery in Europe. KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING. SURREY. WM. PAUL & SON, /^ (Successors to the late A. Paul & Son, 'ir. Established 1806,) ROSE GROWERS, WALTHAM CROSS, HERTS, Inspection of Stock invited. Priced Descriptive Catalogues free by post. rith him a copy will be CHARLES LEE and SON (Successors to Messrs. John & Charles Lee), of the Royal Vineyard Nursery Hammersmith, W., beg to announce that in con- sequence of the Retirement of Mr. John Lee from the business, they have TAKEN OVER the ENTIRE NURSERY and SEED TRADE so successfully carried on for many years by the late Firm, and they trust the same liberal patronage so long given to Messrs. John & Charles Lee will be continued to the New Firm energy t the large resources at their supply with considerable advantage to regards quality and price. With a view to production of Stove and Greenhouse Plants c they intend to almost entirely rebuild Glass on a new site, a portion of the ( up f r h uilding purposes. All orders I CH-VRLES LEE and SON, Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, W. , where the general business of the Nursery and Seed Trade will be carried on ; or to Mr DIKON, Feltham Nursery: Mr. CANNON, Ealing Nursery Mr. WEBB, Arboretum, and Mr. MARSLEN, Wood Lane, Isleworth. Surplus Nursery Stock —Special offer to tie Trade, FOR CASH, BY BM A L L E R , • Lewisham. S.E. CHERRIES, dwarf-trained, NECTARINES, dwarf- ROSES, Standard, 2 t trained, strong , with fine heads, 6or. WILLIAM HOLMES has to offer the following : — JASMINUM NUDIFLORUM, in pots, strong, 501. per 100. IVIES, Irish, in 12%, ei'tra fine,'iooi. pir'ioor ,, ,, from ground, fine, 25s. per 100. CLOVES, old English, true, 201. per 100 pairs. And in the spring — ALTERNANTHERA AMCENA, 121. per 100. ., PARONVCHIOIDES. 8j. per 100. ,, MAGNIFICA, Si. per loo. P-ark Nursery, Hackney, London, E. Calceolarias (James). HCANNELL begs to announce that he • _ has a splendid stock of the following, established in 6o's, just ready for shifting : — CALCEOLARIAS, 2j. ijd. per dozen. PRIMULAS, 2J. (d. per dozen. CINERARIAS, 2s. id. per dozen. Smaller. \s. per dozen less, and post-free. Special prices per 100 Kent. H. CANNELL, Swanley, CHOICE TUBERS and ROOTS.— Twelve tuberous BEGONIAS, including Ftoibelll, rosxflora. Twelve Ca'lADIu'mS, splendid tubers, fit for exhibition, ready to start, 2\s. A few collections of these latter at £01. per dozen, consisting of bulbs averaging 10 inches in circumference. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. aURPLUS STOCK. CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA. green and well-rooted, 6 feet, THUJOPSirBORE'AUS,''tra i^^ianted last spring, 2 to 2% feet, IS. per dozen, 501. per 100. YEWS, common, 2 feet, 3M. per 100. LIMES, straight, stout, and well-rooted, 6 feet, 4J. per dozen, HOLLIES^ Green, bushy, and well-rooted, ij^ to 2 feet, 251. SKIMm'i'a'TaPONICA, extra transplanted, nice bushes. 10 inches high, with riower-buds, 41. per dozen, 25^, RHODODe'nDRON PRjECOX, bushes, covered with flower- buds. i8j. per dozen. azalea mollis, seedlings, about 6 inches, very bushy, 6f. per dozen, 421. per 100. RHUBARB, Victoria, large t GREENHOUSE AZALEAS, small. flowering plants (including many novelties), 155. DAPHNE INDICA RUBRA, with flowers, 151, per do ISAAC DAVIES, Nurseryman, Ormskirk. , for forcing, 251, per 100. and fruiting Canes of Black „ . . Lady Downc's, Gros Colman, Foster's Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield Court, Mrs. Pince, Dr. Hogg, Waltham Cross, 21. bd., 31. 6rf., and sr. each : Venn's Black Muscat and Pearson's Golden Oueen. IS. bd. to X2S. bd. each. ROSES, dwarf hybrid perpetual, best sorts, ^s. per dozen, ^"apples', PEARS, PLUMS, and CHERRIES, pyramids, 121. and 181. per dozen ; dwarf-trained, 305. per dozen. CURRANTS and GOOSEBERRIES, 31. per dozen, 20J. '"^STRAWBERRY, Garibaldi, 2S. per dozen, 41. bd. per 50, 7J. bd. per 100 ; Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, \s. bd. per dozen, 31. bd. per 50, 51 per 100. In 60 other good WILLIAM CLIBRAN and SON, The Oldfield Nurseries, To the Trade.— Sandrlngham Early Kidney Potato. HAND F. SHARPE have secured a fine • stock of the above excellent POTATO, which is pronounced to be not only the earliest, but the most prolific, and the finest quality in cultivation. Being very shoi " haulm It is peculiarly adapted for forcing Durooses. Pj peculiarly adapted for forcing purposes. Price and — '"-s may be had on application. Growing Establishment, Wisbech. SPECIMEN AZALEAS (Winter flowers).— An abundance of splendid flowers can be had in a week or two, or at once, by purchasing a few Specimen Azaleas, now opening flower. The plants are from 2 to 3 feet over, perfect shape, some hundreds of flowers and buds, which will last for months at this*time of the year. All new and valuable sorts, 2i.r., 3ii. 6^., and 42r. each, according to size and sorts. Eighteen plants only are for Sale. They are all worth double the money. Packages gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. January 27, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. lOI polatocs '™ London. WHEELER'S "LITTLE BOOK" FOR 1877 IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR PARTS, VIZ. : L-GARDEN SEEDS, ll.-FLOWER SEEDS, lll.-FARM SEEDS, IV.-SEED POTATOS. It contains Descriptive Lists (with Prices) of the Choicest Varieties in Cultivation, and is beautifully Illustrated with Original Woodcuts, drawn and engraved expressly for this New Edition. Post-free for 13 Stamps. WHEELER'S "LITTLE BOOK" abounds in interesting reading; on page 27 is an instructive article on the Cause of the Potato Disease, in whicl. a Remedy is suggested which will probably prove of inestimable value. WHEELER'S CHEAP COLLECTIONS of CHOICE VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS for AMATEURS and COTTAGERS. WHEELER'S COLLECTION No. i, consisting of 17 Packets of the most useful Vegetable Seeds, 3 Packets of Herbs, and 6 Packets of Choice Flower Seeds, with Cultural Instructions, sent Post-free on receipt of Post-office Order for 5r. dit WHEELER'S COLLECTION No. 3, 6 Packets of showy and beautiful Flower Seeds for is. in Stamps. A PRICED LIST 0/ 6qo Varieties of Choiee FLOWER SEEDS Gratis and Post-free. WHEELER'S 'LITTLE BOOK" FOR 1877, POST-FREE FOR TWELVE STAMPS. AVENUE TREES. Chestnut, 2 kinds, 8 Elms, 6 kinds, 8 to i Oaks, 3 kinds, 8 to 1 Sycamores, 3 kinds, Sorbiis, 3 kinds, 8 to I Limes, 8 to 12 feet. 2 and very die: Hornbeani, charles°'^°n6ble, bagshot. BLOOMING RHODODENDRONS. Two Hundred Thousand good healthy plants, having not less than five up to ten and fifteen buds each, of the finest named hardy kinds, will be supplied at from ^^5 to £\o per 100, and iZs. to 30J. per dozen. Samples, with lists of the sorts, will be forwarded on application. KALMIA LATIFOLIA. Well furnished and healthy and covered with bloom-buds, 15 to 18 in., at 12J-. and i8j. per doz., or ^^5 per 100. HARDY AZALEAS. The finest English and Ghent varieties, splendidly budded, LS to £f] loj. per 100, or i8j. per dozen. ANTHONY WATERER, KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING SURREY NEW PLANTand BULB COMPANY CONTENTS: NEW HARDY BULBS, NEW and RARE LILIES, NEW HARDY CYPRIPEDIUM, NEW FERNS, SEEDS of NEW HARDY FLOWER- ING PLANTS, &c. ; Post-free on LION WALK, COLCHESTER. KiCHARD SMITH'S GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS Contains the following excellent sorts (Carriage Free) :- WHEELER & SON, Seed Growers, GLOUCESTER. PEAS, Ringleader „ Improved Sangster's ,. Veitch's Perfection . . I quart „ Fortyrold ..I ,' „ Dwarf French „ Scarlet Runner BEET, Nutting's Red „ gjetuSr :: :; ;; :: :; ;; i :; BROCCOLI, Adams' Early , " „ Purple Sprouting CABBAGE.^Early Nonpariil '.! .. I „ .. I " „ Worcester Incomparable .. ■■ I „ .. I oz ,, James' Intermediate , . „ Improved Altringham CAULIFLOWER .. ipkt. CRESSr&oad.leaved W W W 2 or CUCUMBER LEEK Musselburgh I " „ Drumhead ,. Worcester Cabbage .. I " ONION, White Spanish PARfe^iL'STuricd-.-. :: :: ;: v. i pkt. PARSNIP, Hollow-crowned RADISH, Wood's Early Frame . . „ Long Scarlet SAVOY, Green Curled .. .. I pkt. SPINACH, Round „ Prickly . = ,. TOMATO, Large Red .. I pkt. VEGETABLE MARROW SWEET MARJORAM .. I „ SEED WAREHOUSE, 6i, HIGH STREET, WORCESTER 102 THE'ii GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1877. DICK RADCLYFFE & CO., SEED MERCHANTS, GARDEN FURNISHERS And Horticultural Decorators. PhizeMed^^aj^Seeds . Complete Collections of Vegetable Seeds. No. I. — Suitable for a very Large Garden .. •• Ci Z '• No. 2.— Suitable for a Large Garden 2 2 ( No. 3.— Suitable for a Medium-sized Garden.. .. i 1 < No. 4. — Suitable for a Small Garden .. .. .. o 10 ( Carriage free as per terms of Catalogue. Choice Collections of Flower Seeds. ■ kinds of easy growth, which will i show during the summer months. td., zis., 31J. 6d. and 421. each. [ Flower Seeds sent post-free. DICK RADCLYFFE & CO., 128 and 129, HIGH HOLBOBU", LONDON. RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Evergreen ajid Deciduous Shrubs, Rhododendrons, Standard Ornamental Trees, Climbing and Twining Plants, with their Generic, Specific, and English Names, Native Country, Height, Time of Flowering, Colour, &c., and General Remarks. R ICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Roses, containing all the best of the new and old ies, arranged in their several sections, bed as to their Shapes, Colours, and Adapt; instructions as to their Treatment and Prices, w2 RICHARD S M ITH'S L I of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants, with their Sci and English Names, Height, Colour, Time of Flow RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of all the Evergreen Fir Tribe suitable for Britain, giving Size. Price, Popular and Botanical Names, Derivations, Description, Form. Colour, Foliage, Growth, Timber, Use in Arts, Native Country, and Size there, Situation, Soil and other information, with Copious Index of their Synonyms. Free by post for six stamps. CRANSTON'S NURSERIES, KING'S ACRE, near HEREFORD. Established 1785. SPECIALITIES. ROSES, FRUIT TREES, CONIFERS. Descriptive Priced Lists on application. NEW SOBRALIA AND IMPORTED CffLOGYNES. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY, February i, at half- past 12 o'clock precisely, some fine Plants of the New SOBRALIA CATTLEYA, which was fully described by Prof. Reichenbach in the Gardener^ Chronicle of Jan. 20, 1877, p. 72. Unlike most of the ordinary Sobralias, this species has large thick flowers of a firm fleshy texture, the sepals are purplish brown, with rich rosy-purple lip ; instead of the flowers being borne singly, they are produced on stout spikes, each with six or seven flowers, two or three on each spike being expanded at the same time ; from which it will be seen what a remarkable Sobralia this is. The plants are good, and just showing strong breaks. Also an importation of the rare CCELOGYNE GLANDULOSA, C. CORRUGATA, C. ODORATISSIMA, and an unnamed Ccelogyne, pro- bably new ; also an importation of the rare DENDROBIUM ALBUM, which Wight, in his Icones Plantarum Indies Orientalis, describes thus : — " This is one of the handsomest of the genus I have yet met with ; large pure white flowers." Also some imported plants of the rare ACAN- THOPHIPPIUM BICOLOR; this Orchid gives flowers of large size, bright yellow and scarlet. Also some good plants of the exceedingly chaste and beautiful New SOBRALIA VIRGIN ALIS ; this has large pure white flowers, with rich golden throat ; the plants are showing strong breaks. At the same time will be Sold several plants of ODONTOGLOSSUM CRISPUM (Alexandrte), O. VEXILLARIUM, and various other Orchids. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. AUCTION ROOMS AND OFFICES, 38, KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON, W.C. VALUABLE LILIES. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms, 38, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY, February 8, at half-past 12 o'clock precisely, an Importation of good Bulbs of the beautiful LILIUM NEIL- GHERRENSE. The white flowers of this magnificent Lily are deliciously fragrant, and of great substance ; it bears several flowers on a stem, each flower nearly a foot long. Also some excellent Bulbs of the following new varieties of Lilium neilgherrense, viz. : — LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE ROSEUM— the exterior of the flower tubes of this variety is pink, the interior white. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE FLAVUM— a handsome light yellow-coloured form of this charming Lily. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM— a magnificent pure white Lily, with very long flowers ; figured in Wight's Icones Plantarum India Orientalis. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM LUTEUM— a very handsome yeUow- flowered variety of tubiflorum. And some Splendid flowering Bulbs of other choice LILIES, including BLOOMERIANUM OCELLA- TUM, PURPUREUM, HUMBOLDTII, GIGANTEUM, PARDALINUM, PARVUM, CALIFORNICUM, and WALLICHIANUM ; also a quantity of choice Bulbs and Tubers from California, including CALOCHORTUS, CYCLOBOTHRAS, BRODI^AS, TRITELEIAS, CALLIPRORAS, ERYTHRONIUMS, BLOOMERIAS, &c. ; and some fine blooming Bulbs of the handsome CRINUM BRACHYNEMA, C. AUSTRALE, C. PRATENSE CANALICU- LATUM, tuberous-rooted BEGONIAS, PANCRATIUMS, AMARYLLIS, North American CYPRIPEDIUMS, with a variety of other Bulbs and Tubers. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. GROS GUILLAUME GRAPE (Roberts' Variety), THE LARGEST BLACK GRAPE IN CULTIVATION. W. TArr& Co., SEED MERCHANTS AND NURSERYMEN, 45, GAPEL STREET, DUBLIN. The entire Stock of this extraordinary Grape has been placed in our hands for distribution. It is a strong growing Vine, good constitution, free from shanking, will keep till spring, and under ordinary management will produce splendidly formed bunches, and well coloured, up to 25 lb. At the winter show of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland on November.il, 1876, three bunches of this Grape were exhibited by the introducer, Mr. Roberts, the well- known Grape-grower, of Charleville Forest, Tullamore, which obtained the First Prize, and were awarded the Society's Medal for special and meritorious productions, and it is scarcely necessary to say more than that these bunches, which weighed collectively over 45 lb., were the admiration of everybody who saw them at the Show, and they were seen and admired by many others who saw them growing on the Vine. This is quite a sensational Vine, distinct from the ordinary kinds of Gros Guillaume and of Barbarossa (with which it is said the latter is identical), inasmuch as it will produce bunches double the weight of those varieties ; it is a good bearer, requires no coaxing or high manuring. The Vine which produced those extraordinary and marvellously well finished bunches is growing in nothing but pure loam. Eyes, or Scions, from fine wood, weU ripened, extra size .. 10s. 6d. each. Second size do. do 7s. 6d. each. Orders will be executed in strict rotation. To secure strongest Eyes or Scions, early application is necessary. yV. TAIT & CO., SEED AND NURSERY ESTABLISHMENT, 45, CAPEL STREET, DUBLIN. JANUARY 27. 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 103 WEBB'S CHOICE VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SEEDS. wmmmwk W^^^m Contiins full instructions for the successful cultivation THE BEST VEGETABLES and THE CHOICEST FLOWERS. Post-free, is. Gratis to Customers. A publication of remarkable beauty and interest. c is one of the best works on Gardening that ha The Magnet, yatmary 8, 1877. THE BEST CAULIFLOWER. Webb's Early Mammoth Cauliflower. An excellent compact vanely of exceptional ment , stands the drought remark ibly well heads large, firm, and beautifully white the best for main crop Price Is. 6d. per packet. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash. All Goods of 20J. value and upwards Carriage-free ' any Railway Station in England or Wales. fOoMPLETE €0LLECTI0N 1 Vegetable^eeds PRICE //7r-^^^-~^ DISCOUNT RAI WE ALSO SUPPLY COLLECTIONS A'l 10s. 6d., 15s., 303., 423., 638., and 105s. WEBB & SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, WORDSLEY, STOURBRIDGE. To Purctiasers of Large Quantities, Market GARDENERS and OTHERS. ;,;< u T T o N AND SONS O can olTer true stocks of the following Peas at very "sUTTON-'s''i'mPROVED early champion, the best ,nd most productive in cultivation. Sutton's Ringleader I Advancer Scimitar | Veitch's Perfection, and other leading kinds. SUTTON AND SONS, Seed Growers, Reading. Garden Seeds, Gladioli, &c. IRELAND AND THOMSON have much pleasure in intimating that their Descriptive Priced CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, GLADIOLI, IMPLEMENTS, &c., is now ready, and will be celosIa "pyrISiidalis PLUMOSA, AUREA and RUBRA, per packet, li. and 2j. (d. each. EAST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK, in three colours, per packet, ij., 2j. 6a., and SJ. each. WHITE WALL-LEAVED EAST LOTHIAN INTER- MEDIATE STOCK, per packet, ij., 31. td., and 51. each. Seed Warehouse, 20, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. SPIR^A ThOTEIA) JAPON^ICA, very strong clumps for forcing, equal if not superior to foreign, t\o per 1000. SPIR/EA PALMATA, fine crowns for forcing, 75s.; smaller, 35J. to %os. per 100. CHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot. WEBB'S NEW GIANT POLYANTHUS, Florist Flower, and GIANT COWSLIP SEEDS : also Plants of all the varieties, with Double PRIMROSES of different colours ; AURICULAS, both Single and Double ; with every sort of Early Spring Flowers. LIST on application. Mr. WEBB, Calcot, Reading. EBB'S PRIZE C0}3 FILBERTS, and other PRIZE COB NUTS and FILBERTS. LISTS of these varieties from Mr. WEBB, Calcot. Reading. N EW DRAC/ENAS.— Twelve of the finest in cultivation for 21^., well established young plants, ng freely. If potted on now will do for exhibition in the tin-D. Baptistii. D.Youngii, D. Imperialis, &c. , included. Superb Ridge Cucumber. CUCUMBER, Foster's X.L. Superb Ridge. — This variety is a remarkably fine hardy, long, dark green Cucumber, and one that can be recommended with the greatest confidence. It is very prolific, and keeps its colour to the last ; all who have seen it growing are satisfied that it cannot be surpassed, and those who have tried its flavour are convinced of its excellent quality ; length, 12 to 18 inches. Price td. and \s. per packet ; price to the Trade on application. EDMUNXt PHILIP DIXON, The Yorkshire Seed Estab- SHaUot Seed. DAVIS* PRIZE JERSEY.— A true Shallot, of immense size and exceedingly mild ; with ordinary treatment bulbs have been grown 10 and even 12 inches in circumference— by far the best method of growing the Shallot. Treatment same as Onions. Price \s. per packet. May be had of all Seedsmen in sealed packets, and Wholesale of Messrs. HURST and SON, 6, Leadenhall Street. London, E.G.. R. DAVIS, Nursery and Seed Warehouse, Yeovil. R^ Lane Ni These Nurseries comprise about 50 Acres of well-grown and a most useful assortment of STANDARD, ORNAMENTAL, FOREST, FRUIT, and ROSES, and SHRUBS, all of which are in a most healthy and fit condition for removal. A personal inspection invited. CATALOGUES free on application. The Nurseries are within a few minutes' walk of the Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Common Railway Stations. C^ Arbor-vit3eflagelliformis,6 feet 24^. per dozen. „ libocedrus decurrens. 2 1( 6 feet, 24J. to 48 J. per doz per dozen. 4 to 8 feet, ts. per dozen. , 2 to 2>4 feet, 3J. le, 3^. per dozen, eodara, 2t0 2Mfeet, Cephalotiixus Fort! Cryptomeria japonii Lilacs, 4 feet, <,s. per dozen. Lauius caucasica, 2 to 3 fee 251. per dozen. „ Colchic, 3 feet, 201. pi Cash or reference Pinus Cembra, s 5 feet, 24^^. per dozen. Picea Pinsapo, 2 to 3 f Irish. 3 ■^Neg°undo Of. per c Althffia frutex, : 9?. per dozen Ribes sanguinea, Snowberry, 4 1 fe per dozen. Ash. 3 t . English, "Wy^ch. 6° Sycamores, 6 to , 6 to 8 feet, 3 to 3J^ feet, feet, fine, i6j. feet. 1 5 J. STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA.— Strong specimen plants of a very free-flowering variety, lai. 6rf. each: smaller, but fine half specimens, wh^ch will produce of flower early, the buds just appearing on some, i. each, 635. per dozen ; in 48-pots (flowered last summer), per dozen. This offer is for six weeks only, to make , the plants being worth double the money. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. Splendid New Melon, 1877. CHARLES LEE AND SON (Successors to Messrs J. & C. Lee) have the pleasure to announce that they have purchased the entire Stock of MANN'S HYBRID GREEN-FLESH MELON, which they now ofi"er for the first time. It has already earned a high reputation in London and the provinces for its many excellent qualities, among which may be mentioned a remarkably high and exquisite flavour at all seasons of the year — perfection of shape and size for dessert— a thin rind and melting flesh, with an overflow of perfumed juice. Mr. CULVERWELL, of Thorpe Perrow, fellow judge with Mr. Fowler, of Harewood House, at the Leeds Horticultural Show, where they awarded a First-class Certificate to " Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon." speaks of it as " an exceedingly fine Melon, especially at that early season — the early part of the third week of . , . ^ >f a long term of gloomy weather, at that season of the year, ' Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon ' was sweet, tender in flesh, very juicy, CHARLES LEE and SON, Hammersmith. W. G^ Special Otfer. .EORGE FARNSWORTH has to offer large quantities of the following : — ASH, Mountain, 2'^ to 3H feet, 161. per 1000 ; 4 to s feet, 2M. ALDER, 20 to 30 inches, 20J. per 1000. BIRCH, r% to 2}< feet, 201. per 1000. BERDERIS AQUIfOLlA, bushy, i to 2 feet, .(oj. per 1000 ; 2 to 3 feet, 85. per 100. CHESTNUT. Horse, 7 to 9 feet, .os. per 100. ELMS, 3 to 4 feet, 255. per 1000. LARCH, 2 to 3J< feet, 35r- per .000. LIMES, 2-yr. layers, i-yr. transplanted, 3 to 5 feet, 9^. per 7 feet. RHODODENDRONS, Hybrid .ai seedling, fine, 5J. per 1000 ; ( per 1000 ; extra tr.ansplaoted 3M feet, 17J. rrf. per 1000 ; 4 to s ontica, mixed, 3-yr. id 2-yr. bedded, iSj. 12 inches, ^os. per ^dm ^ ' If ^n\ January 27, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 105 DANIELS' SEED POTATOS. Our Stocks of POTATOS are warranted True to Name and Free from Disease, all bemg carefully selected at the time of growth, and afterwards passed through the hands at least three or four times before being sent out, and all inferior, mis-shapen and forked tubers carefully discarded. To improve the culture and encourage the diffusion of really good varieties, we have determined to offer at the owest possible rates Collections of Potatos for Exhibition Purposes, and trust our efforts in this direction will meet a want so much felt by our Customers and the gardening community generally. The selection in all cases must be left to us ; it will be very carefully made, and only those of known excellence and superior qualities included. COLLECTIONS. I lb. each. 7 lb. each. T4 lb. eacli. 12 varieties 3 5 18 „ so 24 ., 76 17 6 25 o 32 6 34 o 63 o 36 „ 10 6 .. so o .. 9S o All carefully IcilelUd and ptukeil. The above are nett prices for cash, with no charge for packing. Seed Orders of the value of 2o.t. and upwards, includ- ng Potatos, carriage free to any Railway Station in England or Wales. Price Lists on application. Special Quotations xiven for large qua7itities. Our Stock of Potatos is the most complete in the King- dom, and consists of upwards of eighty varieties. DANIELS'__ ILLUSTRATED GUIDE AMATEUR GARDENERS. The most complete, useful, and beautiful Seed Catalogue ever published. Price I J. , post-free. Gratis to Customers. The "Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners" contains 112 pages of beautifully illustrated Letterpress, with two superbly finished Coloured Plates, Original Articles on the Rearing and Cultivation of various Garden Crops and Flowers, and complete Instructions for the successful Management of the Kitchen and Flower Gardens throughout the year, together with a Select List of choice Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds, Seed Potatos, &c. The most practical and comprehensive Guide for the Amateur yet issued, and should be read by every Horticulturist. IliElS IIP MorwighT^ FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR 1877. BALSAM, Williams' Superb Strain .. 2s. W. and HEGONIA FRCEBELII P.EGONIA SEDENI SEMI-PLENA BEGONIA, Hybrid, finest mixed CYCLAMEN PERSICUM GIGANTEUM.-This is a Great improvement on the old type, the flowers being thrown well above the foliage, each flower measuring from 2 to 2M inches in length ; pure white, with a fine bold violet-purple eye . . 5.T. and CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, Williams' Superb Strain, 5^. , -15. kd., 2j. 6d. , and CELOSIA PYRAMIDALIS PLUMOSA CALCEOLARIA, Williams' Superb Strain, 51., 3J. 6d.. ■zs. 6(1'., and CINERARIA, WeatheriU's E.xtra Choice Strain, 5^-, 3i. 6,/., IS. 6rf.,and GLOXINIA, Finest Drooping Varieties Finest Erect Varieties PRIMULA, Williams' Superb Strain, Red, White, or Mixed 51.. 3J. 6./.. 2j. W.. and PRIMULA SINENSIS FIMBRIATA COCCINEA (new)._coIour brilliant scarlet with bright sulphur eye, exquisitely fringed and of great substance PYRETHRUM GOLDEN GEM SOLANUM, Wifliams' Improved Hybrids STOCK, Williams' Improved Giant Scarlet Brompton WALLFLOWER, Harbinger, Atitumn and Winter flowering Packets of Flower Seeds excepting heavy kinds, Pj.eh Post VEGETABLE SEEDS. Per packet.— r. t BEANS, Williams' Early Prolific Dwarf French-per qt. 3 BRUSSELS SPROUTS, Welch's Giant, one of the CUCUMBERrw'alke°s Hero (New) .'.' ''"''" ^. \ Osmaston Manor ..2 ENDIVE, Williams' Gloria Mundi i MELON, Osmaston Manor Hybrid 2 „ Laura's Beauty, (New) 2 ONioN, Wmfams' Mrgnum'Sonum .'.' '.'. '.'. i PEA, Williams' Emperor of the Marrows per quart 2 TOMATO, The 100 Days per packet i »*» Alt seeds atnountinff to zos. loitl lie delivered free of carriage to any Railtvay Station in England. ISr ILLUSTRATED SEED CATALOGUE gratis an post-free to all applicants. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1877. WALKING-STICKS. IF we were to pick out hap-hazard any one commocJity and trace its history from the earliest stage to the condition in which we find it, we should no doubt find that history one of great interest and instruction, for it is a fact that most of us know but httle of the manu- facture of our principal articles of trade, not- withstanding that many of them are directly derived from sources with which we are specially interested, namely, the vegetable king- dom. This is particularly the case with a dealer in walking-sticks. These articles, with umbrellas, now form a distinct trade, and the wares, as exhibited by the retail dealers, are often most attractive, not only on account of the variety of the sticks themselves, but also on account of their elaborate manipulation, artistic and inartistic. "The Natural History of a Walking-Stick" would form a subject upon which even a book might be written, for we might trace the origin and use of the walking- stick from the very earliest period — how that it was originally a staff, and was used even by the mediaeval pilgrims as now by Swiss tourists ; how the upper patt was often hollow, forming a receptacle for religious relics and snuff or per- fume ; how the first head of Saffron is said to have been secretly brought from Greece in the hollow head of a pilgrim's staff, and afterwards largely cultivated at Saffron Walden, which place derived its name from the above fact ; and further, how that the silkworm was introduced to Europe in a similar manner. Though the walking-stick of the present day can trace its ancestry to the staff, the bulk of the modern sticks are in no way comparable to their ancestors, inasmuch as in former times they were really of use to relieve the limbs to some e.xtent of the weight of the body, and so were of a tolerable thickness, rigidity, and strength ; at the present time they are chiefly carried for ornament, or on account of a pre- vailing fashion, though indeed the fashion of carrying a stick, whether for use or ornament, has descended through ages, with more or less change. Many old gentlemen still call their walking-stick a staff, and are as particular about its style and mounting as they are about their dress. Notwithstanding all this a walking-stick, un- like an umbrella, would seem to be an article that would never wear out, and given the chance of accidents by loss or breakage would appa- rently last a lifetime, or even be passed from one generation to another, which in reality is not an uncommon occurrence. Whence, then, does it come that the manufacture of walking- sticks and umbrella-sticks is one of the great trades of London ? Thousands upon thousands and tons upon tons of sticks are cut not only in this country but imported from all parts of the world, simply and solely for use as walking- sticks. From the East and West Indies, China, Java, and Singapore, immense quantities are constantly being brought. From the latter countries come all the varieties of ISamboo known in trade by distinct names, such as the " dog-head " cane, from the fact that a portion of the rhizome is left attached to each stick, which, having two protuberances like ears, gives it a resemblance to a dog's head. These trade names, though ordinarily those under which they are imported, are very often quite unknown to botanists, the names being lo6 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, [January 27, 1877. evidently more adapted to convey to the popular mind the appearance of the sticks than as indicating their proper scientific classification. Though so many varieties of Bamboo are con- stantly imported (mostly from China) and very largely used, little or nothing is known as to the species producing them. A few years since a very beautiful stick was introduced from Borneo under the name of Rajah cane ;the hardness of this stick, together with its beautiful markings of dark lines, caused it at once to become popular. The name " Rajah" is said to be derived from the fact of the duties paid for its export being claimed by the Rajah of Borneo. Though enormous quantities of this stick were, and, indeed, are still, being imported, nothing is known as to its botanical origin further than that it is the stem of a Palm. Another favourite stick is that of the Pimento, or Allspice (Pimenta vulgaris). This is more particularly adapted for umbrella-sticks, owing to its extreme rigidity and strength and its non- liability to warp. These sticks are imported from tlie West Indies, often in tolerably thick billets, and with a crook or bend, from which a knob or hook may be formed. From the West Indies also come many of the Orange and Lemon sticks, perhaps the most highly prized of all natural sticks, that is, of sticks with the bark on. These are valued on account of the fine white lines abundantly seen on the bark, especially after being polished ; they are, more- over, suitable both for walking-sticks and um- brellas, the bark being removed and the stick smoothed for the latter purpose. Though there is something in common between the Orange and Lemon sticks, the first may easily be known by its beautiful green bark, with fine white longitudinal markings, while the Lemon can be detected by its symmetrical propor- tions and tlie regularity and prominence of its knots. In these, as in all other sticks, the quality varies very considerably ; though they can be procured at almost any stick-dealer's, choice specimens are rare, and realise large prices. The well-known Malacca cane is also a very choice stick ; it is the produce of Calamus scipionum, and does not come from Malacca, but is imported from Siak, on the opposite coast of Sumatra. These canes are valued according to the length of their internodes ; a perfect stick of the required length taken from between the nodes fetching a very high price, sometimes, indeed, as much as ten guineas, but this, of course, depends a great deal on the style of mounting. A genuine or perfect Malacca cane should be the natural stick, properly tapering, and simply cleaned and polished ; quantities of those, however, seen in the shops have had their nodes rubbed down to make them appear con- tinuous, after which they are stained or painted, and finally pohshed, and when so finished they are extremely difficult, except to a practised eye, to detect from a natural Malacca cane. Of late years an immense number and variety of sticks have been imported into this country from Algeria, where many kinds are systematic- ally cultivated for commercial purposes. From this country are chiefly imported the sticks of the Pomegranate (Punica granatum), Olive (Olea europsea) Myrtle (Myrtus communis ?) the petioles of the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera), and latterly the small branches of a species of Eucalyptus, probably E. globulus. All these, more especially the Olive and the Myrtle, have been and are still in great request. Such, then, are some of the sticks of foreign produce which constantly and in large numbers find their way into the English marlvct. Besides these we have numbers of British-grown sticks, the principal of which are Ash, Oak, Holly, Blackthorn, Cherry, Maple, Hazel, Crab, and, last but not least, the Box and common Furze, added to which the Channel Islands supply us with the weli-known Cabbage-stalks. J. R. Jackson, Kew. {To he contimled.) WINTER DECORATIVE PLANTS. In addition to the many flowering plants grown for decorative purposes at mid-winter, Ferns play an im- portant part, and especially the Maidenhair Fern, A. cuneatum, and the elegant A. gracilUmum. At the Royal Nursery, Ascot, Messrs. Staiidish & Co. grow these two in immense quantities, and at Christmas there could be seen two long span-roofed houses quite filied with some thousand plants of A. cuneatum, the great majority in 32.pots, with larger examples in pots an increased size. Every plant was a perfect specimen in itself, so admirably was it grown. The plants are not marketed, but simply grown for the fronds, and they are constantly being sent to London. The ripened developed fronds are those gathered, as they stand much better and last longer than the young ones. They are gathered and carefully laid in baskets, and reach their destination without taking harm. A. gracillimum is wonderfully well grown at Ascot. There are those who term it a " mifiy grower," and say they cannot dQ anything with it, but at Ascot it is the very perfection of vigour, and if anything more robust than A. cuneatum. It is a very fast grower. A large number of plants had been raised from seed, and it was curious to note that in a very young state the pinnae were as large as those of A. cuneatum ; but when it gets into size, the young fronds take on that small elegant form pecu- liar to it. So rapidly do the plants come on from seedlings, that there were admirable specimens in 4S pots that were in the seed-pans a year ago. Some extra large specimens showed off the character of the species to the very best advantage. It may be that failures with this charming Fern arise from the use of too much peat in the soil : at Ascot no peat whatever is used. The soil is a sandy, turfy loam, and a little horse-manure, and strong plants have a little weak manure-water once a-week, and rather more in summer-time. The experience gained at Ascot teaches that A. gracillimum will not grow in peat. The cuneatum is increased by dividing the plants when they break into growth after being cut over for the London season. The plants, as soon as they begin to be active, are cut to pieces, and potted in 32-pots. Asparagus decumbens is much grown for table decoration at Ascot ; its long handsome shoots are very acceptable for clothing the stems of tall epergnes. This species was growing in 48-pots, and a line of plants along the front of a stage of Camellias, &c., hung down like a fringe. The plant puts forth pseudobulbs like an Orchid, and is nearly deciduous in summer, but most ornamental in winter. GREENHOUSE PLANTS. THEIR CULTURE AND MANAGEMENT. BiGNONIAS. — The different species here treated of are climbing or twining plants, and are suitable for greenhouse or conservatory decoration as roof climbers, covering back walls, or growing round pillars. So managed their natural habit is seen to advantage, as a portion of their shoots can be allowed to hang in graceful festoons ; and, even when not in flower, grown in this way they are very effective. They can be so arranged as to drape the wood or ironwork of the building in a manner to take off the objectionable straight lines without shutting out too much light from the general occupants of the house. This is a matter that cannot be too forcibly impressed upon those who have the charge of plant structures of this description— that where roof-climbers are allowed to form a complete thicket up to the glass, as a con- sequence they exclude the light from the plants that occupy the lower stages in a way that precludes the possibility of the latter doing more than drag out a miserable existence. Roof-climbers have an elegance that cannot be im- parted to ordinary trained pot specimens ; but to allow the comparatively few plants that can be accommodated on a roof to monopolise the whole house, so as to render the cultivation of everything else attempted to be grown an impossibility is as great a mistake as can well be committed. In this as in most other things a medium course is the best ; the roof of a conservatory can be sufficiently draped with climbers as to answer the purposes required, without making the body of the house a mere living sepulchre for the unfortunate plants placed therein. Subjects for furnishing the roofs in this way can either have their roots kept confined in pots proportionately large to the size of the plant, or, as is more usual, be planted out ; the latter system has many advantages, not the least of which is that the plants will last much longer so treated, but the space thus apportioned to the roots should always be sufficiently confined to prevent the plants getting too rampant. Neither should plants intended for growing in this way ever be turned out in these prepared beds whilst they are very small, or in many cases unless naturally strong growers they do not do well, for the reason previously explained in connection with the management of conservatory climbers, that when the roots are few in quantity they cannot lay hold of the soil before it gets sour, in which case they rarely after- wards do satisfactorily ; therefore if the plants are small it is generally better to grow them on in pots for a year, and afterwards to put them out. Climbers are often grown for sale and kept with their roots confined in small pots untd they get so stunted as to prevent their growing freely, consequently it is much the best to select such as are young and free in growth in preference to those that may be larger yet not in as good a condition. If of the usual size, in 6-inch pots, they should be repotted in April, giving them a 3-inch shift. All the kinds here treated of will succeed in a mixture of turfy loam and fibrous peat in equal proportions, to which should be added enough sand to keep the whole porous ; do not make the soil too fine, and pot moderately firm. In most cases it will be better to confine these Bignonias to a single stem until they have attained a considerable height, consequently they will not require the leading shoot stopping, but should be encouraged to extend in length, and for this purpose three or four long sticks should be inserted in each pot, round which the plants ought to be kept regularly trained, not allowing the shoots to twine about them in a way that they will be difficult to undo. Through the spring and summer encourage growth by syringing overhead every after- noon, and keeping the atmosphere moistened in very bright weather, during which a thin shade will assist them. When the roots get well hold of the sod give them plenty of water, and admit air freely, to keep the growth strong ; towards the close of summer dis- pense with shade and the use of the syringe, so as to harden them up. Keep during the autumn and winter in an ordinary greenhouse temperature, with just enough water at the roots to maintain the soil in a medium state of moisture. Before growth commences in the spring they should be turned out into the border wherein they are to be grown ; this ought to be well drained with 5 or 6 inches of broken crocks or pounded bricks, over which some fibrous material from the soil should be placed, so as to keep the latter from being washed down into the drainage; on this put 10 or 12 inches of good soil, consisting of a mixture of peat, loam, and sand similar to that already advised in planting a portion of the roots. Such as are at the outside of the ball should be loosened and spread out in the border ; in this way they will soon begin to grow and occupy it. Syringe them regularly overhead every day all through the growing season ; on a free use of the syringe in this way a good deal of success depends, as by so doing insects are kept down. All the after- treatment required will be to keep the shoots trained to the wires that are to support them, and when the space they are intended to fill is covered, to regularly use the knife, so as to keep them in due bounds. In time the soil becomes exhausted : to remedy this, a couple of inches should be taken off the surface each spring without injuring the roots, and its place sup- plied by new, to further assist which, liberal appli- cations of manure-water may be given them during the growing season. The following variedes are deserving of culti. B. capensis (syn. with Tecoma capensis) has orange-coloured flowers, produced in summer. It is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. B. capreolata : flowers scarlet, blooms in June and following months. It comes from North America. B. grandiflora : flowers from July to September. This fine species is from Caraccas. B. speciosa : a pink-flowered plant from Uruguay, blooms in the spring. B Tweediana : a yellow-bloomed kind, that flowers in the summer. It is from Buenos Ayres. B. venusta : orange-coloured flowers, blooms in the autumn. A native of South America. B. (Tecoma) jasminoides : a handsome pink- flowered species, from Moreton Bay. Inscxis. — Red-spider will live upon them, but must be kept under by a free use of the syringe, Should they get affected with scale, this can he kept down by frequent sponge and brush. T. Baiih\ January 27, 1S77 ] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 107 GARRYA ELLIPTICA. Among hardy ornamental shrubs few surpass the Garrya elliptica, which is just now clothed with its long pendulous racemes of flowers, that hang from the tips of the branches in the greatest profusion. In form and appearance these greatly resemble the cat- kins of the Hazel or Filbert, but they are considerably larger and much handsomer, and being backed up as they are by such dark rich foliage, and flowering at this season, when all else is bare and desolate, they produce a striking etfect, and command admira- tion. In habit and growth the plant is much like the evergreen Oak, except that it is more free and open, and has leaves considerably larger and more elliptic in shape. Considering its great beauty and the length of time it has been introduced, it is very remarkable that it appears so little known, for it is a plant one seldom meets with except in very extensive collections. This is much to be regretted, as it is well adapted for any of the many uses to which shrubs are generally put. It, however, shows off to the greatest advantage when trained up piers or buttresses to walls, or when planted at equal distances on the latter to form panels to be filled in with other plants of distinct character. In positions of this kind they are singularly attractive, as the whole of their flowers are thrown out clear of the foliage, where they are moved by every passing breeze, and exhibit themselves in the most graceful manner possible. It is a shrub that will bear the knife well, and may be pruned hard in every season, but this should be done directly the blooms fade, or the plant will not have time to break again and ripen the young growth, without which it would not flower again the follow- ing winter. Those we have are spurred close back any time in April, so as to confine them to their present size, and when so treated they never fail to produce an abundance of bloom from the top to the bottom, in which condition it is impossible to imagine anything more ornamental in the plant way at this season of the year. The female variety appears to be even more scarce than the male, as I note in a recent issue of the Gardeners' Chronicle an inquiry from a correspondent as to where it is likely the plant can be obtained ; and as it is said to fruit freely it would form a most suitable companion to the other, and be an object of much interest, as well as furnishing a supply of seed from which to raise others. Their propagation is, however, by no means diffi- cult, as I have raised many from layers, and I have no doubt but they would strike readily from cuttings if put in at the proper season, which for most ever- greens is about the middle of September — a time when they soon form a callus, and emit roots the following spring. If propagated in this way, it is necessary to put them in a very sheltered situation, where they would be safe from cold cutting winds, and not exposed to the full effects of severe frosts, as they are not so hardy as Laurel or Aucuba, and being of a more firm woody nature, have less sap to keep them alive. Layers may be put in at any time, and all that is requisite with these is to select the best of the lower branches, and bury them under some sharp sandy soil, of from 4 to 6 inches in depth, leaving out all the ends of the shoots, which in the course of a year or so will form so many plants. I have just been picturing to myself what exquisite looking evergreen hedges the Garrya elliptica would form, and how beautiful it would be with almost every twig laden with the pendent inflorescence with which they are clothed nearly the whole of the winter. As it is a plant that stands cutting so well and may therefore be kept to any form or shape, no living screen could at all compare with it when used for such a purpose. Pruned and trained as a pyramid, to plant in conspicuous places on lawns or other positions, they have a most graceful effect, or left pretty much to themselves in the shrubbery they are sure to attract notice, and, in the rich garb they assume, assert their superiority over most of their compeers as decorative plants. The wet mild winter has suited them admirably, and I have never seen them in finer condition or better clothed with flowers — the result, no doubt, of the fine dry autumn we had, which was so exceedingly favourable for ripening the growth of all trees and shrubs— a blessing that will be shared in by all during the ensuing summer should we but get a favourable spring to set the blossoms, with the buds for producing which all kinds of trees are now bristling, but I fear in rather too forward a state to escape un- less we soon get a check by a change in the weather. y.s. BOTTOM HEAT WITHOUT COST. This will no doubt be welcomed as a boon by many cultivators. For there can hardly be a doubt that one chief reason why bottom-heat has often be-^n disparaged or decried arises from its cost. Whether generated from below or sentdown from above, bottom- heat costs much in labour and material. The few examples examined of borders heated by something like a forest of hot-water pipes, however successful, assuredly presented a vivid illustration of the ex- pensiveness of the heat thus provided j and banks of fermenting material also cost a good deal to move to and fro, and be kept warm enough for service when used as a source of bottom-heat. It must also be admitted that there is difficulty as well as danger in depending on the erratic irregularity of fermenting materials as a source of bottom-heat. The heat rises and falls at times in the most irregular and unexpected manner : when most is needed there is least — when least, most. Even the most skilful in these matters, cannot regulate a hotbed as they would stoke a fire. Only a short time ago, one of the best gardeners told me of mishaps of this kind that lost him a crop of Grapes, and impaired the health of fine young Vines for a year or two. A bed of spent-looking material was renewed with a truckload of London dung : the latter went off almost like a charge of gunpowder, and before the violent character of the decomposition was discovered every root within a foot of the surface was destroyed. The mass when moved was so hot that the men could not stand upon it, and it smelt as if the dung had been saturated with some mineral oils. So offensive as well as hot was the whole mass, that it was burned up, as it was considered unfit for manure. No doubt this was an exceptional case, but it illustrates in a striking manner the danger (similar in kind, though less in degree) to which cultivators dependent on fermenting materials for bottom-heat are daily exposed. No doubt hot water, judiciously arranged and wisely used, reduces the danger of bottom-heat to a minimum, and regulates its amount with almost mathematical precision. But every real advance in safety and exactness enhances the cost, and it would be quite impossible to procure bottom-heat without cost for horticultural purposes by means of hot water either in pipes, tanks, open gutters, or by any other manner or mode of distribution. Neither do I promise this boon bymeansof limekiln-heating. That system has done all I stated I saw it do, and probably more, and " I bate not a jot of heart or hope" of its past and present doings and future achievements. But I am not about to advocate the warming of Vine borders with limekilns, nor the vineries or Pine stoves them- selves with hot-water boilers set astride their top or sunk into their hot, dusty throats. All that may be practicable enough, but my object now is quite different. In promising bottom-heat without cost, it may be wise to pause and inquire how comes it that bottom-heat is wanted. Nature's law is that terres- trial and celestial temperatures should run a sort of neck-and-neck race for supremacy or equality. As a matter of fact the two often run a dead heat : at other times and seasons the one may be slightly in advance of the other, but these two are ever struggling for an equilibrium of temperature. The earth and air exchange solar heat, and divide it between them ; to do so, however, with effect and on anything like fair principles of reciprocity, the one must have free access to the other. Nature never attempts to shut out atmospheric heat from the earth, nor terrestrial heat from the air. The wisdom of cultivators, in devising means by which to place the roots of such plants as Vines, for instance, in a colder medium than their tops, would seem perfect and unique folly to Nature. That folly would seem to Nature to blossom into fatuity, if after doing so efforts were made to warm cold borders outside, when they might have been kept sufficiently warm without cost by simply making them inside. Hence oursimple recipe for bottom-heat without cost is to place the roots of all plants in the same structures in which they are grown. The roots will then enjoy about the same average temperature as the tops, and this will be found sufficient bottom-heat for Vines and nearly all other plants. On this point I am glad to endorse the views of such a distinguished Grape and Melon grower as Mr. Wildsmith. I also agree with his conde half-and-half borders. It is difficult to conceive how this great source of bottom-heat, the ground-floor of vineries and other houses, has so seldom been utilised. Anywhere, almost anyhow, outside has been preferred to the inside. And yet the floors of vineries afford ample space for borders. No doubt they are often washed into mud or sodden into sourness, but all that is readily altered, and no one can contend that as good borders may not be as easily formed and kept rich and good inside as out. They are also far more under control. Heat is provided for them by the operation of natural laws, that cost nothing to enforce. The supply of water may be adjusted at pleasure, food may be given or withheld as wanted, drainage and aeration are more easily managed on inside borders than out. More, inside borders are helpful to the tops ; their surfaces are better evapo- rators of moisture and gaseous food than shelves, pipes, floors, or walls. Nothing seems so grateful or helpful to leaf and stem as the raw loose surface of freshly moved rich soil, such as good Vine borders are made of. Vines ought to have bottom-heat, in fact they will not thrive without it. Late Vines planted outside have their roots sufficiently warmed by the direct solar rays, and the contact of warm air. Early Vines— that is, all that are expected to ripen their fruit before May or June, or early in July— may have sufficient bottom- heat without cost by simply growing them wholly in borders inside the houses in which the tops are grown. If any Vine-grower knows any valid reason, or just cause or impediment, why Vines will not do as well or better in inside borders than out, perhaps he will now be good enough to declare it, or for ever after hold his peace, and grow his early Vines in inside borders from this time forth, and thus obtain his bottom-heat for nothing. D. T. FUh. P.S. —Since writing the above I observe that Mr. Henderson, one of the oldest and best Grape growers, objects to inside borders, on the ground that they are mostly faulty, as is proved by the fact that the roots are always trying to get outside. But such objections are readily answered. To contend that outside borders are /<>>-« better than inside, is really to assert that the climate of England is more suitable for Vine roots than the artificial climate of our vineries. All beyond this is matter of making and management ; and if inside borders fail from faults of either, the fault is wholly the cultivator's, for the borders are wholly under his control. As to the roots trying to get out, that is a matter of solar attraction, as Mr. Henderson will find if he makes an outside Vine border on the north side of the vinery— the outside roots will show an equally strong tendency to come in. Besides, roots will generally find and hug walls very closely, and hence their proximity to them is no sure proof that they are trying to get either out or in, but rather that they find it good to be there. New Garden Plants. Dendrobium Petri, n. sp* This is a rather promising, neat Dendrocoryne. Imagine a reduced D. Farmer!, with one or two upright racemes of white flowers and very small bracts. It grows to the height of more than a foot, and its shining stems, as well as the small leaves and racemes, would make a good effect in a dense mass in the eyes of those Orchidists of a refined taste who think white an elegant colour, and prefer- able to the bright colours of the Poppy or Sunflower. It may be compared with the Dendrobium Moorei of Baron von MiiUer, which has much smaller flowers, and in which the lip, in lieu of being rhombiform, is ligulate-acute, with two angulate teeth before the base. There is a peculiar, nearly square callus be- tween the teeth, described as "raised lines." Our species is probably a Polynesian discovery of the zealous traveller, Mr. Peter Veitch, to whom it is dedicated, and who has sent it to the Chelsea nursery. //. G. Rchb. f. io8 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1877. CuRMERiA Wallisii, MasU* This is a new and beautiful stove foliage plant of the Aroid family, of tufted habit, with somewhat spreading stalked leaves of an ovate-oblong slightly oblique form, rounded at the base, acute at the apex, where they are somewhat abruptly prolonged into a short acumen. The margin of the leaf is entire and bordered throughout with a narrow band of white. The midrib is depressed upon the upper, prominent on the lower surface, and from both sides of it proceed in an arching manner to the margin a series of second- ary nerves at short intervals, the intervals being filled with smaller nerves closely crowded together. yellow blotches, the under surface is glaucous, pinkish beneath the green upper surface, paler beneath the yellow spots, the whole sprinkled with minute white dots. The largest leaf seen by us measured about 6 inches in length (not including the stalk), by 3 in breadth, but we have little doubt that these dimensions will be exceeded as the plants increase in vigour. The leaf- stalks are channelled on the upper surface, and measure from i — 2 inches in length, half of that length being occupied by a sheathing base. We refer to the foot-note for the strictly technical characters of the inflorescence, but we may say that they are such as to induce us to place the present plant in the genus Curmeria, a genus founded in the Illustration to Curmeria picturata. The three species may thus briefly be distinguished : — C. picturata, Lind. et Andre, III. Hort. 1873, p. 45, t. 121. — Leaves on short stalks, cordate, with two rounded basal lobes, ovate, or ovate-oblong, pointed, marked along the midrib with a narrow silvery white band. C. Roalii, Mast, in Card. Chron. 1874, p. S04, figs. 159, 160. — Leaves on long stalks, ovate-oblong, rounded or slightly tapering at the base, not cordate, tapering gradually at the apex, and with a few pale yellow scattered blotches on the upper surface. C. Wallisii, Mast, infra. — Leaves on short stalks, slightly oblique, ovate-oblong, rounded and slightly tapering at the base, abruptly acuminate at Fig. 16.— curmeria wallisii. (spathe, spadix, and leaf, nat. size.) face of stamens, enlarged lo diameters, c, Elevation and sections of ovary and sligma, enlarged 20 diameters. The ground colour of the upper surface is of 3. rich velvetty green, broken up by irregularly map-like Curitteria Wallisii, Mast,, sp. nov, — Acaulis rhizomate latico : foliis patentibus 6-pollicaribu5 et ultra, ;, petlolis 1—2 poll, long, maxima pro parte vaginan- uperne anticeque canaliculatis a latere compressis, glabris superne intense viridibus irregulariter aureo- subtus pallidioribus glauceseentibus ovato vel obo- o-oblongis t ' ■ ■ ' pallide punic itundatis apice breviter subitoqui rginatis ; spatha brevi pedunculata 3- poll. long, basi convoluta ventrii medium parum aperta, apice bre' maculis albidis minimis conspersa, . . spatha vi.x breviore undique floribus obtecti. — Flores fere omnino ut in congenerlbus. Hujusce generis species tres sunt descripta: nempe— i. Cur- meria picturata, Lind. et Andrd, ///. Hort. 1873.1, 121. Foliis patentibus ovato-oblongis basi cordatis medio-argenteo-tascialis. 2. C. Raeztii, Mast, in Card. Citron. 1874, p. 804, figs. 159, j6o, Foliis erecto-patentibus longe petiolalis obloogo-acumi- natis basi rotundatis. 3, C. IValtisii, Mast, ut supra, Foliis patentibus brevi-petiolatis ovato-oblongis obliquis deltoido- ■ i basi angustatis insigniter aureo-maculatis. Hoi-ticok, 1S73, p. 45, t. 121, by MM. Linden and Andic, on the plant known as C. picturata, and to which we were enabled to add a second species, C. Roezlii, in these columns— 1874, p. 804, figs. 159, 160. The present plant, like the last mentioned, is a native of Colombia, whence it was introduced by Mr. Wallis, as the C. Roezlii was by the collector whose name it bears. All three species were introduced to commerce by Mr. W. Bull. C. Wallisii has at first sight much resemblance to C. Roezlii, but is very superior to it as a garden plant, from the brightness and elegance of its variega- tion. It difTers also in its relatively broader, more ovate, more abruptly pointed leaves, and especially in its shorter leaf-stalk, the relative shortness being especially observable in the petiole proper, or that portion which intervenes between the sheathing por- tion of the leaf (the latter not shown in the illustration, fig. 16) and the blade, in this respect approaching the apex, bordered with a white edge, sprinkled above with bright golden blotches. All the species are from Colombia, and have a ' perfume when bruised. M. T, Al. ALFRED SMEE. We avail ourselves of the opportunity afforded us by the pubUcation of a portrait of the late Mr. Alfred Smee to give a few additional particulars of his career. Educated at St. Paul's School and King's College, London, he pursued his medical studies at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. This is not the place to dilate upon his strictly professional labours ; it must suffice to say that he early attained eminence as a lecturer and teacher in surgery, and held many appointments in connection with medical i 27, 1877.1 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 109 To the last he retained his position as surgeon to the Bank of England, where his father had been Accountant-General. Mr. Smee himself, in conjunc- tion with the engineer, Mr. Hensman, and the printer, Mr. Coe, devised and brought out the present form of the Bank of England notes and cheques ; while his professional knowledge made him a valuable coadjutor in various life insurance offices and similar institutions. Of one of these, the Gresham, which has altained a foremost position, he was original founders. The bent of his mind turned to chemical and electrical studies, he published various memoirs, but which subject he will probably be longest by the form of battery known as Smee's battery. His scientific attainments were speedily recognised, for he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society at the un- usually early age of 23, while the Society of Arts awarded him a gold medal in recognition of his in- of th( s early embered all plans for the increase and dissemination of know- ledge was manifested in many ways, among others in the establishment of educational lectures at the London Institution, of which he was a Vice- President. In conjunction with Sir James Hannen, Jlr. Justice Pollock, and other old Paulines, he succeeded, more- over, in modifying the scheme of the Educational Commissioners for the reorganisation of St. Paul's School. His love for Nature was a veritable passion. Many years ago the Fern-cases in his dwelling-house in Finsbury Circus were as remarkable, and attracted almost as much attention, as those of the late N. B. Ward. The writer of these lines well remembers the time when he was in the habit of passing and repassing the windows in Finsbury Circus, with the sole object of ascertaining what were the species that throve under such disadvantageous circumstances. In later years Mr. Smee became possessor of an extensive garden at Wallington, near Croydon, and here, having wider luxuries of a greenhouse, a fernery, a stove, or a vinery. Mr. Smee's " poor man's houses" exactly realise this ideal. They are sufficient to give profit, pleasure, nay, luxury to the mere labourer. Of course it is not to be expected that the keeping or the condition of the houses, or of the plants in them, would satisfy a head gardener on a ducal estate, but from the point of view of the proprietor they are all that could be desired or expected, and relatively to the outlay we should not be surprised if the produce were larger, as the pleasure to the proprietor was certainly greater, than in establishments of greater pretensions. Insects, fishes, birds, fossils, nothing came amiss to the hospitable proprietor of this garden. How keen his interest, how great his delight in these matters, is evidenced in his work, lily Garden, reviewed in these pages at the time of publication. This work is illus- trated with a profusion of excellent woodcuts, and in its wide extent of knowledge and genuine sympathy vention of Smee's battery, and of his metallurgical researches. His publications were indeed numerous and varied, displaying great industry, unwearying energy, a wide general knowledge of many subjects, an intimate acquaintance with a few, and a vivid imagination, which led sometimes to hasty in- ferences and fallacious analogies. Of this his papers on the Potato murrain, and the aphides which accom- pany or are consequent upon it, afford notable proof. It is, however, certain that, however much mistaken he might have been in this matter, full justice was never done to the acuteness of his observations, and even now the important though subsidiary part that aphides play in the destruction of the Potato, and which was first published by him, is hardly sufficiently recognised. Alfred Smee was, indeed, a genuine enthusiast, actuated by the highest principle and deepest sym- pathy for science, but so hurried on by the fervour of his disposition that the careful and patient spirit which characterises the highest type of the man of science was overpowered by the rapid insight wliich characterises the man of genius. Ills sympathy with scope, he devoted himself with characteristic zeal to the formation of a garden, which, if such an expression may be used, is encyclopedic. It contains something of everything. Though the surface is flat, landscape effects and artistic surprises are numerous. The visitor passes in a moment from a bold bit of lake scenery to a tiny Fern-clad ravine, through which meanders a crystal stream laving as it goes a host of lovely bog- plants ; a turn, and the visitor is in a Rose garden, or admiring a choice collection of alpines. Now long shady walks invite attention, now the treasures of the herbaceous border attract notice. Nor is the more utilitarian part of gardening omitted —on the contrary, it is in places somewhat too obtrusively prominent. Be this as it may, the collec- tion of vegetables, and specially of fruit trees, is very remarkable. No mere amateur's collection within our experience rivalled this one in extent and variety. As to the houses and garden structures they are numerous and efficient. They have no architectural pretensions, indeed one object of the proprietor was to show how at a comparatively very slight expense men of very moderate means might enjoy the pleasures and for all natural objects is a worthy exponent of the author's character. Its range is wide rather than deep, but it is impossible not to catch from its pages some of the enthusiasm of the writer. As an encyclo- paedic treatise for the amateur as distinguished from the professional gardener, we know of none to approach this. At the Royal Horticultural Society, of which Mr. Smee was for a time member of Council, President of the Fruit, and member of the Scientific Committee, Mr. Smee's sympathies were always strongly and unmistakeably on the side of pure horticulture. Though his schemes and proposals were, we believe, not always sufficiently practical to commend them- selves to his associates in the Council, yet no man had a sounder, juster notion of what the proper functions ofahorticultural society should be. His public addresses on the scope and duties of the Royal Horticultural Society, and on the paramount necessity of making it a scientific and not a merely fashionable Society— of fostering its powers for the public good rather than for the frivolous pleasure of the few— were always no less sound and sensible than they were energetic. Hi THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1S77. liberality of spirit and genial hospitality were marked characteristics, so much so, that few men had a larger circle of friends, or was more beloved by them than he. It may perhaps be allowable to allude to his garden parties, and to the much-appreciated hospita-, lity he showed to his English fellow-jurors in Florence at the time of the Botanical Congress in that city. Alfred Smee died on January II, and was buried on January 16 at Beddington, within sight of the garden of which he has given a history, which may fairly compare with that which White gave of his parish at Selborne. Mr- Smee leaves a widow, a daughter married to Professor Odling, the eminent chemist, and a son who follows with no uncertain step in his father's foot- steps. Jfoitigii Corrtspankiite. Botanic Garden, Grahahstown, South Africa : Die. 13, 1876. — In an article on Encepha- lartos Altensteinii, which appeared in the Gardeners' Chronicle ol September 23, 1S76, it is stated that the trunks are " quite glabrous, and marked with three- or somewhat four-sided scars, indicating the place from -whence former leaves have fallen auiav." Now, I must beg to say that the words in italics are incorrect, as not more than a fourth part of the scars to be found on the trunks of the species in question ever bore [perfect] leaves. Quite half of the whole length of the trunks of those species of Encephalartus with which I am ac- quainted were formed in advance of the leaves ; and in the case of E. Altensteinii, spaces of from 4 to 6 inches in length are to be found, at more or less regular intervals, the whole length of the trunk, which spaces were formed as stated. It is pretty well-known that the Encephalarti have periods of partial rest after the production of a set of fronds, but the resting is more apparent than real. Close inspection will show that active work is going on the whole time. It will be seen that the bases of the last-formed leaves are receding from the apex of the trunk, and that a cone, clothed with woolly scales, is taking the place of the leaves. At length the period for the production of new fronds again comes round, and one result ol the growth of leaves will be, to force out into line with the older portion of the trunk the said cone of scales, thereby adding some 4 or 6 inches to the height of the plant. It is obvious that the above facts have some bearing on the question of the great length of time that some newly-imported trunks of Encephalartos are before producing fresh leaves, and an importer may, from the position of the last set of fronds, and the width of the cone of scales from the base of the fronds to the apex of the cone, form some idea as to when new fronds may be expected to appear. E. Tidmarsh, Florists' Flowers. Cyclamen persicum.— Do we fully realise the fact that the Persian Cyclamen is really and truly an autumn and winter flowering plant ? Years ago, when the old system of drying-olf in summer and almost roasting the bulbs to death in hot weather, in order, as it was supposed, to drive them into bloom in spring, it was thought to be a floral feat to have the flowers as early as February and March ! A more judicious treatment has happily supervened, though it is as yet only imperfectly understood, for not long since a journal accustomed to include horticultural matters among its contents was found gravely assert- ing that the bulbs must be well dried off in summer if a quantity of flowers were looked for in spring. The roasting process is still followed in some gardening establishments. In order to thoroughly appreciate the glorious decorative value of Cyclamen persicum it should be seen in quantity, as one can see it at Mr. H. B. Smith's, E-iling Dean Nursery, where, at the begin- ning of the month, some 10,000 plants were gathered together, a large majority of them for market pur- poses. There they were in the long, low, span-roofed houses peculiar to places where plants are grown for market, presenting an unbroken surface of varied colours, not in monotonous patches of white, purple, pink, &c., but mingled together, and presenting a most charming floral aspect. The greater number of the plants were in 4S-pots, and they were blooming with great freedom ; the number of flowers on some of them was perfectly astounding, plants sixteen months from the seed-beds were producing something like 200 blossoms. They were carefully counted, so that no error of calculation might occur. And not only does the Cyclamen remain a long time in flower, but it is also invaluable for furnishing cut blooms, and they last a considerable time in water. As far as the improvement of the cyclamen is con- cerned in the direction of form and colour, Mr. H. B. Smith is doing good service to floriculture. He has originated some purple and crimson flowers of great richness of colours, the petals large, broad, and stout, some exceedingly pretty pink and pale rose shades, and some pure white flowers of high-class quality. The culture of the Cyclamen, as followed at Ealing Dean, appears to be of a simple character. The seed ripened in June and July is sown in August, in pans of light rich sandy soil, plunged in bottom-heat, and by the end of November the seedlings are pricked off into 6o-pots, about fifteen plants in a pot, and still kept in a warm moist temperature. In February they are potted singly into small "Long Toms," and still kept close under glass ; the next shift is into 60-pots, and finally into 48's in the month of May. They then go out-of-doors into cold frames, where they are kept growing, being freely watered, shaded from hot sun, and sprinkled overhead. There is no resting space, and the plant does not require any. It was stated by Mr. Smith that he had this season raised 11,000 seedlings, and they abounded on every hand. The soil used for the Cyclamen is a light loam and leaf-mould, and a little sand. If the loam be at all heavy, a little peat should be mixed with it to keep it open. Good drainage is indispensable. The first batch of plants is sent to market in November, and the supply is continued as long as there are plants to send. R. D. C|e filla iarbeir. Orchard House. — There is no reason why an orchard-house should not form a part of the gardening arrangements of a Villa residence ; and we make this statement while fully aware that the system of orchard- houses has not made the headway that it was at one time confidently expected it would. Orchard- houses, like almost every other horticultural venture, liave found their advocates and their opponents ; the t-ros and cons have been put with singular vigour, and they have been as vehemently supported as they have been contemptuously denounced, and probably, after all, the truth has lain somewhat midway between the two. It is very often the case in disputed matters that the happy medium is frequently the best point of advantage. We are always contending that, the Villa Garden being generally restricted in extent, should jet be made as full of interest as possible. Thus it is we are found advocating the Villa orchard-house. High authorities have frequently been found writing and speaking against small orchard-houses, but in apparent defiance of these — high authorities are oftentimes not a whit more infallible than little ones — we yet advocate a small orchard-house. What shall be the form of the orchard-house ? It can be either span-shaped— that is, with an ordinary ridge roof sloping on either side from the middle of the ridge — or it may be a lean-to against a north, east, or west wall. The span-roofed house is perhaps to be preferred, but a very useful orchard-house can be had in the form of a lean-to. We do not decry large orchard-houses, but consider small ones the best for an ordinary Villa residence, where space is somewhat restricted. The orchard-house need not be lofty. In a small house the trees would be in pots, as there would scarcely be accommodation for standard trees planted out, and as the pot trees should be as near the glass as possible, the roof should be low, for the fruit must not be too far from the glass, if we would have it finely flavoured and highly coloured. A certain height must be had, and the breadth of the house must be regulated as much by the necessities of free circulation within as by the strength of the house to bear gales of wind, if the house occupies an open and exposed position, or is subject to a weight of snow on the roof. Vv'hether the house have a framework of brick, or is wholly of wood, revolving wooden shutters should be fixed in the walls to admit of plenty of ventilation when it is desirable to give it. Whether it be a span-roofed or a lean-to house, let there be some 4 feet of supporting wall of brick or woodwork, and on the top of this a foot or iS inches of a strong glass frame, from the top of which the roof should spring. Top ventilation, i.e., means of ventilating in the ridge of the roof when required, mu^t be pro- vided. Such a house — of which this is but a bare outline — is simple in construction and efficacious v/hen properly managed. It would not possess the architectural elegance found in a greenhouse or con- servatory, but if kept clean and painted would never be an unsightly object from the dwelling-house. In the case of a lean-to house the wall at the back might be utilised for cordon Peaches and Nectarines, Vines, &c., planted out at the proper time in a well- prepared border, but the Vines must not be allowed to cover too much of the roof to the exclusion of the sun from the plants beneath. Supposing a house such as we have sketched be built, the next thing is the matter of furnishing it. Nurserymen invariably keep a collection of orchard- house trees in pots— for we are proceeding on the principle that the plants will be in pots — and the following varieties of Peaches are well suited for orchard-house culture :— Early York, Grosse Mi] nonne, and Royal George ; Nectarines— Pitmasic Orange and Hunt's Tawny; Plums — Jefferson, Green Gage, McLaughlin's Gage, and Standard of England ; and the Moorpark Apricot. This selection can added to with desirable varieties, and also with suit- able selections of Apples and Pears, if it should be desired to include these in the collection. The trees should {when purchased) be fairly well set with fruit-buds, and repotted in a suitable compost October or November last. At this time of the year the pots should be well bedded in leaves, as a protection from frost. We are dealing with a cold orchard-house : hence the neces. sity for keeping frost from the pots. The leaves may come just above the rims of the pots, and when it desirable to examine the plants in case any requii water, the leaves can be drawn on one side, and replaced when the task is finished. Nothing has yet been said as to pruning the trees, and excepting that two or three of the early Peaches are put into a gentle heat of say 45°, to get them a little forward— in which case the necessary pruning must be done before the plants are removed there — the general pruning need not be done till the end of January. It should not be delayed later, for it law in practical horticulture "the sooner a shoot is pruned the stronger will it break." If any delay be made in the pruning, it should be in the case of plants that have put forth a gross growth ; delay in this case has been found to impose a slight check on the plants, and, further, a well-known cultivator of orchard- house trees has remarked that "as a rule too much wood is left on orchard-house trees, and they produce too many flowers. Cultivators are far too anxious to secure a fine and plen show of bloom, forgetting that, the greater the quantity of bloom, the more trying it is for the plant, and the less likely are the flowers to set. A Peach tree in a i2-inch pot, for instance, with fifty or 100 flowers upon it, is just as good (if not better), and will produce as good a crop, as one with ten times the amount. In pruning, therefore, it is well to bear this in mind — that every flower-bud, if properly deve- loped, will produce a fruit, and that only a few (if Peaches, one on each shoot) are required. Excepting where it is needed for the formation of the tree, the shoots of Peaches, &c., in pots, or all bush and pyra- mid specimens, should not be left more than 2 or 3 inches in length. Where the trees were closely pinched during the past year, the twiggy ends only require 1 be cut oft. Care must be taken at all times to prune direct to a wood-bud, which may be known by being much more slender and pointed than the flower-buds. Where no wood-buds are to be found, the shoots must be kept at lull length if they cannot be dis- pensed with." And lastly, while the weather is so mild, and there is such a tendency on the part of plants of all kinds to come forward quickly, the house should be kept open night and day, so as to retard the trees as much as possible. January 27, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS'- CHRONICLE. PLANT HOUSES. Plant Stove. — Plants of Dracaenas, Crotons, Theophrasta imperialis, Cupania filicifolia, Sphrero- gyne and Cyanophyllum, that were headed down at the close of last summer will now have broke suffi- ciently to permit of their being partially shook out. Two-thirds of the ball ought to be reduced, and a con- siderable portion of the small roots be cut away ; they should then be put in pots about half the size of those previously occupied. Crotons will colour best if potted in good yellow loam, for the others peat is preferable. These are all water-loving sub- jects, therefore the soil must have a liberal; admixture of sand, and the pots be well drained. The whole of the above plants, with the exception of the Crotons, are far the best confined to a single stem, conse- quently the strongest and best placed shoots should be retained ; and any others that have broke should be taken off with a small heel and struck. When potted from this time onwards they should be kept where they will get as much light as possible, otherwise they will be half spoilt by the young growth being drawn up weakly, and the leaves will have neither strength, colour, nor substance to retain their vitality more than half the time they ought to do, and the plants will soon become naked at the bottom and unsightly. The advantage of heading down such things as these early in the autumn is that they break during the winter and are ready for the shaking-out process, repotting, and commencing growth as early at this time of the year as there is any increase of heat and light, and by this means have a much longer season and better opportunity of making handsome plants before the autumn ; but any specimens of the above, or things of a similar character that require thus cut- ting down, and were not operated upon in the autumn, should be headed back without delay, otherwise the season gets over without allowing time to make them sightly objects. Where they want more root-room, such things as Ixoras, Francisceas, and others that are evergreen, should now be potted, hut they must not be disturbed until their roots are at work. Repotting when the roots are not moving is the most likely thing to cause a plant to get into an unhealthy condition. Though these plants are not tender at the roots, still when potting it will not do to shake them out, or get away the soil to the extent requisite for plants that are deciduous ; only remove such, particularly near the top, that is not occupied by roots. The state of the roots will of course regulate the increase in space given them, if they exist in plenty a larger shift should be given them than where they are not abundant. Let the soil used be quite as warm as the roots of the plants to be potted. Give plenty of drainage, and add a good amount of sand to the soil ; the quantity of water needed by stove plants makes it quite necessary that the soil should be of a description to let it pass off freely. The proportion of sand requisite to be added will, of course, depend upon what the peat contains naturally. Make the soil quite firm by the use of the potting-stick. For evergreen stove plants peat is to be preferred to a mixture of peat and loam. Any Gesneras of the exoniensis and zebrina section now coming into bloom should only have enough heat to make them open ; if they receive more than this they will not be of much u?e for conserva- tory work. If G. Doncklaari and G. Cooperi were dried off in the autumn they may now be started. Pot them in a similar manner to Gloxinias, and put them at the warmest end of the stove. Where desir- able they can be increased by division of the root, like Gloxinias. Keep Bouvardias in a nice warm temperature ; by so doing they will not only bloom freely but make lateral growths, which will come into flower and succeed the main shoots. Stove Begonias ought to be kept at the driest end of the house, and not allowed to get wet overhead with the syringe, or it makes them soft and the flowers last badly in a cut state. Euphorbia jacquini.-eflora will push a second lot of flowers if in cuttmg the first too much of the current season's growth is not removed. Keep the plants, as previously recommended, close to the glass. T. Bairns. FLOWER GARDEN. In most gardens, especially large ones, there is always plenty of work on hand, and 1 have found it advantageous to suit the work to the weather, and to get on with what can be best and most expeditiously done. Should the present dry weather continue, push forward the ground work, which possibly may be in arrear ; wheel manure and leaf-soil on the beds and borders, if the walks are dry and firm ; give the beds a good dressing, and trench wherever it can be done : this is especially required if the soil is light, and in a dry locality the plants always succeed better and want less attention to watering during hot, dry weather in summer. Where the ground is more re- tentive, and the subsoil deeper, manure may be more sparingly used : leaf-soil mixed with sharp sand or road-scrapings will greatly assist in making the ground of a more pliable texture. As tlie days lengthen potting may be proceeded with ; Coleus, Iresine, Alternantheras, Heliotropes, and things of that description which have been kept in store pots, had better be potted singly in small pots, and if placed in a moist warm pit or frame for a i^vi days will soon root, when they should be gradually given a little more air ; plants thus treated will give a plentiful supply of cuttings. Where a large stock of those plants are required continue propagating until the end of March, or even later ; there will still be sufficient time to prepare and harden off the plants before bedding-out time. Ivy-leaved, variegated, and sweet-scented Pelargoniums may be potted off first, as they take longer time to fill their pots than the strong growing sorts, which may be left until the others are all finished. Make preparations for sowing seeds in pots or boxes according to the number required of Lobelias and Golden Feather j good strong stuff is always desirable at planting-out time. Attend to sweeping and rolling as circumstances de- mand. T. Blair, Shmbland Park. FRUIT HOUSES. Figs.— If the trees in pots which were introduced into the house about the middle of last month have had the treatment recommended they will be putting forth leaves and fruit simultaneously, and with the ' ' " ■ ■ vth the growths and pinch the shoots at the fourth fifth eye, and take away those which issue from beneath the surface of the soil. At this stage ad- vance the temperature to 55° as a mean at night, and 65° in the daytime. Ventilate early when the state of the house will admit, and plentifully when it is at 80°, providing cold cutting air or wind does not prevail ; syringe the trees and house twice every day, and moisten other surfaces if they become dry. These remarks will likewise apply to the succeeding batch of trees in pots, or otherwise. Should the forcing of this wholesome kind of fruit be contemplated where it is not already practised, no variety out of the numerous varieties in cultivation with which I am acquainted is equal to the Brown Turkey for this purpose, whether the trees be restricted to pots or otherwise, and a good proportion of it should be introduced, even if variety is required. Now is a good time to pot up plants which ultimately are intended for this object ; such plants should be kept free from the effects of frost, and be gently excited in a temperate and dry house towards the end of next month. Use well drained pots, not too large, and soil consisting chiefly of loam, with a little road scrapings or sharp sand added thereto. Geo. T/ios. Mi/c's, IVycomde AMiey. Vines. — Proceed with the removal of surplus bunches in the early house, get all thinning, stopping, and tying finished, and, if necessary, give the inside borders a good watering with tepid liquid manure at a temperature of 85°. Ventilation, particularly after so much dull weather, will require constant attention. Admit a little air every day when the thermometer reaches 70°, and if gentle fires are required to keep up the heat they may be stopped when the house is closed, and syringed about i o'clock P.M. Houses in bloom may be raised to 65° at night, allowing a few degrees more for Muscats. Maintain a steady circu- lation of dry warm air, and assist shy-setting kinds, including Muscats, Alicantes, Mrs. Pince's Black Mus- cat, &c., by artificial fertilisation with Hamburgh pol- len, having previously turned the points of the bunches up to the light. Syringe the rods two or three times a day in succession-houses until the buds have all broken. Tie down the points of gross shoots where they do not break kindly. Discontinue syringing when the bunches are formed, but keep up moisture by damp- ing the walls and mulching. Provide ammonia for all houses at work by the careful introduction of well worked horse-droppings, taking care to leave a chink of air on at night after its introduction. If fer- menting material has been applied to outside borders, means must be taken for keeping up a steady warmth of about 80°, as injury often arises from the abuse rather than the judicious use of these materials. Where a suitable Grape-room has been provided, late fruit which has been properly ripened will keep better in bottles of water than on the Vines. Pruning may be completed without the danger of bleeding ; the Vines may receive a short rest, and the house be utilised for other purposes. Put in Vine eyes ; use well-ripened wood, pot firmly, and let them stanhom the principal were the belter class of market gardeners of London, raising the moredelicatedescriptionsof vegetables, acres of which crops had been destroyed. His (the speaker's) own firm last year estimated their losses at ^2000, and had to burn 12,000 young trees from their planta- tions. At a meeting of the Fulham Board of Wotki held subsequently, Mr. Veitch, together with Mr. Walden, an owner of Osier beds, and several other occupiers of land adjacent to the Thames subject to inundations, made a statement of the grievous losses to which they have been subjected, and to which they are still liable by the rising of the water. Mr. Veitch said the destruction to his property and consequent loss in business would amount to ;^2O0O ; Mr. Steele, market gardener, would lose .^3000 ; Mr. Mather, who had been drawing £^20 a week for Mushrooms, has had all his stock and plant washed away ; Mr. Walden has had all his cut Osiers washed away. There were altogether 180 acres of land under water. The spring, summer, and autumn flower shows of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society will be held on the following dates :— March 28, July 11, and September 12. Some of the Winter Flowering Succu- lents are extremely showy, and seem too little appreciated for floral decoration. In the succulent- house at Kew Crassula lactea was prominent in flower a short time since. Echeveria lulgens is just now very attractive, and likely to be so for tome time. Kalanchoe laciniata has been very ornamental for several weeks. The bright yellow flowers remind one of Chlora perfoliati, and these, with the peculiarly cut leaves, form a novel and striking specimen. Senecio macroglossus is much to be valued among succulents as a winter-flowering climber. The flower- heads are bright yellow, and in point of size perhaps second only to S. pulcher. The leaves so closely resemble Ivy as to afford much interest from that circumstance. The Hollyhock Disease has proved so destructive to the stock of Hollyhock plants at the Saffron Walden Nurseries, that Mr. Chater has been driven to adopt means to mitigate as far as possible the severity of its attacks. Last season Mr. Chater adopted a plan which, he reports, has answered admirably ; and indeed the results far ex- ceeded his most sanguine expectations. In the early autumn of 1875 large trenches were dug, similar to Celery trenches. The bottom was forked up, and a good dressing of decomposed manure was worked in, and the soil laid up rough, to be pulverised and rendered workable by the winter frosts. In these trenches the Hollyhock plants, to stand the were planted out, but previous to doing so the soil in the trenches was again forked over, mixing in with it the sides of the trenches also. Here the plants grew rapidly, and with great freedom, and, as Mr. Chater remarks, *'I obtained from them some of my finest flowers, which quite reminded me of past seasons, before the fungus made its appearance. Several of my new varieties came from these rows. The growth of the plants during the season was worth seeing." These plants were free from the disease, and at taking- up time they were quite healthy, have kept so all the winter, and they are furnishing a supply of young plants for sale in the spring, and Mr. Chater is depending on these for material on which to found a spring catalogue. By some such perseverance, by thinly planting the Hollyhocks, by putting the plants in exposed situations, and mulching them during summer, Mr. Chater hopes to be able to overcome the disease eventually. It does appear true that the moibter the season the less marked is the disease, and the more vigorous the growth of the plant the greater is the resistance to its advance. This system of grow- ing the plants in highly manured trenches suppl invigorating soil, coolness and moisture at the and the mulching maintains a surface assistance which must exercise a beneficial influence. ich 1 ■ ■ The question of the Effect OF Cold String Water on Plants growing in a high temperature has again been raised by a correspondent of the Rtvue Horlkole, whose experiments convinced him that plants thrive equally well under cold-water treatment, as when water at the temperature of the atmosphere of the house is given to them. He conducted his experiments during the months of January and February last year. Two pans each of the seeds of a variety of plants, ranging from hardy indigenous species to tropical ones, were sown at the same time and subjected to exactly the same condi- tions with the exception of the difference in the temperature of the water. In the one case it was taken from the tubs exposed to the outside tempe- rature, and in the other it was applied at the same temperature as the atmosphere of the house. The writer adds that his experience leads him to prefer spring water to water taken from the river Seine, for syringing, especially for solt-wooded plants. How far this treatment will answer, practical experience alone can prove, but there is no doubt that plants will flourish under widely different conditions in respect of the^ temperature of the soil. We have seen, for example, one part of a large Grape Vine, whose roots were all outside, in a house where it was usually started into growth at the beginning of the year, and the other part outside on a raised trellis on a slate roof, each bearing a good crop of fruit in its season. Another remarkable fact is the very high temperature some plants will bear without injury. The Botanische Zciliiii« lately called atten- tion to the almost forgotten observations bearing upon this subject recorded by Humboldt in his Reise in die Aeijuittoctialzegeitdtn dis Naten Continents. Carefully read, the temperature of the water of a hot spring in Caraccas was 90°.03 of the Centigrade scale, or above 194° Fahrenheit, and the travellers were not a little surprised at the luxuriant vegetation immediately around and overhanging this almost boiling cauldron. Fig trees, delicate feathery-leaved Mimosas, and a variety of other plants continually exposed to the vapour, and whose roots extended into mud at a temperature of 185° Fahrenheit, exhibited the most beautilul verdure. An arborescent Aroid was actually growing in the centre of a pool of slush which gave a temperature of 158°. We might add that some indi- viduals of the human family swallow, with apparent impunity, beverages at almost any temperature between the freezing and scalding points. At a recent meeting of the Horticultural Society of Berlin a report was read on the results of the deliberations of a committee previously appointed to consider the means of providing YouNG Gardeners with a more complete Education than is at present within their reach. The report includes a scheme of a course of practical and theoretical instruction, which if carried out must prove a great boon to the gardening community. Even now probably no country can pro- duce a belter educated set of gardeners than Germany, and there is no doubt that there are fewer quite ilHte- rate men among her good practical gardeners than would be found in this and some other countries. The January 27, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 115 committee, consisting chiefly of some of Ihe foremost gardeners of Berlin, whose report was unanimously adopted, recommended the Society to petition the Minister (or Agricultural Aflairs to assist them in founding a high school for gardeners. It is unnecessary to say more than that the course of instruction proposed should confer a very liberal education. Candidates must have previously worked at least twelve montlis in some garden or nursery, and, after three years' instruction at the high school, undergo an examination — those who pass the exami- nation to have the preference in filling up vacancies in all state appointments. Another subject before the Society was the formation of an arboretum and shrubbery in the vicinity of Berlin, with a special view to the instruction of the public in the selection of trees and shrubs suitable to the climate and other conditions. This is real horticultural work, and of more service than an extravagant number of expensive shows. Reading the history of our own Society, we are struck with the fact that too much wealth has been the cause of most of its disasters, as well as the neglect of the more modest yet more useful duties of such a society. The West of England Rose Show is fixed to take place at Hereford on Thursday, July 6. ■ We hear that the National Rose Society is making good progress, and there is no doubt that after the next meeting, when the schedule for the show is arranged, and a fuller programme of its intended operations is circulated, it will have a large accession of members. Several well-known rosarians in different parts of the country have consented to act as local secretaries, and to advance the interests of the Society in their neighbourhoods. An excellent example of a highly successful Mushroom Bed can now be seen at The Elms, Acton, the residence of C. O. Ledward, Esq. Mr. J. liErPER, the gardener at The Elms, is a well-known exhibitor at the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society, and at the one held on the 17th inst. he sent some baskets of Mushrooms of line quality. They were grown in an ordinary Mushroom-house, the bed having been spawned on November 23, and the first crop of Mushrooms was gathered the week after Christmas. The bed presented an extraordinary sight a few days ago, for the Mushrooms were produced all over it in dense clusters. It is said that the mild, close weather has been eminently favourable to the pro- duction of heavy crops of Mushrooms ; still there were evidences that the bed had been skilfully managed, and the large crop was owing to its excellent con- struction. Mr. Hepper's method may not differ ma- terially from that of other growers, but it may perhaps be useful to some to set it forth. The manure from the stable is mixed with three or four barrowsful of road scrapings, and then shaken up well three or four times till thoroughly heated ; it is then taken into the house, placed in the wooden bed, and well rammed down into it. This occupies one day. The next day the bed is spawned by placing the pieces of spawn in the hot dung to the depth of 3 or 4 inches, and then the usual covering of soil is spread over it. A good loam \i used, not sifted as is recommended by some, but simply crumbled small. Directly the bed is spawned it is at once put to work, and the temperature kept up to 90° for three weeks, and then altered to 65° or 70°, and ultimately reduced to 55°. This bed affords a constant supply, for two months at least, of such Mushrooms as a gardener may be proud to place on his employer's table. The annual exhibition of the Richmond (Surrey) Horticultural Society is announced to be held in the Old Deer Park on Thursday, June 28. We hear that Mr. Wills has retired from his post as Floral Director of the Westminster Aquarium. The permanently planted specimens have had to suffer about as great hardships and tor- ture as ever fell to the lot of plants, and the destruction from the effects of gas and a dry dusty atmosphere on the costly Tree Ferns, Palms, and other plants, is lamentable to witness. In spite of these disadvantages Mr. Wills has contrived to the last to make a bright display of flowering plants, and a few days since the place was gay with Hyacinths and other spring flowers. About 40,000 flowering plants have been used during the season. Certainly the Aquarium is not the place to grow plants in, and it is no better adapted to show them in. • There was again a very full attendance at the monthly dinner of the Horticultural Club, at 4, Adelphi Terrace, on Wednesday last. Subjects of interest were discussed, and the following members elected :— George P. Ilawtrey, Lanley Place, Slough ; James Boyd, Paisley, N.B. ; and E. Dixon, Covent Garden. • We learn from M. Linden, of Brussels, that the Adiantum speciosum noticed and figured by us at p. 41, and described as having been sent out by Messrs. Veitch & Sons, was introduced by him. It came from the neighbourhood of Huancabamba, in Peru, and the stock was disposed of to Messrs. Veitch & Sons, by whom it was distributed. M. Linden also informs us that another fine species of Maidenhair Fern, A. peruvianum, imported by him from Moyobamba, was disposed of in a similar way to the Messrs. Veitch. We are glad to be able, in making this rectification, to give more definitely the habitats of the plants, which are two of the finest species of Adiantum in cultivation. The Royal Horticultural Society.— Since I was illegally deprived by the Society of a Life Fellow- ship granted for horticultural services, I have seldom adverted to its doings, or those of its supporters. It seemed more consistent with one's sense of self-respect to retire into the background and allow time to do its work in renovating the old Society or launching a new one. However, your oft-repeated remarks upon the devotion of horticulturists to the old Society as assumed to be proved by the good display at the little or great shows at South Kensing- ton, suggests the utterance of some serious thoughts that have often occurred to me. You have been strong in the condemnation of the policy of the old Society. Even its last advance of policy — the admission of guinea Fellows denuded of all powers or honour but that of admission to see the wonderful sight the two and four guineaers who have brought the Society to its present disreputable condition shall in their superior wisdom provide for them — has met from you the condemnation which it deserves ; and yet, running parallel with this, every show or other attempt to bolster up the Society in its present state receives the fullest, some call it fulsome, praise. How is this ? Can a wrong be righted by supporting the wrong and praising all who support men or societies In wrong-being or wrong-doing? Is it, or is it not true that the Royal Horticultural Society has sacrificed the credit or the interests of horticulture to gratify a faction or conciliate fashion ? If not this, where is the justice or the wisdom of the charges that are being con- stantly made against it by yourselves and others? And if these charges are true, why should the wisdom or public spirit of all those who support the Society in its said courses be held up to admiration or imitation ? All such praise and such support seem to many of us to render reform more difticult, and reconstruction almost impossible. It seems quite a new doctrine virtually to advocate that the best way to remedy an evil is to support it to the utmost of your ability. This is what all those who are making efforts to up- hold the Society as it is seem to many of us to be doing. The public in this matter who stand aloof from the shows are probably better friends to horticulture than the horticulturists who, no doubt with the best intentions, hasten to make the exhibitions successful. There can hardly be a doubt that, as long as these and other sources of revenue are available, the Society will adhere to its present policy. Now that all other legitimate means of reforming have been tried to little purpose, the time seems opportune and ripe for a new policy on the part of horticulturists, which might be formed thus : — Either make the Society in fact as in name, horticultural in government, fellowship, policy, or no more horticultural products shall be forthcoming to support it ; this would quickly starve the Society into submission or ruin. We have heard about the old ship ad nauseam : if she will consent to be over- hauled, and if need be new manned, and above all will take a new tack, well ; but if not, the sooner she founders the better. A larger vessel, with sounder timbers, tauter rigging, and much wider spread of canvas, is needed to do justice to the horticultural wants and capacities of the present day. Adaptation, enlargement, or recon- struction, these call for the earnest consideration of every true horticulturist. But all attempts at tinker- ing or bolstering up a Society simply because it exists, and that wholly by its own faults— which it still per- sists in— got into bad repute, is a policy wholly unworthy of the commanding genius and wonderful business and common-sense capacities of horti- culturists. D. T Fish. *' Oh, most lame and impotent conclusion !" — after all that is past, the Council thrown back into the arms of the South Kensington ensnarer, and the Society to continue its existence as a parasite on a rich London district. Is it not about time to form a new Society — a national society of horticulture — which will be maintained by the now great and every-day-increasing body of the horticulturists of the country ? I have too many ties to the old Society, and too many friends among those who work it, to make me like to take an active part in raising a new one; but if any com- petent, energetic man will come forward, who, partly for the love of horticulture, and partly for an occupa- tion and a post, is disposed to work the matter, I will show him that there is abundance of power and will through the country, which only wants being brought together and organised to make a great Society ; and meanwhile, as there may be another turn of the wheel, and the Council may be driven to seek their main support from the more earnest horti- culturists, let me beg those who are collecting names of would-be guinea Fellows of the Society when free, to increase rather than relax their exertions. George F. Wilson. I have noticed a few remarks from the pen of Dr. Hogg in the Standard of January 20, and pre- sume they may be taken as the official utterances of the Council, and there are one or two points in them that appear to be of very considerable interest at this moment. I will assume that the statement respecting the debentures being a charge against the surplus income after payment of its expenses only is a satisfac- tory one. This leads me at once to ask. What have our Councils in times past been doing ? Should not the first moneys they had have been placed to the credit of their rent account? I know my landlords have always given me pretty clearly to understand that the first duty of the tenant is to provide for their calls to the moment, but here, accord, ing to the Secretary's own words, the Council have been guilty, to say the very least, of a great piece of folly in paying the interest of the debentures on some occasions, which he says are only an after-charge, and leaving the whole of the Society's property at South Kensington at the mercy of our landlords, whom he sees reason to think will assert their authority, and bid us depart bag and baggage. Viewed in the mildest light, it is about as unbusiness-like a way of acting as one can conceive, and I feel pretty sure they must have great doubts as to the real status of the debenture-holders to have acted in this way ; for if not, they would seem to have acted disloyally in paying an after-charge, and leaving a debt unpaid on which, it might be said, the very existence of the Society seems to depend. The Secretary further states that the -Council, in total opposition to the vehement and oft-expressed opinion of the great body of the horticultural Fellows, are again coquetting with the South Kensington interest. We are once more to have the gardens kept up in their dreary splendour — we are to have promenades, bands, &c. All this has been tried before, and did not pay. Why, then, will they try to exist on the traditions of the past ? Why do not they recognise the necessity of moving with the times ? It is useless to go over again all the old sores, heartburnings, and discontents without a satisfactory issue from them seeming pos- sible. I sincerely hope in Mr. Wilson's scheme of reconstruction he will not forget to make some proper provision for the nomination, as well as the election, of members for the Council, &c. Our present form of receiving a printed notice of the names whom the Council recommend to fill the vacancies has long been a source of irritation and discontent to a large body of Fellows, who feel they are led by the nose without the proper power of resistance. A day for nomina- tion prior to the election would change all this, and give some real life and vitality to the impulses of the Society's affairs. Jiohcrt Ptme Glcndhinin^. [The remarks of the Secretary above alluded to have struck consternation into the breasts of the well-wishers to the old Society. We know not what to think, but we trust some explanation may be forthcoming. If not, the labour of the past few years has been indeed labour in vain. Ens,] Double White Hepatica. — In the Gardenirs' Chronicle, Oct. 14, 1S76, p. 494, reference is made to the double white Hepatica. It has been for many years rumoured amongst growers of herba- ceous plants that such a variety existed, but scarcely any one ever saw it. The late Mr. Donald Beaton frequently asked me if I had met with it. I think I can clear away the mystery respecting it. Some years since, when in the employment of Messrs. Hugh Low & Co., the late Mr. Hugh Low requested me to pot a quantity of double blue Hepaticas just to hand. I did so, and they were plunged in coal-ashes on the north side of a wall ; most of them flowered, showing they were the right variety. Some time in ii6 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1877. June or July following many of them threw up a second lot of flowers, every one of which were pure white and double, I remember showing some of them to Mr. Low. This 1 think does away with the double white Hepatica as a distinct variety, as all the plants that were not sold produced double blue flowers the next spring at their natural season of flowering. William Hcah: The Rainfall at Dynevor Castle, Llandilc— It may interest some of your readers to see the amount of rain we have had in the west part of Carmarthen- shire : — January, 3,83 inches ; February, 5.84 ; March, 3.93; April, 3.35; May, 0.60; June, 2,59; July, 2.43; August, 6.35; September, 6.40; October, 7.65; November, 5.96; December, 10.69 — 'otal number of inches, 59.62. The number of days on which 0.01 inch or more fell was 201, the greatest fall was on August 2, when 2,48 inches fell ; 2.28 inches also fell on October 8 ; and over i inch fell respectively on eight other days in the year. J. Tice- Imnt, Llandilo. Blackberries. — I think I before have recom- mended your readers to set up a Blackberry bed. The last year I had such a splendid crop, and so much enjoyed them, that I again most warmly recom- mend all who have not yet done so to at once get a stock from Fisher, Holmes & Co., Handsworth, Shefiield, from whom I had mine, with directions for their growth. With the addition of one-third Ber- berries, or a Lemon or two, they make a delicious tart ; and for a month or six weeks the beds here are always occupied by youngsters (and oldsters also) picking the fruit at a time when there is not much to be had in the garden. In your columns of Sep- tember 4, 1S75, Blackberries were so much com- mended, and again in numberfor November6 "J. J." gives such excellent recipes for jelly, &c., that I feel sure many would much enjoy a row or two of the right sort in their gardens. Fisher & Co. call them " Parsley-leaved," and their leaves are so prettily cut that they are almost worth growing as an ornament, independent of their fruit. The last summer and autumn were with us so dry and burnt up that all bush fruits failed except the Blackberry bed. I should be glad if any of your readers would give their experience of the American kinds, and where they were procured from. W. D. F. Fruiting of Trachelospermum jasminoides. — I have sent to you a few pods of seed of this plant, best known as Rhynchospermum jasminoides (fig. 19). We have several large plants on balloon trellises, they bloomed profusely last April and May, and as the flowers went off large numbers of these pods remained on all the plants. I have grown and flowered these same specimens for some years, and have not noticed their fruiting before, nor do I recollect having seen them in fruit elsewhere ; but for all that the occurrence may not be singular. When the pods are first seen, and for some time after, the tip ends of each pair are united, as in the specimens you will see marked ; after a time they disunite and grow apart. John Wallis, The Gardens, Onaell Park, near Ipnoich . How to Preserve Seeds.— Nearly every one knows to his cost the sad havoc made amongst early sown Peas and Broad Beans by rats and mice ; but, perhaps, all do not know that these pests will not touch any seeds that have been mixed with a little red lead and water before sowing. I have never known this treatment fail to protect Peas, Beans, Radishes, Broccoli, Lettuce, Mustard and Cress, &c., from the ravages of rats, mice, as well as of all kinds of birds. No nets are required for seeds of any kind where red lead is used, and it does not affect the ger- minating power of the seed in the least. It must be powdered lead that is used, and the cost is about ^d. per lb., but the cheapest way of purchasing it is to get a small barrel, and a propagating glass is a handy thing to mix it in. Just enough water should be used to make the lead stick to the seeds ; stir it round until it dries on and sow at once. Jiolierl Cocks, Edenthorfe. Fair Dealing in the Seed Trade.— The conduct of one of our old customers, who succeeded his father, an equally good man, has been so exceptional in a matter of business, and so thoroughly what an Englishman's dealings in business ought always to be, that I consider it is quite worthy of a place in your columns. Your readers may be aware that it has of late years, through absurd competition, been cus- tomary for the seed trade, long before they can possibly know what the harvest may produce, to sell their Peas, Beans, and all kinds ol seed at a specu- lative price, by which legitimate trade is seriously damaged, and, as in this year of a generally deficient harvest, seeds have been sold in the summer at prices considerably less than their real value. The seed has, however, to be delivered at the price sold, whether the seedsman loses by it or not, but if the seeds have been sold at a higher price than they can be bought at after an abundant har- vest, the seedsman is expected to reduce his price, so that he has to sufler in either case. And now for the case of our old customer. He had bought very chtaply and fairly in the autumn at a given price, ihe harvest has been short and the Peas he bought are worth double the price they were sold to him at. In setthng his quarterly account he writes thus : — " January 10, 1877.— As your imperfect knowledge of the value of the Peas in the autumn caused you lo put too low a price on them, I see no reason why I should derive an advantage from the circumstance, and therefore I request to be allowed to pay the worth of them. I have added {, — to your account." If every man in The Rainfall at Alnwick Castle in 1S76.— As the fall of rain during the last year has been in this part much above the average of former years, it may be interesting to some of your readers to know the quantity fallen during the various months, as recorded in the gardens here : — January, 0.88 inch ; Februarj-, 4 23 ; March, 3.13 ; April, 4.40; May, 1.35 ; June, 3 42; July, 1.44 ; August, 2.60; September, 3.74 ; October, 1.96; November, 3.99; December, 8.38: total rainfall in the year, 39.52 inches. The rain gauge stands 178 feet above the level of the sea, and 4 inches above the ground : the funnel is 5 inches diameter. The rain is measured always at 9 A.M. Ahx. Ingram, The Gardens, Alnwick Castle, Jan. 15. Fig. 19. — TRACHELOSPERMUM JASMINOIDES. \, B, Fruit with plumose silky hygrometric paijpus. a, Pappus in moist air. B, Pappus in dry s business would treat his fellow with the same upright, generous, honourable spirit, that our old friend (who has little idea that we are writing of him) has done us, trade would be far more honest, and peaceable, and profitable, and the knaveries and trickeries of business would be unknown. A Sad Merchant. [Surely the names of those who act thus honourably should be made known. Eds.] The Rainfall at Dale Park, Arundel.— The rainfall here for the past year was as follows:— January, 0.60 inch; February, 2.73; March, 3.85 April, 2.20; May, i.I2;June, 1.28; July, 0.S6 August, 3.28 ; September, 6.04 ; October, 1.77 November, 3.47; December, 8.76— total, 35.96 being an excess of 4 38 inches on the previous year R, Sandford. The Best Late Grapes.- Herewith I send you a bunch of each of the three sorts of late Grapes that, in my opinion and experience, have proved to be best — Muscat of Alexandria, Lady Downe's, and Gros Colman. You will observe that Gros Colman is extraordinarily thin-skinned for a late Grape, and that the flavour is by no means second-rate. W. Wild- smilh. [The sample of Lady Downe's was first-rate. Gros Colman was tender and agreeable, but not equal to it in flavour. As always, Muscat of Alexandria comes first. Eds.] Dracaena indivisa. — "J. G. M., Penzance," has mistaken what I wrote respecting this fine plant. I did not say that a specimen g feet high was only two years old, but that it was "about as many (i.e., nine seasons) old ." Nor was that other plant which stood January 27, 1S77. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 117 two winters out on an exposed cliff only two years old, for it was previously a well-established pot-plant, five or six years old, which, as the winds prevented its increasing in height, naturally subdivided into half- a-dozen easily detached portions. We have, in the garden, a very lovely D. australis which has twelve stems, all about equally tall, and spreading out- wards. Such a plant as this would be much re- marked anywhere. But I am pleased to hear that Dracscna indivisa reaches to 12 feet high in Cornwall, for, if so, then here in the Channel Islands we may also look to see it quite as lofty. As yet it is, comparatively, unknown in the November 9 last, Mr. Roberts, gr. to the Countess of Charleville, exhibited some very fine examples of this Grape, three bunches of which weighed 45 lb. 6oz. Mr. Roberts has kindly favoured us with a photograph of the heaviest of the three bunches, which weighed 16 lb. 6 oz., and the form and massive character of this excellent example of Mr. Roberts' skill as a Grape grower is well pourtrayed in the accompanying illustration (fig 20). Mr. Roberts considers his the true variety of Gros Guillaume, which is different to the ordinary forms in cultivation. At the same exhibi- tion Mr, Roberts staged three bunches of Child of Hale, weighing 18 lb., and also a fine sample of Gros -GRO; GUILIAUME GRAPE GROWN BY MR. ROBERTS. islands. Attention has been lately drawn to the beauty of this plant in a contemporary, and young specimens are now being offered for sale at very high prices, so that, considering how readily some parts of the Scilly Isles could be made into nurseries of it, there may be persons willing to do so. But the parti- cular reason of my mentioning the fact of its doing fairly well on the seashore was to show how much less delicate its habit is than is supposed, while on lawns its peculiarly striking appearance would be a desirable feature, even if a little protection were given during the severest weather only. Thos. C. BrlliaiU. The Gros Guillaume Grape.— At the autumn fruit show of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, held in the Exhibition Palace, Dublin, on Colman. For these highly meritorious productions the Council of the Society subsequently awarded Mr. Roberts a silver medal. Eds. Poinsettia Culture.— A simple and successful mode of Poinsettia cultivation that may suit "Enquirer's" convenience came under my notice about twelve years ago, and up to the present time I have not seen a better. Commencing with the ripened plant, which generally swells up its buds about April and May, let these buds be taken off with an inch of the old wood attached and put into 3-inch pots hori- zontally, in a similar manner to Vine eyes, with the point of the bud just level with the surface of the soil. Then plunge into a bottom-heat of about 75° or 80° ; round the sides of a Cucumber or Melon frame is a Capital position. Care should be taken not to let them get too wet until growth commences, which will be in about three weeks. When fairly rooted they should be removed to a cold frame, always kept close to the glass, and never be overcrowded. They may be potted in July into 4 or 5-inch pots, using good loam, with a little well-rotted manure and sand, again placing them in a cold frame close to the glass, and exposed to the light and air till the end of September, when they should be housed and receive a little fire- heat on cold nights. The temperature should never fall below 55°. A little weak guano-water may be given weekly when the pots become filled with roots. Plants grown in this way are stout and very short-jointed, retain their leaves to the pot's edge, and rarely exceed 12 inches in height, with scarlet heads 8 to 12 inches in diameter. If very dwarf plants are required they may be had by later propagation. J. H. Goodacre, EliKutcin. A Question for Vine Grov/ers. — I should feel very much obliged to any of your correspondents who occasionally favour us with their useful and practical remarks on Vine culture in your columns, if they would give me their advice in the following case. I have some very long ranges of Vines, Black Ham- burghs and Muscats, which have been forced for early work for twenty-five years past and have borne good crops during that time. They have received good treatment and have not been over-cropped, but the last few years they have shown signs of getting tired of the forcing, breaking weaker and with less fruit, this being more especially the case with the Hamburghs, the Muscats producing much stronger wood. The borders are outside and on the side of a hill, with porous rocky bottom. They are mulched each year with stable-manure, and now and then the surface-earth is peeled off and replaced with fresh, but the main roots have gone deep, so that this only seems to affect the surface ones. Would there be a chance of bringing them once more into bearing if the old rods were cut down so as to allow a young cane to take their place, or will it be neces- sary to root out the worn-out Vines and plant young canes ? The latter course would be expensive, on account of the loss of crop. I feel sure there must be many whose houses are in a somewhat similar state to mine, and I shall be grateful to any one who will give me a practical hint as to the best course to pursue. E, P., yersey. Luminous Mycelium. — With reference to the letter of " W. G. S." in your last number, I had hoped to have sent him a piece of the luminous mycelium with the fungus upon it. Unfortunately the recent rains have caused a landslip, which brought the whole stump down and covered it with earth ; there were some fragments of luminous wood, but only a small piece of fungus could be recovered. //. King, Chit- hunl, Jan. 22. Euonymus japonicus. — I herewith send you two small branches of fruit of the Euonymus japonicus, or Japanese Spindle Tree. The plant from which I gathered them is 10 feet high and nearly as much through. It is covered with the berries, which have proved useful during the past festive season in the absence of Holly berries. My attention was called during the past summer to a plant growing at Havre des Pas, near the sea, which was then covered with clusters of small greenish white flowers. I have watched that and other plants, all growing in very sheltered situations, and seeing the pretty fruit in such abundance on this particular plant this morn- ing I send it to you. Although I have known this plant more than forty years I never recollect to have seen it in flower or fruit before. It, as well as the golden- leaved variety, is used extensively here for plant- ing hedges with, and answers the purpose admirably where no particular power of resistance is required. Charles B. Saunders, Jersey. Cedars of Lebanon.— In Mr. Evershed's inte- resting article on the Cedar of Lebanon he observes, at p. 40 of the Gardeners' Chronicle — " In Evelyn's Silva of 1664 he does not mention the Cedar of Lebanon, and we may, therefore, be sure that it had not then descended from its Syrian mountain to the congenial level of the banks of the Thames," but though Evelyn in the pages which he devotes to the tree he loved so well by reputation, points to his knowledge of it as not growing then in England, it seems due to his great desire to introduce it to note his endeavours towards its growth. In the opening sentence o( vol. ii. of the Stl-ja he mentions its power of enduring cold *' on the mountains of Libanus, from whence I have received cones and seeds of those few remaining trees. Why, then, should it not thrive in Old England? I know not, save for want of industry and trial." Having got his cones Evelyn appears to have been in no way backwards in his own exertions, for at p. 9, after a description of the trees on "Mount Lebanon," he observes relatively to the ii8 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1S77. culture :—" The seeds dropout of the cones as the Fir and Pine kernels do when the air, sun, or moisture open and unglue the scales, which naturally it else does not in those of the Cedar till the second year, but which after all the preparations of burying in holes in the earth and sand in which they are after to rot, may more safely be done by exposing the clogs discreetly to the sun, or before a soft and gentle fire, or, I think best of all, by soaking them in warm water." How he succeeded he does not mention in his paper dedicated to the Cedar, and in his letter on the "dammage" to his trees by frost of the preceding winter, written April, 16S4 (see Philosophical Trans- aclions, 16S4), and printed in the collection of his mis- cellaneous writings, his remark, when speaking of his " Exotics "—" My Cedars, I think, are lost," may refer to other species. Still whether or not Evelyn was, as Loudon thinks probable, the introducer of the Cedar into England, there is much of interest in the certainty of his having himself imported the cones from Lebanon, and experimented on their treat- ment. O. We have here an old Cedar of Lebanon, variously estimated at from 200 to 260 years old, and which at 4 feet is 19 feet 9 inches in circum- ference. It is in perfect preservation, and the spread of the two longest lateral branches is 92 feet. G. Cmwhurst, Gr. to A. Duncan, Esq., Holbyook, Chislihiirsl. Weather Folk-lore.— It is an old saying with the people round here (Atherstone), "Where the wind is on Martinmas Eve (November n), there it will be the rest of the winter." It has proved true so far — it was south on the Eve, and it has been there most of the time ever since. Another saying is, " When there are two full moons in one month there are sure to be large floods." This also has proved true — there were two full moons in December, and disastrous floods. IV. Brown, Merivale. Condition of Vine Roots. —I am glad to be able to send you some information respecting the condition in which I found the roots of some Vines that I up- rooted here in June, immediately after the fruit was cleared off, in order to replant with young Vmes the same season. These Vines were started at the end of November, and were planted in an inside border with apertures in the front wall to enable the roots to ramble outside at pleasure. When clearing out the old border we found very few living roots inside the house, the greater part, and by far the healthiest, were outside — the roots were only just starting, appa- rently in both inside and out at the same time. The outside border had been covered with a slight hot- bed to protect it from severe weather. The Vines were tolerably healthy, and produced a moderate crop of fruit. Had I the opportunity to build vineries as I pleased, experience teaches me to have inside borders for (very) early and (very) late Grapes only, for Vines planted in small inside borders flourish only for a short time. Ordinary season Grapes, say from July till November, are much more satisfactory, and of much longer duration, especially where there is good drainage. The finest house of Black Ham- burghs I ever saw was where all the roots were out- side, and the best finished Muscats were all inside. As a constant reader of the Gardeners' Chronicle, I can answer for myself that I do not wish in any way to discourage Mr. Wildsmith from putting his views before the gardening world, but shall be ever ready to accept them at their worth. It would be well, how- ever, for him to remember that Heckfield is very favourably situated, as many things only half-hardy flourish there, while in other places things very hardy will only just live. J. H. Coodacre, Elmston. Reports of Societies. Botanical, of Edinburgh : Jan. 11,— Dr. Cleg- horn in the chair. The following communications were read : — 1. Obituary Notices of Members Deceased during 1875-76. By Professor Balfour and Mr. F. M. Webb. 2. Account of an Excursion made to Ben Nevis, in Inverness-shire, in July last, by the Scottish Alpine Botanical Club. By Mr. John Sadler, Secretary to the Club. (This paper we shall publish shortly.) 3. Notice of some British Plants in the University Herbarium, at the Royal Botanical Garden, part %. By Mr. F. M. Webb. Of Elodea (the American Water-weed) Mr. Webb mentioned that the earliest specimens contained in the collection were from Dr. Johnston, 184S. Of Najas, he showed a series of the Irish plant sent by Professor Oliver, its discoverer, in 1S52, to Professor Balfour, in 1874; and of the Scotch plant the original specimens picked August 13, 1S75, by Messrs. Robb and Sturrock, with Mr. Robb's letter asking identification. The collection of Potamogetons he stated to be very good, including many from Mr. Kirk, and their value increased by the whole having passed through the hands of Dr. Boswell in the preparation of English Botany. Of Salix he stated the Herbarium contained a very fine series, including the original and recent issues of Rev. J. E. Leefe, a rich collection of alpine forms of Dr. Greville's gathering, and a valuable set of specimens obtained many years ago by Professor Balfour from Sir W. J. Hooker, being duplicates probably of those mentioned by Hooker in his introductory remarks to the Willows in Flora Scotica, consequently types of the plants therein described, besides representing the determinations of Mr. Crowe and Sir J. E. Smith. In speaking of S. Grahami, he quoted Mr. Watson's statement, that Dr. Graham assured him the plant as brought from Sutherlandshire was only herbacea, and stated that if the plant now labelled S. Grahami in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden was the same, it had certainly again reverted to S. herbacea, for it undoubtedly was nothing more. Perhaps, however, the original had been lost. Of the latest addition to the British Willows, viz., S. Sadleri, Mr. Sadler had given his original specimens to the collection. Of the Oaks, Mr. Webb said the collection could fairly challenge com- petition, it numbered some eighty sheets of specimens, the bulk being the material Dr. Greville accumulated as the basis of his paper read to the Society, March 1 1, 1S41, in which he showed that the book botanical characters by which Quercus pedunculata, intermedia, and sessiliflora are distinguished pass insensibly and localities in the three Lothians, Fife, and Roxburgh, for R. pratensis, which is not mentioned in the Flora of Edinburgh ; he also spoke of R. conspersus as likely to be found where R. domesticus (aquaticus) pre- vailed, and mentioned its occurrence in large quantity by the Tweed above Ivelso, along with that species ; and of R. rupestris, only recently brought into the British list, but found in Jersey, and distinguished as a distinct plant by the Rev. W. W. Newbould in 1S41. Mr. Webb exhibited two sheets of specimens collected by Professor Balfour at Babbicombe in 1S39, which, with queries and interrogations, had lain undetermined from that time in the Rumex folios of the Herbarium. 4. Notes on the Localities for Erica vagans in Scot- land. By Professor Balfour. Dr. Balfour stated that he had lately received a letter from Mr. James Bagnall, Birmingham, inform- ing him that a gentleman (iMr. John Docura) had gathered in September last specimens of Erica vagans growing on the hillside within half-a-mile of the inn at Stronachlachar near the head of Loch Katrine, Perthshire. There was no doubt as to the plant (a specimen of which was exhibited) and the locality, but the question was as to its being in a wild state and a native in the locality. This has not been proved, and Dr. Balfour looked upon it as an accidental escape from some garden. Erica vagans seems in Britain to be confined to the county of Cornwall. It has, how- ever been reported from other counties, but the localities are all very doubtful. The English counties mentioned are Devon, Gloucester, Worcester, Gla- morgan and Derby, and the Scotch counties Argyle and Inverness, and now Perthshire. Some years ago Dr. Balfour was informed by the late Mr. Robert Traill, of Aberlady, that the plant grew on the hills near Lochgilphead, and accordingly visited the district in September in 186S, but failed in finding it. After visiting the hills he went to Sir John Orde's house at Kilmory, which is in the district, where he saw abun- dance of the Erica vagans both in the garden and out- side of it. The plant seeds well, and is scattered far and wide. In 1836 Mr. George Dodds, then a student of medicine, sent Dr. Balfour a specimen of the Heath from the neighbourhood of Inverness. In the Proceedings of the Botanical Society for 1837, the following statement occurs :— "IVIr. W. H. Campbell read a letter from Mr. Robert Ball, of Dublin, to Sir W. J. Hooker, mentioning that Erica vagans had been discovered by Dr. Burkett on an islet on the coast of Waterford, near Tramore, in Ireland." In Baker and Tate's Flora of Northuniberlatid it is stated that there are fine specimens of the plant in Robert- son's collection in the Newcastle Museum, labelled "Near Corbridge, July 1844, T.Johnson." In his Cyliele, vol. ii., p. 150, Mr. H. C. Watson says that Erica vagans is only known, with certainty, in a few localities in Cornwall, chiefly on the Lizard. In his Topographical Botany of 1873 he mentions only Cornwall for the plant, and refers to the other stations as misreported or planted. 5. Holly in Flower at Christmas. By Mr. M'Nab. At the last meeting of the Botanical Society I called attention to the great scarcity of Holly berries on the trees and bushes round Edinburgh. Since that time I have received numerous letters on the subject from correspondents in various parts of the kingdom. From these I learn that the scarcity has been very general, and different causes are assigned for it. The only places where an abundant supply of berries was noticed were in some of our Highland districts, such as at the Trosachs and Loch Katrine, also at Loch- ard in Aberfoil. One correspondent, at Ranelagh, near Dublin, informed me that, on sending into the garden before Christmas to collect what sprigs of Holly could be got with berries, instead of berries, of which only a few could be procured, they found that several of the trees were covered, with clusters of white and cream-coloured flowers, I immediately wrote for specimens, which I now place before the Society, on which all the flowers, both open and past, are hermaphrodite. The cause assigned fur this early blooming was, that the blossoms must have been destroyed by snow and frost on April 14 last year. During the past summer many of the plants had nothing to do in the way of maturing fruit, so flower-buds had been formed and the blooms opened before their time. What effect this early blooming will ultimately have on the Holly, another year will tell. On looking over the Holly bushes now in the garden young buds are observed to be very abundant, but so backward that flowers can- not be expanded for months to come ; so there is a fair appearance of fruit for next Christmas, if no un- timely frost should occur. Some correspondents allege that the late wet autumn had much to do in causing the berries to fall off while in a green con- dition. This may have been the case in some places, but here they were not in such quantities as to fall. The few which did ripen are those which must have been in the best condition, and perhaps partially sheltered at the time the general blooming was destroyed. 6. Effects of the Late Moist Autumn on Certain Plants. By Mr. M'Nab. The autumn of 1S76 has been particularly unsuit. able for ripening the flower-buds of many of those plants which are generally lifted from the open air during the months of October, November, and December, for the purpose of subjecting them to artificial heat, and thus bringing them into flower during the winter season, both for conser- vatory and table decoration. Rhododendrons, parti- cularly the early flowering varieties, known and cultivated as the R. Nobleanum breed, are exceedingly useful for this purpose. They are lifted in flower- bud, and forced almost every year. Although many of those lifted last autumn were apparently well- budded, very few of them seem to have been properly ripened, as few flowers have been developed. The scarcity of Rhododendron flowers at this season seems very general, particularly in the gardens and nursery establishments round Edinburgh, and I am inclined to think, from the high price of flowers quoted in Covent Garden Market, that the scarcity is not alone confined to this district. Judging from the un- matured state of those Rhododendrons already experi- mented on, I have no hesitation in saying that the number of imperfect blooms has in a measure been caused by the unusually great deficiency of sun during the autumn and winter months, and the almost inces- sant rains experienced during that time. At this period the effect is well marked on all the early flowering Rhododendrons, but what it will be on the late-flowering varieties, as well as on the blos- som of the fruit trees, both wall and standard, it is difiicult as yet to say. Rhododendrons, as a rule, particularly if the buds are well ripened in autumn, and even under an ordinary clear sky, are generally much more easily forced into bloom than those specimens put into heat, and which have not been subjected first to a certain amount of autumn or winter frost. Even the frost of last November has had no effect on those already tried, the buds not being sufficiently matured beforehand for this purpose. The early flowering Hyacinths, Tulips, and Narcissus, as well as many other plants, are also observed to be far from strong, probably owing to the late sunless weather experienced since they were subjected to heat. Dr. Paterson mentioned that at Airihry Castle the Peach blossoms this season were all white instead of pink, which was probably for want of sun. — Mr. Dunn stated that such was the case more or less in Peach- houses at Dalkeith, and moreover the flowers were small and thin in the petals, nevertheless they were setting well. Miscellamous Notices. — !. A letter was read from Mrs. Dalziel stating that the Holly bushes in the neighbourhood of Lochard had this season a heavy crop of berries. Specimens of fruiting branches were exhibited. Mr. Dunn stated that at Drumlanrig, in Dumfriesshire, the Hollies had fruited abundantly this season. 2. Mr. John M'Kerron presented specimens of Cyclopteris flabellata, Uleodendron, and Leproden- dron from Wigan coal-field. 3. Dr. Paterson, Bridge of Allan, exhibited a large growing plant of Lycaste Skinneri with monstrous flowers. 4. Dr. Cleghorn presented dried specimens of Eremostachys superba, the stems and leaves of which when pounded up are used for poisoning fish in some ^ parts of India. Also specimens of Reptonia buxifolia from Peshawar Valley. The tree, which grows from 6 to 12 feet in height, yields a small edible berry. It is called Giirgurah. January 27, 1877. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 119 U}t Mcjitljcr. Ssrsi: 1 \ 1 Barometer Temperature of THE AlE. from ^ Wind. J III jr. 1 1 1 1 III 1 1 1 ^1 ^ J>^<- ::!: :^-f;;;: ;':::::!:: :: 85 S.W In. :!0 3-5 +0.5050,7360 M.7«.3+ 0 3. .0.2 -i K^K-K. 0.00 21 30.« + 0.70«.2 3.5 .7 7 39 31+2.0 36.3 ^r^c^s^ 0.00 22 + 0.65 46,.3..3 ..B33..I+0.7I33., 0.00 23 +o.3Y,..28-0 M.233.8 ...u. :|I o.co 2. 25.0 "T + 337.. 0.06 Mean 30.07 +0.33|S0.3 3S.S ■4.8,2.7 + S.,l38,4 85 S. o""6 —A dull overcast day, Occasional rain. Mild. -A very cloudy day. Rain fell in morning. Strong wind. Very mild. -A dull gloomy foggy day. Mild. -A fine cold day. Bright and clear. Fog in -A very fine clear day. Cool. Hoar-frost and fog -A very fine bright day. Hoar-frost and slight fog -A fine day, light clouds. Cool. Rain fell in early morning. London : Barometer.— V>\im\^ the week ending Saturday, January 20, in tlie vicinity of the metro- polis the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea decreased from 30.07 inches at the beginning of the week to 29 56 inches by the morning of the 14th, increased to 30. 14 inches by the evening of the 15th ; decreased to 29 78 inches by the evening of the iSth, and increased to 30. 55 inches by the end of the week. The mean reading for the week at sea level was 29.97 inches, being 0.22 inch above that of the preceding week, and 0.06 inch above the average. Timpctalitre.—'Vh.e highest temperatures of the air observed by day ranged from 58}° on the 19th to 45^" on the 15th; the mean for the week was 51}°. The lowest temperatures of the air observed by night varied from 33}° on the 15th to 474° on the igth ; the mean value tor the week was 394°. The mean daily range of temperature for the week was I2|°, the greatest range in the day being I4i|° on the 20th, and the least 91° on the 17th. The mean daily tempera- tures of the air were as follows :— 14th, 43°.9 ; 15th, 38°.S; i6th, 46°.2; 17th, 4S°.3 ; iSth, 44°. 8 ; 19th, 53°; 20th, 43°. S ; and the departures in excess of their respective averages were— 7^.4, 2°.3, 9°.5, II°.5, 7°. 9, 16° and 6°.3. The mean temperature of tile air for the week was 45°.5, being S°.7 above the average of sixty years' observations. The highest reading of a thermometer with blackened bulb in vacuo placed in sun's rays, were 8ii° on the l6th, 77° on the 15th, and 65° on the igth ; on the 14th 51° was the highest reading. The lowest readings of a thermometer on grass, with its bulb exposed to the sky, were 30 J° both on the ijlh and 20th, and 34° on the i6th ; the mean reading for the week was 35]°. Wind.—T^ie direction of the wind was S.W., and its strength brisk at times. The weather during the week was generally dull, cloudy, and showery, but still very mild. Fog prevailed on Saturday the 2Cth. Rain fell on five days during the week ; the amount collected was 0 47 inch. England ; Temperature. — The highest tempera- tures of the air observed by day were 58;!° at Black- heath and 57J' at Cambridge ; at Plymouth 54° was the highest temperature. The mean value from all stations was 56!°. The lowest temperature of the air observed by night was 31° at Manchester ; at Ports- mouth and Liverpool 364° was the lowest temperature. The mean from all stations was 34j°. The range of temperature in the week was the least at Brighton and Portsmouth, both about 19.^°, and the greatest at Manchester, 26°. The mean range ol temperature in the week from all stations was 22 j°. The mean of the seven high day temperatures was the highest at Truro, 53°, and the lowest at Hull, 48° ; the general mean from all stations was 50.^°. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was the lowest at Wolverhampton, 34^°, and the highest at Portsmouth, 43j° ; the mean value from all stations was 39°. The mean daily range of temperature in the week was the greatest at Birmingham, 14:',°, and the least at Bradford, 8^° ; the mean daily range from all stations was II i°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 444'', being sj° higher than the value for the corresponding week in 1S76. The highest was 474°, at Portsmouth, and the lowest 41°, at Wolverhampton. Rain fell on every day in the week at Plymouth, Nottingham, and Bradford, and on five or six days at most other stations. The amounts measured during the week varied from an inch and six-tenths at Plymouth, an inch and four-tenths at Truro, and an inch at Liverpool, to three-tenths of an inch at Cambridge and Norwich ; the average fall over the country was seven-tenths of an inch. The weather during the week was cloudy and dull, showery, but very mild. At Brighton on January 19 the highest temperature was 54 7', and is the highest temperature in January during thirty-seven years ; and Saturday, January 20, was the first day without rain since December 24, 1S76, at Brighton. Scotland : Temperature.— 1\\& highest tempera- tures of the air varied from 53° at Leith to 48° at Dundee ; the mean from all stations was 50^°. The lowest temperatures of the air varied from 27° at Perth to 34° at iDundee ; the mean value from all stations was 32°. The mean range of temperature from all stations was i8J°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 404°, being 4° lower than that of England, and |° higher than the value for the corre- sponding week in 1876. The highest occurred at Paisley and Leith, both 42°, and the lowest at Perth, 381-°- Rain. — The amounts of rain measured during the week varied from 2^ inches at Greenock and 2\ inches at Paisley to rather more than three-quarters of an inch at Aberdeen and Leith ; the average fall over the country was 1 1 inch nearly. Dublin. — The highest temperature of the air was 542°> the lowest 29!°, the range 25% the mean 43!°, and the fall of rain 1.05 inch. JAMES GLAISHER. ©J)ituai-j>. It is our sorrowful duty to announce the death of Mr. Alexander Campbell, which took place at his residence, 11, Thyrsa Street, Chorlton Road, Manchester, at the advanced age of four score and two years. Mr. Campbell, who some fifty years since was gardener to |the Comte de Vandes at Bays- water, left that situation in December, 1S31, to take charge of the Botanical Gardens, Manchester, and right faithfully did he discharge his trust for nearly thirty years ; for not only was there a rich collection of flowering plants. Palms, c&c, got together, but at one time there was also a fruit department in the gardens, and Pine-appIes, Grapes, and Peaches "claimed kindred there ; " and as the "olive branches " of our merchant princes were constant visitors to the gardens, and childlike craving information, the curator was always a centre figure in the group, for — " A man he was to all the country dear." How many grown-up amateurs have dated their first knowledge of plants from Mr. Campbell may never be known, but the seeds were sown, and we are happy to say the crop is heavy, for the gardens within thirty miles of Manchester are at this day rich in floral wealth, as the grand annual exhibitions amply testify. Mr. Campbell, by his extensive acquaintance witli the great growers of new and rare plants in London and in the provinces, collected a mass of choice specimens with which the gardens were en- riched. Mr. Campbell's kindly welcome to strangers visiting the gardens may have had much to do with their making him presents of plants and seeds in return, for friendship's sake, for he was passionately fond of plants, and seemed always thankful for any addition to his collection, which he had loved so long and so well ; and now that he has gone to his last resting-place in the Salford Cemetery (Mrs. Camp- bell had gone before him some years since), loving hands placed a wreath of flowers upon his coffin. Mr. Campbell, who by his name, as one would suspect, was a native of Scotland, having been born in the parish of Contin, Ross-shire, never wholly dis- continued the northern form of speech. His name may yet be found in the Gaelic Family Bible, as is the customary register of that time and place. His long and extensive experience made him like a book of reference to those who sought information on plant lore. He was a corresponding member of the Horti- cultural Society in its palmy days ; and the late Mr. J. C. Loudon constantly consulted him when he was his neighbour at Bayswater. He has left a valuable library of books on botany, natural history, &c., to his son and heir, who has been the prop to his honoured parent in his declining years. Mr. Camp- bell was able to walk until within a few months of his decease ; he had no particular ailment, and died from decay of Nature. The writer saw him only one day before he died, in his last peaceful sleep, breathing calmly as a child. A. F. ffinquirtES. He that <]nestio7ictk vmch sliall learn 7uuch. — Bacon. 162. Charcoal for Vine Borders.— Which is the best way of putting charcoal in Vine borders for assist- ing Grapes to colour? Is it any use putting charcoal into old borders for that purpose? If so, what quantity is required for a border 15 feet by 20 feet ? E. D. [See Mr. Wildsmith's communication at p. 718, vol. vi. Eds.] 163. Raising Stocks in ScoTLAND.—What month do they usually sow Cherrystones, Apple and Pear pips, for stocks in Scotland ? W. H. 164. Roman Hyacinths.— J/. M. asks if any one can tell him the origin of the early-flowering white Roman Hyacinths, which have been largely cultivated for winter-flowering during the past few years. They seem quite constant to the diminished growth and loose spikes of smaller flowers which have characterised them from the first, and their odour is different — sweeter than that of the common Hyacinth, and suggestive of specific difference. The flower, too, is different in form, being shorter and broader in the tube than the blue specific types of Hyacinth grown in botanic gardens. They have been sometimes referred in gardens to Bellevalia romana, but have nothing to do with that plant, being true Hyacinths. Do they come from any distinct wild stock ? Or are they reversions selected and perpetuated by the Dutch florists ? 165. Digging Machine.— Has such an implement as a digging machine, capable of being worked by a small steam-engine, or, in fact, any other form of digging machine, ever been invented and brought into practical use? G. [Mr. J. H. Knight, V^eybDurne House, Farn- ham, is the inventor of a digging machine, which was tried, and we believe successfully, in one of the Kentish Hop-gardens last autumn. Eds.] Answers to Correspondents. Bone Dust : North Lincoln. 8 to 10 cwt. per acre of bone-dust is a common dressing in Cheshire. It would probably be a more economical, and equally permanent improvement of the land if you were to get a growth of grass by applying 2 cwt. per acre of nitrate of soda at two dressings, in March and April respec- tively, and then feed off the growth with sheep and cattle, giving them decorticated cotton-cake on the land all the summer. Cineraria Leaves: Cor. The markings are the work of a grub which tunnels through the substance of the leaf. Watch in the evenings, and pick off and burn every affected leaf. Chimonanthus fragrans : J. M. Hardy against a wall, and will grow well under ordinary treatment. CORNirs ALBA, ETC. : G. F. M. The red stems of this shrub are more ornamental than those of Cornus mas, which are green. C. alba should not be planted under trees. Ivy will keep rain from falling on a wall, and will so far tend to dry it ; but if the damp arises from an imperfectly built foundation it will not stop the damp from rising, nor will any other plant. Creepers : North Lincoln. Crat^srus pyracantha, Hedera Regnieriana, Smilax rotundifolia, Lonicera brachypoda (nearly evergreen), Eridgesia spicata. Darlington'IA : J. AI., Dub/in. The Darllngtonia of De CandoUe, nat. ord. Leguminosse, is a name to be abandoned, as it is a mere synonym of Desmanthus. Darllngtonia of Torrey, nat. ord. Sarraceniacece, is to be retained as correct, according to the latest views. Garden Engine : R. B. The engine you inquire about is sold by Messrs. Barnard, Bishop & Barnard, Norwich. See our last vol., p. 175. Love in a Mist : J. P. The popular name of Nigella damascena. Mildew: P. 5., Sunk Island. A low temperature in conjunction with a moisture-saturated atmosphere will produce mildew on Vines. The remedy is to be found in keeping the air in the house brisker and drier, and in dusting the affected parts with flowers of sulphur. Monstrous Mushroom: 7. Hopkins. A not very un- usual occurrence. Mosses : J. B. Try Berkeley's Handbook (Reeve & Co.). Names of Fruits : J. G. The name of Black Gilli- fiower is quite correct. See American fruit lists. Names of Plants : W. D. i, Libonia floribunda ; 2, Justicia speciosa ; 5, Nephrodium raolle. Of the others, send better specimens. ***■ Numerous communications are unavoidably post dishii," read " Musa Cavendishii.' THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1877. PuKLicATiONS RECEIVED. — The Various Con- trivances by which Orchids are Fertilised by In- sects, by Charles Darwin, M.A., F.R.S , frc. 2d edition, revised. Murray. — We have received from M. Rothschild, Paris, the following new publications and reprints : — Les Aliments ; Guide Pratique pour Constater les Falsifications des Farines, F^cules, Cafes, Chocolats, Thrs, Epices, Aromates, &c. Translated from the German of A. Vogl by Ad. Focillon.— Les Ravageurs des Vergers et des Vignes avec un etude sur le Phylloxera, par H. de la Blanchfere. — Les Ravageurs des Forets et des Arbres d'Alignement, par H. de la Blanchere et le Docteur Eugene Robert. Fifth edition. — Les Papillons ; Organisation, Chasse, Classification ; par A. Depui- set. 2d edition. — Les Champignons. 4th edition. Par F. S. Cordier, — Les Prairies Artificielles, par Ed. Vianne.— Stormouth's English Dictionary. 3d edition. W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London.— Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Part 2, 1S76. Philadel- phia : Academy of Natural Sciences. — The Popular Science Review. Hardwicke & Bogue, 192, Picca- dilly.— Dictionnaire de Botanique, par M. H. Baillon. Paris : Hachette et Cie.— BuUetino della R. Societa Toscana di Orticultura. — Illustration Horticole. — An Essay on New South Wales, the Mother Colony of the Australian, by G. H. Reid {Tritbner & Co.)-- Forage Plants and their Economic Conservation, by T. Christy, jun. 155, Fenchurch Street. — Design and Work. Part I, vol. 2. —The Cactus and other Succulents, by H. Allnutt. 200, Fleet Street. Catalogues Received : — William Henderson (86, Hamilton Street, Birkenhead), Gardeners' Calendar and Catalogue of Garden, Farm, and Flower Seeds. — Messrs. Carter & Co. {237 and 238, High Holborn, London), Catalogue of Select Vegetable and Flower Seeds. — Messrs. W. Samson & Co. (Nurserymen, Kil- marnock), Spring Catalogue of Seeds, Plants, and Implements. — Messrs. Vilmorin-Andrieux & Co. (4, Quai de la M^gisserie, Paris), General Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds. — Messrs. Ireland & Thomson (20, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh), Descrip- tive Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Gladioh, Implements, &c. — Messrs. J. Farrar & Co. (86, Golden Lane, Barbican, London), Wholesale Trade Catalogue of Garden, Agricultural, and Flower Seeds. Com Received.— H.— A. B. P.— R. Halt.— C. E. —J. B.— G. L. D.— H. E. O.— H. G. R.— J. H. (thanks).—!'. Reid.— W. H.— R. W.— J. S.— W. J,— A. S. K. (many thanks).-S. J.-N. F.-J. L. L.-C. A. L -R. M.-W. E.- Young Gardener.— M. S.— D. M.— J. V. V. (with thanks).— W. W., Adelaide.— C. E. W.— E. P.— J. C. B.— A. E., Munich.-W. T.-C. E. W. COVENT GARDEN, January 25. The supply of Apples is now confined to Golden Knobs, Blenheim Orange, and Wellingtons, with moderate con- signments from America, all of which are now making good prices. Early forced vegetables are arriving in fair quantities ; dulness of trade causing prices to be low. Cucumbers are in good demand. Kent Cobs scarcely asked for. James Webber, Wholesale Apple Market, Artichokes, per bush. < — Eng. Globe, doz. i Asparagus, Fr., bun.2c — English, p. bun. i — Sprue, per bun. i Beans, French[(new), per I . d. 5. d. Beet, per doz. . . i o- Brussels Sprts. bush. 7 o- Cabbages, per doz. ..10- Carrots, per bunch., o 6- Cauliflowers.perdoz. 2 o- Celery, per bundle ..16- Chilis, green, per 100 3 o- Cucumbers, each . . 16-30 Salsafy, per Leeks, per bunch . . c j Lettuces, per score. . i j Mint, green, bunch 3 Mushrooms, per pott, t Onions, per bush. .. i \ — young, per bun. c j Parsley, per bunch. . c Peas, green, per lb... ] ler bunch. ( Kadishes, per — Spanish, doz Rhubarb, per bui ■ Batavian Herbs, per bunch Horse Radish, p,b Potatos.— Kent Regents, £,$ Turnips, per bundle „....-., ^^ .. ;£6 : Essex Regents, ;C5 ; Kidneys, ^8 per ton. Pine-apples, per lb.. Coleus, per dozen . . 3 « Cyperus,do. .. .. 6 < Dracasna terminalis 30 1 Heliotrope, per dc Hyacinths, per do; — Roman, per do; Lily of VaDey, ea. Mignonette, do. Palms in variety.ea Pelargoniums, scar Pr?mula°sinensis,dc Solanums, per do Tulips, per dozen Valottapurpiu"., do Azaleas, 1 2 sprays.. 10-40 Mignonette, 12 bun, Camellias, 1= blooms 1 0-12 0 Pelargoniums, .2 spr. Epiphyllum, 12 blms. 10-30 ,p.bun. Roses, indoo . p. doz. Euphorbia, 12 sprays 20-90 Heliotropes, 12 spr. 06-10 Hyacth.,Rom.,i2Sp. 20-60 LilyofValley,i2Spr. 16-90 ;n. .. %* Stephanotis and Gardenia blooms ar very sea SEEDS. London : fan. 24.— Our seed market this week has been fairly attended, and more disposition to operate has been shown by country buyers. From America (in which country this season the chief interest is centered) the arrivals of red Clover seed continue on a most limited scale, and values in consequence, both here and there, exhibit remarkable steadiness ; indeed, the firmness which characterises this leading article imparts a strong healthy tone to the whole trade, A good quantity of the Clover seed shipped from New York finds its way direct to Continental ports. Of home-grown samples of red Clover seed there is a fair number offering, but they mostly represent exceedingly small quantities. There hai been more business doing in Alsike at increased rates. White Clovers well sustain the late advance. Trefoil is quiet. The bulk of the Trefoil stock, available for the spring consumption, is held in London ; the unprecedented rise last autumn, and the tempting profits consequently offered, induced country houses to let go their holdings. For foreign ftalian currencies point upwards. Perennial grasses, although not at present much dealt in, are quietly hardening in value. For Sainfoin and Lucerne occasional buyers are found at full rates. Rape seed must be noted 21. to 3J. per qr. dearer. There is more enquiry for spring Tares, and quotations in Konigsberg are a good shilling higher. Canary seed is unchanged, and Hemp is still cheap and neglected. Blue boiling Peas, owing to the colder weather, are in somewhat improved request. Linseed is without alteration. — John S/iaw 6* Sons, Seed Mer- chants, 37, Mark Lane, London, B.C. CORN. At Mark Lane on Monday millers operated very cautiously in Wheat, and quotations were much the same as on Monday last. Fine dry samples of English Wheat, however, were held for rather more money, owing to the smallness of the supply. Barley was slow of sale, and prices were unchanged. In Malt, superior qualities were decidedly firm. Oats changed hands quietly, on former terms. No change was reported in the cur- rency for Maize, Be.ans, and Peas. Flour was quite as dear, but not freely dealt in.— On Wednesday there was no new feature in the trade. Fine dry parcels of Wheat were firm, with a steady demand, while inferior and ill-conditioned samples were dull. The same remarks apply to Barley and other classes of spring corn. In fiour there was a tendency towards further improve- ment.—Average prices of corn for the week ending January 20 :— Wheat, 51J. iirf. ; barley, 39^. 7^ Also TENS of THOUSANDS of WELL GROWN STOVE, GREENHOUSE and HARDY PLANTS ^ OF EVERY DESCRIPTION ARE ALWAYS TO BI SI I N Al / THE NURSERIES, TOOTING, . -iikfc. > ^ V V'-^-'^fe- ^" MESSENGER & COMPANY, CONTRACTORS, MIDLAND HORTICULTURAL BUILDINC AND HOT-WATER ENGINEERING WORKS, LOUGHBOROUGH, Beg to call attention to the above illustration, which shows a very advantageous arrangement of Glasshouses which has been adopted for several important Works on M. &. Co.'s recommendation. Only thoroughly well-seasoned timber used. Glasshouses erected on Messenger's | in cost and maintenance. Messenger's Patent Boilers, Flexible Jointed Hot-water patent principles are. owing to mechanical arrangements, very strong, most durable. Pipes and Valves, are now in use in many thousands of instances, with the greatest light, elegant; perfect efficiency ir:ix purpose intended is ^Maraw/^cif/ are economical [ success. Particulars on apphcation. Plans and Estimates forwarded. Ladies and Gentlemen waited upon. The Plans of Architects and others carried out. Illustrated Circular Free. lennis. ANCHOiy^ >'^IliON¥011KS Qelnislori In consequence of the in- creasing demand for Conser- vatories, in which pure art is combined with moderate cost, T. H. P. Dennis & Co. have been led to introduce designs of a character hitherto unknown. One of these designs, showing a house 22 feet 6 inches X 13 feet 6 inches, is annexed, and the result, as regards the extremely low price (which in- cludes fixing, glazing, painting, carriage, &c.), has been attained only by special machinery and a system of interchangeable parts. T. H. P. Dennis & Co. are also prepared to provide and fix Hot-water Heating Apparatus and Horticultural Buildings of any dimension or description. Full-sized specimens of Greenhouses, S:c., and Hot-water Apparatus in work, can be inspected at Mansion House Buildings, London, E.G. Gentlemen waited upon at tlieir residences by experienced designers. Estimates and Plans free. 124 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. January 27, 1877, s HAW'S TIFFANY, ELASTIC NET- TING, CANVAS, &c., for Shading, Protecting, and ler Horticultural Purposes. For Samples and Prices apply to JOHN SHAW AND CO., 2g, Oxford Street. Manchester. The Sole International Prize Medals for GALVANIZED WIRE NETTING Have been awarded to Messrs. J. E. BROWN AND CO., at the VIENNA EXHIBITION, 1873, and at the PHILA- DELPHIA CENTENNIAL and INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1876. Prices per Lineal Yard, 24 inches high : — Size Mesh. Mostly used for Gauge, or Light. Gauge, or Medium. Gauge, or Strong. Dogs or Poultry . SmallRabbits,&c. Smallest Rabbits. 19 18 A\d. 18 5',,/. i8| 6\d. 17 Sid- ♦,* Price Lists, with further particulars of WIRE NETT- ING, IRON FENCING, POULTRY FENCES, DIAMOND and other TRELLIS WORK, on application. J. B. BROWN & CO., Offices-90, CANNON STREET, LONDON. THE FRENCH SYSTEM OF TRAINING FRUIT TREES, &c. Extreme standards of T or angle iron, for ends or angles, for straining the wires from, self based ; also stays for these standards, at prices as under :— Intermediate Standards, lo ft. apart, at half these prices. Painted. Galvd. . ,Painted. Galvd. 4K ft. high.. ^.6J... 7J.6rf. 7 ft. high.... Ss.orf. ..iij.orf. Sft.high.... 6 o .. 8 6 8 ft. high.... 9 o ..12 o 6ft. high.... 6 9 .. g 6 1 q ft. high 10 o ..13 o RAIDISSEURS, for Tightening Wires, one to each wire, zs. 6d. per doz. Key for winding, \d. each. SCREWS and NUTS, neater than Raidisseurs, 3^. 6d. per doz. No. 13 WIRE, 10 inches apart, sj. 6d. per 100 yards. *,• Prices of Material for WIRING GARDEN WALLS on the FRENCH SYSTEM on .ipplication. J. B. BROWN k CO,, 90, CANNON STREET, LONDON, E.G. of HORTICULTURAL SHADINGS for protecting Wall Trees from Frost and Insects, &c. 54 and 60 inches wide, any length up to 100 yds. Prices on application. RHOLLIDAY, PRACTICAL WiREWORKER, • 2A, Portobello Terrace, Netting Hill Gate, London, W.. begs to call the attention of all Gardeners who are about to have their Garden Walls Wired to his system of Wiring Walls, Established over a ftuarter of a Century. Wire < FOR NEATNESS— Because all the Wires are kept perfectly tight, without the use of the Raidi FOR STRENGTH -Because' be used, therefore not liable to be line by the branches of trees. .... FOR DURABILITY— Because, being able to use the strong Wire, it is not so likely to be eaten through with the galvanism as the thin Wire, as used in the French system. The above engraving is an Example of our system of Wiring Garden Walls. We have recently completed the Wirmg of the New Garden Walls for the Marquis of Salisbury, Hatfield House. The Walls are r2 feet high and 753 yards long, wired on both sides ; making a total length of 1506 yards— our system being chosen in preference to any other. Illustrated Catalogues of Garden and Conservatory Wirework, Rabbit-proof Hurdle Fencing, &c., may be had on application Is in use over many thousand miles, And has been awarded the Medals aud highest Commendation of all the leading Agricultural Societies. It is constructed with POWERFUL WINDING STRAINING PILLARS, RIGID INTERMEDIATE IRON POSTS, STRONG and DURABLE WIRE CABLE STRANDS, Forming the most efficient Strained Iron Fencing known for agricultural and general purposes. Continuous Bar Iron Fencing. With bars-secured by F. M. & Co.'s Patent Self-locking Joints which effectually prevent the uprights being pushed aside, and are independent of loose pins, wedges, or staples. IRON ENTRANCE and FIELD GATES, IN WROUGHT AND CAST IRON, Designed for the Mansion, Villa, or Farm, WICKET AND GARDEN GATES, In Great Variety of Patterns. Iron Hurdles, Railing, Tree Guards, FRUIT ESPALIERS. WALL FRUIT TRAINERS, &c. I^" Illustrated and Described in F. M. Sf Co.'s Mew Catalogue, sent on application. LONDON BRANCH : 1, DELAHAY ST., WESTMINSTER, S.W. •ENT " DOUBLE L" idvantages of the old Saddle ler, with the following improvements— viz. , the water-space jack and over top of saddle increases the heating surface to h an extent that a " PATENT DOUBLE L SADDLE I LER " will do about twice the amount of work with the same intity of fuel ; the cost of setting is also considerably reduced, [ likewise the space occupied ; at the same time these Boilers simple in construction, and being made of wrought iron are liable to crack. They are made of the following sizes :— THE PATENT "EXCELSIOR" LAWN MOWER, The simplest and best ever introduced. Waite, Burnell, Muggins & Co., 228, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.G., Sole Consignees for Great Britain, Ireland and France, have pleasure in submitting the " Excelsior " as pos- sessing the following advantages over other Mowers :— Larger sizes if required. Hilt, S.W. , ' Double L ' Boilers a fair trial I say that they .are most satisfactory. I consider them the best in use, and without doubt the most economical of all boilers : they will burn the refuse of other tubular boilers I have in work, " PRICE LISTS of HOT-WATER PIPES and CONNEC- TIONS, with Boilers, of all sizes and shapes; or ESTIMATES for HOT-WATER APPARATUS, erected complete, will be ^°J. JONES^lio'sONS, Iron Merchants, 6, Banltside, South- wark, London, S.E. When ordering Boilers please refer to the above .-idvertisement. lotiger grass. The gearing is all ' meds less repair. Its adjustments art simple. Has never been beaten in Competitive Trials. liHl' Catalogues and Trade Terms on application to WAITE, BURNELL, HUGGINS &C0., 228, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON. E.C SUver Medal. 1874. THE TERMINAL SADDLE BOILER.- First-class Certificate, 1867 ; Highly Commended, 1873 : and First-class Certificate, 1875. from the fire."— t „ . _. ,- , r " I have no doubt the Best Boiler, that will bum any kind of fuel, is the Terminal SzdA\Q."—yonmal of Hortiatlture, p. 327. " For moderate cost and real efficiency the Terminal Saddle is one of the very best."— 7"/;^ Garden, p. 95. Prospectus post free. T. JONES, Temple Street, Manchester. AN EXTRAORDINARY BOILER.— During the Great Boiler Contest at BirminRham, in 1872, all Boilers were severely tested to prove their respective merits. One test was, *' How long can each Boiler go without Night Attention?" However, one Boiler proved this to a sur- prising degree, as after being shut up for twelve hours (from 9 P.M. to 9 A.M.), it still retained its heat in 1000 feet of 4-inch pipes, and yet had more than 1 bushel of fire dnawn from its furnace in the morning— equal, in point of fact, to seventeen hours of continuous firing What a boon to Gardeners. This was THE CHAMPION, Beards' Patent Close Coil Boiler, for Drawings and Prices of which send two stamps to Messrs. DEARDS, Boiler Works. Harlow, who now have their Boilers at work in every county of England except three. Amateurs will also find THE WONDER, a smaller kind of Boiler, equally as satisfactory, " the best thing" out. Awarded five First Prize S ■ Medals. AGRICULTURAL LOCOMOTIVES, STEAM PLOUGHING MACHINERY, ROAD LOCOMOTIVES, TRAMWAY LOCOMOTIVES, STEAM ROAD ROLLERS. For Prices, Description, and Reports of Working, apply AVELING & PORTEB, ROCHESTER, KENT : 72, CANNON ST., LONDON, E.C. ; and 9, AVENUE MONTAIGNE, PARIS. AvELiNG & Porter's ENGINES have gained the highest Prizes at every important International Exhibition. The two Medals for Progress and Merit were awarded them at Vienna for their STEAM ROLLERS and ROAD LOCOMOTIVES ; and at the last trials of the Royal Agricultural Society of England their AGRICULTURAL LOCOMOTIVES gained the First Prize after exhaustive trials, when one of their lohorse power Engines, fitted with single slide and ordinary link- motion, indicated 35-horse power, with a consumption of three and one-fijth pounds ofeoal^tx horse-power per hour. JAMES LYNE HANCOCK'S Improved India-rubber Socket-rings JOINTS of HOT-WATER PIPES. Description of Sketch :— A. The Rubber Ring as rolled into the Socket. B. The Ring before inserted in the Pipe. These Rings are made any size to order. All ordinary sizes a kept in stock. Illustrated Price List on application. GOSWELL ROAD, LONDON, E.C. January 27, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 125 H Hotbouses, Hot-water Apparatus, &c. ALLIDAY AND CO., Hothouse WEIGHT'S PATENT ENDLESS-FLAMEIMPACT HOT-WATER BOILER. Philaddl United States Cents For prices and full particulars please see our pamphlet, entitled " Our Boilers and Heating," which will be handed post-free on application. WILLIAM WRIGHT & CO , HOT-WATER ENGINEERS, AIRDRIE, N.B. GEORGE'S PATENT CAL0RI6EN, Warming and Ventilating Small Conservatories. The only Gas Stove in which the product of excluded from the Conser- Made in Wrought Iron, Made in Copper, ^5. Height, 28 inches ; dia- It will be found very valuable in the Nursery or Sick Room, Damp Build- Oftices, &,c. Exhibited at the Exhibition of 1S71 -•-^a (Department of Scientific Illustrated Prospectuses and Testimonials on application. J. F. FARWIG AND CO., 36, Queen Street, Cheapside, E.C. This Stove introduces a strong current of warmed BELGIAN GLASS for GREENHOUSES, kc, Can be obt.iuR,l ni ,ill m.i.js ,in.l ^lualities, of BETHAM & SON, 9, LOWER THAMES STREET. LONDON. E.C. B. & S. have always a large Stock in London of 20-in. b I 2-in.. 2o-iD. by 14 in., 20 in. by t6 in., in 16. oz. and 21-oz. THE THAMES BANK IRON COMPANY, Old Barge Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London. ■-WATER BOILEES. SURREY SIDE, BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE. PIPES, CONNECTIONS NEW PATENT "CLIMAX" BOILER (1874). See p. 666, 1874, Gardeners' Chronicle. "GOLD MEDAL" BOILER (Birmingham, 1872). PATENT "EXCELSIOR" BOILER (1871). 1^^ The lar'^est and most complete Stock in the Trade ; upwards of Twenty Thousand Pounds worth to choose from. 'WITLEY COURT" BOILER (Silver Medal 1872). Prize Medal Awarded at the National Contest, MILL'S PATENT AUXILIARY FUEL ECONOMISER, Which can be attached to any ordinary Boiler. These Tubes are the greatest Economisers of Fuel and Pre! Fire- Bars, and Furnace Fronts ever yet introduced to the public STAINTON'S NEW PATENT FKOSr DEFYING LIQUID (see "Gardeners' Chronicle," Aug. 19, 1876). HOT-WATER APPARATUS ERECTED COMPLETE. PRICE LIST on application; or, Six Stamps for DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, 4th Edition. W. C, SMITH & CO,, HORTICULTURAL ENCINEERS, Victoria WorI amount due to ks. near Street, London, E.G., from w. s given on application for GREENHOUSES and CONSERVATORIES of all kinds and to any design GARDEN BOXES and LIGHTS Each Portable Box with One Light 6 feet by 4 feet glazed s d good 16 oz sheet glass, painted four coats, and packed ready for use . . . . . . . . . . 35 o Portable Box with Two Lights, as above, each light 6feetby4feet 65 o LIGHTS ONLY. 3 feet by 4 feet Light, not painted nor glazed .. .. 36 Ditto glazed, good i6-oz. sheet glass, and painted 4 coats 10 o 6 feet by 4 feet, not painted nor glazed 60 Ditto glazed and painted four coats 166 Now ready, In olotli, 16s. 6d., fHE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE -* VOLUME for JULY to DECEMBER, 1876. W. RICHARDS, 41, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C. THE FLORIST and POMOLOGIST for FEBRUARY, 1877 (price u., or free by post, is. jd.\ will contain Coloured Plates and Descriptions of BELLE IMPfiRIALE PEACH and the TREBONS ONION, besides Articles on the following subjects : — The Pear Season of 1876. By Mr. W. Tillery. Odontoglofesum pulchellum grandiflorum. By Mr. H. Knight. Winter-flOwering Eupatoriums (Illustrated). Westland. .—Chapter X. : Top-Dressing, & By Cycas Normanbyana (Illustrated). By Mr. T. Moore. - --r. H Knig" Alpine Auriculas. Hy New Forms of Primula By Mr. R. Dean. Salvia splendens. By Mr. M. Saul Euphorbia jacquinijeRora. By Mr. I (Primula Sieboldii). BylvK Varieties (continued). By Mr. E. S. Dodwell. Cordon Training of Wall Fruit Trees (Illustrated). By M George Eyiei. Polygonum cuspidatum as a Town Plant. By Mr. A. Forsytl Villa Gardening for February. rowns of the Brazil This Paper offers an excellent medium for Ad' :very description of industry and of every article of consump- ion in the countries and places above mentioned. Advertising charges, 8rf. persquare inch, Translation included. Ten per cent. Discount for six months ; 20 per cent. Discount or twelve months, if paid in advance. Address, the Editor of the Cultivator, St. Michael's, Azores. R EVUE de I'HORTICULTURE BELGE et feTRANGERE (Belgian and Foreign Horticultural Review). — Among the principal Contributors are :— A. AUard, E Andrei, C. Baltet, T. Euchetet, F. Burvenich, F. Cr^pin, Cunite de Gomer, De Jonge van Ellemeet, O. de Kerchove de Dcnterghem. P. E. de Puydt, C. de Vis. J. Gillon, A. M. C. lonnkindt Coninck, C. Koch, J. Kickx, L. Linden. T. Moore, " " ' ". Pynaert. E. Rodigas, H. J. Van Hulle, J. V.ui VoUcm, H. J. Veitch, A. Westmael, and P. Wolkenstein. This illustrated Journal appears on the ist of every month, in Parts of 24 pages, 8vo, with a Coloured Plate and numerous Engravings. Terms of Subscription for the United Kingdom ; — One year, 105., payable in advance. Publishing Office : 143, Rue de Bruxelles, Ghent, Belgium. Post office Orders to be made payable to M. E. PYNAERT, at the Chief Post-office, Ghent. B Belgian. ULLETIN d'ARBORICULTURE de FLORICULTURE, et de CULTURE MARAI- superb Coloured CHERE. A Plates and Illustrations. Published since 1865 by Burvenich, E. Paynaert, E. Rodigas, and H. J. Hulle, Professors at the Horticultural School of the Bel Government at Ghent. Post paid 10s. per annum. H. J. VAN HULLE, Botanical Gardens, Ghent, Belgiui GARDENERS' CHRONICLE for SALE. Unbound Numbers, clean and good, from January, 1873, to December. 1876, inclusive. ALPHA, Post Office. Peasmarsh, Ashford. Illustrated Catalogues. HM. POLLETT'S COLLECTION • of over SEVEN HUNDRED BLOCKS suitable for Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seed Catalogues. Customers can have the use of any of them gratis. _ H. M. P. Publishes small SEED CATALOGUES in two sizes, which can be altered to suit the requirements of small consumers. Specimens and Prices on application. POLLETT'S Horticultural Steam Printing Works, 12 to 15, Bridgewater Garde: E.G. Farms, Estates, Residences. Any one desirous of Renting a Farm or Residence, or Purchasing an Estate, can have copies of the MIDLAND COUNTIES HERALD supplied free for six weeks on stating the purpose for which the paper is required, forwarding name and address, and six halfpenny stamps for postage, addressed, " Midland Counties Herald Office, Birmingham." The Midland Counties Herald always contains large numbers of advertisements relating to Farms, Estates, and Residences for Sale and to be Let. (^ ADVE/er/SERS are requested to note that although we do not object to receive Letters to be called for, we cannot undertake to forward them. WANTED, a HEAD GARDENER, to take charge of one of the principal Private Gardens in the Azores— an active lintelligent Man, about 30 to 35 years of age, who has a good knowledge of the Names and Cultiva- tion of Plants, also capable of Making Plans, Superintending Alterations, and competent to Manage a Large Number of Men. HUGH LOW CO., WANTED, a HEAD GARDENER, where two are kept : must understand Cows and Poultry, and have a thorough good character from last situation.— Apply, by ) R. M., The Orchard, Blackhe: , Kent, S.E. WANTED, by March I, in the vicinity of Belfast, a GARDENER, with a thorough practical knowledge of the Management and Culture of Vegetables, Flowers, and Fruits in large quantities for Market.— Apply, stating salary expected, and enclosing copy of testimonials to JOHN MARTIN, 11, Broad Court, London, W.C. ; or to WILLIAM MARTIN, 78, Candleriggs, Glasgow. WANTED, 40 miles from London, a SINGLE-HANDED GARDENER, where there is a Labourer to assist ; a married man, who thoroughly understands the Management of all sorts of Vegetables and Fruits. There is a small Greenhouse, with heat, and an Orchard-house without heat. A good cottage on the premises rent-free, vegetables and wood-firing found.— Address, stating ages of Man and Wife, and children if any, wages required, length of character, reason for leaving last plac^ ,n A R M^o..-^ t _„. — Fleet Street, London, E.G. ;in 01 cnaracter, and , Messrs. Layton, 150, WrANTED, 15 miles from London, y y GARDENER ; must thoroughly understand Grown Cucumbers and Plants for London Markets. A Boy kept WANTED, a good KITCHEN and PLAIN GARDENER, for a Gentleman's Residence in Scotland : he must be sober and industrious, and willing to make himself generally useful. Married, without encumbrance, preferred. Good character indispensable. Wages, actf. per week, with cottage, &c. Family only there three r • - ^ the year.— R. POTTLE / > SON.' WANTED, a WORKING FOREMAN, » T for a Gentleman's Garden.— Must understand Plants and Training of Fruit Trees.-W. EARP, Hume Towers, WANTED, a GROUND FOREMAN (Working), for a small Country Nursery. Must be well recommended, and of good character. A married Man preferred.— Apply, with references, stating wages required, to R. TUCKER, The Nurseries. Farinadon Berks. ^ ' Nursery Foreman In tie Houses. TTTANTED, a thoroughly steady, industrious, ,;.' =""• persevering MAN, well up in Plant Growing in all Its branches, and Cut Flowers wanted in quantity ; also a skilful PROPAGATOR. None need apply who have not been used to Nursery Work.— Address, in own handwriting with references and wages expected, W, TROUGHTON, Manager, Preston Nursery and Pleasure Gardens Comoanv WANTED, as FOREMAN, an energetic Man, who is experienced in the Construction of Horti- cultural Buildings. — State wages and reference to P f PERRY, Horticultural Builders. &c.. Banburv. ' WANTED, a MAN used to Forcing Fruits and Veeetables for Market nnri-ifnlarlv r;r-in»c anH w ANTED, a respectable Youth, as an IMPROVER, in the Seed Trade.— Address, statins cuUars, to G. COOPER & CO., Seed Merchants, Derby. To Assist Propagator. WANTED, an intelligent young Man as IMPROVER : one having some knowledge of Indoor Grafting, &c., preferred. State wages, age and experience to GEORGE JACKMA^T and SON, Woking Nursery, Surrey. w ANTED, a Young MAN for the Houses ; used to Growing for Market preferred.- H. ■••— "--• ' Nursery, S.W. BOYCE, Claph; WANTED, TWO YOUNG MEN, to Work in the Houses.— Must have experience and worked in Nurseries before. Good characters indispensable.— Wages i8j per week. - WILLIAM BADMAN, Cemetery Nursery, w ANTED, a steady, active Young MAN, of good address, to Manage a Seed Shop ; must also good knowledge of the Retail Nursery Trade.— R. E. B., Long Row, Nottingham w ANTED, a respectable Youth, as APPREN-r^ICEJn the Nursery and Seed Department "l^ANTED, a steady, active Young MAN, T » to Pack Plants and make himself generally useful in January 27, 1877.] THE c GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 127 To tlie Seed Trade. WANTED, as SHOPMAN, a thoroughly experienced, energetic Man : married preferred. Unexceptional references required as to ability, &c.— Apply, stating age, salary required, and all other particulars, to A. Z., Gardeners' Chronicle Office, W.C. W^ ''ANTED, a young MAN, with a fair T T knowledge of the Seed Trade. — Apply, with full par- ticulars, to H. POPE AND SONS. Market Hall, Birmingham. WANTED, a thoroughly competent BOOK- KEEPER : must be a first-clasf Accountant, with good references.— X. Y. Z., Mr. R. Cooper, 152, Fleet Street, London, E.C. w steward and Bailiff. ANTED, an intelligent, well educated, Man . fill as Manager of a large Home Farm, and Superintend the keep- ing up of an extensive Domain and Estate, under a non- Resident Agent. He must be a first-rate Practical Agriculturist, a good Manager, zealous in his Employer's interest, good Accountant, methodical and experienced. He will have the care of a valuable Herd of Pedigree Cattle and Flock of Shrop- shire Sheep, and must be well up in all Estate Matters, Drainage, Building, Repairs, Saw Mills, and Steam Machinery, and the Supervision and direction of a Staff of Workmen in differ- ent departments. He will have the assistance of a Clerk in his official work and correspondence, and the use of a horse and vehicle for his uses. Large family objected to. Salary ,£200 a year, with an excellent residence, and other allowances.— Apply, with all particulars, to SECRETARY, care of Messrs. Jones & Yarreli, iS, Ryder Street, St. James's, London, S.W. w ANTED, as FARM BAILIFF, a married " n, without encumbrance, who thoroughly under- duties upon a Gentleman's Farm, and has an haracter. The Wife must be a good Dairy and lau.— Apply, by letter, X. L., Buckhurst Park, WANT PLACES. Xp G. HENDERSON J— ^» AND SON have many excellent GARDENERS of approved for ability now waiting in the E. G. H. & Son will be pleased to answer nquiries from Noblemen and Gentle- requiring such. — Pine-apple Nursery, a Vale. London, W. Head Gardeners. JOHN LAING can at present recommend with every confidence several energetic and practical Men, of tested ability and first-rate character. Ladies and Gentlemen m WANT of GARDENERS and BAILIFFS, Establishments or Singlt GARDENERS hand Situations, can be suited, and by applying at Stanstead Park and Rutland Park j Forest Hill, London. S.E. ulars BS. WILLIAMS, having at the present • time several very excellent GARDENERS upon his Register, is desirous of placing them in Situations where great experience and trust are required. B. S. W. would at the same time beg to intimate that when a Gardener is applied for that the fil'- '^ -•-- ---— - -«__. ,j l_ ..,. ■., , ■ filling of the : 1 should be left with him, , London, GARDENER (Head).— William Simpson is in want of a situation as above ; is at present Foreman in the Gardens at Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire, where all enquiries respecting character, &c., will be answered. GARDENER (Head), to any Gentleman requiring a practical Man.— Age 40, married, no family. Good character from last employer.— Z., 12, Hartlield Crescent, New Wimbledon, Surrey. GAR D E N E R (Head). — Middle-aged, single : has a thorough practical knowledge of the profession in all its branches. Good character and testimonials. —18, Ordnance Road, St. John's Wood, N.W. GARDENER (Head).— Age 30, married, one child ; has a thorough knowledge of Gardening in all its branches.— C. PERKINS, Hope Cottages, Carnarvon Road, London Road, Reading. /^ARDENER (Head), age 30, married.— VJ Practical in all branches of the profession ; highest references as to character and abilities. Fifteen years' expe- rience.—A. B., The Gardens, Hatfield. Herts. GARDENER (Head).— Practically expe- rienced in Horticulture, Flower and Kitchen Gardening. Highest references can be given. -G. MILTON, Filleigh, South Molton, Devon. GARDENER (Head).— Age 40, married ; Scotch ; can Manage Park, Woods, Buildings, &c. Twenty years' practical experience in Noblemen's and Gentle- men's Gardens in the three kingdoms. First-class recoi dation. — R., 12, Devonshire Street, Hammersmith, S.W. GARDENER (Head).— Thoroughly under- stands Early and Late Forcing, Vines, Pines, Peaches, &c. , Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Flower and Kitchen Gardening. Excellent references from previous and present employers.— T. G. , 56, St. Edmund's Street, Northampton. GARDENER (Head), where one or two are kept.— Age 31, married ; sixteen years' thorough prac- tical experience in all branches of the profession. Seven years' character. References and testimonials will bear the strictest ion,— R. J, R., Bradway, Greenhill, near Sheffield. (^ARDENER (Head).— Married, one child ; V^ thoroughly understands Vines, Peaches, Melons, Cucumbers, Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Flower and Kitchen Gardening. Has a fair_ knowledge of Landscape Gardening. , I, Bromsgrove Street, Droitwich (^ARDENER (Head).— Age 40, married; V^ has a thorough practical knowledge of the profession ; .,„«„.,. „...,„' experience. Four years' good character. Wife eofDairv.—A. R . fi. Oif ■ -" " ■ Hill, Greenwich. S.E, jn lake Charge of Dahy.— A. B. , 6, Oxford Terrace, Blaikheath r^ARDENER (Head), where three child (twelv „ -, . .... leu, one cnua ^twelve years). — T. Capers, eleven and a-half years' Gardener to H. C. Wise, i-sq., IS at liberty to engage with any Lady or Gentleman requiring a thoroughly practical Man in all branches. — Woodcote, Warwick. r:i ARDENER (Head), to any Lady or >>^ Gentleman requiring the services of a practical Gardener.— Age 29 ; thoroughly understands the general routine of the GardetL Highly recommended from present employer. -For full particulars apply to G. L., Drinkstone Park, Bury St. Edmunds. G^ I thorough practical e. — Age 40, married, nc itine of Gardening to any High Street, Highgate, (:j.ARDENER (Head), where four or more y-^ , iifs kept.— Age 40, married, no encumbrance ; thorough knowledge of Gardening, understanding Pines, Vines Peaches, &c., Stove and Greenhouse Plants, also Flower and Kitchen Gardening. Highly recommended.— A. P., Grange-over-Sands, G ARDENER (Head).- A thoroughly competent, respectable Man. who has had great expe- ' '" ' ° ^ral branches of the profession ; also under- Stock ; neighbourhood of London preferred. -s his services to any Gentleman making -HORTUS, own ideas carried out by : Road, Clapham, S.W. (^ARDENER (Head), age 31.— David Long V>^ offers his services to any Nobleman, Lady, or Gentle- ma« requiring a thoroughly practical Gardener ; well up in Early and Late Forcing, Pines, Vines, Peaches, Melons, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, and Kitchen and Flower Gardening. Has been in some of the best places in England and Scotland. Excellent references. — DAVID LONG, The Longhills. Branston, Lincoln. GARDENER (Head, WoRKiNG).-Age 32, married ; thoroughly understands the profession in all its ?."'=tl!^ : fifteen years' practical experience. Good references. — R. SMITH, 2, Cannfster Place, Forty Hill, Enfield. GARDENER (Head, Working).— Age 34, married ; thoroughly competent in all branches of the profession, also the Management of Land and Stock. Six years with present employer. — J. ORSMAN, Florence Road Nursery. New Cross, S.E. /^ARDENER (Head, Working).— Age 32, V.^ married, two children ; can undertake the Management of a good place with not less than two or three men. First-class characters from Gentlemen.— L. W., 36, Seaton Street, King's Road, Chelsea, S.W. r:' ARDENER (Head, Working), where J 'S"'.^'" ^"'^ "' kept— Age 29. single till suited : under- stands the Management of Early and Late Forcing of Fruit, Flowers, and Vegetables, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, Flower and Kitchen Gardens. Twelve years' "' ~ Harlaxton Manor, Grantham. / :j.ARDENER (Head, or Single-handed). AVr„,T^.?™^' ''i°™ughly experienced. Good references.— ALPHA, Post-oflice, Pinner, Middlesex. GARDENER (Head, or Single-handed), where one or two are kept. -Age 28. married, no family. Can be well recommended.— J. W., Mr. Perkins, The Warren House, Great Stanmore, Middlesex. G^ G ARDENER, where two or three are kept. —An experienced young Man ; good knowledge of 'e and Greenhouse Plants, and other branches of the profes- .— X. Y., Post-office, Ventnor, Isle of Wight. GARDENER (Second), in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Garden.— Age 24, single ; understands Early and Late Forcing, both Fruit and Flowers, &c. Good reference from present place. State wages ve n.— R. S., Post- office, Stoke, near Slough, Bucks. GARDENER (Second), in a good Estab- lishment, under Glass.— Age 21 ; good knowledge of Forcing Vines, Cucumbers, Melons, &c. , and Management of Stove and Greenhouse. Good reference. Bothy preferred. State all particulars.— W. H. S., The Gardens, Ham Manor, Angmering, Sussex. ("rj-ARDENER (Second, or Journeyman), /^ARDENER (Second), or FOREMAN in VJ the Houses in a good Establishment. — Age 25, marrried, children : thoroughly understands the profession. Good ' references.— H. H., the Grrdens, Poltimore Park, (^ARDENER (Under), in a good Estab- V^ lishment, under Glass.— Age ao ; six years' experience. Good character.— 0. TAYLOR, Escrick Park Gardenj, York. GARDENER (Under).— Age 20; has been accustomed to Vinery, Orchard-house, and Conserva- tory. Good reference.— HORT"" ford, Cornwall. RTUS, Fentonnadle, West Camel- G ARDENER (UNDER), or IMPROVER, in a good Establishment, where several are kept.— Age 22. Good reference.— C. R., Longparish House, Whitchurch, JOURNEYMAN, in the Houses ; age 22.— " William Hardy will be disengaged on February i, and would be pleased to meet with a situation as above ; where Pines and Orchids are grown preferred. Can be highly recommended by Mr. Mann, under whom he has been for the last two years. A weekly Premium not objected to.— The Gardens, St. Vincent's, Grantham. — Address, stating wage; Gardens, Edenthorpe, Do: to ARTHUR GREAVES, The T^OREMAN (Single), in a good Establish- J- ment. — Has a knowledge of Pines, Orchids, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, and Gardening in general. Good personal — F. G., 25, Grange Road, Camden Town, N.W. T^OREMAN, in a good Gardening Establish- J- ment. — Age 24 : has filled similar situations, and can be highly recommended (as a good practical Man who is interested in his profession) by present and previous employers.— A, B.. Post-office, Moulton, Northampton. FOREMAN, in the Houses, or General.- Married : has a good knowledge of the work IMPROVER, in a Nobleman's EstabHshment, where Forcing is carried on extensively.— Age 18. Fifteen 1 Court, Middlesex, R. BOOKER, King's Arms, MPROVER, in a Nursery, or in a Gentle- Garden. Good reference.— J. READ, Brookman's Park. Hatfield. SUPERINTENDENT of Estate Works, Public Parks, and Gardens.— Charles McDonald, having resigned the Management of the Phcenix Park. Dublin, offers his services as above ; has had great experience in the Erection of Buildings, Road-making, Drainage. Fencing, Forest Work, and Gardening in all its branches, and thoroughly understands the Management of all kinds of Stock. Highest references. — CHARLES McDONALD, Helton, Skipton, Yorkshire, M^ OSBORN AND SONS, is now prepared to treat for a similar appointment, or for an engagement as Manager of a Depart- ment, &c. : and he ventures to believe that his thorough knowledge of the Nursery and Seed Business, and his experiences also as a LANDSCAPE GARDENER. TRAVELLER, FLORAL DECORATOR, Sc, will enable him to place at the disposal of an employer many obvious and important advantages. Communications addressed to The Cottage. Osborns Nursery, Fulham, S.W., will be duly E^ , Teddli ;.w. ch.aracter.— F. G. , Strawberry A : EPPS'S COCO GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. " By a thorough knowledge of t ,.:.... , ... .. efulappl Mr. Ep, ■flavoured ■ digesti. judlciJ'us'ii i!)t laQies witn a aeiicateiy-r us many heavy doctors' bills. : of such articles of diet that a wherever there is many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified around us ready with pure blood and a properly nourishetT frame." — Civil Service Gazette. Sold only in packets, labelled JAMES EPPS AND CO., HOMfEOPATHIC CHEMISTS, 48, Threadneedle Street, and 170, Piccadilly. KINAHAN'S LL WHISKY. Kmahan & Co. finding that, through the recommenda- tion of the Medical Profession, the demand for their CELE- BRATED OLD LL WHISKY for purely medicinal purposes 15 very great, submit with pleasure the following Analysis by Dr. Hassall ;— " I have very carefully and fully analysed sam- ples of this well-known and popular Whisky. The samples were soft and mellow to the taste, aromatic and ethereal to the smell. The Whisky must be pronounced to be pure, well-matured, and of very excellent quality. The Medical Profession mayfeel full confidence in the purity and quality of this Whisky." 20. Great Titchfield Street. Oxford Street, London, W. D INNEFORD'S FLUID MAGNESIA. The best remedy for ACIDITY of the STOMACH. HEARTBURN. HEADACHE. GOUT and INDIGESTION ; and the safest aperient for delicate Constitutions, Ladies, Children, and Infants. DINNEFORD and CO., 172, New Bond Street. London, and all Chemists. HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT and PILLS. —Have the Remedy within your reach.— Nothinc has yet equalled the efficacy of HoUoway's Balsamic Pills in checking disease in. and restoring vigour to, the human body. They root out all impurities from the blood, and regulate and genuine preparation to the public, that no disappointment may be caused to invalids seeking health by HoUoway's Medicine. Their composition and careful packing prevent the impairment of their virtues by time, sea voyage, or climate. They never gripe or cause inconvenience. In disturbances of the system, disorders of the digestive apparatus, and derangements of the bowels, these Pills exercise an almost magical power, which conquers disease safely, quickly, conveniently, and cheaply. I2S THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [January 27, 1877. THE BEST MEDIUM k LATE KIDNEY POTATO IN CULTIVATION, SUTTON'S MAGNUM BONUM. A REMARKABLY GOOD COOKING POTATO. AN ENORMOUS CROPPER. SUTTON'S MAGNUM BONUM POTATO. We had the pleasure of introducing this splendid new and distinct Kidney Potato last season, but as our supply was limited only very early orders could be executed, and many customers were dis- appointed. We grew it largely last year, and have a good stock now ready for delivery, for which early orders are solicited. It is, without exception, the finest medium and late Kidney Potato in cultivation, and is highly re- commended by all the principal Potato Growers in the country. The tubers are large and oblong in shape ; the skin is russetted ; flesh perfectly white and mealy, and of exceptionally fine flavour. It is a remarkable cropper, far exceeding' any other English variety. We have received many letters from customers stating that this Potato is free from disease. Per Peck .. ..5s. Od. Per Bushel .. 178. 6d. CHEAPER BY THE SACK OR TON. ALMOST ENTIRELY FREE FROM DISEASE, INDISPENSABLE FOR SHOW PURPOSES. SUTTON'S MAGNUM BONUM POTATO. From Shiklev Hibderd, Esq., Sioke NeivUigtm, November 8, 1875. "Your new 'Magnum Eonum" Potato singularly combines beauty of appearance with high quality, and I believe it will prove the most generally useful variety ever put into commerce. It is a first-rate sort for the table : the flesh white, dry, and mealy : the flavour all that can be desired. When grown here for trial in 1874 the stools averaged 5 lb. to 7 lb. each of hand- some roots. In 1875 the stools averaged 6 lb. to 9 lb. each, grown in ridges on my undrained clay." From Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gardener to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley, October 11, 1876. " I had one gallon of 'Magnum Bonum ' Potatos from you, the yield from which was i,% bushels, four- fifths of them being as fine as those I showed in my cannot speak too highly, the flesh being perfectly white and mealy, and of a real Potato flavour. I have noted it for one of my main crop Potatos next year, and I doubt not but, when sufficiently known, many will follow my example." From Mr. J. P. Belliss, Gardener io Major Thoyts, Sulkajnpstead, November 15, 1876. " I bought of you in March, 1876, 1 lb. of ' Magnum Bonum " Potatos, cut them into fifty sets, and planted ihem 3 feet apart. The haulm covered every foot of ground, and I am convinced that 3 feet square was not more room than was necessary, being a strong growing variety. I lifted the crop in October, and from two sets I dug zi lb., and altogether 276 lb. of good sound Per Peck .. .. 5s. Od. Per Busliel .. 17s. 6d. CHEAPER BY THE SACK OR TON. A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF THE BEST VEGETABLES. Co^I^JBTB Cc^LI/ECTIPJnT Choice yEGETABLE Seeds, tJie best vegetcthleS, all the year :i:'QiincC. < Every one who lias a Gardea should send for SjJTTONSKOiy.^-GROWN SEEDS!| f gUTTOH's Spring Catalogue laufi Grath and po^l-frce on application. «.c«( .^ From the Head Gardener to H.R.H. the '•'SOi'^ Prince of Wales. K.G. (to whom Messrs. \^S)^ SUTTON are the specially appointed '^JS^? Seedsmen ;— "The Seeds supplied by you have always given the greatest satisfaction." "CHARLES PENNEY. " Sandringham, Jan. 17, 1877." CojMPI/ETB Coi/I/ECTIO]/ Choice Vegetable Seeds, Jo jorodiice (x si^ffply of t7ie l>est vegetables, all t/ieyear round. /car; SUTTON & SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, READING. -lAM Richards, at the Office of Messrs. Bradburv, Agnew. & Co. , Lombard Street, Precinct of Whitefriars, City of London. \\\ the LRDS, at the Office, 41, WeUington Street, Parish of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, in the said County.— Saturday, January 27, 1877 Agent for Manchester— John Heywood Agents for Scotland— Messrs. J. Menzihs & Co., Edinl THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, (!5stablisljcb 1841. A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOUENAL OF HORTICULTUEE AND ALLIED SUBJECTS. No. 162.— Vol. VII. {s™l} SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1877. CONTENTS. Carob tree, the . . Cedars of Lebanon Dendrobium Mohlian Fruit crops of iSj6, 5 Coiman Hardenbergia 1 January ses, aspects for "'garden (wilh Schlinua trifida (with c Seed selection, on Societies -.— Meteorological. . StapeMa patenlirosi Vine borders Walking-sticks Wasps Weather, the The "Gardeners' Chronicle" In America. rPHE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, Including postage to the United Slates, is $6.30 gold, to which add premium on gold for U.S. currency at the time, and 25 cents exchange — payable in advance. Agenta : — Messrs. B. K. BLISS and SONS, Seed Merchants, 34, Barclay Street, New York ; Messrs. M. COLE AND CO., Drawer No. 11, Atlanta Post Office, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia; and Mr. C. H. MAROT, 814, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia : through whom Subscriptions may be sent. T Now Ready, In cloth, 16s. 6d., I/E GARDENERS' CHRONICLE VOLUME for JULY to DECEMBER. 1876, W. RICHARDS, 41. Wellington Street, Strand. W.C. CRYSTAL PALACE.— The Great Annual SHOW of CANARIES and BRITISH and FOREIGN CAGE BIRDS willl take place from February T7 to 22, inclu- sive. A Silver Cup, or Gold Medal, value {.s, and a Gold Medal, value ;C3, are offered as First and Second Prizes for the best Collection of Foreign Birds, irrespective of class. Schedules on application to GENERAL MANAGER. GENERAL MANAGER, Crystal Pala. BURTON-ON-TRENT FLORAL and HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The FIRST EXHIBITION of the SEASON of PLANTS, FLOWERS, FRUITS, and VEGETABLES, will be held on WEDNESDAY, June 27. Schedules of Prizes and any information may be obtained from the Secretary, to whom Nurserymen and others wishing to become Subscribers should apply. F. S. DUNWELL, Secretary. 10, Market Place, Burton-on-Trent. INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION. 1877. A GREAT INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION will be held at Carlisle on THURSDAY, FRIDAY, and SATURDAY, Seplember 6, 7, and 8, when neatly .£1200 will be OFFERED FOR COMPETITION in FRUITS, FLOWERS. EXOTIC and NATIVE PLANTS, &c SPECIAL PRIZES have also already been promised : and as the SCHEDULE of PRIZES will be issued in a few weeks, it is hoped that Gentlemen interested in the Advancement of Horticulture, and inclineti to give SPECIAL PRIZES, will appearance in the Schedule. A select number of Advertise- ments will also be inserted at .^2 2s. per Page, £1 \s. per Half- page. Copies for Advertisements must be sent not later than February Victoi , Buildii Gentlemen's Gardeners, Amateurs, and Others GARDEN POTS of best quality, are requested to send their orders to J. MATTHEWS, Royal Pottery, Weston-super-Mere. Price List on application. To the Trade. JAMES BIRD, NURSERYMAN, Downham, has to offer extra fine Standard MAYDUKE CHERRIES. OHN PErIcINS and^SON" beg~ to offer the following :— BEECH, fine transplanted, 2 to 3 feet, 185. per 1000. All who hare a Garden should send for WEBB AND SONS' SPRING cvT^TOGur f\rrcT\rir i, i nowcR SEEDS th 1 I < 1 II bed, which \\\\\ I \ t the supply of 1 c c IOMPLETE COLLECTIONS for ' Large Gardens, Cz 3^. and ^5 5s. Sioii ?n EngIand'^oTwalel"s''per"eM!^discoun^'for ca'sh.^^ W^ SNOWFLAKE POTATOS. — Warranted true and free from disease, in cwt. bags, 26.? , bag free, and carriage paid to any Railway Station in England on receipt o( Post-office Order or Cheque. DANIELS BROS., Royal Norfolk Seed Establishment, D ICK RADCLYFFE and CO.'S WHOLE- SALE CATALOGUE of SEEDS and SUNDRIES een potted to all Customers ; kindly write if not received Special Ofifer.—Garibaldl Strawberry, true, r COLE begs to offer Plants of the above • splendid forcing variety, at \s. 6d. per dozen, or 7s. Cd. r TOO. The Trade supplied. Promenade Gardens, Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. N UTTING AND SONS' WHOLESALE GARDEN .and FLOWER SEED CATALOGUE is jubtished. A copy has been posted to their Friends ; any ot having received it, on application another shall be sent. Seed Warehouses, 60, Barbican, E.C. w Home-Saved Scotch Fir Seed. ILLIAM WISEMAN AND SON h,ave a quantity of the above to offer, also 2-yr. and yr. SCOTCH and LARCH. Prices on application, .-e Terrace and Friars' Haugh Nurseries, Elgin, N B. To the Trade. CARDNO AND DARLING have to offer e.xtra fine transplanted LARCH, 18 to 24 inches; .also i-yr. and 2-yr. seedlings. Sample and prices on application. Aberdeen, N. B. YEWS, English (Taxus baccata), 3* to ^% feet, to be Sold cheap— 3000 to 4000, well furnished and with good roots. W. W. JOHNSON AND SON, Nurserymen, &c., Boston, Lincolnshire. Climbers. WANTED, three or four Hardy CLIMBERS for tr.^iuing up Verandah : muit be at least 8 feet high ; house faces east. Address by letter, stating price and full particulars. B. J. C, Five EI - ■ ■ - - vSrs^" W^ W. ALDERSON, Langley Lane, South Lambeth, WANTED, strong QUICK. Send sample JOHN CATTELL, Nursery and Seed Est.ablishment, WANTED, to PURCHASE, several thousand CHESTNUT PLANTS, and some ASH PLANTS ; must have good Roots and be fit to plant in Woods. Send height, and price delivered to South-Eastern Railway, to JAMES COLEMAN VIDLER, Estate Agent, Magdala w ANTED, good HAZEL, 2^ to 3^ feet. J. SCOTT, Merriott, Somerset. D Seed PotatOB Wanted. ANIELS BROS, are open to Purchase :e and selected stocks of Seed Potatos. They M^ WANTED, a few Tons of PATERSON'S VICTORIA and EARLY ROSE POTATOS, for Seed ; also Common LAURELS, 2 feet. Send lowes iprice for Cash.-G. WINFIELD, Sandhurst Road, Glouces A Constant Supply of the Beat Vegetablea Is Ensured SUTTON'S COMPLETE "collections of CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS, specially arranged for various size gardens. For a Large Garden. lUTTON'S £ THOS. ARMSTRONG, Nu for Jan. 6, Moorville, Carlisle. G^ ELLIPTICA. — Healthy, well- Its of the above, from open ground, i}4 to r. per dozen. Also LIMES, extra fine, 7 to en, 30J. per 100 ; 8 to 9 feet, gj. per dozen, er Stock as per List. \RRIOTT, Mellish Road, Walsall. Notice. EHDMUND PHILIP DIXON'S Li CATALOGUE of NEW and CHOICE SEEDS is now eady.and will be forwarded gratis and post. free on application. EDMUND PHILIP DliON, The Yorkshire Seed Estab- ishment, Hull. Large Evergreen Trees for Screens. WILLIAM MAULE and SONS offer Norway SPRUCE and CEDRUS DEODARA, ro to 15 feet high, well-rooted— the former aj_55. each, '' '■" The Nurseries, Bristol. Tbe Best Late Broccoli. BROCCOLI, Christie's Self-protecting Late White.— Pronounced by all who have seen it as the finest self-protecting Broccoli in cultivation. Price per packet, \s. 6d. A limited quantity to offer to the Trade, price 00 """IdMUND PHILIP DIXON, The Vorkshirs Seed EiUb- llfihment, Hull, February 3, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 131 ShaUot Seed. DAVIS' PRIZE JERSEY.— A true Shallot, of immense size and exceedingly mild : with ordinary treatment bulbs have been grown lo and even r2 inches m circumference— by far the best method of growniR the Shallot. Treatment same as Onions. Price ij. per packet. May be had of all Seedsmen in sealed packets, and Wholesale of Messrs. HURST AND SON, 6, Leadenhall Street, London, E.G.. B. R. DAVIS. Nu ; and Seed Warehouse. Yeovil. Supertj Ridge Cucumber. PUCUMBER, Foster's X.L. Superb Ridge. : confidence. It is very_ prolific, and keeps its colour l IXON, The Yorkshire Seed F.stab NEW DRAC^NAS.— Twelve of the finest in cultivation for 21J., well established young plants, growing freely. If potted on now will do for exhibition in the -D. Baptistii, D.Youngii, D. Imperialis, &c., included, ratis for cash with order. )HN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. WEBB'S PRIZE COB FILBERTS, and other PRIZE COB NUTS and FILBERTS. LISTS of these varieties from Mr. WEBB, Calcot. Reading. WEBB'S NEW GIANT POLYANTHUS, Florist Flower, and GIANT COWSLIP SEEDS ; also Plants of all the varieties, with Double PRIMROSES of different colours ; AURICULAS, both Single and Double ; with every sort of Early Spring Flowers. LIST on application. Mr. WEBB, Calcot, Reading. Garden Seeds, Gladioli, &c. IRELAND AND THOMSON have much pleasure in intimating that their Descriptive Priced CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, GLADIOLI, IMPLEMENTS, &c., is now ready, and will be '"'ctlos'ia ""pyramidalis PLUMOSA, AUREA I RUBRAj^per packet, is. and aj. td. each. EAST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK, colours, per packet, ij.. 2S. 6^.. and SJ. each. WHITE WALL-LEAVED EAST LOTHIAN INTER- MEDIATE STOCK, per packet, is., 21. 6rf., and %s. each. Seed Warehouse, 20, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh. SEEDS— SEEDS— ALL KINDS.— Before ordering your Seeds, send for Illustrated CATALOGUE, which contains full Directions, How, When and What to Sow. PENGILLEY and POOL (successors to the Heatherside Nurseries Company). 59, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C. ILLIAM HOLMES has to offbr the following ;— JASMINUM NUDIFLORUM, in pots, strong, 501. per too. ., ,, common Wliite, in pots, strong, sos. per too. IVIES, Irish, in 32's, extra fine, loM. per 100. ,, ,. from ground, fine, 25s. per 100. CLOVES, old English, true, 2or. per 100 pairs. And in the spring — ALTERNANTHERA AMCENA. I2J. per 100. ., PARONYCHIOIDES. 81. per 100. „ MAGNIFICA, 8s. perioo. Frampton Park Nursery, Hackney, London, E. AST LOTHIAN INTERMEDIATE STOCK (true).— New Seed of the above splendid Stock, for present sowing, in packets of White, Purple, Scarlet, and - ...-n I 1 .. -. _. •^''., and 5S. each colour. Price . SONS, IS, Princes Street, , wall-; per ounce to the Trade on ap THOMAS METHVEN Edinburgh. PYRUS or CYDONIA, the NEW JAPAN APPLE or QUINCE.— This gorgeous hardy scarlet May flowering fruit tree ripened a fine crop of its golden, deliclously-scented fruit in September last, notwithstanding the general failure of our common Apple crop. The jam made is most delicious, which may be tasted at the nursery, or sample sent to those who really take an interest in the delicacies of the Original plants 2 15s. each; younger, i WILLIAM MAULE and SONS, The Nurseries, Bristol. To the Trade. CELERY, Calderstone's, the finest old grown, los. per lb. ; also GOOSEBERRIES, Lancashire Prize, t accompany orders from unknown From Paris.- Eoses, Pseoules, Camellias. T EVEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen -Li 26, Rue du Liegat, Ivry-sur-Seine. near Paris, have ROSE TREES, Dwarfs._and ( SPLENDID PYRAMID CAMELLIAS, price 12J. to 5M. each ; small, is. Git to los. CATALOGUES and LISTS on application. From Paris.- Large Bulbs of Gladioli Seedlings, AND NAMED SORTS. L EVEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen, 26, Rue du LiJgat, Ivry-sur-Selne, near Paris, have many thousand strong, healthy Flowering BULBS of GLADIOLI. The Seedling Bulbs are particularly recoin- been taken from the best sorts of the collection). GLADIOLI, Seedlings, 8s. per 100, ^3 per 1000, £,16 per 10,000 ; mixed while, red, pink. Separate colours, 12s. to 20s. per 100; yellow, 24s. per 100. Named sorts per 100. 10 sorts, los. : 25 sorts, 20S. ; 50 or 100 sorts (the best), from 25s. to X6, less or more, according to the novelty. All good flowering bulbs. English Cheques on London, or Post-ofiice Orders on Paris accepted in payment. SUTTONS To H.R.H.the PRINCE of WALES, K.G. "The Seeds supplied by you have always given the greatest satisfaction. (Signed) " CHARLES PENNEY. CARRIAGE FREE. IMPORTANT NOTICE. SUTTON & Son's HAVE NO y\CENTS. HA>K " BCC4STEHEDTRADKMiABILAS«WiHC0. PJ!/C£ri/SrS PO^T FREE. A CONSTANT SUPPLY. "^ OF THE 1^ BEST VEGETABLES IS ENSURED lii^n'iiii'iiiiiir.^ia'Tiil THE BEST VEGETABLES K. New and Choice Seeds for 1877. AND G. CUTH BERT'S Select CATA- LOGUE of the above, containing only the best es in cultivation, is now ready, and may be had post-free Southgate Nursery and Seed Establishment. Southgate, B EST PLANTS for GAME COVERTS. — Evergreen Privet, Snowberry, Beech, Mahonias, and ComiT " " " . " «. j,„. Laurels, Yew and Box Trees, Spruce Fir, Austrian Pines and Cotoneaster Simmonsii. Great stock of plants to be sold very cheap. Larch, 2 to 3 feet, and 3 feet. /JACKSON AND CO., Nurseries, Bedale,V ' '■ , Bedale, Yorkshir SMITH'S BERKSHIRE CHAMPION ONION is undoubtedly the finest Onion in Cultivation, either for Market or Exhibition ; 'grows to a large size, very handsome, with excellent flavour ; a long keeper. New seed, own growth, \ad, per oz., free by post, with Hints on To Wholesale Potato Merchanta. SNOWFLAKE POTATO. — Notwith- standing the large demand for the above, the undersigned CHRISTMAS QUINCEY, Potato Grower and Merchant, Peterborough. The largest Black Grape in cultivation, lyes or Scions from fine, strong, well-ripened wood, los. 6(/. each )itto ditto ditto second size .. .. -js.bd. „ ^ For particulars of this remarkable New Grape see Gardeners^ , 45, Capel £ ;t, Dublin. /-4.LOXINIA CRASSIFOLIA GRANDI- VX FLORA.— Magnificent strain, quite distinct : sown now will flower in autumn. Erecta and horizontalis, sep.arate PETUNIA, double large-flowered.— Yields a large percentage of double flowers, is. 6^. per packet. STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA. — Remarkably free- flowering variety from the Mauritius, is. f:d. per packet. CATALOGUES free on application. JAMES TYNAN, Seed Warehouse, 68, Great George Street, Liverpool. To the Trade. WP. LAIRD AND SINCLAIR, NURSERY- • MEN, Dundee, N.B., have to ofier :— TRANSPLANTED.— Larch, 2 to 3 feet; Scots Fir, 2-yr.. i-yr. out ; Silver Fir, 9 to 15 inches ; P. Lancio. 2-yr., i-yr. out ; Limes, 3 to 4 feet : Walnuts, 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 feet ; Green Hollies, 4 to 6, 12 to 18, and 18 to 24 inches; Irish Junipers, 4 to 5 feet ; Laurustinus, 12 to 18 inches ; Irish Yews, 4 to ^ SEEDLINGS.— Larch, i-yr. and 2-yr. ; Scots Fir, i-yr. ; Silver Fir, 2-yr. and 3-yr. ; Pinus austriaca, 2-yr. ; P. Strobus, 2-yr. ; Beech, i-yr. ; Spanish Chestnut. 2-yr. ; Hazel, i-yr. ; English Oak, i-yr. ; Turkey Oak, 3-yr. ; Sycamore, 2-yr. RHUBARB.— Johnstone's St. Martin's. SEED POTATO S.— Garden sorts. Special offer of above may be had on application. JSAAC DAVIES, Nurseryman, Ormskirk, offer the following :■ early-blooming plants. I can now supply good bushy plants, covered with flower-buds, at i8s. per dozen. SWEET-SCENTED RHODODENDRONS.— Also raised by me, and which I can recommend, feeling confident that they will be highly esteemed for many years, being of a bushy habit, early, and very free-blooming, the flowers large, white, and most deliciously fragrant. I am happy to state that these plants have been found to withstand the winter in the open ground without the least injury. In respect of the undoubted value of these novelties, I should be glad to give references to many Noblemen's Gardeners of high standing, also to the Curator of the Botanic Gardens, these and other The Best Scarlet-fleahed Melon. SUTTON'S HERO OF BATH. —From Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gr. to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley.— " I consider your Hero of Bath the best scarlet-fleshed Melon yet in commerce, being A i in quality, appearance, and productiveness. His Lordship, who previously had a prejudice against scarlet-fleshed Melons, pronounces this From Mr. 'Thomas Lockie, Gr. to the Right Hon. Lord Otho Fitzgerald, August 27.—" I consider your Hero of Bath Melon the bi . the scarlet-fleshed class. It titution, and excellent in flavour.' 6d. per packet. SUTTON AND SONS, The Queen's Seedsmen, Reading. ofg^od Special Offer. • GEORGE FARNSWORTH has to offer large quantities of the following :— ASH, Mountain, 2^ to I'yi feet, i6s. per 1000 ; 4 to 5 feet, 201. BIRCH. t]ito2'A feet, 20s. per 1000. BERBERIS AQUIFOLIA, bushy, i to 2 feet, 40s. per 1000 2 to 3 feet, 8s. per 100. CHESTNUT. Horse, 7 to 9 feet, los. per 100. ELMS. 3 to 4 feet, 25s. per 1000. LARCH. 2 to 3'A feet, 35s. per .000. LIMES, 2-yr. layers, i-yr. transplanted, 3 to 5 feet, gs. per loo ; 6 to 8 feet, 25s. per 100. LAUREL, Common, 2 to 3% feet. 90s. per 1000. POPLARS, Balsam, s to 7 feet, 8s. per .00. „ Black Italian, I'A to 3% feet, 17s. 6d. per 1000; 4 to s feet, 30s. per 1000 ; 5 to 6 feet, 6s. per loo. RHODODENDRONS, Hybrid and Pontica, mixed, 3-yr. seedling, fine, 5s. per 1000 ; do. and 2->t. bedded, 181. per 1000; extra transplanted. " -- " — ' per sycamokeT ; .Mto 3K to i per LIST. 132 THE ElCHAED SMITH'S GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS Contains the follo-uing exiellcnt sorts (Carriage Free) :- PEAS, Ringleader .. i quart „ Improved Sangster's .. .. i „ „ Veitch's Perfection i „ „ Fortyfold i „ „ Prizetaker i „ ., Blue Scimitar i „ BEANS, Johnson's Wonderful .. .. i ,. „ Broad Windsor i pint „ Dwarf French . . .. .. ■■ H ■. „ Scarlet Runner .. .. .. i ,. BEET, Nutting's Red i pkt. KALE, Asparagus j „ BRuisELs'sPROUTS " '.'. '.'. \ "„ BROCCOLI, Adams' Early .. .. i „ „ Snow's Winter White .. .. i „ "„ w'a'lchere''n°'""^ '.'. '.'. '.'.\ "„ CABBAGE, Early Nonpareil .. .. i „ „ Enfield Market . . ^ ■ ■ i „ ,, Worcester Incomparable .. .. i ,, ,, Red Pickling i „ CARROT, Early Horn i oz. ., Improved Altringham .. .. i ,, CAULIFLOWER i pkt. CELERY, fine Red i „ „ fine White ■■ i ,. CRESS, Broad-leaved 2 oz. „ Curled I ., „ Australian i pkt. CUCUMBER 2 pkts. ENDIVE. Moss Curled i pkt. LEEK. Musselburgh i „ LETTUCE, Paris White Cos .. .. i ,, ,, Drumhead i ,, „ Worcester Cabbage . . . . . . 1 „ MUSTARD 4 oz. MELON I pkt. ONION, White Spanish 2 oz. PARSLEY. E.Nfra"cv.rled ! : '.! V. J pkt. PARSNIP, Hollow-crowned .. .. i oz. RADISH, Wood's Early Frame . . . . 1 „ ", Red Turnip '.'. '.'. .'. '.'. i " ,, White Turnip i „ SAVOY, Green Curled i pkt. SPINACH, Round 2 oz. ,, Prickly 2 „ TURNIP, Early Snowkall .. .. i „ ,, Early Red-top .. .. .. i .. TOMATO, Large Red i pkt. VEGETABLE MARROW .. .. i „ SWEET BASIL i „ SWEET MARJORAM 1 „ SEED WAREHOUSE, 61, HIGH STREET, WORCESTER. THE NEW PLANTand BULB COMPANY Beg to call special attention to their NEW LIST (No. 31), just published. CONTENTS: NEW HARDY BULBS, NEW and RARE LILIES, NEW HARDY CYPRIPEDIUM, NEW FERNS, SEEDS of NEW HARDY FLOWER- ING PLANTS, c^c. ; All of sterling merit, and at low prices. Post-free on opplicatio,,. LIOU WALK, COLCHESTER. BLOOMING RHODODENDRONS. Two Hundred Thousand good healthy plants, having not less than five up to ten and fifteen buds each, of the finest named hardy kinds, will be supplied at from £^ to £\o per 100, and iSj-. to 30J. per dozen. Samples, with lists of the sorts, will befonvarded on application, KALMIA LATIFOLIA. Well furnished and healthy and covered with bloom-buds, 15 to 18 in., at I2J-, and i8j. per do;;., or £,^ per 100. HARDY AZALEAS. The finest English and Ghent varieties, splendidly budded, L-i to li -LOS. per 100, or i8i. per dozen. ANTHONY ■WATEBEB, KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING SURREY. AVENUE TREES. Chestnut, 2 kinds, 8 to la feet. I Poplars, 3 kinds, 8 lo t 2 feet. Elms, 6 kinds, 8 to 12 feet. Sycamores, 3 kinds, S to 12 ft. Laburnum, 2 kinds.. 8 to :a ft. | Limes. 8 to 12 feet. Hornbeam, 8 to 12 feet. All the .ibove are very fine and very cheap. CHARLES NOBLE, BAGSHOT. GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1S77. VEITCH'S SELF-PROTECTING AUTUMN BROCCOLI. JAMES VEITCH & SONS HAVE MUCH PLEASURE IN DIRECTING ATTENTION TO THIS VERY VALUABLE BROCCOLI FOR AUTUMN AND EARLY WINTER USE. This Plant is of robust but upright growth, and the heads, which are beautifully white, firm, and compact, are thoroughly protected by the foliage, and remain a long time fit for use. It will be found extremely valuable as a succession to our Autumn Giant Cauliflower, which has met with so much approval, and is now an established favourite in all gardens. Mr. Westcott, Gr.,, Rahy Casth, ivri ting Nov. ii. says: — " I am now commencing to cut some splendid heads of the new Broccoli you sent me for trial. It is evidently a variety distinct from any one I am acquainted with, and from its splendid protecting habit, short and immensely hard woody stem, I am under the impression it will stand uninjured many degrees of frost, which will ensure it to be a great acquisition as an early winter variety. The plants are of immense strength, and the heads, both in size, texture, and odour, all that can be desired." Mr. Perkins, Gr. to Lord Heniker, TJiornham Halt, says : — " It comes in just as the Autumn Giant and other Cauh- fiowers are going out, and is, therefore, Mr. James Adamson. Brynkitialt, writing in tJie "yoitrnal of Horticulture" of yatuiary 4, says: — '"This variety of Broccoli seems to me to be quite distinct from any other I know, and, like the Autumn Giant Caulillower, is a grand acquisition to our list of autumn and early winter vegetables. The stem is short and stout, the head well protected, close, and compact, and of excellent size for table use. I cut the first ' " '" ' ' ■■" cutting as wanted now early in November, and (December 33). We had 10° frost in November, and while numbers of Autumn Giant Cauliflowers were destroyed, this Broccoli was uninjured. To those who have not grown it the past season I would say— do so the next, and you will not be disappointed." Mr. McTndob, Tlie Gardens, Hittton Hall, Guisborougti, December ^Q, 1876 ;— " I beg Vo take this opportunity of con- gratulating you upon sending out such a splendid acquisition as your Self- protecting Autumn Broccoli is turning out to be. I consider it by far the best addition to our vegetable list for many years. In June last we planted-out 300, which began to be ready for cutting about the middle of November, and from that date until now we have been cutting from six to ten heads daily. Where vegetables are wanted in quantity during November and December, no gardener will be safe without this choice Broccoli." Mr. W. Johnson, Baylutm Abbey, -writing to tJie "Gir- deners' Chronicle" 0/ December 30, says : — " At this season of the year Cauliflower is in constant demand, and to find a reliable variety that will fall-in from the middle of November onwards is a great boon to gardeners. In this matter we have Veitch's Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli, a gem of the first ■ ' ■ ■ ' ■ iquires nothing further from me than to it is simply uniq Price Is. 6d. per Packet. SEED CATALOGUE 7iow ready, and will Oe forwarded post-free on application. ROYAL EXOTIC NURSERY, KING'S ROAD, CHELSEA, LONDON, S.W. THE HUNTINGDON NURSERIES. Wood & Ingrams CATALOGUE OF SEEDS FOR THIS SEASON Is now ready, and will be forwarded free on application. THE NURSERY AND SEED BUSINESS So successfully conducted for a number of years by the late Mr. John In(;ram, will be continued to be carried on in its various branches, as heretofore, by his Widow and Two Sons, in the name of WOOD AND INGRAM, who respectfully solicit a continuance of the kind and liberal patronage which has been given for a lengthened period to their Establishment. THE NURSERIES, HUNTINGDON.— January, SEEDS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. Wm. Paul & Son (Successor to llie late A. P.iul & Son — Est.iblished 1806), PAUL'S NURSERIES and SEED WAREHOUSE, WALTHAM CROSS, N., BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR ILLUSTEATED_ CATALOGUE SELECT VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SEEDS, &c., '.ady, and will be forwarded, post-free, on application. Many softs are home-grown, and all are selected with the utmost care from the most celebrated stocks at home and abroad, in order to secure for their Customers the best quality that can be obtained. IMPORTANT—Observe the Christian Name, WM. PAUL & SON, WALTHAM CROSS, N, February 3, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 133 The Beat Medium and Late Kidney Potato In CULl IVATION. niTTON'S MAGNUM BONUM. J A remarkably good cooking Potato. Almost entirely free from disease. Indispensable for show purposes. «m Mr. J. P. r>ELLlss, Gr. to Major Thoyts, SulhampsUad, Nov. 15, 1876. " I bought of you in March, 1S76. i lb. of Magnum Bonum 'tatos, cut them mto 50 sets, and planted them 3 le haulm covered every foot of ground, and I am at 3 feet square was not more room than was necessary, bemg strong growing variety. I lifted the crop in October, and .ra two sets I dug 21 lb., and altogether 276 lb. of good sound ) SONS, The Queen's Seedsi w Oentaurea candldlsslma (Wholesale Price). OOD AND INGRAM offer fine sown-plants, of the above, thoroughly established in pots,, " ' ^-' '' ; than which will 1 The Nurse: aid at the price , Huntingdon. EWING AND COMPANY'S LIST of NEW ROSES for 1S77 is now ready, and may be had gratis. Additional Houi this season been built specially to extend the Propagation ana Grovvth of NEW and TEA ROSES. The plants are making large and fine. isually large heir GENERAL LISTS of Roses. Fruit Tree iial Trees for Avenues, Coniferse, Evergreens, Clem p-'eiest. with full descriptions , gratis. The Royal Norfolk Nurseries, Eaton, near Norwi LARGE ESPALIER APPLES.— Very fine large Trees, full of fruit-buds, measuring 6 to 10 feet wide and 4 to 6 feet hiRh. Names and price on applicaiion to FREDERICK PERKINS, Nurseryman. Regent Street, ;;TEPHAN0TIS FLORIBUNDA.—Strono .ch: smaller, but fine half N" m:, ■.-,.:. ■ :> ■.. ■ : 1 i-.' lundance of flower early, tlv I ■ : 1 . 6rf. each, 631. per dozen ; in 1 ;■ : '1 ' •s. per dozen. This offer i^ 1 om, the plants being worth dr>ul 0 ili m ■; ', . JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery. i„,oyd>n. WM. PAUL & SON Surplus Stock-all Transplanted. ■p W PROCTOR has to offer of the HOLI \ 1 well rooted, t'/i LAURu'sriMls ihi Ml 1 Implants 1 54' to 2 ft LAUREL Common 1 to 4 feet =os per 100. LABURNUM 8 to 10 feet 40s per 100. MLZEREON Red 16 to "o inihes -51. per ic». POPLAR Balsam iitoi3f<-et as per dozen. SYCAMORE 10 to 12 feet 91 per dozen. WEEPING WILLOW (American). Standards, i PRIVET, Bo.t-leaved, very stiff and bushy, z tc Everi ! feet. ,, dVALI FOLIUM, very bushy, 2K to 3M feet PINUS STROBUS, or Weymouth, well furnished f\. ''TheNut'se'ries' Ashgate Road, Chesterfield. VALUABLE LILIES. MR T. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, at his Great Rooms, 3S, King Street, Covent Garden, W.C, on THURSDAY, February 8, at half-past 12 o'clock precisely, an Importation of good Bulbs of the beautiful LILIUM NEIL- GHERRENSE. The white flowers of this magnificent Lily are deliciously fragrant, and of great substance ; it bears several flowers on a stem, each flower nearly a foot long. Also some excellent Bulbs of the following new varieties of Lilium neilgherrense, viz. ;— LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE ROSEUM— the e.xterior of the flower tubes of this variety is pink, the interior white. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE FLAVUM— a handsome light yellow-coloured form of this charming Lily. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM— a magnificent pure white Lfly, with very long flowers ; figured in Wight's hones Plantarum Indiiv Orientalis. LILIUM NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM LUTEUM— a very handsome yello« - flowered variety of tubiflorum. And some Splendid flowering Bulbs of other choice LILIES, including BLOOMERIANUM OCELLA- TUM, PURPUREUM, HUMBOLDTII, GIGANTEUM, PARDALINUM, PARVUM, CALi'fORNICUM, and WALLICHIANUM ; also a quantity of choice Bulbs and Tubers from California, including CALOCHORTUS, CYCLOBOTHRAS, BRODLEAS, TRITELEIAS, CALLIPRORAS, ERYTHRONIUMS, BLOOMERIAS, &c. ; and some fine blooming Bulbs of ihe handsome CRINUM BRACHYNEMA, C. AUSTRALE, C. PRATENSE CANALICU- LATUM, tuberous-rooted BEGONIAS, P.VNCRATIUMS, AMARYLLIS, North American CVPRIPEDIUMS, with a variety of other Bulbs and Tubers. On view Ihe morning of Sale, and Catalog,ues had. AUCTION ROOMS AND OFFICES, 38, KING STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON, W.C. SPLENDID NE^V MELON, 1877. Charles Lee & Son ROSE GROWERS, TREE, PLANT, BULB, AND SEED MERCHANTS, WALTHAM CROSS, HERTS, Inspection of Stock invited. Priced Descriptive Catalogues free by post. AVENUE TREES. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS (true), lo to i8 feet high, and girthing 4 to S inches at 4 feet from the ground. LIMES, 12 to 20 feet high, and girthing 6 to 10 inches at 4 feet from the ground. POPULUS CANADENSIS NOVA, 15 to 16 feet high, and girthing 6 inches at 4 feet from the ground. ANTHONY WATERER Has to offer many thousands of the above. Ihey may be seen growing at Knap Hill. They are straight, handsome, and well rooted, and altogether the finest Trees of the kind to be found in any nursery in Europe. KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. ./Mm.,.,.. CRANSTON'S NURSERIES, KING'S ACRE, near HEREFORD. ESTABLLSHED I7S5. SPECIALITIES. ROSES, FRUIT TREES, CONIFERS. (Successors to Messrs. J. & C. LEE) MANN'S HYBRID GREEN-FLESH MELON, Which they now off'cr for the first time. It has already earned a high reputation in London and the provinces for its many excellent qualities, among which may be mentioned a remarkably high and exquisite flavour at all seasons of the year— perfection of shape and size for dessert— a thin rind and melting flesh, with an overflow of perfumed juice. It is also a heavy cropper, and forces well. Dr. Hogg has spoken of this excellent Melon in the highest terms, and after tasting it pronounced it a fruit of the highest merit. Mr. CuLVERWELL, of Thorpe Perrow, fellow judge with Mr. Fowler, of Harewood House, at the Leeds Horticultural Show, where they awarded a First-class Certificate to " Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon," speaks of jt as " an exceedingly fine Melon, especially at that early season — the early part of June." Mr. Ingram, of Belvoir Castle, writes, in the third week of October, " that in spite of the disadvantage of a long term of gloomy weather, at that season of the year, ' Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon ' was sweet, tender in flesh, very juicy, and distmct in character." Messrs. Charles Lee 6^ Son are now prepared to offer this very useful and delicious new Melon In Sealed Packets, at 3s. 6d. per Packet. CHARLES LEE and SON, HAMMERSMITH, W. Descriptive Priced L n application. R Standard Ornamental Trees, Climbing and Twining Plants. with tlieir Generic. Specific, and English Names. Native Country. Height, Time of Flowering, Colour, &c., and General Remarks. ^^_ RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Roses, containing ail the best of the new and old varieties, arranged in their several sections, and fully described as to their Shapes, Colours, and Adaptations ; with ample instructions as lo their Treatment and Prices. RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants, with their Scientific and English Names, Height, Colour, Time of Flowering, R ICHARD SMITH'S LIST of all the Evergreen Fir Tribe suitable for Britain, iiip Size. Price. Popul.^rnnd Botanical Names, Derivations, ^crirtion, Form. Colour. Foliase, Groivtli, Timber, Use in s. Native Coimlry. and Size there. .Silii.ilion, Soil and other jimation, with Copious Index of their Synonyms Free by 134 THE-^ GARDENERS CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1877. Australian Plants and Seeds, PLANTS and Australia, Fiji. &c. , supplied on the Priced CATALOGUES and Special SHEPHERD AND CO., Nurserymen and Seedsmen, Darling Nursery, Sydney. New South Wales. (Established 1827.) Agents : Messrs. C. J. BLACKITH AND CO., Cox's Quay, r Thames Street, London, E.G. YeoTll Nursery.— Late E. Pierce. BR. DAVIS, having taken this Nursery, • offers the following :— Extra fine, well-rooted BEECH, 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 feet; LIMES, CHESTNUTS, ELMS, &c., 10 to 12 feet : MAGNOLIA GRANDIFLORA. Exmouth variety: BOX, Minorca, Tree, and variegated, 3^ to 5 feet ; FIR. Spruce, lY^ to 354 feet. Prices and particulars on '""b.'r.'dAVIS (late E. Pierce), Yeovil Nursery and Seed Warehouse, Yeovil. CATALOGUES. — His Excellency Pierre Wolkenstein will feel greatly obliged if Nurserymen and Seedsmen will kindly send him their Catalogues. They should be forwarded (by post) to S. E. PIERRE WOLKENSTEIN, Secretaire de la Soci^te' Imp^riale d'Horticulture de Russia. St. Petersburg. E, Planting Season. BURGESS begs to offer the following : OAK. ELMS, and LIMES, up FIRS. Prices on application. The Nurseries, London Road, Cheltenh; To Potato Planters. POTATOS.— About ij Tons Early Rose Potatos. a very pretty sample. Spalding Station, Great Northern Railway ; 10 Tons Regents. 20 Tons Paterson's Victoria, and 50 Tons Bovinia Potatos. Boston Station, Great Northern Railway. To be Sold, for Cash. W. W. JOHNSON AND SON, Nurserymen and Seed Merchants, Boston, Lincolnshire. Cucumber Plants, clean, strong and healthy. FW. COOPER can supply the above: « RoUisson's Telegraph, Munro's Duke of Edinburgh, Blue Gown, and "" ' grown under hi: Trade supplied. , and Tender and True : ;r his own supervision and guaranteed t Florist. Huntingdon. SPECIMEN AZALEAS (Winter flowers).— An abundance of splendid flowers can be had in a week or two, or at once, by purchasing a few Specimen Azaleas nnw Xning flower. The plants are from 2 to 3 feet over perfect pe, some hundreds of flowers and buds, which will last for months at this time of the year. All new and valuable sorts aiJ., 31J. td., and 42^- each, according to size and sorts Eighteen plants only are for Sale. They are all worth double " ' s erratis for cash with order. •lursery, Croydon FISHER, HOLMES, and GO'S CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE SEEDS and GARDEN REQUISITES, also of FLOWER SEEDS and GLADIOLI (which is published separately), has oeen for warded to all their Customers. As there may be inst-inces where they have not been received, F. H. & Co. wU ha e pleasure in posting another on application. Handsworth Nurseries, Sheffield. V VINES, strong planting and fruiting Canes of Black Hamburgh, Black Alicante, Lady Downe's, Gros Colman Foster's Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria, Madresfield Court Mrs. Pince. Dr. Hogg, Waltham Cross. 25. td., 3^ (>d and 5J. each ; Venn's Black Muscat and Pearson's Golden Queen -js. 6d. to iM. 6d. each. ROSES, dwarf hybrid perpetual, best sorts, 75. per dozen apples', pears, PLUMS, and CHERRIES, pyramids i2s. and 18.1. per dozen ; dwarf-trained, 30J. per dozen CURRANTS and GOOSEBERRIES, 3^- per dozen, 20s. ^^STRAWBERRY, Garibaldi. 2^. per dozen, 4^. 6d. per 50. 7J. 6d. per 100 ; Vicomtesse Hericart de Thury, is. 6d. per dozen, 3s. 6d. per 50, 51 per 100. In 60 other good varieties, true to name, qs. 6d. per 100. WILLIAM CLIBRAN and SON, The Oldfield Nurseries. Altrincham. CHOICE TUBERS and ROOTS.— Twelve tuberous BEGONIAS, including Frecbelli, rosscBora, intermedia, Sedeni. vivicans, &c., for 2t5., very fine bulbs. Twelve CALADIUMS, splendid tubers, fit for exhibition, ready to start, 21^- A few collections of these latter at€oj. per dozen, consisting of bulbs averaging lo inches in circumference. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. Calceolarias (James'). HCANNELL begs to announce that he • has a splendid stock of the following, established in 6o's, just ready for shifting :— CALCEOLARIAS, 21. gd. per dozen. PRIMULAS, 21. 6rf. per dozen. CINERARIAS, 21. M. per dozen. Smaller, IJ. per dozen less, and post-free. Special prices per too or 1000. H. CANNELL. Swanley, Kent. Asparagus, Asparagus, Asparagus. T)OBERT AND GEORGE NEAL have the t above to offer in large or small quantities, i-yr., 2-yr., and 3-yr. old ;— i-yr. old, 20^. per 1000. 2-yr. old, 25s. per icoo. Surplus Nursery Stock —Special offer to the Trade, FOR CASH, BY BM A L L E R , • Lewisham, S.E. VINES, strong, 36s. per dozen. ERICAS, veiitncosa and hybnda, in 48-pots, at its. per dozen, boj. per 100. CHERRIES, dwarf-trained, strong, i8x NECTARINES, dwarf- trained, strong, ROSES, Standard, 2 to 3 feet stems. and 24J. per dozi with fine headsj VINES.— Strong, well ripened Canes of the following — (Fruiting Canes of those marked F) : — Alicante, F. Mill Hill Hamburgh, F. Barbarossa, _ F. Mrs. Pearson, 21s. and 42J. F. Black Fronlignan, each. Black Prince. Mrs. Pince's Muscat, Buckland Sweetwater, Muscat of Alexandria, F. Burchard's Black Prince, F. Muscat Hamburgh, F, Calabrian Raisin, Reeves' Muscadine, Chasselas Musqu^, F. Royal Macadine, Canon Hall Muscat, Royal Vineyard, De Coster, Syrian, Duchess of Buccleuch, Tottenham Park Muscat, F. Duke of Buccleuch, 7^. 6d. F. Trebbiano, to 155 . Trentham Black, Dutch Sweetwater, F. Venn's Black Muscat, 7J. 6d. Esperione, to 155. each. Golden Hamburgh, F. Waltham Cross Seedling, Golden Champion, 7^. 6d. to 15^- each, Gros Colman, F. White Frontignan, Gros Dore. F. White Nice, F. Lady Downe's, F. White Tokay, F. Madresfield Court, F. West's St. Peter's. Fruiters, loj. 6d. • medium, 7^. 6d. ; Planters, 5J., except those priced. CHARLES LEE and SON, Royal Vineyard Nursery and Seed Establishment, Hammersmilh, London, S.W, — Jan. 1877 NEW and CHOICE SEEDS for 1877. J. SCOTT'S PRICED DESCRIPTIVE ILLUSTRA1 CATALOGUE e Catal gue is now ready gratis post free to all applicants B S W begs to int mate that m thi 'ustomers not receiving this Catalogue, icate with him a copy will be sent. they will commu- VINES, VI N ES, VINES. F. & A. SMITH, THE NURSERIES, WEST DULWICH, S.E.. Offer from a large Stock strong well-grown fruiting and planting Canes, at low prices. List on applicntwH. Special Offer to the Trade. WOOD AND INGRAM beg to offer following, well grown and well rooted : — ACACIA INERMIS. Standard, fine, 241. per dozen. BLACKTHORN, iK to 2^ feet, nice clean stuff. loj BOX, cTeenriH to a feet, 12J. per 100 ; 2 to 2H feet, 17J „ Gold-tipped, iK to 2 feet, its. per roo. ,, Handsworth, iK to 2 feet, \-js. 6fi. per 100. CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA, 5 to 6 feet, .21. per dc 6 to 7 feet. 30J. per dozen. FIR, Balm of Gilead, 4 to 5 feet, 21J. per 100 ; 5 to 6 feet, per 100 ; 6 to 7 feet, 555. per 100 ; 7 to 8 feet, gleditschi'a TRIACANTHOS, HORNBEAM, 5 to 6 feet, Zs. per 100 : 6 to 8 fee OAK, Evergreen, 3 to 4 feet, 8s. per dozen ; 4 to PAMPAS GRASS, established in pots, 2j^ 103! PINUS. Weymouth. 6 to 7 feet. 51. per dozen. „ INSIGNIS. •, to 6 feet, 361. per dozen ; 6 to ASH, Mountain, 6 to 8 feet, 121. 6d. per 100 ; 8 to 1 ELM, Huntingdon, S to 10 feet, 60s. per 100 ; 10 801. per 100, „ narrow-leaved English, 6 to 7 feet, 40J. per 10- LIME, finest red-twigged, layers, 2 to 3 feet, loj MAPLE, Norway , 301. per I JM • N Bbododendrons. ATTHEWS AND SON, Milton urseries, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, have to offer RHODODENDRONS, i«),ooo, „ SPLENDIDUM,To,(S>o, wh „ CAUCASicUM PICTUM, „ JACKSOlill, scarlet, i foot, bushy, 60s. per 100. „ HYBRIDS, from all the Choi bushy, 20s. per ic pdNTICUMr'io°i 15 inches, I o 1% foot, 37s. per I ; 2 to 3 feet, 50s. per i 3 to 35^ feet, bushy, YEWS, English, clean, well-grown plants, 6 to 9 inches, 40s. per 1000 : 8 to 12 inches, 50s. per 1000 : i to ij^ foot. CUPRESSUs"^ LAWSONIANA, fine Ornamental tree foi Lawns or Wood Planting as shelter for Game, also for Garden Fencing, 2 to 3 feet, 30s. per 100 ; 3 to 4 feet, ASH, Mountain, jji to ^\i feet, 25s. per 1000. BOX, Tree, i to iJ4 foot, 12s. 6d. per 100 ; i}^ lo 2 feet, 201 CURRANTS, quantity of' extra strong Black Grape. loi CATALOGUES of all other Nursery Stock free on SOFT-WOODED and OTHER PLANTS, of good quality, true to name, and very cheap. Begonias, tuberous, to name, gs. per dozen ; B. Froebelli i^. 6tl. each; Begonias, flowering, of sorts, Abutilons of sorts, 4J. per dozen; Fuchsias, twelve sorts, 35. ; Chrysanthemums, twelve sorts, y. ; Coleus, twelve sorts, 31. ; Pentstemons, twelve sorts, ^s, ; Phloxes, twelve sorts, 3;^. ; Heliotropes in variety, ■2s. 6d. perdozen ; Ageratums, z^. per dozen ; Lantanas, in sorts, 3^. per dozen ; Salvias, in sorts, 3s. per dozen ; Carna- tions and Picotees, 6s. per dozen ; Show Pinks and Pansies, 4^. per dozen ; Mimulus, in variety, 35. per dozen ; Saxifragas and Seduras in variety, 3s. ; Tropseolums. in variety, 31. per dozen ; Pfflonies, Delphiniums and Potentillas, gs. per dozen ; Pyreth- rums, 6s. per dozen. WILLIAM CLIBRAN and SON, The Oldfield Nurseries. Altrincham. American Plants Without Peat. "% DODENDRONS, with BELGIC and other AZALEAS, at 301. per dozen, or .£10 per 100. The plants are grown in stiff loamy soil, on an exposed and elevated situation, and will thrive in almost any soil, free from iron, lime, or chalk. Handsome Standard RHODODENDRONS, with fine Large bushes of PONTICUM, CATAWBIENSE, and other ommon varieties, at 501.. 75 j., and 1005. per 100. The Nurseries, Bristol. c HARLES NOBLE, Bagshot, can offer RHODODENDRONS. Hybrid named, fine, with buds, for forcing or grouping, j% to 2 feet, ais. per dozen, ,, ,, ,, „ for immediate effect, 2j4 to 4 feet, and same through, A2S. per dozen, 300s. per 100. „ Seedling, t'A to 3'^ feet, 24s. per dozen, 20M. per 100. „ PUNTICUM, i^ to 2 feet, bushy, 6s. per dozen, 35s. KALMIA LATIFOLIA, i% foot, buds, for potting, 7 ANDROMEDA FLORIBUNDA, buds, for pottbg, 751. and ERICA CARNEA,''very fine, 21s. per 100. c . 63s., my new and choice seeds are now in large demand, please order early. SPECIALITIES :- CAULIFLOWER, Veitch's Autumn Giant, true, is. 6d. LETTUCE. Alerandra Cos, true, is. per packet. ONION, Cantello's Prize, true, is. per packet. BROCCOLI. Leamington, finest late, is. M. per packet. CABBAGE, Alpha, fine, large, and early, is. per packet. CATALOGUE of New and Choice Seeds on application. R. B. M'COMBIE, Grower of Choice Seeds, &c., ChrUt- church, Hants. AM. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, • Tottenham Nurseries, Dedemsvaart, near ZwoUe, Netherlands, has to offer the following : — YUCCA ANGUSTI FOLIA, strong plants, i foot high. £2 per dozen, j£i2 10s. per 100. In my nursery this beautiful new Yucca withstood, without the slightest protection, APPLES, strong 2-yr. Palmettes and Pyramids, 42*. per 100, Aia 15s. per 1000. HARDY AQUATICS at the lowest prices. MESSRS. JNO. STANDISH AND CO.'S CATALOGUE for Autumn, 1876, and Spring, 1877. is now ready, and may be had, post-free, on application. // contains the follorvitig : — Plants of Recent Introduction. I Conifera;. Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Hardy Climbers, Clematis, &c. Plants for Winter Forcing. Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Azalea indica and Camellias. Kalmias, &c. Tree Carnations and Ericas. Roses, Standards and Dwarfs, Ferns and Lycopods. also in pots. Hardy Trees and Shrubs. Fruit Trees. Transplanted Forest Trees. Grape Vines. Dutch Bulbs. Flower Roots, &c. Royal Nurseries, Ascot, Berks. To the Trade Only. SAM DYER has to offer to the Trade fine Standard MULBERRIES, Standard LIMES, from layers, 8 to loandioto 12 feet, very fine ; GOOSEBERRIES, best named sorts; CURRANTS, Red, White, and Black; THORNS, 3-yr. transplanted, extra strong. Prices par 100 The Nurseries, Bridgwater. February 3, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 135 SPANISH CHESTNUT, ASH, LARCH, and ALDER, stout, well-rooted, transplanted.— A large quantity to be Sold at low pricei.-G. CHORLEY, Midhurst. Grape Vines.— Strong Fruiting and Planting Canes. WM. CUTBUSH AND SON have a large Stock of the leading sorts, price on application. Highgate Nurseries, London, N., and Barnet, Herts.. w Garrya elllptlca, ILLIAM HOCKIN, Exotic Nursery, RHUBARB (Hawkes' Champagne), the best in the London Markets, large stools, 4-yr. eld, or in sets ready for planting, to be sold for cash. Price according to quantity required. Apply to Mr. MYATT, Manor Farm, Harefield Road. Brockley, S.E. R' OSES, Standard, fine plants, 65J-. per loo ; QUICK, strong, laj. fd. per looo : OAK, 4 to 5 feet, . ; ALDER. 3 feet, 251. per 1000. J. JACKSON, Nursery, Kidderminster. on very moderate 00,000 SCOTCH FIR, 5-yr. seedlings, very fine slufT. 50,000 LARCH, a-yr. seedlings „ will be disposed of cheap. Elgin, N.B. As the ground is want( Samples and prices on appli Grove Terrace and Friars' Haugh Special Trade Offer. ASPARAGUS ROOTS.— Three millions Grayson Giant, i-yr., zis. 6d. per looo ; a-yr., 15J. per 1000 ; 3-yr., 20J. per 1000. Two millions Connover's Colossal, j-yr., 155. per loco ; a-yr., aor. per 1000. The above are from the purest stock of seed in the kingdom. SEAKALE, strong, 40J. per 1000; good planting Scakale, Manetti, finest plants ever Cash with orders only. LOCKE, Alexandra Nurseries, Red Hill, Surrey. c For Sale. UCUMBER, STRAWBERRY, and CABBAGE PLANTS; Dwarf Moss and Cabbage BOX 00 : POLYANTHUS, good strain, tor. per roo. G. WALKLING, College Park Nursery, Lewisham, S.E. H ANDSOME STRAIGHT TREES, for Avenues or Parle Planting. ELMS, Chichester, broad leaved, if to i8 feet. LIMES. 10 to t4 feet. TURKEY OAKS, 9 to 13 feet. SYCAMORE, ta to t6 feet. Price on application to ROBERT F. DARBY. The Cirencester Nurseries. SPANISH CHESTNUT, 50,000, 2 feet, 35^. ; 30,000, I'A foot, 301.: LARCH, 30,000, a to 3 feet, 30!. ; ASH, 30,000, a feet, aij. ; ALDER, 30,000, 3 feet, 30J.— per JOOO : well rooted, transplanted. A large quantity of seedling SPANISH CHESTNUT, 51. per tooo. GEORGE CHORLEY, Midhurst, Sussex. M To the Trade. ESSRS. LEVAVASSEUR AND SON, Nurserymen, Ussy, CaWados, France, have an immense Stock of Seedling FOREST TREES, Hardy, Coniferous, and other SHRUBS, for transplanting and trans- planted. Priced CATALOGUES may be had of Messrs. R. SILBERRAD and SON, 5, Harp Lane, Great Tower Street, London, E.G. TWELVE BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDS, 42^., established plants of fine sorts, as Cattleya citrina, Lalia autumnalis, Lzlia albida, Odontoglossum, Dendrobium, and upwards of fifty other sorts. They have all made fine growth this season. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. To the Trade. OSBORN AND SONS can still supply dwarf maiden PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS of the leading kinds, and a few Standards. Also Dwarf and Standard APPLES, PEARS, PLUMS, and CHERRIES. Fulham Nurseries, London, S.W. AUSTIN AND MCASLAN GLASGOW. Established 1737. GARDEN and IMPLEMENT (64 pages) CATALOGUE L D E R S.— Fine stout stuff, 3 to 4 and - 4 to 5 feet, can be supplied at a very reasonable rate. )HN HILL, Spot Acre Nurseries, near Stone, Stafford- VERBENAS, VERBENAS, VERBENAS, —Strong, well-rooted, healthy cuttings, perfectly free from disease, White, Purple, Scarlet and Pink, 6s. per roo, 505. per 1000. 100 rooted cuttings, in 13 distinct and beautiful ALMS for TABLE DECORATION.— Twelve distinct choice sorts, ready to pot on into 5-inch , 211. Established in that siae about a feet high, fit for ediate decoration, 43^. and 63r., according to sorts. A large and valuable collection of exhibition specimens, from iif. each. Packages gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon^ •Jurseryman, Regent To Purchasers of Large Quantities, Market GARDENERS and OTHERS. SUTTON AND SONS can offer true stocks of the following Pe.is at very "SUTTON'S^MPROVED EARLY CHAMPION, the best and most productive in cultivation. Sutton's Ringleader I Advancer Daniel O'Rourke Sutton's Racehorse Fortyfold Champion of England Scimitar | 'Veitch's Perfection, and other leading kinds. SUTTON AND SONS. Seed Growers, Reading. E. COOLING, Mile Ash Nursery, Derby. To be Sold, a Very Fine Specimen (ANDANUS VANDERMEERSCHII (true), la feet high, 11 feet through ; also P. UTILIS. gfeet ^ by 10 feet. Both are in splendid condition. For particulars To Planters of Forest Trees and Others. THE HEATHERSIDE NURSERIES COMPANY (Limited) have decided on clearing the following Surplus Stock, and will accept half the current prices ;— roo.ooo PINES, Weymouth, 3 to 7 feet. 100,000 FIR, Scotch, 9 to 15 inches. 300,000 QUICK, 3-yr. bedded, i to 1% foot, lo.oco OAKS, Scarlet, 5 to 8 feet. 50,000 PINES, Austrian, 3 to 5 feet. 50,000 PINUS RIGIDA, 3 to 6 feet. 100,000 LAURELS, common, i to a feet. to,ooo CHESTNUTS, Horse, 5 to 9 feet. And many thousand others. For prices and particulars apply to THOMAS THORNTON, Manager, Heatherside Nurseries, Bagshot, Surrey. To the Trade.— Seed Potatos. HAND F. SHARPE will be pleased to . send their SPECIAL CATALOGUE of SEED POTATOS to those of the Trade who have not yet received one. It comprises all the principal English and American varieties worthy of cultivation : they are all grown from the finest selected stocks, and the prices will be found very moderate. Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. E, WALKER, Farnborough Station, Hants, nuL-LliiS, ijreen, i loot, aoy. per 100. BERBERIS AQUIFOLIA, 1% foot. LARGE TREE BOX and EVERGREEN HOLLY. — Handsome, bushy, and well-rooted, will ansplant with good balls of earth, 5, 6, 7, and 8 feet high, ree Box lives under trees better than any other Evergreen ee. An inspection invited. Price on application to T. JACKSON AND SON, Nurseries. Kingston, Surrey. ROBERT AND GEORGE NEAL, Wandsworth Common, Upper Tooting, and Garrett Lane Nurseries. These Nurseries comprise about 50 Acres of well-grown and a most useful assortment of STANDARD, ORNAMENTAL, FOREST, FRUIT, and ROSES, and SHRUBS, all of which are in a most healthy and fit condition for removal. A personal inspection invited. CATALOGUES free on application. The Nurseries are within a few minutes' walk of the Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Common Railway Stations. CONIFER AND OTHER SHRUBS, Clean and Healthy. Arbor-vitEeflagelliformis,6 . inches, a^s. per dozen. ,, seraper-aurea, 7 to inches, i8j. per dozen. ,, American, 4 to 8 f Tree^^Bo°x, ^i ^to °%\^i, per dozen. Broom, fine, 35. per dozen. Cedrus Deodara, s to 2% i Cephalotaxus Fortii, 1% 2 feet, i8j. per dozen. Cryptomeria japonica, 2 I Cedrus africana, 4 to 5 f 15s. per dozen. Gold Ivy, I to ij^ foot, to 4 f«t, 2^ feet. „ drupacea, 2 to 30J. per dozen. Lilacs, 4 feet, 5s. per ( „ japonica. Ribes sanguinea, Snowbeny, 4 •' fe per dozen. Ash, 3 to 4 feet. Elm, English, 6 to 8 feet, „ 'Wych. 6 to 8 feet, 15^. Fir, Austrian, 3 to 3^^ feet, Oaks, 6 to 7 feet, fine, 16s. COCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE, newly made.— Reduced price, 20 bushels, 6s. &(f. ; 100, 20s. ; or Truck-load, 405. Delivered free to ajiy rail in London. J STEVENS AND CO.. Fibre Works, High Street, Battersea. S.W. pOCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE, ^^ invaluable for Gardening purposes. One thousand testi- monials. Four-bushel bag, is., bag included ; truck-load, POTTER OYLER, Spitalfields Market, N.E. COCOA-NUT FIBRE REFUSE, FOR POTTING and PROPAGATING. 3d. per bushel ; 100 for 203. ; truck, 408., Free to any Rail or Wharf. As supplied to the principal Nurserymen. M^ LOAM, first-class, per bushel, sack, or ton. SILVER SAND, fine or coarse, per bushel, FRESH SPHAGNUM, 8i. bd. per sack. Before purchasing elsewhere write for Sample Fibrous Peat for Orclilds, &o. BROWN FIBROUS PEAT, best quality for Orchids, Stove Plants. &c., £,6 6s. per truck. BLACK FIBROUS PEAT, for Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Heaths, American Plant Beds, \-js. per ton. Delivered on rail at Blackwater. S. E. R., or Farnborough, S. W. R.. by the truck-load. Sample sack, is. bd. each. Fresh SPHAGNUM, lor. 6d. per sack. WALKER AND CO., Farnborough Station, Hants. ODAMS' MANURES, FOR ALL CROPS. Manufactured by the NITRO-PHOSPHAl'E and ODAMS" CHEMICAL MANURE COMPANY_(Limited), consisting of Tenant- Farmers occupying upwards if 150,000 acres of Land. C;M!>«irn— ROBERT LEEDS, Keswick Old Hall, Norwich. Managing Direclor— ] AMES ODAMS. Sub-Manager and Secretary— C. T. MACADAM. Chief Office — rog, Fenchurch Street, London, E.G. Western Counties Branch— Queen Street, Exeter. Particulars will be forwarded on application to the Secretary, Or may be had of the Local Agents. GISHURST COMPOUND.— Used by many of the leading Gardeners since 1S59, against Red Spider, Mildew, Thrips, Greenfly, and other Blight, Trees. Has outlived many preparations intended to supersede it. Sold Retail by Seedsmen, in Boxes, is., y., and los. 6d. Wholesale by PRICE'S PATENT CANDLE COMPANY ENUINE TOBACCO PAPER of best quality, price lod. per lb., or £4 per cwt. WM. KEN YON, Tot Pollard Street, New Town, TOBACCO CLOTH and PAPER.— The cheapest and best article for Smoking Greenhouses and Destroying Fly. Price is. 2d. per lb. ; over 10 lb. , is. Tobacco Paper, is. per lb., £4 4s. per cwt. P.O.O. payable at 165, Blackfrias Road, S.E. JOSEPH BAKER, n, Nelson Square, Blackfriars Road, S.E. JOHN MATTHEWS, The Royal Pottery, Weston-super-Mare. Manufacturer of TERRA COTTA VASES. FOUNTAINS. ITALIAN BASKETS, BORDER TILES. GARDEN POTS, of superior quality, from i to 30 inches diameter, stand the frost, and seldom turn green. ORCHID, FERN, SEED, and STRIKING PANS. RHU- BARB and SEAKALE POTS, &c. Price Lists post-free. Sheets of Designs, 6(^. Books of Designs, is. ILLIAM S^ BURTON, 39. OXFORD STREET. W. THE PERFECT SUBSTITUTE for SILVER.— The real NICKEL SILVER, introduced more than thirty years ago by William S. Burton, when plated by the patent process of Messrs. Elkington & Co., is the best article next to Silver that can be used as such, either usefully or ornamentally, as by no test can it be distinguished from real Silver. Patterns. Fiddle or Old Silver Bead Thread Ki^ng-s Shell Table Forks or Spoons, per doz. . . Dessrt ditto, per dozen . . Tea Spoons, per dozen i 10 t £^ s.^ rf^ £ J. d^ These are as strongly plated, and .are in every respect at least equal to what other houses are selling as their first quality at very much higher prices, A second quality of Fiddle Pattern— Table Spoons and Forks, 23J. per dozen ; Dessert, lys. per dozen ; Tea Spoons, Tea and Coffee sets, in white metal, from £3 151. to £7 ys. ; Dish Covers, .beaded pattern, ;£ti: ditto, ditto, fluted, ^15 ; £9 to i;24 the set of four : Corner Dishes, from £7 10s. to ' " ii5 151.; : of Plated De; Forks, and Fish-eating Knives and Forks and All kinds of replating done by the patent pro w ILLIAM BURTON, upwaras 01 850 illustrations tn of Prices and Plans of the Thir —39. Oxford Street. W. ; i. lA 4, 5, and 6, Perry's Place ; and tories, 84, Newman Street, and 136 THH GA RDFiNERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1877. BouLTON & Paul, HORTICULTURAL BUILDERS AND HOT-WATER APPARATUS MAKERS, ROSE LANE WORKS. NORWICH. |i Having rebuilt our Works, that were destroyed by the Fire on the nth of August, 1876, we are now prepared, with the aid of new and commodious workshops, and the most complete plant of wood-working machinery and tools for working in Iron in the trade, together with an efficient staff of designers and workmen, to undertake any kind of Horticultural Buildings and Hot-water Work. The floor space in our workshops now covers upwards of 2^ acres. Our present timber stock, of first quality, dry and seasoned wood, amounts to upwards of 36,000 cubic feet — this being stored at our wharf was not injured by the fire. We are, therefore, with these facilities, in a position to execute all orders with dispatch, and at the lowest cost for the best work and materials. Stirvcys made in any part of tJic Kingdom. Ladies and Gentlemen zvaited upon at the shortest notice. The Ninth Edition of our CATALOGUE, illustrated with upwards of eighty de for twenty-four penny stamps. igns, may be had, post-free. The following Price Lists sent Post-free on application, viz. :— LIST OF PATENT GREENHOUSES— TENANT'S FIXTURES. „ MELON AND CUCUMBER FRAMES, PLANT PRESERVERS, &c. „ HOT-WATER BOILERS AND FITTINGS. BOULTON & PAUL, HORTICULTURAL BUILDERS and HOT-WATER APPARATUS MAKERS. ROSE LANE WORKS, NORWICH. February 3, 1877.' THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 137 "(sOMPbETE €0LLECTI0N Vegetable^eeds, WE ALSO SUPPLY COLLECTIONS AT 10s. 6d., 163., 303., 42s., 633., and 105a. The above contain liberal assortments of the best M/- E B B'S SPRING CATALOGUE for 1877 Contains full instructions for the successful cultivation of THE BEST VEGETABLES and THE CHOICEST FLOWERS. Post/u Urata to Customtis THE BEST CAULIFLOWER, Webb's Early Mammoth Cauliflower. An excellent compact vxriely of exceptional merit stands the drought remarkably well heads large firm and beautifully white the best for mam crop Price Is. 6cl. per packet. All Goods of 20J. value and upwards Carriage-free to any Railway Station in England or Wales. Five per Cent. Discount for Cash. FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR 1877. Per packat. — s. BALSAM, Williams- Superb Strain .. 2j. 6rf. and i BEGONIA FRCEBELif 2 BEGONIA SEDENI SEMI-PLENA 2 BEGONIA, Hybrid, finest mixed 2 CYCLAMEN PERSICUM GIGANTEUM.— This is a great improvement on the old type, the flowers being thrown well above the foliage, each flower measuring from 2 to aj^ inches in length ; pure white, with a fine bold violet-purple eye . . 5^. and 2 CYCLAMEN PERSICUM, Williams' Superb Strain, CELOSIA PYRAMIDALIS PLUM&SA '"".."''". \ CALCEOLARIA, Williams' Superb Strain, SJ., 3J. (,d., CINERARIA, Weatherlll's Extra Choice Strain,' 51., 35. 6rt'., zs. bd., and 1 GLOXINIA, Finest Drooping Varieties i Finest Erect Varieties i PRIMULA, Williams' Superb Strain, Red, White, or Mixed ,. .. .. 55., 3J. 6(/., 2S. 6rf. , and i PRIMULA SINENSIS FIMBRIATA COCCINEA (new), colour brilliant scarlet with bright sulphur eye, exquisitely fringed and of great substance . . . . 5 PYRETHRUM GOLDEN GEM i SOLANUM, Williams' Improved Hybrids .. .. i STOCK, Williams' Improved Giant Scarlet Brompton i WALLFLOWER, Harbinger, Autumn and Winter flowering i Packets of Floiver Seeds, excepting heavy kinds. Free by Past. The Queen's Seedsmen, WORDSLEY, STOURBRIDGE, VEGETABLE SEEDS. Lauras Beauty (New) PEA, Williams' Emperor of the Marrows per quart TOMATO, The 100 Days per packet WALKING-STICKS. {Concluded /rem p. 106.) IT will readily be conjectured that a large stock of these roughly cut sticks, both of British and foreign produce, would appear when stacked together like so much firewood, and this is the impression one has on passing through the several floors of the store-house for raw material belonging to Mr. Henry Howell, of 180, Old Street, City Road, London, the largest manufacturer of naturally grown walking and umbrella sticks in England. This building, which is nearly 100 feet long and about 60 feet high, has four separate floors, in which are classified the various English and foreign sticks; and although each one of the hundreds of thousands of sticks thus stored has been care- fully selected for the purposes of the trade, to the uninitiated they all appear like so many stacks of faggots ; but if we pass on to the factory (an immense building of several storeys, which, together with the warehouse, covers a space of some thousands of square feet), we shall see the various processes through which each stick passes till it is finally ready for the retail market. In a great many sticks, whether of British or foreign growth, much labour and discrimina- tion aise needed to reduce and form them to the necessary shape. In the Ash or Holly, for example, the naturally grown branches are mostly too thick to allow of them to be simply straightened, polished, and sent into the market; they have, therefore, to be reduced by a process of planing and rasping, by which the required taper is given and the knob or hook formed, after which it is smoothed and polished, or perhaps before polishing it is artificially coloured in imitation of other sticks, or carved and figured according to the fancy of the manipu- lator or the demands of fashion. The young saplings of the Ash, however, prepared with their bark on, require but little treatment at the hands of the workmen besides forming the heads, cleaning and polishing, and when finished they make excellent sticks. Very few, indeed, of British-grown sticks are in their natural condition sufficiently straight for use as walking-sticks, and indeed some of the foreign produce are even more crooked ; for instance, the Carob (Ceratonia siliqua), quantities of which are imported from Algeria -these have all to be straightened by mechanical means. They are buried in hot sand over a stove till they become quite pliable. In front of the heap of sand in which the sticks are plunged is placed a stout board, 5 or 6 feet long, fixed at an angle inclined from the work- man : in the edge of this board are square notches. When the stick has become suffi- ciently pliable by being buried in the hot sand, the workman places it in one of the notches, and strains and bends it till he has succeeded in producing a perfectly straight stick. In this way the most crooked, and, to all appearance, worthless sticks, are made so straight that the result appears almost impossible, more espe- cially when it is borne in mind that the work- man has no other guide but his well-trained eye to help him. When straightened to his satisfaction the sticks are placed on one side, and as they cool they become perfectly rigid. Efficiency in this branch of walking-stick making is only attained after many years of training and practical experience on the part of i3§ THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1877. the workman, and this can be easily imagined when we remember the different effects pro- duced by heat on the various kinds of wood — the degree of heat necessary to straighten one kind of stick being often sufficient, if applied to one of a different kind, to completely spoil it. The application of heat in various forms, as will readily be supposed from the above illustration, is an important element in the operations of the stick-maker. The same power which makes a crooked stick straight can be applied to make a straight one crooked, and so we find that the hard and brittle stems of the Bamboo, the part- ridge and the Rajah canes, as well as the various kinds of English sticks where Nature has not provided any kind of knob or crook, are by the application of heat curled into the neces- sary shape to form a handle. Most of our readers will, however, be aware that the natur- ally-formed knob or hook is more highly valued by connoisseurs of walking-sticks. Of the final processes of cleaning, polishing, and ornamenting we need say nothing, it will suffice to show the enormous extent of the trade when we say that in the establishment above referred to nearly 200 skilled workmen are constantly employed in the preparation of naturally grown walking-sticks and umbrella- handles. This trade is essentially a British industry, but large quantities of sticks are also made in France and other parts of the Continent. Though we import so many in their rough state from all parts of the world, the imports of manufactured sticks arc comparatively few. From France we get some tastefully mounted canes, and from Hamburg we import the cheaper kinds of painted canes ; but for sub- stantial and well-got-up sticks, more especially for natural sticks, the British manufacture is noted, not only at home, but in the foreign markets, large quantities being exported to North and South America, as well as to other parts of the world. I am indebted to Mr. Howell for many of the particulars contained in this article, as well as for the following list of sticks known in com- merce, the botanical origin of many of which is quite unknown. Perhaps some of the readers of the Gardener^ Chronicle may be able to throw light upon those to which the scientific names are not attached. stick! /ro Olive — Olea europsa Myrtle— Myrtus communis ? Pomegranate — Punica grana- CaroubierriCeratonia siiiqua '^^-nge and Lemon— Citrus sp. -E. globulu Chestnut — Castanea vulgaris Cork— Qucrcus suber Bay-ttee Date Palm petioles— Phoenix Wild Bamboo West India. Pimento— Pimento vulgaris , Supple Jack— Paullinia sp. Coffee— Coffea arabica Orange and Lemon— Citrus sp. Flowered Ebony— Brya Ebe- Yellow Sanders nus I Myrtle Soapwood — Sapindus sapo- i Black Torch nana Gru-Gru — Astrocaryum vul- Eriar — Xantho.\yIoii Clava gare, or Acrocomia sclero- Hcrcuha I Wild Bamboo [carpa Blackthorn Birch Whitethorn Maple Dogw Cabbage (Jersey) .Eflffrf. J, chief yfr,m China. Ordinary yellow-root Bam- Boghead Cane Tonquin Reed Whampoa Bamboo Austr Ma,:. Midgenfperh,ipsa,p cies of Otlf^r !-• irieties frvm tlu East. Partridge cane (a Palm) China ^^^.t^ISJt "rini'^m m) .'. Pcnang Koot Rattan (Calan nus) Singapore Jungle (a Palm) "crc^hi.-: :: East Indies Tea-tree (not Thea Misccl anions. China tx?".:"''^"^ Smyrna Blackjacks .. South Carol. —and a fine knotted stick recently imported in considerable quantities under the name of Ceylon Vine, the native country, however, of which is doubtful, and it may prove to belong to the order SapindaceEe. John R. Jackson, Musentn, Kew. PLANT PORTRAITS. Aerides Fieldingi, Orchidacex {Beli^ique llorli- colt; 1876, tt. 18, 19).— The well-known Fox-brush Aerides, referred as a variety to A. multiflorum, Roxb. With this plate is given a list of the cultivated species, with comments thereon. BiLBERGIA HORRIDA, Kegel, Bromeliace^e (Bel- giijuc Hoiiicole, 1S76, t 22). — A species with strongly toothed, white-banded leaves, and erect racemes of white flowers, the tips of whose petals are tipped with blue. It is a native of Brazil. BiLBERGIA SPECIOSA, BromeliacefE {Reiiuc Horti- ccle, 1S77, p. 10). — A Brazilian species, supposed to be a variety of B. Croyana. The leaves are tufted, strap-shaped, obtuse, serrulate, lightly covered with bran-like scales. The flowers crowded in spikes or racemes, with numerous rosy red bracts ; the calyx of carmine-red, the petals violet, shaded with red. The plant is of vigorous habit, and flowers several times in a year. BiLBERGIA VIRiniFLORA, H. Wendland, Brome- \actx (Bc-lgiiiiie fforlicole, 1876, tt. 20 and 21). — A species with long loose panicles of greenish flowers. It is supposed to have been procured from Brazil. CoULOMEIER Peach, Rci-ue Horticole, 1876, p. 30. — Of this a coloured figured is given. It is said to be of merit tout It Jait hors ligne, and was raised by M. Lepfere, jun., of MontreuU. The glands of the leaves are globular, the flowers of medium size. The fruit is a freestone of medium size, perfectly spherical, downy, richly coloured, and finely speckled on the sunny side. The flesh is melting, of exquisite flavour. The kernel oval, deeply furrowed. The fruit ripens in the first fortnight of .September, M. Carriere, a good-judge, speaks of it in the highest terms. It is in the hands of M. Jamin, of Bourg-la-Reine, and M. Coulom- mier, ofVitry-sur-Seine. Dendrobium Guiberti, IlUtstratioit Horiicolc, t. 25S. — A species with a dense panicle of pale yellow flowers, the lip being of a darker orange colour. It is nearly allied to D. densiflorura. Dkimioi'SIS Kirkii, Botanical Magazin,; t. 6276. — .V pretty bulbous plant, with spotted leaves, like those of a Lachenalia, and a spike of small white bell- shaped flowers. The figure was taken from a plant which flowered at Kew in July, 1S73. The plant is a native of Zanzibar. LIVISTONIA AUSTRALIS, Botanical Magazine, t. 6274. — A noble Australian Fan Palm, for many years one of the chiefest ornaments of the Palm- house at Kew, where it flowered every year, but at last outgrew its accommodation. The figure gives but a poor notion of the beauty of this fine species. Masdevallia Al'TENUATA, Botanical Magazine, t. 6273— One of the more inconspicuous white- flowered species, with long-spreading tails to the flowers. It was described in our columns by Pro- fessor Reichenbach in 1871, p. 834, and was intro- duced into commerce by Messrs. Veitch. It flowers at Kew in December. X N/EGELIA, HYACINTHINA RevilC Horticolt, woodcut, p. 29. — A dwarf growing hybrid Na:gelia, producing a profusion of pale blush-coloured pen- dulous flowers in a dense spike. It appears to be a desirable variety, and is to be sent out by M. Jules Vallerand, of Eois de Colombe, France. Nepenthes Veitchii, Illuslialion Hoiiicoh, t. 261. — A Bornean species, known in gardens as N. lanata, or N. villosa. See Dr. Moore in Gardeners^ Chronicle, 1S72, p. 542. Philodendron gloriosum, Illustration Hortico'e, t. 262. — Desci ibed as a truly glorious plant. Accord ing to the figuie it is a scandent plant, with large bold cordate ovate-acute leaves of a deep rich green colour, the midrib and secondary nerves being of a snow-white colour, and the margins of the leaves bordered with a thin edging of a pink colour. M. Andre met with it in a virgin forest on the borders of the River Guatiquia, in Colombia, and was, as he says, trans- ported with admiration at its beauty. It has been successfully introduced into the establishment of M. Linden, of Ghent. Sonerila Madame Victor Alesch, Illustration Horticole, t. 259. — A hybrid raised by M, Linden, with leaves of a bronzy green, marked and spotted with white, and resembling those of Tydea amabilis. Tllfairia occidentalis, Botanical Magazine, t. 6272. — A Cucurbit, of singular and striking appearance, of climbing habit, padate s-'oliolate leaves, tendrils and white bell-shaped flowers i.S inch to 2 inches in diameter, wiih a purple centre, and five deeply fringed segments. The Gourd is 2 feet long, ovoid-oblong, with ten prominent winged ribs, and the cells filled with golden-yellow pulp. The seeds are numerous. The plant is a native of West Tropical Africa, where the seeds are eaten by the natives, and used for extracting oil. It flowered at Kew in September, 1876. Tillandsia pruinosa, Swarz, Bromehacea: (Bel- gique Horticole, 1876, tt. 16 and 17). — A rootless plant, with a thick, rather elongated, bulbous stock, from which proceed numerous long, linear, ciliated leaves with sheathing bases. From the centre of these rises the inflorescence, consisting of a spike of rose-coloured bracts enclosing purplish flowers. The plant may be grown suspended from the rafters of a hothouse. It is a native of the West Indies. Tyd.-ea Cecille, Illustration Horticole, t. 260.— One of M. Andre's discoveries in the mountains of New Grenada, between 2000 and 3000 feet above the sea, in a temperature of \ 30° C. at noon. The plant was growing amid the fissures of the rocks. The leaves are a velvetty violet colour, with white mark- ings. The flowers are pink, with the limb spotted with darker spots of the same colour. Xanthisma te.xanum. Botanical Magazine, t. 6275. — A hardy annual Composite, with sessile, linear, dentate leaves, and heads of yellow flowers like a Coreopsis. The plant, which is a native of Texas, flowered at Kew m November last. ASPECTS FOR PLANT HOUSES. It is so universally recommended for span-roofed plant-houses to be built with the ends facing north and south, so that the sides face east and west, that it will doubtless be considered an act of temerity to dispute the soundness of the advice, yet I do dispute it, at least so far as to say it is not the best position — that an aspect for the sides south and north, with ends east and west, is quite as good, and I think a great deal better. The greatest drawbacks to the perfection of the first position, viz., ends north and south, are, first, that during the winter when the sun has but little power except when within a few degrees on either side of the south the bars and framework of the house, be they ever so slight, cast a shade over its interior which is of great disadvantage to the plants, and on a frosty morning in midwinter the ice on the glass will lemain unmelted a good hour longer than upon a house facing south. In the second place, when the sun rises early in summer the east face of the house receives the full glare immediately it is above the horizon, which endangers tender foliage. Houses in this position are often hotter at 5 o'clock on a summer's morning than they are at 10 o'clock, owing to the interposition of the bars and rafters as the sun works round. And in the third place, the sun in the afternoon of a summer's day, pouring as it must its full force direct upon the west face, renders it almost impossible to close the house till late in the day unless a heavy shading is left on after closing ; and unless your house is a stove for foliage plants only, this is a great drawback. Now the position I advocate — viz., ends east and west, with broadside north and south — has none of these .disadvantages, for in the first place it receives the full force of the little sun we have in winter, which shines right through the house, reaching the back stage as well as the front most cheerfully. In the second place, the hot summer sun rises upon the face of the house gradually, giving time for the drying up of condensed moisture, and the danger of scorching is less than where the glare is sudden. And in the third place, as the sun approaches the west in the early summer, the house may be closed, the blinds raised, the plants well syringed, and the atmosphere and temperature of the tropics maintained for hours in broad daylight without danger of scorch- ing, giving the foliage of your flowering plants time to dry before night comes on, the advantage of which will be appreciated by all cultivators. Febkuary 3, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 139 All Ihe great plant-growers with whom I am or have been acquainted have had greater difficulties to contend with in the structures they have had at com- mand than are here enumerated, yet, as far as my experience goes, building houses facing east and west, where the ground allows of the north and south aspects being used, is a great mistake, yohn Bislir. FERTILISATION OF PLANTS* (Cciitinucd from /. ^■^.') The first series of experiments was made on the so-called Convolvulus major [Ifomma purpurea), which, having conspicuous corollas, is greatly inter- crossed by humble-bees, but is also highly self-fer- tile, so that the number of seeds produced by inter- crossing and self-fertilisation differed very slightly. Mr, Darwin experimented on this plant for ten years, planting seedlings of exactly the same growth on opposite sides of pots, and the general results were that the excess in height per cent, of the former over the latter varied from 14 to 46 ; or, taking the inter- crossed plants as 100, the mean height of the self- fertilised was 77. The intercrossed plants showed greater vigour and weight. A chief difference was in the number of capsules produced, although the seeds per capsule differed but slightly, so that the actual fertility of the intercrossed as compared with that of the self-fertilised was as (from) 100 : 35 to 100 : 64. Mr. Darwin next fertilised flowers of the ninth intercrossed generation with pollen from a new stock, while other flowers were again intercrossed. The results were greatly in favour of the new cross in height, as 100 : 78, i.e., almost the same ratio as that of the mean of the intercrossed for ten years to the self- fertilised, or as 100 : 77. In weight the ratio was 100 : 51. An exceptional plant appeared in the sixth generation, which Mr. Darwin called Hero, as being remarkable for its strong self-fertilising powers, and for showing no benefit when its children and grand- children were not merely intercrossed, but crossed even by a new stock ! Mimulus luteus afforded quite analogous results. For three years the intercrossed exceeded the self- fertilised in height as 100 : 65. In the fourth genera- tion a new variety appeared, which grew taller, had whiter and larger flowers, and transmitted these cha- racters with great fidelity, so that all the plants in the later self-fertilised generations belonged to it. These frequently exceeded the intercrossed in height, even in the ratio of 137 : 100, and in fertility as 147 : 100. As with Hero so with this pale variety of Mimulus, inter- crossing did no good. But it differed from Hero when crossed by a new stock, for the heights of the eighth self-fertilised generation thus crossed were to that of the ninth self-fertilised generation as 100 : 52, and in fertility as 100 : 3. "Better evidence," says Mr. Darwin, "could hardly be desired of the potent influence of a cross with a fresh stock on plants which had been self-fer- tilised for eight generations, and had been cultivated all the time under nearly uniform conditions." Here, then, is a most important fact for horticul- turists, and it is associated with another of equal value, that greater variety of colours are produced in proportion to the crossing ; while on the other hand perpetual self-fertilisation seems invariably to reduce them to a uniform tint. Mr. Darwin first noticed this in the seventh generation of Ipomcea, of which all the flowers were of a uniform remarkably rich dark purple tint, which remained constant up to the tenth and last generation raised. Likewise had the repeatedly intercrossed flowers a much more uniform colour than those originally raised from purchased seed. Similarly with Mimulus, the original plants varied greatly in the colour of their flowers, so that hardly two individuals were quite alike, the corolla being of all shades of yellow, with the most diversi- fied blotches of purple, crimson, orange and coppery brown, probably the result of much intercrossing. On the other hand, the form which appeared having great self-fertility was not only tall, but its flowers were large, nearly white, and blotched with crimson, and retained a surprising uniformity throughout later generations. Brassiea oleracea. — This, like other cruciferous plants, is adapted for crossing with its two shorter stamens, and self-fertilisation by its four longer ones ; Mu Crass and Scl/ Ftrlilisatiaii of I Ily C. Dar- and, if varieties are grown together, it is consequently very difficult, as Mr. Darwin proved, to raise pure kinds. Height in this case proved quite fallacious, but weight showed the vast superiority of intercross- ing by the ratio 100:37, while the fertility was as 100 : 25. Finally, crossing with a new stock increased the weight of the cross to the ratio of 100 : 22. Mr. Darwin tested the statement that a cut-leaved curled and variegated white-green Cabbage would not cross with a similar crimson-green Cabbage. This was an error, but the former was partially sterile, which may possibly account for the statement. The latter crossed by the former afforded curious results. A few re- verted to a pure green, and became very vigorous, but many more of the self-fertilised seedlings of crimson- green thus reverted, and grew taller by 25 inches than the crossed seedlings. Hence reversion to a more natural condition acted more powerfully on their growth than the -influence of crossing with a semi- sterile variety. It would have been interesting for gardeners had Mr. Darwin experimented on the effects of crossing upon ** root " plants. He only remarks that the effects of Kohl Rabi were particularly plain in the enlarged stems of the mongrel seedlings of varieties of Cabbages grown together. Pisum sativum is fully self-fertile in England, and is rarely intercrossed, as no British insects are usually strong enough to effect it. Hence varieties grown together remain pure. Knight's, produced by artificial crossing, lasted over sixty years, and were always self- fertilised. Owing to the varieties being self-fertilised for many years, a cross brought no benefit at all, or rather had a deteriorating effect ; for the heights were as 100 : 115 ; but Mr. Knight proved that a short variety crossed by a tall one gave rise to offspring twice its height, Mr. Laxton also proved that crossed varie- ties gave rise to prolific offspring. From this species we learn that when a plant has after many generations become, as it were, habituated to self- fertilisation, then intercrossing does no good. This we have seen is paralleled by Hero in Ipomoea, and probably by Lathyrus odoratus, though Mr. Darwin did not test this species ; though he crossed different varieties varying in colour, and obtained a new sub- variety, and in the next generation the offspring varied still more — proving the good effect of crossing varieties if colour-variations are required. On the other hand a spontaneous variety may appear, and then this may prove true to its kind. Phaseolus mitltiflorus, or Scarlet Runner, is very sterile in the absence of fertilising insects, but self- fertile if the petals be only mechanically moved. The cause of the great v.ariability in the colouring of the seed-skins is disputed, but seems most likely to be due to intercrossing. The crossed and self-fertilised plants differed but little, if anything, in height and fertility. P. vulgaris, though closely allied to the preceding, differs from it in being highly self-fertile, yet varieties cross freely if planted together. Pelargenium zonale. — This genus is strongly pro- terandrous and almost self-sterile, but in pale-coloured varieties the pistil matures early and the plants then become *' great seeders." The physiological import- ance of this fact will be alluded to hereafter. In Mr. Darwin's first experiments he crossed plants derived by cuttings from the same stock, and no benefit accrued — a result similar to one obtained by crossing plants of Origanum propagated by stolons. A cross with the pollen from a different plant gave offspring, compared in height with one from a flower fertilised by pollen from another flower on the same plant, in proportion of 100 : 74. It possessed also greater vigour. It would have been a desideratum to know what, if any, effect was produced by crossing on the "zones:" (or Mr. Grieve found the pollen of Zonal Pelargonium to affect Geranium pratense, both in the colour of the flowers as well as in the variegation of leaves {Gardeners* Chronicle, July 8, 1S76), but nothing is said about it. Dianthus Caryophyllus, — This plant is also strongly proterandrous, and great care must be taken to pre- vent varieties crossing if pure strains are required. The number of seeds from crossed and self-fertilised parent plants (as was not unfrequently the case at first) differed but little, the ratio being as 100 : 92. That of the heights of the second generation were about as 100 : 86 when both were grown in the open ground, but when crowded in pots, the result of struggling for existence, which self-fertilised plants usually manifest, was very apparent in the relative heights being as lOO 1 58. In the third generation, however, the heights, though grown in pots, were as 100:99. They were, however, "drawn," beirg "light and thin," but when tested by weight the latter showed the ratio of 100 : 49 -a fact which well illustrated the danger of estimating solely by heights. Another curious fact happened in the third generation. The self-fertilised became much more fertile than the intercrossed, the number of seeds being as 125 : 100. This was probably due to the sexual organs maturing more nearly together, and so being less dichogamous. This is similar to Pelargonium and Primula, which may also become self-fertilising from a like cause. A fresh cross from a new stock was now introduced. The first effect appeared to indicate a decrease of fertility, but the offspring, compared with the self- fertilised, were in weight as 100 : 33, and their relative heights as 100 : 81. Lastly, the pale pink or rose colour of the fourth self-fertilised generation were "as uniform in tint as those of a wild species." The flowers of the fourth intercrossed generation were likewise nearly uniform ; but the newly-crossed plants varied extremely in colour. George Heitslow. (To be continued.') the New Garden Plants. Dendrobium (Pedilonum) Mohlianum, Rchb. f: When the late Dr. B. Seemann came home fro Fiji Islands he spoke in rather high praise of a Den- drobe he had found on Buku Levu and Voma peaks, at an altitude of 4000 feet. It is a Pedilonum, some^ what comparable to Dendrobium thyrsodes, Rchb. f. (D. Kuhlii, Lindl., Bot. Reg. 1S47, tab. 4?, not Bl.); It has, however, a quite new and most striking charac- ter. The lip is inflexed at its end into a shoe, in the way of that of a Cypripedium, and it was these nice cilise which were later observed in D. trichostemma of New Guinea. A second peculiarity is the presence of narrow leaves. The third was this : the flowers were most distinctly said to be cinnabar-red. None of the subsequent Fijian collectors met with the plant, as far as I know, and I thought I should not see it again. Now, however, Mr. Peter Veitch has gathered it, and we may judge for ourselves whether the plant is so nice as one may expect it to be. H. G. Rchb. j. Amomophyllum Patini (.Masters'), Englcr.f This beautiful plant, which was figured and described in the Gardeners' Chronicle, 1876, fig. 109, vol. iii., under the name of Anthurium Patini, does not, 1 find, belong to the genus Anthurium, and not even to the section Poihoidete, but to the section Monsteroidtse near Spathiphyllum. In Schott's System of AroiJca- ram the genus Spathiphyllum is far removed from Monstera and allied genera, but no doubt Spathi- phyllum is much nearer to the genera R.hodospatha, Atimeta, Stenospermatium, &c., than it is to the genera Anthurium and Orontium, between which it is placed by Schott (Genera Aroidearum), and to other genera of Arace.-e. The Monsteroidere are always readily recognisable by the very singular intercellular hairs described by .Van Tieghem m Ann. Sc. Nat., 5 ser., vi., p. 157, in the petioles, peduncles, stems, and also sometimes in the roots (as in Tornelia fragrans). The Monsteroidere always differ in this anatomical character from the Potho- ideK. No Anthurium, no Pothos has such inter- cellular hairs as Monstera, Tornelia, Rhodospatha, Scindapsus. Raphidophora,&c. Spaihiphyllum belongs also to the MonsteroidcK on account of this anatomical character, as also do Anthurium Patini, "and A. flori- bundum, " both being luinished with intercellular hairr, • Dendrobiunt t'racilis vaginis n (I'cdil, iim) Mohliannm. Rchb. f.— Caulis itis : foliis lineari-ligulatis apiculatis : s semiovatis bene evokitis : sepalo Ovafiu truncal pyle fun. Spadi.\ s'tipite teiiui longiusculo suffultus, cylindr; subsquilongus, densi et raulliflorus. SpiUlia oblongo- 140 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1877. Anthurium Patini I received through the kindness of Dr. Maxwell Masters, and I can decidedly affirm that the plant is allied to the genus Spathiphyllum. It agrees with Spathiphyllum in the trimerous flowers (petals 6, stamens 6, 3-locular ovarium), but differs in the ovarium having uniovulate cells. Anthurium floribundum. Linden et Andre (III. Horl. 1877, p. 22, t. 159), the flowers of which I received by the kindness of Mr. Veitch, belongs also to the genus Amomophyllum ; but the cells of the ovary are very often 2-ovulate, therefore this species, Amomophyllum floribundum (Linden et Andre), Engler, resembles the genus Spathiphyllum in the structure of ovary, in which the cells of the ovary are 8 — 2-ovulate, but the form of the ovary is quite different. Possibly species will hereafter be found with characters forming a transition between Spathiphyllum and Amomophyl- lum. A. Engla; Botanic Garden, Munich. Stapelia patentirostris, N. E. Br. (Fig. 21.) Stems erect, branching at base, 3 — 5 inches high, 4 inch thick, puberulous, four-angled, sides very con- cave, anglesobtuse, toothed, teeth erect. Flowers 1—3, erect from the base of the young stems, not very foetid. Pedicels ij inch long, puberulous. Calyx lobes narrow linear-lanceolate acute, 5 lines long, I line broad, puberulou?. Corolla 2^ — 3^ inches in diameter, the back minutely puberulous, pale green tinged with reddish brown towards the tips, the face rugose, the centre densely villose, with long, soft, rich purple-red hairs, which extend a short way up the base of the lobes ; the latter are I — \\ inch long, 7 — 8 lines broad, lanceolate-acuminate, spreading or reflexed, glabrous except just at the base, and fringed with long, simple, purplish hairs, dark red- or purple- brown, the basal part marked with numerous slender, transverse, undulated yellow lines ; ligula; erectly spreading, linear, concave, apex recurved, truncate, with a central projecting tooth, or truncate-emarginate with the tooth from the base of the notch, or very rarely entire and acute (as in the figure), the base and the margins of the apex dull greenish; rostra very suddenly recurved at the base,' and horizontally spreading almost to the sinuses of the corolla, subu- late-triquetrous, blackish purple ; alee (the flat, wing- like dorsal appendages of the rostra) free to the base, horizontally spreading, shorter than the rostra, straight or curved, linear, obtuse, entire, blackish purple. This very pretty species may at once be distin- guished from all yet described by the horizontally spreading processes of the inner corona. The above description and figure was made from the same plant that was figured in the Bctanical Magadnc, X. 5963, as S. sororia of Masson, from which species it differs in its much more slender stems, (only half as thick), smaller flowers, and difterent corona ; it is also cultivated under the name of S. Courcelli. The ligula; are usually truncate-emarginate with a project- ing middle tooth, the side lobes being very short and rounded, as figured in the Bctanical Magazine, but in one flower examined by me some of them were quite entire and simply acute, as here represented. N. E. Brc-.un, Kew. BOTTOM-HEAT WITHOUT COST. On reading the above heading in the GarJencrs' Chronicle, p. 107, many gardeners must have been on the tenterhooks of expectation that some great disco- very in bottom-heating was about to be divulged. Mr. Fish is, however, such a master in surprises in horticultural matters that we must rather regret that this, his last essay on heating, has nothing sensational about it. There cannot be the least doubt but that placing the roots of all plants in the same temperature as their tops are grown in is the natural way to success in their cultivation, especially in the winter months. In growing early Grapes— that is, where they are expected to ripen from April till June— if the roots of the Vines are all confined inside the house the gar- dener can then attend to their wants in every detail of cultivation, and, therefore, no one can gainsay but that the system is sound in practice. I have, however, grown good crops of early Grapes in vineries where the Vines were planted inside and the roots could get to the outside borders, which were protected by Oak leaves mixed with litter, and the surface covered with wooden shutters. The varieties of Vines grown were principally of the Frontignan section, which are well known to delight in heat, and they produced more vigorous wood and bunches than those in the vineries where the roots of the Vines were confined inside. Where, however, labour and mate- rials are scarce, and neatness is desirable on the out side borders, I am of Mr. Fish's opinion that the growing of very early Grapes in structures where the borders are inside is the safest and best system. In growing the main crops of summer, autumn, and late-keeping Grapes, I have found, after a long experience, that the best results have been from vineries where the Vines were planted inside but the roots were left to ramble in properly prepared outside borders at their "own sweet will." There is some- thing more in solar attraction, and its atmospheric effects in making Vine roots always try to reach the outside border when they can, than Mr. Fish gives credit for. The late Mr. John Wilson, when gardener at Worksop Manor, once told me that the original Black Damascus Vine planted there, and which grew in the corner of a vinery where its roots were confined inside, had managed to get through the rotten brick- work into an ashheap and luxuriated there. On making some alterations here this year near the outside borders of the main range of vineries, the Vine roots were found running into the burnt clay that had been filled into a drain, and this was 4 or 5 feet from the made borders. I believe, therefore, that for Vines, where they are expected to grow to a good old age and permanently warm, dry summers. This vinery has now been planted fourteen years, and never misses bearing good crops of Grapes, with bunches and berries of good size, and their colour of that rich golden hue which the Muscat shows when in perfection. There is no extra expense in heating the air-drains in this house, for the same boilers heating the atmosphere of it heats the piping in the outside where the drains are placed. I have now given as above my experience in Grape growing, but with fear and trembling, for hath not Mr. Fish recorded his "anathema" — that if no one can convince him that outside borders are better than inside ones then they are for ever after " to hold their peace " ? I hope, therefore, that other extensive Grape growers will support me, and advance the cause of practical horticulture by giving their opinions on the subject, so that it may be impartially ventilated in the columns of the Gardeners' Chronicle. William Tillery. -STAPELIA PATENTIROSTRIS. um. c, Ligula. D, M.ilformed ligula. to bear good crops, that the system of planting them inside the house, allowing the roots to get to the outside border, is better than wholly confining the roots inside, unless it is in the case of very early Grapes. As to the artificial heating of Vine borders, if Mr. Fish saw how the system is pursued here I am sure he would be quite delighted with it, and praise it above limekiln heating. A large vinery, 106 feet in length and 18 feet in breadth, is planted principally with Muscats, and its borders inside and outside have heated air drains every 4 feet. This is effected by having two rows of 4-inch piping placed at the level of the drains, and the heated air in the drains com- municates with the large channel inside the house where the flow and return pipes are placed. The cut- ting where the two rows of piping is placed on the outside of the border is flagged over the brickwork, with ventilators on the top to regulate the supply of air from the outside to the drains. Plenty of drainage is laid on the surface of the drains, and the roots of the Vines are quite safe from any undue heat or too much drying if plenty of water is given to the borders in j SCHLIMIA TRIFIDA. ' This interesting plant, described by Professor Reichenbach at p. 708 of our last volume, was ex- hibited at the meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on January 1 7, by Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart, , and attracted a good deal of notice from the visitors on account of its remarkable appearance, so unusual in texture as to have been apparently modelled out of thick wax, and so peculiar in form that the individual j blossoms were compared to ancient Grecian helmets. To this remarkable appearance of the flowers, so un- like any other familiar flower, is to be added the fragrance which it would seem is characteristic of the . genus, inasmuch as the original species is called jas- minodora, and the fragrance of the present is described by Sir Trevor Lawrence as being between that of , Jasmine and bergamot. The general aspect of the plant is very much that of a small Stanhopea, the foliage and pseudobulbs being very similar in character. The drooping racemes are one-sided and few-flowered, the blunt sac of the two connate sepals (not cuneate as printed by February 3, 1877. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 141 oversight at p. 70S) giving the individual blossoms when reversed Ihe helmel-shaped figure above re- ferred to, while the third sepal is ligulate and pro- jected forward. The general colour of the flower is a waxy white. The plant is, it appears, New Grenadan, and was sold as S. jasminodora at one of Stevens' sales in May, 1874 The Floral Committee gave it a Botanical Certificate. area in 1S76 was 47,393,000 acres, exclusive of heath and mountain pasture land and of woods and planta- tions. This total exceeds that of 1S75 by So.ooo acres, and between the years 1869 and 1876, 1,293,000 additional acres were returned as under cultivation in the United Kingdom. This increase is mainly in Great Britain, and the respective proportions in each division are 824,000 acres for England, 181,000 for Wales, and 200,000 lor Scotland. Fig. 22.— schlimia trifida (flowers white, fragrant). AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. We quote the following from the Agricultural Returns for Great Britain just issued by the Statistical and Commercial Department of the Board of Trade : — The total quantity of land returned in 1S76 as under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, amounted for Great Britain to 31,544,000 acres. For Ireland the returns obtained by the Registrar. General show a total of 15,725,000 acres, and for the Isle of Man and Channel Islands the totals are respectively 93,000 acres and 31,000 acres. Thus for the whole of the United Kingdom the cultivated The acreage under Wheat in the United King- dom in 1S76 was 3,124,000, being 11 per cent, less than in 1S75, and 22 per cent, less than in 1S69, when the area under that crop was greater than in any other year from 1S6S to 1S76. In Great Britain alone the decrease from 1S75 was 10 percent., and from 1S69 19 per cent. An unfavourable seed time is stated to be the principal reason for so large a falling off this year, but the cause alluded to as account- ing for decreased arable land may be held to apply more particularly to Wheat. The acreage under Barley in 1876 both in Great Britain and Ireland corresponds pretty closely to that of 1S75, but Oats were grown in Great Britain on 125,000 acres more than in the previous year, a larger acreage than in any year since the agricultural returns were collected. This may be accounted for by the relatively high price of Oats during the past year, and also by their being sown on a large area of land intended for Wheat for which the seed time was unfavourable. The fifth table gives the acreage under orchards, market gardens, nursery grounds, and woods, in each county in England, Wales, and Scotland, from which we extract the following : — Counties. ards, &c. Lands, but Iso for Fruit rfany kind. liiil Jflil Mark, Landu G^£ an 01 lip England. Acres. Acres. Acres. Bedford 372 488 Berks 1.345 Buckingham .. 1.375 69 Cambridge .. ., ...89 600 12S Chester 1,219 991 497 Cornwall S74 80 Cumberland .. 166 Derby 4.8 Devon S08 325 Dorset "siess Durham 520 Esse.i '.057 4.675 2°* Gloucester .1,60a Hants Hereford ' 36 Hertford 333 Huntingdon .. '252 46 43 Kent 11,666- 61S Lancaster 1,781 1.027 Leicester 603 336 Lincoln 1. 157 491 145 Middlesex Monmouth .. sisn 154 Norfolk 989 Northampton .. '499 263 Northumberland 153 381 136 133 Rutland' 53 27 Salop 74 102 Somerset 762 Stafford: Suffolk 985 337 2.°57 1,723 1,374 Sulsex '.'. '.'. '.'. 1,652 89 1 Warwick Wilts 93 Worcester ■4;i78 1.564 I East Riding 505 425 205 York.. .^ North Riding 283 s^i (West Riding 1.32s 1.691 Total for England .. 153.=77 34.989 9.550 ■ Wales Anglesey Brecon .. 864 Cardigan 48 30 Carmarthen 85 Carnarvon Denbigh 34 Flint .. 39 15 Glamorgan 251 33 Merionfth^ 361 43 PembrokT'^ 51 13 8 Radnor.. 499 Total for Wales .. 2,600 573 ^6^ Scotland. Aberdeen 3= Argyle Ayr 7« Banff 5 ^ Berwick Bute T. Caithness .. .. Clackmannan .. 9 Dumbarton .. 5 Dumfries 46 Edinburgh 811 Elgin or Moray 8 83 Fife 33 67 26 Forfar 164 Haddington .. f 389 6 Inverness Kincardine .. Kinross Kirkcudbright.. "16 ^3 23 Lanark Linlithgow .. ■7 13 Nairn Orkney Shetland Peebles Perth "265 353 Renfrew 63 ■57 58 Ross and Cromarty . . Roxburgh .. .. 74 Selkirk 1 Stirling Sutherland .. .. 63 Wigtown .. .. 10 " = 64 Total for Scotland .. 7Z^\ 2^^94. 1.76. „ Great Britain. I57,!87 38.S03 11,676 ,ter part of the acreage of orchards and some je of market Gardens arc included in the der separate crops of crass. 142 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1877. The decrease under green crops, as compared with 1875, is considerable in Great Britain, amounting to 90,000 acres, or 2j per cent., while in Ireland there is little change, the larger extent of Turnips and Mangel almost making up for the diminished acre- age of Potatos. It is noticeable that the acreage under the latter crop in the United Kingdom is now considerably less than at any' time in the past decade. The fear of disease is alleged by some of the col- lectors as a reason for so steady a falling off. Of the other green crops in Great Britain, Turnips show a small increase. Mangel a decrease of about 4 per cent.. Cabbage, &c., about 5 per cent., and Vetches, Lucerne, &c., about 12 per cent. The land under Flax increased largely in Ireland in the present year, but is still little more than half what it was in 1S67, when more than a quarter of a million acres were sown with that crop. In Great Britain its acreage is still insignificant, being confined to only a few counties. The acreage under Hops shows a further increase in Great Britain, and may now be reckoned at 70,000 acres, being an increase of 4000 acres since 1S74. Bare fallow was much larger in 1S76 than in the previous year, much land being left uncropped owing to the wet and unfavourable seed time. There was an increase of more than 4 per cent, in the acreage under artificial grasses in Great Britain, and the total of 4,540,000 acres is the largest yet recorded. Permanent grass for hay shows little variation from 1S7S, but the figures for that year were exceptionally large. In permanent grass, not for hay, there is an addition of 193,000 since the previous year. The following is a summary of total acreage under each principal crop in Great Britain in 1S76 : — Principal Crops. Acres. iEngKind .. .. 2,822,342 Wales 94;4i3 Scotland .. .. 78,192 Great Britain . .. 2.994,957 / England .. .. 2,100.265 Wales 153,647 Barley or Bere .< Scotland .. .. 270,197 I, Great Britain . .. 2,533,109 /'^ngW .. .. 1,525,349 Oats .. .. \ Scotland .. ,, i,o2i!764 ^, Great Britain . .. 2,789,530 ( England . . . . 307,798 Potatos ..X Scotland .. .. i54!7o9 I Great Britain . .. 505,088 ('England .. .. 1,561,116 T . , Wales 72,049 ^s3es'':'^S-'-=' •• •■ 5.2.408 L Great Britain, .. 2.145,573 Clover, &c,. I Wate°. !'. '.'. ^le^'.Isg under Rota- \ Scotland .. .. 1,393,011 L Great Britain . .. 4,540,273 Natural History. The Sports of Wild Birds. — Anything relating to the garden is always acceptable to those who admire the works of Nature, and what subject more innocent and enjoyable than noticing the unaccountable sports of wild birds. A blackbird in a pretty country parterre is now hopping among pigeons, doves, ducks, chickens, dogs, and cat, feeding at stated hours of the day, and answering to the name of Dick. Until a few weeks ago, and all through the last summer, he would come to a cage at sunset, which was placed on a yarden-seat for him to roost in, nor was the cage-door fastened after he had settled on his perch ; but now, and thus far in winter, he prefers open air, and sleeps on an old tree near. Early in the morn- ing he takes strolls along the paths, and goes regularly at the hour for feeding the poultry, after which he finds his way among the shrubs searching for worms. Occasionally a wild blackbird visits him, until the approach of some one of the family, when the wild bird flies away, leaving Dick to himself. Sparrows and other small birds are fed daily from the dining-room window, when our tame blackbird, which is sure to be there too, will display his dex- terity and authority by driving the smaller birds away, and usurping more than his share of the crumbs. His movements altogether are most interesting, especially when titbits are scattered for a scramble. Many years since a robin became most familiar with the ladies of the same place. Bobby would come at their call all across the garden, hop about them, perch upon the dress of either, sing his plaint- ive melody upon the finger of one, take a bit from her mouth, displaying signs 0/ joy at seeing his two favourite friends, and, after all, quietly retire, as recorded at the time in your journal ; but the sender of this account never before heard of a blackbird becoming so tame as the one now described, to be seen at the Laurels, Clewer Hill, Windsor. Wasps. — This is a bad time of year to write upon wasps, when there are none ; but seeing how many of your correspondents were tormented with these hothouse pests last year, I send ray experience of the last two years. I cannot explain the facts ; I only state what I saw and afterwards tried. The same remedies may not suit other places, and are probably well known to many. In 1S75 I saw a large house of ripe Grapes in great perfection at Beechwood, in Cheshire, with all its windows open, the fruit fully exposed. I saw four large plants of Tomatos in pots standing on a border, looking very much out of place amidst such fine Grapes. This made me ask the gardener why he kept them there, when he told me "it was to keep out the wasps." I then observed that not a single wasp was in the house, while at a small vinery within a quarter of a mile they swarmed. This year I grew a good many Tomatos in a vinery, for the double pur. pose of use and to keep off wasps from the Grapes, and I never saw one in the house ; there were plenty about the garden. Last year I had a good crop of Peaches, which were sadly tormented by wasps and flies. Seeing Mr. Scott's advertisement, I wrote for a bottle of his wasp destroyer, and, following his directions, put a few drops on branches, which at that time were alive with wasps and flies in the full sunshine. I felt very incredulous as to what Mr. Scott says on the subject, but on going to the trees an hour or two after not one wasp was there, and the fruit was saved from them for some days. Now Dr. Slade's spiritualistic performances seem nothing to what these few drops per tree effected. I could not see that a wasp touched the poison, nor could I find a dead wasp, but all disappeared. It often seems as if bluebottle flies send scouts to look out for dead and dying, as if you notice in any sick chamber, whether of man or beast, there is always one very knowing-looking bluebottle, who sits quiet taking observations, and as soon as death comes oft goes the fly and brings all his relatives. Now whether the wasps keep an ambassador to notify to head- quarters how wasp politics go on I know not, but I am certain of the fact I mention, that every wasp departed and I ate my Peaches in peace. As I before stated I only mention facts, and I find Tomatos and Scott's wasp destroyer both effectual. I may perhaps trouble you with a little more upon the natural history of wasps and hornets. I hope some gardeners will try these two simple remedies next year. W. D. F. The Goatsucker.— I quite agree with your correspondent, Mr. Wilson, thet the "burring " sound proceeds from the bird at rest. In all opportunities I have had of watching them, their flight in hawking after food has been as noiseless as that of the owl, but when resting after a flight they have commenced " burring " almost immediately. Gilbert White in his Natural History of Sdborm says : " There is no bird, I believe, whose manners I have studied more than the Caprimulgus (goat- sucker) . . . but I have always found that though sometimes it may chatter as it flies, as I know it does, yet in general it utters its jarring note sitting on a bough." Again I agree with Mr. Wilson, the goatsucker is by no means a shy bird ; so long as the observer remains stationary they continue their flight after food, frequently passing within a few yards. A relative of mine has in his possession a specimen that was shot in consequence of its persistently settling on the roof of a cottage and "jarring" to the annoyance of the inmates, who regarded it as a bird of ill-omen. With us the favourite resorts of the goatsucker are Fir plantations adjoining heath or open ground. Finder, Ampt/till, Bct/ords/ilre. a correspondent ha about the nightjar o that Fern owl. " R." was wrong in nearly everything he wrote on the subject, radically so with regard to the "burring" sound the bird makes, which, so far as my experience goes, is invariably made when it is settled on a bough. Directly it takes wing it ceases the " burring," although in its owl-hke flight it occasionally utters a short cry or screech. I have never seen it except in woods or plantations, and have certainly thought it was far from a timid bird, yo/m IV. Doivninj^. Having been very busy and much away from home, I have been prevented replying to Mr. Wilson's note upon this bird {viJe p. 14). My short observa- tions were made last season in the North of England ; I noticed the birds were more plentiful than I ever remembered, this perhaps caused me to observe them more closely. I have no doubt Mr- Wilson is quite correct, for White seems to be of the same opinion. In this locality they are only to be met with on a wide heath, skirted on one part by a young planta- tion, where the birds were flitting from the roadway to the branches ; they appeared then to produce the burring sound, as well as when going from branch to branch. Probably Mr. Wilson, from closely watching their habits, has come to a different conclusion. Again, I generally look upon it as a shy, timid bird ; but this may arise from the fact that it is hunted by the boys whenever an opportunity arises. If it takes refuge in a park, where it feels safe, and is never allowed to be molested, it may then become trustful ; but it should have every protection extended to it, if it is only as a garden or farm friend. Very few of the denizens of our woods and heaths do more good. A\ PLANT //OUSES. Greenhouse Hard-wooded Plants.— Any one who ever intends to succeed in plant-growing, either large or small specimens, will find it imperative to be continually on the look-out for the insects that wage an unceasing war upon the subjects they cultivate. Hard-wooded greenhouse plants, taking them collec- tively, are much less liable to the attacks of aphidfs than softer, more succulent things, the juices of which afford more suitable food for these parasites ; yet nevertheless it often happens that a few aphides during the autumn take up their abode on hard-wooded plants, and go on slowly increasing through the winter on Pleromas, Boronias of different species, but more especially B. pinnata and Drummondii, Adenandras, Gompholobiums, and Aphelexis. In the case of almost all these plants the insects are so different in appearance, and have such a puny, ill-fed character as to be scarcely recognisable, and in some not very easily seen, and they rarely increase to an extent so as to be readily detected by their numbers, yet they fre- quently do an immense deal of harm before they are noticed by those who have not had much experience with these plants. On Aphelexis in parti- cular they attain such a diminutive size, and are so nearly the colour of the leaves, that it requires a quick eye to detect them ; but if the points of the flowering shoots for the season, on which they principally con. gregate, are closely examined, the excrement will be seen, which is changed by their feeding on Aphelexis so as to have the appearance of minute white crystals. Where they exist on these plants, unless speedily destroyed, they will have the effect of killing every flower, or what is generally understood as turning them blind. I have seen many a fine specimen so affected, the owners of which have not been able to detect the cause. On Gompholobiums the insects find a little more genial feeding-ground, but on them are sni.all, congregating on the underside of the leaves, and if not dislodged they will very soon have the foliage off. On Boronias, the dirty deposit they make soon becomes mouldy, to the destruction of the leaves, which will fall off in quantity with little perceptible cause. Con- trary to what might be supposed, having apparently so little vitality when living on these plants, they are im- measurably moredifficultto kill than when intheplump, fat condition they are found in on many soft-wooded subjects : so much so, that tobacco-smoke can scaicely be applied stron,j enough to kill them, for which reason washing with tobacco-water is much the best remedy, and it should be used tolerably strong. ( )ne or two washings with the syringe, the applications being such as to reach every part of the plants, leaving it to dry on, will generally be found effectual. Kalosanlhes at this time of the year are frequently affected in like manner, the insects getting into the points of the shoots, and to be seen need to be looked for ; on these plants they do not absolutely destroy the flowers THE GARDENERS CHRONICLE. 143 but they cause all the leaves that surround the heads of bloom to turn quite yellow, which gives the plants when they ought to be at their best a very unsightly appearance. Here again washing with tobacco- water is the best remedy. As the tying is completed, every plant should be s'ood well up to the glass and kept clear of its neiglibours ; yet so elevated, especially in good light houses, they will bear being much nearer together than when placed where there is comparatively less light. Such an arrangement admits of Cinerarias, Primulas, or flowering bulbs, that from this time for- ward will bear a little shade, being stood under- neath them ; which is not only an advantage in economising space, but gives to the hard-wooded house an improved appearance, doing away with the objectionably flowerless look that these structures too often have at this season. Those useful winter forcing plants. Genistas and Acacias Drummondii and armata, especially when brought into flower so early as the commencement of the year, are often, after a few seasons, allowed to get into an unsightly straggling condition, by letting them after blooming go on growing without a sufficient use of the knife ; they are much the most serviceable when freely cut in every year after the flowering is over, so as to keep them in a close compact form and limited size. After being cut in they should be kept in a genial atmo- sphere and care taken to see that they are completely free from red-spider, to which the Genistas especially are very subject. Soft-wooded Greenhouse Plants. — Her- baceous Calceolarias, where required early in flower, should now be kept a little warmer than ordinary greenhouse stock— 45° in the night will suit them ; let them have a light situation, and if possible a little moister atmosphere than most things require. Fuchsias struck last summer must have careful atten- tion, to see that they do not want for pot-room, for if the roots ever get cramped the plants will not move freely afterwards. Keep the main shoot trained to a single stick, stopping it and the side branches propor- tionately with the habit of growth of each individual variety, so as to lay the foundation for dense bushy specimens ; 55° in the night will now do for them ; syringe overhead daily to keep down red-spider. So treated they will bloom early, and make much handsomer plants than the old stools. Where the latter are to be again used they should now be started in a little warmth, and shook out and potted as soon as they have made an inch of growth. Give more air to the general stock on calm sunny days, but be careful of cold draughts, for the weather at this early season is so changeable that in one hour we may have it as genial as April, and the next cold and cutting. T. Bailies. Orchids.— The vestita section of the Calanthes will now have done flowering, and that the bulbs may have a period of rest before starting them in March, as well also as for utilising the room they have taken up, it is preferable that they be shaken out of their pots, the greater part of the old dead roots cut away, and the bulbs laid on some dry moss in a shallow box or pan, and stood on a warm shelf or stage ; here they will keep plump and hard, and in the course of a few weeks will push out the breaks from the base of the bulbs. As C. Veitchii goes out of flower, it may be treated in a similar manner ; the bulbs of this, how- ever, are generally elongated, and since it is one of the most useful of winter-blooming Orchids, and it is desirable that a number of it should be obtained, it may be easily increased by breaking or cutting the bulb through the middle, so that the top piece will have one ormore eyes to start into growth. The broken ends, however, should have .1 little sulphur rubbed on them to dry up the sap that exudes, and thus prevent them from being lost by damp or rot. C. Turneri and nivalis, that always bloom later, must still be kept in the East India house, to bring their flowers to perfection. The compact form of the first-named, with the pure white colour of the sepals and petals and rosy purple eye, makes this a very desirable addition to this section, whilst the two varieties of nivalis are both deserving of culture. C. Masuca and DominianawiU now be growing fast, and must be well attended to as regards water ; C. veratrifolia will also be growing freely, and with the advanced growth the flower-spikes will be pushing up, and both continue growing at the same time ; if there is any yellow-fly, it should be got rid of by sponging or smoking. This will remain a long time in flower, and if it is wanted for ex- hibition purposes, unless it is very forward, it had better remain in the warm division and come gradually on, otherwise if stood in a cool house the flowers are apt to damp and open very badly and irregularly. Such of the Dendrobiums as are still in a dormant state, and among these may be named lituiflorum, Bensoni^, crystallinum, Parishii, crepidatum, Devonianum, &c., must be carefully looked to, and as soon as any exhi- bit symptoms of returning activity and growth such a course of treatment must be adopted as they will require for their full development. One of the first will be C. Devonianum, and unless looked well to, the young breaks as soon as they push up are liable to be eaten through by the small shell-snail, which is likely to be hidden among the moss. Trap these with pieces of Potato hollowed out in the middle, and placed about on the plants. Look to D. Falconeri in the cool divi- sion, and see that it does not suffer with its cool treat- ment above what may consistently be considered sufficient for the forming and setting of the flower- buds, which latter will be looked for some two months hence. D. Cambridgeanum and chrysanthum will now be growing fast, and must have a plentiful supply of water. Carefully regulate the temperatures of the divisions, avoid and guard against a hot and dry state of the atmosphere, at the same time be careful that an excess of moisture is not permitted to remain in any of the houses. When the weather is mild air must be given on the lower ventilators of the Odontoglossum- house, and occasionally on the other divisions also, but be careful that they are closed in good time, otherwise the houses may fall much lower than is desirable. IV. Swan, Falbwfidd. FRUIT HOUSES. Pines.— At about the commencement of March we make it a practice to go through that section of the plants which has been wintered in pots of from 5 to 8 inches, and shift into fruiting- pots a number equal to the requirements for next winter and spring. Only such plants as are in a highly satisfac- tory state of health are selected, and those of the Queen and similar tender-rooting kinds are placed in lo-inch pots, and such as Ihe Smooth Cayenne and other strong rooters have 12-inch ones afforded them. After these plants are potted the bottom-heat should be kept at not less than 80°, but not much surface growth should be permitted until more propitious circumstances exist outside ; a mean of 58° at night and 65° in the daytime will therefore be ample for some time afterwards. At about the same time we commence with a batch of suckers, which form an immediate succession to the preceding. The requirements to carry these operations into effect should have attention, and the loam, which is the chief component, should be seen to at once, as it should be in a mode- rately dry state when used, or otherwise in em- bedding it firmly round the balls of the plants it may be rendered impervious— a condition which would speedily indicate its results, and effect the destruction of the plant. Timely preparations will also be necessary for the suckers, in order to have the bed in a proper stite at the time. If space will admit, all those suckers which are on fruiting plants, or stools from which fruit has recently been cut, should be retained in this way until they are required to be started. Carry out former directions with respect to all young stock, see that these do not suffer from the lack of water, and especially those which are shortly to be shifted. The temperate state of the atmosphere this year has been the means of reducing the amount of fire-heat to its minimum state and of materially assisting the maintenance of a higher standard inside, which is very beneficial to fruiting plants and those which are coming up, which should now be the case with the earliest started batch of plants, so that the fruit may be fit for summer use. Gtirge Thomas Miles, Wycombe Abbey. Orchard House.— Many sanguine pomologists admit that the pot culture of fruit trees has not made the progress they anticipated, simply because the system, comparatively new, has not been properly understood, and many failures may be traced to the practice of keeping excitable trees- like Peaches, Apri- cots, and Cherries, under glass all the year round, instead of removing them to an airy place out-of-doors as soon as the wood is ripe, where, with the pots well protected from frost by means of leaves or Fern, the trees can have the benefit of autumn rains, the buds are retarded, and the danger of too many dropping in the spring through being kept too dry at the roots when at rest or premature excitement is done away with. Assuming that the general stock of trees is now in position under glass, and the soil in a medium growing state, all the ventilators and doors must be kept open to retard the opening of the blossoms, as we may yet experience severe frost, and even then during bright sunshine, which we frequently have in frosty weather, the ventilators should be opened to keep down the temperature. For the mid-season house I would recommend Royal George, Royal Ken- sington, Bellegarde, Noblesse, and Dymond Peaches ; Elruge, Pitmaston Orange, Pine-apple, Albert Victor and Napier Nectarines ; Moorpark and large early Apricots ; Bigarreau Napoleon, Governor Wood, and Black Circassian Cherries. W. Coleman. Cucumbers. — With increased light and an im- provement in the weather, winter Cucumbers are now making good growth, and assuming better colour and texture of foliage. Plants that have been some time in bearing, and are now showing signs of exhaustion, will make a fresh start and produce a quantity of useful fruit at a time when fruit is most in demand if a portion of the old soil which has become sour is removed from the roots and replaced iviih good turfy loam and lime rubble, previously warmed to the temperature of the house. The turf should be broken up with the hands, and firmly packed over the surface of the beds ; a few of the old leaves may at the same time be removed to make room for the young growths, which may be trained over all vacant spaces, and stopped at the first joint beyond the fruit, when the roots have taken to the top- dressmg, care being taken that the trellis does not become crowded with useless spray, which is always detrimental to successful cultivation. The night temperature may now be raised to 70°, with a rise of 10° to 15° by day from sun-heat ; close at 80°, and syringe on fine afternoons about 2 P.M. If movable trellises are used they may now be lowered a little to prevent the leaves from touching the glass, which must be kept clean. Keep the first set of young seedlings near the glass until they are about 12 inches high, and when they have filled the pots with roots they may be transferred to the hills, fruiting-pots or boxes, in hot-water pits. If the latter are used, they should be filled to within 6 inches of the rim, to leave room for earthing-up as the roots appear on the surface. Place a stick to each plant, train up the trellis, but do not stop them until they have filled two-thirds of the allotted space. W. Coleman, KITCHEN GARDEN. The recent changes from long- continued drenching rains to weather which is more favourable to garden operations will cause this to be a very busy depart- ment, and it would be as well if a little extra labour could be bestowed on the necessary operations con- nected with the preparation of the soil for future crops. Very much of the success which will attend the produce of the kitchen garden through the whole year depends upon the amount of labour which is expended upon it during the next three months. In most seasons we may safely calculate on being able to trench up roughly all vacant plots of ground during the two preceding months, and, by seizing the opportunity afforded by dry frosty mornings of fork- ing the ground over, to bring the soil into a condition favourable for the reception of the crops, but in a season like the present all these operations are in arrear, and hence the necessity for extra strength being put on, and likewise for taking every oppor- tunity, when weather and conditions of soil will serve, to commit to the earth such crops as are required early, amongst which a good sowing of Early Peas, such as Advancer, should not be forgotten. Another sowing of some of the varieties of Early Longpod Beans should be got in for succession ; the supply required should always regulate the quantity sown, but as a rule succession is better secured by sowing a lesser quantity at shorter intervals. This remark will apply in the case of all crops of which the supply depends upon successional sowings. It is quite safe now to make the principal sowing of Celery for the main crops ; this will be best sown on the brisk heat of a dung-bed in a frame, so as to give it more room, which is preferable to sowing in pans or boxes, which, from their confined space, and the necessity for sowing thickly, is apt to draw them up weakly, and they receive a check when pricked out. The same dung-bed and frame may be made available for the first sowing of Snow's Superb Winter Broccoli, also Veitch's Autumn Giant Cauli- flower, Veitch's Self- protecting Autumn Broccoli, which is truly a most valuable variety. A pinch of Walcheren Cauliflower will also be useful, as will also some Lettuces for succession. A good-sized frame of early Potatos should bejplanted at once, and some Radish seed scattered over the surface ; and if the early Carrots are not yet sown in the pit or frame, no time should be lost. When started air should be constantly supplied, to prevent drawing up weak. A good bed of Cabbages from the late sown plants last year should now be planted to succeed those planted in the autumn. A little seed may also be sown in a warm corner for successions. It is now time to plant out Garlic and Shallots. These flouiish best in a stilT soil and plenty of manure ; plant in rows about 6 inches apart. Large Onions may be planted out for seed, if required ; and very small ones from the stores (if no larger than Peas so much the better), if planted out now, will be highly appreciated for kitchen purposes by-and-bye, when the winter stores are exhausted. Give to Cauliflowers in frames and under handlights plenty of air in suitable weather ; remove all decayed foliage, stir the soil, and dust over with dry soot and ashes now and then. When there is no Cucumber-house the supply will mainly depend upon the produce from dung- beds in frames. Some seed should therefore be sown at once in the briskest heat at command, so as to have the plants ready to ridge out by the end of this month. A good supply of fermenting materials should be kept in a course of preparation by frequent turnings, to sweeten and render it fit for almost immediate use as soon as thrown into a bed. John Cox, RcJlcaJ, 144 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [Feeruary 3, 1877. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1877. APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. KSDAV, Ftb. 7— Sale of Orchids at Stevens' Rooms. Thursday, Feb. 8-Sale of Lil.es at Steveiis' Rooms. to,,,.,. u.k „fSaleof Hardy Plains and Bulbs, at Stevens' PKIDAI, Feb. 9 1 Roo^s. THE Bill affecting the future management of our great arterial Highways, brought into the House of Commons last year only to be scotched almost before it had seen the light, is promised as a pressing measure for the ensu- ing session, and in the interests of thousands of hardly pressed ratepayers it is to be hoped that it will, if carried, be found effectual in giving the desired relief. Although not techni- cally a horticultural topic, our highways and roads are intimately associated with it in rela- tion to their construction and maintenance, but in the neighbourhood of large towns, and espe- cially around the metropolis, the condition of our highways is a matter that very largely affects the market gardener, as his draught both ways is exceedingly heavy, and the stern necessities involved in the housing of an im- mense population have driven him farther and farther out into the country, so that now teams of heavily laden garden produce have to travel distances varying from 10 miles to 20 miles ere they can reach that great central depot which has such a world-wide reputation as the garden- market of London. Whilst the toUbars stood the highways were fairly well maintained, but just as these tolls offered a decided bar to locomotion and internal communion between localities, so also did they violate those principles of progress and free trade upon which our political economy is now based. Under the laws that established high- way trusts and toUbars, all kinds of agricultural or garden produce, and manures for the im- provement of the land, received a degree of immunity from tolls that spoke well for the sagacity of the landowning legislators of those days in looking after their own interests. With the abolition of toUbars go these special pri- vileges, and as the cost of maintenance is now thrown on the parishes through which the respective highways pass, farmers and market gardeners alike have to bear the burden of cost, and this has proved in nume rous cases to be so heavy as to be a veritable millstone round the necks of the unfortunate ratepayers. Ordinary parish roads are chiefly intersecting means of communica- tion between one great highway and another, and, therefore, the maintenance of these has never proved to be a heavy burden to any parish, but the traffic on the arterial highways is immense, and is gradually growing ; further, it would appear to become of a heavier and consequently more grinding nature as years go on, and thus the wear and tear on any import- ant highway is so great as to thrust upon poor parishes a burden they are unable to bear. The provisions of the Government Highway Bill are not widely known, and, as far as the coming one is concerned, are simply conjectured, but it is understood that the Bill proposes to establish County Boards having power to take charge of all arterial highways within the county, and to make rates for their maintenance over the entire area. It is difficult to believe that this will prove to be the most satisfactory method of solving a somewhat pressing difficulty. In populous urban parishes, such as those which immediately surround London and other large towns, the evil does not forcibly present itself. A wider areaof municipal government thus absorb- ing into some dozen or more of parochial vestry executives would be an undoubted boon, and further Government is hardly called upon to in- tervene, but in more rural districts the burthen is singularly heavy, and if relieved, as thus pro- posed by the Bill, no doubt the ratepayers would be satisfied so far without taking much thought as to the statesmanlike character of the proposal, or whether it was likely to prove in the end at once the cheapest and most effi- cient that could be devised. Unfortunately in relation to our highway management a much more drastic measure is required to put it on a sound and sensible basis, and make highways and public footpaths everywhere more adapted for the wants of modern civilisation than they now are. To touch the urban vestry system of government will require a strong hand, and any measure purposing to alter and amend paro- chial administration in rural parishes can only be made effective by grave determination. The present system of managing the parish roads by local and untrained surveyors is as rotten as are the roads they profess to keep in repair. In nine cases out of ten the appoint- ments are almost permanent, and open the door to much rank jobbery ; and, worst of all, whilst the parochial surveyor is endowed with large powers to make rates and expend them, he has no professional auditing of his accounts to submit to, the members of the vestry only going over the accounts ; and nothing is easier than to throw dust in the eyes of the few assembled ratepayers, who have to take all sub- mitted to them for granted. It is one of not the least of the evils incidental to this form of parochial highway administration that the men selected as surveyors rarely have any practical knowledge of road making or road repairing ; and farther, having their own business matters to attend to, naturally give those a preference over the highway management. They are also, from a (ellow feeling, naturally very lax in insisting upon the trimming of roadside hedgerows and the cleansing of watercourses, and permit the cutting of turf and various other trespasses and nuisances in the shape of huge heaps of manure on the roadsides, such as would not be allowed if a professional man held the position of sur- veyor. The real remedy for these defects in our highway management will be found in making the Union, and not the parish, the limit for highway administration. The Board of Guardians is gradually becoming enlarged from a body merely having powers in Poor Law Administration to a board having the management of all public matters within their Union area. It is now the sanitary authority; it has recently had large powers given it under the Education Act of last year, and it can hardly be out of character to make it the Highway Board for the whole Union. Ere these enlarged powers be granted, however, it will be necessary to reconstitute it on a more popular basis, as probably the Board of Guardians at present presents one of the most unrepresentative of public elective bodies in the kingdom. It will be but necessary to abolish voting-papers, and make the present ratepaying parish constituency the electoral body for, say, the triennial election of the members of the Board, and its popularity becomes at once assured. With its new duties it may be neces- sary to increase its members, and then it can divide itselt into poor-law, sanitary, educa- tional, and highway committees, perform- ing, through efficient officers, its work thoroughly and well within the radius of its operations. Here, then, is offered a solution of both the arterial and parochial highway diffi- culties. The County Board and its widespread costly administration over, after all, only a few highways, becomes needless, — the Union be- comes the equal area for rating and maintenance of all highways within its bounds. The high- way committee appoint a professional surveyor, whose time is entirely occupied in looking after the highways within his charge ; he has his own gangs of men throughout the district under his daily supervision, his own horses and carts and all necessary repairing implements. The committee buy and sell, keep a rigid super- vision of accounts, all roads and footways are kept in an even state of repair, and the end of parochial highway jobbery is brought about. These ideas are commended to the attention of Mr. Sclater Booth. At one of the recent meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society, Mr. MosELEY, one of the naturalists attached to the late Challenger Expedition, showed a series of Japanese illustrated works on horticulture and agriculture, which were of great interest and no slight artistic merit. One of the volumes, beautifully printed on Daphne paper, was devoted to illustrations of the process of Cultivating Rice, from the sowing of the seed to the harvest thanksgiving at the ingathering of the crop. One of these illustrations has, by permission of Mr. MosELEY, been engraved by Mr. Worthington Smith, who has very accurately copied a scene representing the thinning out and transplantation of the Rice plants in the flooded fields wherein it is cultivated (fig. 23). The whole work gave a vivid idea of the industry and skill of the Japanese. The Bulletin ile la SociAi ci' Acclimatation for November, which we have lately seen, contains a catalogue of all the plants at present growing in the Society's garden at Hyeres. This catalogue consists mainly of plants hardy in the open air at Hj^res, and includes the collections of Grape Vines, Oranges, subtropical fruit trees, &c., and will be found very useful by those interested in forming collections in the South of Europe. In a recent number of Der Gartenjreund, an Austrian contemporary, and the organ of the Horti- cultural Society of Vienna, there is an admirable article, by Lothar Abel, landscape and architectural gardener, on the Social Standing of Gar- deners in Austria. It is headed by Lindley's gardener's watchword, and the whole argument resolves itself into this, that as soon as gardeners generally have attained that degree of culture and refinement which will qualify them for intercourse with the members of other professions, then they will certainly rise in the social scale. The leading gardeners of this country are highly complimented, as are also the possessors of large gardens, who extend some consideration to their gardeners. Other- H ise the article in the main might be addressed to the young gardeners of this country, who, collectively, are responsible for the social standing of the profession in the immediate future. The majority of our best practical gardeners will agree with us, we believe, that very much remains to be done before the general run of English gardeners will be raised to the level of their occupation. Of course there will always be a large number of people who mistake their caUing, just as in every other walk of lile ; but these may be lelt out of consideration. In a report on the condition and progress of the garden of the Society of Acclimatisation at Hjeres, the Bidhtin for November gives the Rate of Growth of Various Species of Eucalyptus and other Australian trees. The Eucalypti rapidly form very straight, slender trunks of very durable wood. E. globulus, sown in March, 1S73, and planted in a row, are now from 20 to 35 feet high, the greater part being over 25 feet. Seedlings ol the same species planted out in 1870 are now from 48 to 65 feet high, and some of them are 40 inches in girth. Another species, probably E. maculata, planted at the same time, is now about 82 feet high, the trunk being about 10 inches in diameter a yard from the ground. Some experiments with seedlings gave a rate of growth exceeding an inch in the twenty-four hours. As an illustration of the Importance of the Carob Tree (CeratoniaSiliqua) in Portugal, we may point to a recent report on the trade and commerce of Lisbon, where we are told that the Ceratonia is one of the principal resources of the pro- vince of Algarve, and that a severe drought that visited February 3, 1877. J THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. H5 the province in the year 1S75 had begun to cause the death of the trees. The general failure of these trees is described as being equivalent to the utter ruin of the largest and best part of the inhabitants of the province. At the annual meeting of the Highland and Agricultural Society, held on Jan. 17, Professor Balfour reported that the following premiums had a, and its suitability for the climate of Britain. 4. The medium gold medal, or /5, to Mr. Thomas WiLKIE, forester, Invergarry, N.B., for a report on the management of plantations. We have received from the agent of the Canadian Government in London a pamphlet con- taining some interesting facts connected with STOCK- RAISING and the Breeding of Pedigree Cattle G. F. Wilson, F.R.S., was unanimously elected President, and Mr. E. S. Dodwell Secretary. About ^25 was subscribed at the meeting in aid of the funds for the necessary prizes. It was thought that, if pos- sible, the show should be held at South Kensington, provided satisfactory arrangements could be made. The rashness exhibited on the part of those who declare certain varieties of Potatos to be " disease Fig. 23.— transplanting rice, (from a Japanese drawing). been awarded in the Forestry Department ;— i. The ' gold medal, or i,\o, to Mr. William Gorrie, con- j suiting landscape gardener, Rait Lodge, Trinity, Edin- burgh, for a report on the Tree Mallow (Lavatera aiborea) as a new agricultural plant for cattle-feeding, paper-making, and other purposes. 2. The medium gdd medal, or £7 29 99+0.23 48.^28.1 038.8+07 37-0 94 { s.lw. 0.04 28 29 78'+0.0.'5..7'36 6',sJ43.3+S.. ,7.8 8.{p,)^- a 06 29 29,86 +o»j'4,2'33o.6.,4r..;+ 2.8 34.6 30 29.40 -0.3750.636.214.443.8+ 5.4 37.1 Jf^'^: 3. 2984 +0.0845. 2T. 8 .3.4 385+ o.i32.t ^{\\vi\v Mean 2977 0.00 48.9 33.0 15 940.7+ 2.6.36.0 84|S.W. o"S Jan. 2!.— Overcast, dull, with occasional rain till 7 p.m. Fine and cloudless after. - 26. -A fine bright day. Cold. Slight fog and hoar- - 27.-A dull day, cool, with frequent thin rain. - =9. -Fine and clear till 2 p.m., cloudy after. A little - 5o.-Overcast. with frequent heavy rain till it A.M. Hail fell at 11.30 A.M. Fine and bright after. Strong gale. - 3i.-Fine. but cloudy till 6 p.m. Overcast and wet after. Cool. Solar halo in m ming London : Barometer. — During the week ending Saturday, January 27, in the suburbs of London, the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea in- creased from 30 55 inches at the beginning of the week to 30.66 inches by the morning of the 21st, de- creased to 30. 13 inches by the morning of the 24th, increased to 30.19 inches by the afternoon of the same day, decreased to 29.61 inches by the afternoon of the 25th, increased to 30.22 inches by the evening of the 26th, decreased to 30.13 inches by the afternoon of the 27th, and was 30.24 inches at the end of the week. The mean reading for the week at sea level was 30,26 inches, being 0.2S inch above that of the preceding week, and 0.31 inch above the average. Temperature. — The highest temperatures of the air varied from 53}° on the 2Slh to 43' on the 26th ; the mean value for the week was 4S}^ The lowest tem. peratures of the air ranged from 2Si° on the 27th, to 34'° on the 24th, the mean for the week was 314°. The mean daily range of temperature in the week w-as 163°, the greatest range in the day being 20° on the 23d, 25th, and 27th, and the least n^° on the 26th. The mean daily temperatures of the air, and the departures from their respective averages were as follows :—2ist, yf.z, +2°; 22d, 38°.i, +o°.7 ; 23d, 3S'.S, +i°.3; 24th, 4i°.2, +3°.5 ; 25th, 42».9, + 5°.i;26th, 36°.S, -i°.i; 27ih, 3S°.S, +0^.7 The mean temperature of the air for the week was '52 ^HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1877. 39°.4, being i°.7 above the average of sixty years' observations. Tlie highest readings of a thermometer, with black- ened bulb in vacuo, placed in sun's rays, were 105° on the 23d, and gij" on the 21st and 24th ; on the 27th 50° was the highest reading. The lowest read- ings of a thermometer on grass, with its bulb exposed to the sky, were 23° on the 27th and 23!° on the 23d ; the mean value for the week was 26°. Wind. — The direction of the wind was mostly S.W. and S., and its strength moderate. The weather during the week was somewhat fine, and fre- quently foggy. Lunar halos were seen on the 21st and 24th, Rain fell on three days ; the amount collected was 0.39 inch. England : Temperature,— Tint highest tempera- tures of the air observed by day were 54° at Truro and 531° at Blackheath ; at Hull 47° was the highest temperature. The mean value from all stations was 5o|^ The lowest temperatures of the air observed by night were 28° at Hull and 28 J° at Blackheath ; at Liverpool 364° was the lowest temperature. The general mean from all stations was 314°. The range of temperature in the week was the greatest at Black- heath, 25^°; and the least at Liverpool, I3j°. The mean range of temperature from all stations was l8ij°. The mean of the seven high day temperatures was the highest at Truro, 514°, and the lowest at Lei- cester, Norwich, and Hull, all about 444°. The mean from all stations was 47°. The mean of the seven low night temperatures was the lowest at Blackheath and Wolverhampton, both 3ii°, and the highest at Truro, 41°. The mean value from all stations was 35° The mean daily range of temperature in the week was the greatest at Blackheath, i6j°, and the least at Bradford, 74°. The mean daily range from all stations was ii|°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 40|°, being the same as the value for the corresponding week in 1876. The highest was 45°, at Truro, and the lowest 38°, at both Wolver- hampton and Hull. Rain. — The falls of rain varied from three-quarters of an inch at Truro, Bristol, and Sheffield, to a quarter of an inch at both Nottingham and Sunder- land. The average fall over the country was half an inch nearly. The weather during the week was somewhat fine, but foggy at some places. Lunar halos were seen on four days in the week at Bristol. Scotland : Temperature— Tht highest tempera- tures of the air varied from 51° at Paisley to 47}° at Edinburgh ; the mean value from all stations was 48!°. The lowest temperatures of the air ranged from 31° at both Dundee and Paisley to 33 at Greenock ; the general mean from all stations was 32°. The mean range of temperature from all stations was l6j°. The mean temperature of the air for the week from all stations was 40.!°, being 4° lower than the value for the corresponding week in 1876. The highest happened at Paisley, 41"°, and the lowest at Dun- dee, 391°. Rain. — The fall of rain varied from 3 inches at both Greenock and Paisley to half an inch at Leith. The average fall over the country was I \ inch. Dublin.— The highest temperature of the air was 53°, the lowest 30^°, the range 22^°, the mean 433°, and the fall of rain 0.36 inch. lAMES GLAISHER. Law Notes. Important to Seed Merchants. — Cross & Donatdson v. Fleming &^ Co. — This case, which was heard at the Ballymena Quarter Sessions, stood over for judgment, and a few days since the Chairman (J. H. Otway, Esq., Q.C.), before whom the case was heard at Ballymena, delivered his judgment in the Sessions Court. The facts transpire in the Chair- man's remarks below. The Chairman said this was an action for not delivering goods according to contract. The contract was by parole only. The defendant seemed cautious not to have the terms of the agreement reduced to writing. Some telegrams passed, but the Statute of Frauds was not satisfied so far as a note or memorandum was concerned. The facts were shortly these : The plaintifls agreed to buy from the defendant 15 tons of Italian Rye-grass, upon a sample shown to them, for ;^I5 10s. per ton. The plaintiffs then re- quired a bulk sample— namely, a sample taken from the bulk that they were to get. This was sent. The defendant, in his evidence before me, used the following words: — '*They (the plaintiffs) bought all I had, 15 tons more or less ; out of what they were to take I sent the bulk sample." That bulk sample, which weighed 4 lb., the plaintiffs received and kept, and sent to the defendant a letter, in which they said, " The bulk sample compared, and we regret to find it hardly up to sale sample. You must see and keep up the quality in your first transaction." I consider, then, that they took and accepted the bulk sample, hoping that the large quantity, when delivered, would be perfectly equal to it. The defendant then delivered to the plaintiffs 6 tons of the article sold, which, as they swore, and by independent witnesses was proved to be inferior (to the extent of £l 5J. per ton) to the bulk sample. After forwarding the 6 tons the defend- ant went to Belfast and saw the plaintifls, who com- plained of the quality of the 6 tons they had received, but said they would keep them if the remaining 9 tons were, in the judgment of men most experienced and respectable in the trade, equal to the sample. The defendant said he would not accede to this, and would not leave those 6 tons he had delivered, and in- sisted on taking them back, which he did, notwith- standing the remonstrances of the plaintiffs, paying them £2 lis. 9,/. for the carriage, which, had the contract been carried out, they would be entitled to deduct. On the same day the defendant sold the selfsame seed to a Mr. Lytle, of Belfast, !A £i?> a. ton, there having been a very considerable rise in the market since the sale to plaintiffs, of which rise the defendant, as it seems to me, was anxious to have the benefit. The action was for the non-delivery of the goods according to the original contract. The de- fendant, through his counsel, relied on the Statute of Frauds— the goods being over the value of .^10— and contended that, as there was no note or memoran- dum in writing, the action should fail. But a note or memorandum in writing is not the only means of taking a contract out of the operation of the statute — acceptance and receipt of part of the goods will have the same effect. By the common law, a parole sale of goods might have been in every instance effected by an agreement, coupled with a tender of payment or a de- livery of part of the goods by way of earnest. And if A had agreed to pay to B, the owner, a certain sum for goods, and B had agreed to take it ; if B had tendered the goods, or A the price, or B had received any part of the price, though but a penny, or A any portion, even the smallest, of the goods, both would have been bound by the bargain. Such was the state of the law before the Statute of Frauds, and so it is still where the value of the goods is under ^10, but where the value is over^^^io, then if there be no part payment by the vendee, or no receipt or acceptance by him of a part of the subject-matter of the sale, or no memorandum or note in writing of the terms of the sale signed by the parties or their agents, the contract is invalid. Thus the old law as to part payment by the buyer, or receipt of part of the goods by him, is retained ; and if neither of those elements exist, there must be a note in writing ; but if either do exist, a writing is unnecessary. Here there was no writing, no part payment, and the question is, was there a delivery and acceptance of a part ? In Hinde V. Whitehouse, 7 East, 558, it was held, and it has never, as far as I know, been questioned, that accept- ance of a sample which is to be accounted as part of the commodity sold, is sufficient to bind the parties. And on this matter I refer again to the testimony of the defendant, according to which he said, "out of what they were to take I sent the bulk sample." Now, generally speaking, the cases in which a question arises as to the effect of a delivery of goods or part of them, is where the vendor sues. If he contends that goods were received and accepted by the buyer, actually or constructively, he sues for goods sold and delivered|; if he cannot sustain a case upon actual receipt and acceptance of all the goods, he sues for goods bargained and sold, and the question is, whether, upon the facts, the Statute of Frauds is satisfied. But I take it that if there was an accept- ance of part of the goods sold, the statute would be satisfied. And as I think the sample in this case was part'of the goods sold and, according to Hinde v. Whitehouse, bound the bargain, I am of opinion that if the parties were reversed, and if Messrs. Cross & Donaldson found the market had fallen, and wished to have escaped from their contract, Mr. Fleming could have successfully sued them. If that be so, there should be reciprocity, and what would bind Messrs. Cross & Donaldson to a bargain should also give them the advantage of it, and what would justify their being sued as defendants would justify their suing as plaintiffs. I confess, howevei of an action under a similar state of facts being brought by a purchaser for the fulfilment of a contract, but my ignorance does not show that many such cases may not have existed. It is plain that if there had been a contract in writing the plaintiffs here could have sued, and the Statute of Frauds makes the delivery and acceptance of part equivalent to a writ- ing. Upon principle, then, I think the action can be maintained. It was once thought, and many cases seem to support the opinion, that there can be no acceptance within the Statute of Frauds unless the buyer is precluded from objecting that the vendor has not fully performed the contract on his part. But the very well considered case of Morton v. Tirbitt, 152 B, 423 and 14 Jur. 669, has dissipated that doctrine and established that there may be an acceptance of goods sufficient to make a contract valid within the meaning of the Statute of Frauds without the buyer having precluded himself from contending that they did not correspond with the sample, and the same doc- trine it recognised and adopted, especially in the judgment of Mr. Justice Brett in the very recent case of Grimoldy v. Wells, 9th Rep. law report of Common Pleas. In the case of Morton 1'. Torbilt, before Lord Campbell in the Common Pleas, after mentioning the sufficiency of part payment to bind the vendee, his Lordship said — "The same effect is given to the corresponding act by the vendor if he shall deliver part of the goods sold to the buyer, and if the buyer shall accept such part and actually receive the same. As part payment," he con. tinued, " however minute the sum may be, is sufficient, so part delivery, however minute the portion may be, is suflicient." I am (for the reason I have given) therefore of opinion that the plaintiffs are entitled to recover, and I shall give them a decree, which I think is in accordance with the truth and honour of the case. As I said before, the very same seed was sold at the rate of ;f 18 per ton (making a difference of £2 10s. a ton) on the day the plaintiffs objected to the 6 tons deli- vered to them. The plaintiffs would then have to pay for seed inferior to the sample they purchased by ^37 loj-., and the difference in value between the sample and seed delivered by the defendant was proved to be £1 $5. a ton, which, if added to the £T,y 10s., would greatly exceed my jurisdiction. I decree for £^o. Northern Whig. inquiries. He that qjtestioneth much sluitt learn much.—'ZKZov. t6S. Orchard Grape Grass. — Will any of your readers say if they know the " Orchard Grape Grass " of America ? We generally understand, when our American brethren mention "Orchard Grass," they mean "Cocks- foot," or Daclylis glomerata. K. O. F. 1 not aware Answers to Correspondents. Box Hedge : C. D. Your Box hedge, 3 feet high, should transplant readily enough, if done with proper care. The Box is a free-rooting subject, preferring a cal- careous soil. If done in dry weather the plants should be well watered. Dendrobium speciosum : T. C. Your plant is D. speciosum, but not so fine a variety as that figured last week. Ficus CooPERi : Constant Reader. The plant was when grown under glass. It was named after Sir Daniel Cooper, who brought it home. Goodvera discolor : X. Y. Z. Pot in chopped sphagnum and broken lumps of light peat earth, with good drainage below. Grapes for Inarching : A. B. P. Black Hamburgh and Royal Muscadine. Manetti Roses : H. E. We presume you mean to inquire how low these should be worked. Certainly close to the ground. Names of Fruit : R. Hall. Vour Grape is the same as a variety grown in the Royal Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, under the name of Large Black Ferral. It seldom becomes black, however, in this country, and is not of much value. Names of Plants : John Illman. The spotted variety of Trifolium repens, or some closely allied species. — L. E. C. I, Ceanothus azureus ; 2, Garrya elliptica. — Mrs. C. M. We do not recognise the Acorn, nor do we believe you will succeed in getting them to grow, as Acorns do not long retain their vitality. — -V. K Z. I, Thyrsacanthus rutilans ; 2, Asplenium obtusatum. — A. B. 3, Aster carneus var. — Hayes. Statice fruticans probably, but the specimen was too poor to determine it exactly. — W. B. Griselinia littoralis. Poplar Screen ; Suhseriber. As a screen 12 feet high, quickly formed, to hide some cottages, you can February 3, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 153 scarcely do better than plant Lombardy Poplars, as large as you can obtain them (8 — 10—12 feet would do), at about 3 feet apart. They will bear heading down to 12 feet, and may be kept pruned at the top and sides so as to form a thin wall-like hedge. TouLTKY Dung : G. J. M. This may be used for the purpose indicated, but not in excess. Rhododendrons : C. D. If made up specially for these plants the bed should be, say, 2 feet deep ; but it need not be all peat earth, unless that is abundant, and easily procurable ; leaf-mould and some loams may be intermixed with advantage. Seedling Pelargonium : G. Taylor. The flowers of your seedling are very bright in colour, hut not more so than many others that have been sent out ; and in form are not quite up to the florist's standard. Spore : W. T. C. There were no fungus spores in the material sent. The Largest Leaved Vine : P. Which is the largest leaved Vine ? is not an easy question to answer, but Vitis sikkimensis, V. lanata, and V. imperialis are, at any rate three of the largest leaved ; tlie two first from India, the third from Sumatra. V. amurensis is com- paratively a small le.aved species, the leaves varying from 3—5 inches in breadth, whereas in the three named they vary from 8—12 inches or more. TURNIP Seeds : Joseph Clark. It is impossible to name Turnips by the seeds only. You must grow the seeds, and see what they come to. Catalogues Received: — Messrs. Hooper & Co. (Covent Garden, London), Illustrated Seed Catalogue. — V. Lemoine (Nancy, France), Catalogue of New Plants.— Messrs. Smith & Simons (36 and 38, Howard Street, St. Enoch Square, Glasgow). Descriptive Seed Catalogue.— H. Tate (Heath Grove Nuisery, Hahfax), Descriptive Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds. -Messrs. G. Cooper & Co. (29, Iron Gate, Derby), Descriptive Catalogue of Kitchen Garden, Agricultural, and Flower Seeds.— W. Thompson (Tavern Street, Ips- wich), Catalogue of Flower Seeds.— Messrs. Drum- mond Brothers (52, George Street, Edinburgh), Cata- logue of Roses, Liliums, Seeds, and Gladioli. — Messrs. J. Cocker & Sons (Sunnypark and Froghall Nurseries, Aberdeen), Descriptive Catalogue of Vege- table and Flower Seeds.— W. Dawson (2, Ironmonger Row, Coventry), Catalogueof Vegetable, Agricultural, and Flower Seeds —Messrs. Little & Ballantyne (Car- lisle), Spring Seed List. — C. Pocock (Wincanton, Somerset), Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, &c.— Messrs. Brunning & Co. (3, Regent Street, Great Yarmouth), Illuslrated Descriptive Catalogue of Seeds, &c.— Messrs. Paul & Son (The "Old" Nurseries, Cheshunt, Herts), Descriptive List of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Polatos. &c. — W. Bull (King's Road, Chelsea, London), Retail List of Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seeds. — Messrs. W. Thompson & Co. {16. St. Giles' Street, Edinburgh), General Cata- logue of Choice Seeds for the Flower and Kitchen Gardens. — Messrs. I'elton & Sons (56, Harborne Street, Birmingham), General Seed Catalogue. — Thos. Sibbald (Market Place, Bishop Auckland), Descriptive Catalogue of Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds.— Messrs. W. Paul &• Son (Waltham Cross, London), Catalogue of Vegetable, Flower, and Agricultural Seeds.-Messrs. J. L. Schiebler & Son (Celle, Han- over j, General Seed Catalogue. — Messrs. W. Barron logue. — F. R. Kinghorn (Sheen . Nursery, Richmond, Surrey), Catalogue of Select Culinary and Flower Seeds. — Messrs. Edmondson Brothers (10, Dane Street, Dublin), Spring Catalogue of Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Flower Roots, Tools, &c.— R. B. Matthews (65 and 67, Victoria Street, Belfast), Spring Seed Catalogue and Cultural Guide.— John Sherratt (Knypersley Nursery, Biddulph, near Congleton), Catalogue of Select Vegetable, Farm, and Flower Seeds. Numerous communications are unavoidably post- NS Received.— L. H.— G. T. M. (very curious, but not very uncommon). -T. P. -J. ■».-;. C. S.-G. D.- J. L.-A. F.-W. O.-W. F.-R.-J. S.-J. D.-C. ^W.- B. and P.-CY. M.-J. M.-H. E. W.-W. H.-F. W. B. -J. D.-J. S. J. G. B.-J. H.-T. B -W. J. C.-J. R. J. -J. ,C. McA.-J. W. (no, thanks). -J. C.-F. B.-J. C- G. J. McB. BIRTH.— On January 28th, at Keswick Mount, Ephraim Road, Streatham, the wife of N. N. Sui'.R- wood, of 6, Leadenhall Street, of a daughter. COVENT GARDEN, Fihruary I. Our main supply of Pears is now reaching us from San Francisco, consisting of Easter Reurrc^-s, which reach this country in good condition, and are superior to any grown here or on the Continent. We have still a mode- rate supply of home-grown Apples, and prices remain unchanged. Cobs quiet. James Webber, Wholesale Apple Market, FRun Articholces, per bush. 4 . — Eng. Globe, doz. 4 i Asparagus. Fr., bun. 20 i — English, p. bun. 8 < Beet, per doz. .. i o- 2 c Brussels Sprts. bush. 70-.. Cabbages, per doz. , . i o- 2 c Carrots, per bunch.. 06-.. Cauliflowers, perdoz. 2 o- 4 c Celery, per bundle., i 6- 2 c Chilis, green, per 100 30-.. Cucumbers, each .. i 6- 3 c Endive, per doz. .. i o- 2 c — Batavian, p. doz. 20-3* Potatos —Kent Regrnf: ^s t Uranges, per 100 Peaches, per do2 Pears, per doz. Pine-appies, per Bouvardias > Coleut. per c Azaleas, 12 sp Bouvardias, p Leeks, per bunch . . o 2- < Lettuces, per score., i 6- ; — French, per doz. i o- : Mint, green, bunch i o- Mushrooms, perpott. o 6- : Onions, per bush. . . 5 o- i — young, per bun. o 8-0 Parsley, per bunch. . o 4- Peas, green, per lb... i 6- Potatos, new, per lb. i o- : Radishes, per bunch, o i- < Rhubarb, per bundle i o- Salsafy, per bundle i o- Seakale, per punnet i 6- ; Shallots, per lb. . . o 6- Spinach, per bushel 3 o- Tomatas, per doz. . . 2 o- Turnips per bundle o 4- ■ £,6 Essex Regents ^4 ic mjrtles do Palms mvai Pelargoniur Primula sin« r bun. 1 o- 4 o Na Epiphyllum, izblms. : Eucharis, per doz. . . 1 Euphorbia, 12 sprays : Pelargoniums, laspr. 3 o- . — zonal, 12 sprays i o- . ' Poinseltia, 12 sprays 4 0-1: Primula, dbl., p. bun, i o- ; Roses, indoor, p. doz. 3 o-i; - Christmas, bun. o 6- : Heliotropes, i: Hyacth .Rom., Lily of Valley, i SEEDS. London : Jan. 31. — Our seed markets during the present week have been well attended, and for the time of year a fair steady business has been doing. Ameri- can red Clover seed commands an advance in London of IS. per cwt. This improvement in value is in response to a greater rise on the other side of the Atlantic of about £q. per ton. The imports into London from New York during the month of January were 11,146 bags. Of home-grown samples there have been less offering during the last few days, and the tendency of prices is upwards. From France the exports of red seed are this season absolutely nil; and of German seed only a few weathered parcels have found their way to Mark Lane. English Trefoils, meeting a slack inquiry, are dull ; but French seed is quoted dearer. In Alsike and White Clover the transactions just now are not numerous, the chief interest being for the moment centred in red seed. Grasses of all kinds maintain a steady front. Of Timothy there is a good supply at moderate rates ; in fact, this variety is relatively the cheapest of the present season. Kosnigsberg Tares, although lower in price than they have been for two years past , attract as yet but little attention. The Canary seed trade is without life ; present currencies must prove very unremunerative to growers. Fine samples of white Mustard and black Rape seed are held for more money. John Shaw 6* Sons, Seed Merchants, 37, Mark Lane, London, E.C, CORN. At Mark Lane on Monday the small supply of English Wheat on offer changed hands slowly at barely the rates of Monday se'nnight, while foreign Wheat was occasion- ally IS. per quarter cheaper. Bariey was slow to move, and except for very fine malting parcels prices were a trifle easier. Malt was unaltered in value. Oats were flat at a reduction of from bd. to gd. per quarter. Maize was cheaper to sell, as also were Beans and Peas. There were very few transactions in flour, and the quotations tended lower for all descriptions. — On Wednesday the few dry sample."; of English Wheat on offer realised former prices, but damp produce sold slowly on former terms. In foreign Wheat only a moderate business was transacted at late rates. Choice Barley realised full prices, but medium and inferior produce was in slow re- quest at late rates. The Oat trade was rather quiet at former prices, and in the value of Beans and Feas no change took place. The demand for flour ruled inactive at Monday's currency,— Average prices for week ending Jan. 27:— Wheat, 52J. ^d. ; Barley, 39J. iid.\ Oats, 24J. lod. For the corresponding week last year :— Wheat, 441. 2(/. ; Barley, 355. ; Oats, 25-f. 4^^ [^ ",1 - K. \4 ^, ^J T. FT. P. Dennis & Company. Motto, " Art with Economy" as applied to Conservatories. HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS & HOT-WATER HEATING APPARATUS ERECTED AND FITTED IN ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM. ESTIMATES GRATIS. Show Rooms : MANSION HOUSE BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.G. where full-sized Specimens of Greenhouses, &c., and Hot-water Apparatus at work can be inspected. "Works: CHELMSFORD. S. OWENS & CO., HYDRAULIC ENGINEERS, WHITEFRIARS STREET, LONDON, E.C, THE IMPROVED SELF-ACTING HYDRAUlilC BAM. This useful Self-acting Apparatus, which works day and night without needine; attention, will raise water to any height or distance, without cost for labour or motive power, where a few feet fall can be obtained, and is suited for supplying Public or Private Establishments, Farm Buildings, Railway Stations, &c. No. 37. DEEP WELL PUMPS for Ho Hand, Steam, or other Power. • Treble Barrels for Horse c [Garde No. 49. GARDEN ENGINES, of all sizes, in Oak or Galvanised Iron Tubs. 5URY FIRE E . the Earl of Essex WROUGHT-IRON PORTABLE PUMPS of all sizes. CAST-IRON GARDEN, YARD, or STABLE PUMPS. No. ^6n. IMPROVED DOUBLE ACTION PUMPS on BARROW for Watering No. 4,9a. GALVANISED SWING WATER CARRIERS, for Garden use. No. so and <,^a. FARM and MANSION FIRE ENGINES of every description. No. 38. PORTABLE LIQUID MANURE PUMPS, on Legs, with Flexible Suction. S. OWENS AND CO. Manufacture and Erect every description of Hydraulic and General Engineers' Work for Mansions, Farms, &c., comprising PUMPS, TURBINES, WATER WHEELS, WARMING APPARATUS, BATHS, DRYING CLOSETS, GASWORKS, Apparatus for LIQUID MANURE distribution. FIRE MAINS, HYDRANTS, HOSE PIPES, &c., &o. Particulars taken in any fart of the Country. Plans and Estimate! furnished. ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES CAN BE HAD ON APPLICATION. 156 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 3, 1S77. GREEN'S PATENT Wrought-iron Hot-water Boilers, With Shelves and Hollow Grate Bars. Specially adapted for heating Greeniiouses, Conserv Churches, Chapels, Schools, Public Buildings, Entra Halls, Warehouses, Workshops, &c. Tkey are iJic neatest, cheapest, 55, Blackfriars Road, London, S.E. LIMEKILN HEATING. This System of HEATING WINTER GARDENS, CONSERVATORIES, ORANGERIES, FERNERIES, VINERIES, FORCING HOUSES, PINERIES, CU- CUMBER, MELON ami MUSHROOM HOUSES, STOVES, PITS, &c.— also for WARMING MANSIONS, PUBLIC BUILD- INGS, FACTORIES, &c., is steadily making progress in public estimation, effecting as it does Great Economy of Fuel and Steadiness of Heating Pow:r, and rendering tlie hitherto onerous duties of Stoker comparatively light— no night stoking whatever being necessary. List of Places where the System is in Opera- tion, with full address in each case, will be sent post-free on application. Gentlemen and Gardeners wishing to adopt this System will then be enabled to view the Apparatus nearest to their own Establishments, or write to the Gardener, and thus get inde- pendent testimony as to the value of this method of Heating. Estimates will be submitted, on receipt of particulars, free of charge. Full Particulaj Post-free. Cowan Patents Company (Limited), 21, WHITEHALL PLACE, LONDON, S.W.; and The Vineyard, Garston, near Liverpool. STEVENS' TRENTHAM GREENHOUSE BOILER. ECONOMICAL, EFI-ECl'UAL ticulars, apply to the Sole Makers, F. & J. SILVESTER, HOT-WATER ENGINEERS. &c Castle Hill Works, Newcastle. Staffordshire S^ Our Boilers are the ONLY ones made with th and under the inspection of the inventor, Mr. St BELGIAN GLASS for GREENHOUSES, &c.. Ccin be obtained in all sizes and quaiilies, of BETHAM & SON, 9, LOWER THAMES STREET, LONDON, EC. B. & S. have always a large Stock in London of 20-in. b^ JAMES LYNE HANCOCK'S Improved India-rubber Socket-rings JOINTS of HOT-WATER PIPES. J L HANCOCK VULCANISED INDIA RUBBER Wi a CObWELL TOAD LONDO"-!, E.( GEORGE'S PATENT CALORIGEN, War7ning and Ve7itilating Small Conservatories. The only Gas Stove '. Prospectuses and Testimonials on applic F. FARWIG AND CO.. 36. Queen Street, Cheapside. E.G. (not bariit) fre&h air. This Stove i t of warmed H HotHouses, Hot-water Apparatus, &;c ALLIDAY AND CO., Hothouse 'RERS. Estimates and Plans free. Best Construction ! naterials ! Best workmanship ! Catalogues free. Omces. 22, Barton Arcade, Manchester. every Casting. Macfarlaiie's Castings^ Arcliitcctura], Artistic, ami Sanitary, FOR ARCHITECTS, CIVIL AND MECHANICAL ENQINEER£j Contractors, Builders, Joiners, Plumbers, &c., Eailiugs; Balconies; Vei-anJahs; Couservatoiics; SlHi|]aii>l "War.lioiisc- Fronts; Arcades; Winter C4araens ; Covered Ways; S;,!>..i,-. ^■.,,,, . ,,. l..^,.| Airin- liooms, Siiiokiui,' Divans, &c.; Waiting iin-ii ' ' >' ., 'lowers; Pavilions; 1-landstaiids ; Arbours; Garden i i 1 1, -greens; Boatliouses, &c. Plain and Ornamental L'a.^liu.u . ii H'-i.* fGBAVlNG; WOIlTHII^aTO^"Q.^MITH. ° (K 15.M1LDMAY Qro\4;. t^^^s^^f=l LorJ*Doi^.rf.„ ;bapry^ Arthur F.SruTH. ' i')./\lID/\AY QR0\E . LoW"do>[-.K!. ^^tx: LASCELLES' PATENT LI NT WOOD LONSERVATORIES in 1 ( 1 I !• MK )US1 s -All Gardeners knou thit Wood is bcltei tl m Ii n f r i h u Grow- ing, and by the ibove system i hindsome curbed house cin be erected ■xs cheaply -xs "X phin straight one The curved house is more durable, stronger, lighter in con- struction, and no bent glass is required. W. H. LASCELLES, 121, Bunhill Row, London, E.G., will supply Drawings and Estimates free of charge. RH. HAMPSON, Egerton Mills, Stockport, • Manufacturer of HORTICULTURAL SHADINGS for protecting Wall Trees from Frost and Insects, &c. 54 and 60 inches wide, any length up to 100 yds. Prices on application. HEREMAN AND MORTON, HORTICULTURAL ENGINEERS, 2, GLOUCESTER STREET, REGENT'S PARK, LONDON. N.W. The Sole International Prize Medals for GALVANIZED WIRE NETTING Have been awarded to Messrs. J. B. BROWN AND CO., at the VIENNA EXHIBITION, 1873, and at the PHILA- DELPHIA CENTENNIAL and INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 1876 ^of Mesh. 1 Gauge, or Mostly used for j^ight. Gauge, or G.au;;e,or Medium. I Strong. 2 in. liin. Dogs or Poultry. '19 SmallRabbils,&c. 19 Smallest Rabbits. 19 i,\d. 18 4J Sheffield. CO., Covent Garden, London, W.C. | SPECIMEN AZALEAS (Winter flowers).— An abundance of splendid flowers can be had in a week or two, or at once, by purchasing a few Specimen Azaleas, now opening flower. The plants are from 2 to 3 feet over, perfect shape, some hundreds of flowers and buds, which will last for months at this time of the year. All new and valuable sorts, 21J., 31S. 6^., and 42y. each, according to size and sorts. Eighteen plants only are for Sale. They are all worth double the money. Packages grati: JOHN H. LEY, February io, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 165 Eoses, Fruit Trees, Evergreens, &c. WILLIAM FLETCHER'S CATALOGUE is now ready, and may be had post-free on application. The Nursery Slock generally is very fine, heahhy, and well- rooted. Early orders are respectfully solicited. Ottershaw Nurseries, Chertsey, Surrey. Special Culture of Fruit Trees and Eoses. THE DESCRIPTIVEandlLLUSTRATEI CATALOGUE of FRUITS (by Thomas Riveks) i now ready : also CATALOGUE of Select ROSES. Po»t-fre on application. THOMAS RIVERS and SON, SawbridRcworth, Herts. VEITCH'S SELF-PROTECTING AUTUMN BROCCOLI, JAMES VEiTCH & SONS JRE IN DIRECTING THIS VERY VALUABLE BROCCOLI FOR AUTUMN AND EARLY WINTER USE. This Plant is of robust but upright growth, and the heads, which are beautifully white, firm, and compact, are thoroughly protected by the foliage, and remain a long time fit for use. It will be found extremely valuable as a succession to our Autumn Giant Cauliflower, which has met with so much approval, and is now an established favourite in all gardens. Mr. Westcott, Gk, Raby Castle, 'juritiitg Nov. II, says splendid heads of tht new Broccoli you sent me for trial. It is evidently a variety distinct from any one I am acquainted with, and from it; splendid protecting habit, short and immensely hard woody stem lid prote under th ;t, which will ensure i ■ variety. The plani L CTeat acquisition as an eat ■ immense strength, and t our, all that can be desired io Lord Heniker, T/iornliam Hall, says : St as the Autumn Giant and other CauH- t, and is, therefore, most invaluable. It is Iso wonderfully self- protecting ; some rows f frost last night, November 23, i87t. When this must be luc uuc .ui lo.^^ k^=^. Mr. James Adamson, Brynkirialt, writing in tite ^'Journal of Horticulture" of January 4. says :-'"Y\{\% variety of Broccoli seems to me to be quite distinct from any other I know, and, like the Autumn Giant Cauliflower, is a grand acquisition to our list of autumn and early winter vegetables. The stem is short and stout, the head well protected, close, and compact, and of excellent size for table use. I cut the first early in November, and am still cutting as wanted now (December 22). We had 10° frost in November, and whih numbers of Autumn Giant Cauliflowers were destroyed, thi! Broccoli was uninjured. To those who '^ " ' ■* * ' past season I would say— do so the ne disappointed." Mr. MclNDOH, Tlie Gardcm, Hutt December ^o, 1S76 :— '* I beg to take this 0PP?rt» gratulating you upon sending out such a splendid : your Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli is turning consider it by far the best addii ' bfJe^adrfoi- cutting" about the middle of November, and from that date until now we have been cuttmg from six to ten heads daily. Where vegetables are wanted m quanti— -^ - November and December, no | , and you will not be , Guisborougk, . r vegetable lis : 300, which began i^ithout this Mr. W. Johnson, Bayham Abbey, writing to tlu "Gir- deners' Chronicle" 0/ December 30, says :— " At this season of the year Cauliflower is in constant demand, and to tind a reliable variety that will fall-in from the middle of November onwards is a great boon to gardeners. In this matter we have Veitch's Self-protecting Autumn Broccoli a ■ :quires nothing further t^i simply unique. Price Is. 6d. per Packet. me than t SEED CATALOGUE now ready, and will be forwarded post-free on application. ROYAL EXOTIC NURSERY, KING'S ROAD, CHELSEA, LONDON, S.W. ^O^ JNO. JEFFERIES & SONS, CIRENCESTER. JEFFEEIES' LITTLE QUEEtf COS LETTUCE, Per Packet, Is. 6d., Is the Earliest, Best Flavoured and Best Colonized Lettuce in cultivation. Mr. Earley, The Gardens, Valentines, says : — "Your Little Queen Lettuce proved a good selection, although the weather was very adverse to the trial." Mr. Meades, Cr. to the Rt. Hon. Viscount Barring- ton, Berket Park, says :—"\om Little Queen Lettuce is a capital variety, as hard as a stone, and has kept well from running to seed this dry summer. ' A Packet of this exceUent Lettuce wlU be Included In all our Colleotlona of Vegetable Seeds, Mr. Farr, Gr. to Sir R. Knightley, Bart., Fawsley Park, raj-J.-— "Your little Lettuce has proved a very useful one, although the season has been very trying for that class of stuff ; its early heart- ing and crisp sweet flavour are sufficient to recom- mend it to all who are desirous of a small but good 1 Lettuce." JEFFERIES' HALF GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, JEFFERIES' GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, JEFFERIES' TWO GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, JEFFERIES' THREE GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS, Are the best obtainable. For particulars, obtain our " Illustrated Garden Guide." JNO. JEFFERIES & SONS, i.- CIRENCESTER. Beautiful Lilies. IV/TR. WILLIAM BULL has received an ch flower nearly a foot long. -js. td. and loJ. dd. each. ULIUM NEILGHERRENSE ROSEUM.— The exterior of the flower-tubes of this variety is pmk, the interior white. LILIUM N^EILGHERRENSE FLAVUM.— A handsome light yellow-coloured form of this charming Lily. lar. iJ. LIUUM^NEILGHERRENSE TUBIFLORUM.— A mag- nificent pure white Lily, with very long flowers, figured i Wight's ■ - '" ■'-'■- — ' IndiiB Orientalis. ibiflorum. 105. 6rf. and 15J. 1 from California splendid : LILIES, including Bloomerianum Cyclobothras. Brodlicas, Triteleias, CalUproras, Erythroniums, Bloomerlas, &c. : and some fine blooming Bulbs of the hand- some Crinum brachynema, C. australe, C. pratense canalicula- tum, tuberous-rooted Begonias. Pancratlums, Amaryllis. Noith American Cyprlpediums, with a variety of other Bulbs and Establishment for New and Rare Plants, King's Read, Chelsea, London, S.W. SUTTON'S Purchasers of large quantities will be treated liberal ^''MeKr's°"'sU'r?( Establishment, Reading. HOME-GROWN SEEDS.- rge quan' quantities requin Royal Berkshire Seed SEED, J. T. STEWART, Bangholm Cottage, Edinburgh. ^0 BE SOLD, Seven extra large ORANGE TREES. May be seen at the Royal Aquarium, West- w Verbenas, Verbenas, Verbenas. ILLIAM BADMAN offers Purple King, Scarlet, Crimson, and Rose VERBENAS, in ingle pots, at i2j. per 100 ; or turned out of pots, loj. per too. }ood rooted Cuttings, 61. per 100, 501. per 1000, package ncluded. Terms Cash. Cemetery Nursery, Gravesend, S.E. c SpeclaL-To the Trade. UPRESSUS LAWSONIANA. - healthy Plants. 2 to 4 feet. loi. per too. E. COOLING, Mile Ash Nursery, Derby. Nice Special Offer of Good and Cheap NURSERY STOCK, the whole being healthy and excellently rooted. ABIES CANADENSIS, 3 feet, ssi. per too. .. NIGRA and ALBA. iK foot. 201. per 100. , ORIENTALIS and MENZIESII, 9 to 15 inches, 10s. „ DOUGLASII, 9 to PINUS TONDEROSA, INSIGNIS. 3 feet. 3 to 6 1 : Inches, 155. per : feet, 125. per dozen : 6 to 9 lnch( of the.long-Ieaved Silvery Pines, 2 t. very bushy, i8j. per 100. LOBBII, 25i t GIGANTEA, ERICOIDES, OCCIDENTALIS 15J. per dozen. _ _ ican), 3 to 5 feet, 50J. per ico CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA, nice grown plants, ve bushy, and moved last spring, 2^ to 3K feet, 6( „ MACROCARPA, 3 to 4 feet, moved last spring, 2, per dozen, CEDRUS DEODARA, 2 feet, fine, i8r. per dozen, £6 t BERBERIS DAR'wINII, i foot, bushy. 155. per too. „ JAMIESONI, I foot, bushy, ^os. per 100. (MAHONIA) JAPONICA, 9 inches, stout. 251. per 10 HORNBEAM, 4 to ,5 feet, los. per CHESTNUT, Horse, Double Whil MAPLE, Norway. 10 feet, 91, per ( SYCAMORE, Purple-leaved, ASH, Flowering, 5 OAK, Scarlet, Fraxinus acumii LAURELS. Common and Portugal, BROOM, White POPLARS, of Standard, i per dozen. Yellow Spanish, 15J. per too. CLEMATIS, niontana and flammula, strong, loi. per IVIES, Irish, very strong, in pots, 121. per dozen. BIGNONIA RADTCANS, in pots, 12J. per dozen. LIGUSTRUM JAPONICUM, s feet, 15s. per 100. RHODODENDRON PONTICUM, very bushy. FRUIT TREES, VERY FINE. PEACHES, dwarf maiden, best known sorts, 73s. per 1 NECTARINES, dwarf maiden, 751. per 100. CHERRIES dwarf maiden, 60J per roc PIUMS dwarf maiden 75J per 100 PEARS dwarf maiden and 2 jr Souvenir du Cong per I NLCIARINES dwarf truned, very fine PEAR S CURRA^ PLUM \ KOSES i66 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. LFebruary 10, 1877. GHARD bMITH W^WBIWaWMHaiWlRCSl^ ICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Evergreen and Deciduous Shrubs. Rhododendrons, R Standard Ornamental Trees, Climbmt; and T\v: " " ■ " Specific, and Englf Geneml': RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Roses, containing all the best of the new android ) their Treatment and Prices. RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of Herbaceous and Alpine Plants, with their Scientific and English Names, Height, Colour, Time of Flowering, RICHARD SMITH'S LIST of all the Evergreen Fir Tribe suitable for Britain, MITH- CRANSTON'S NURSERIES, KING'S ACRE, near HEREFORD. Established 1785. SPECIALITIES. ROSES, FRUIT TREES, CONIFERS. Descriptive Priced Lists on application. AVENUE TREES. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS (true), 10 to 18 feet high, and girthing 4 to 8 inches A 4 feet from the ground. LIMES, 12 to 20 feet high, and girthing 6 to 10 inches at 4 feet from the ground. POPULUS CANADENSIS NOVA, 15 to 16 feet high, and girthing 6 inches at 4 feet from the ground. ANTHONY WATERER Has to offer many thousands of the above. They may 1 1 seen growing at Knap Hill. They are straight, nandsome, and well rooted, and altogether the finest Trees of the kind to be found in any nursery in Europe. KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. WM. PAUL & SON, (Successors to the late A, Paul & Son, Established jSo6,) ROSE GROWERS. TREE, PLANT, BULB, AND SEED MERCHANTS, WALTHAM CROSS, HERTS, Inspection of Stock invited. Priced Descriptive Catalogues free by post. DICK RADCLYFFE & CO.. SEED MERCHANTS, GARDEN FURNISHERS And Horticultural Decorators. salSeeds. Pi^izeM Complete Collections of Vegetable Seeds. No. I.— Suitable for a very Large Garden . . . . .1^3 30 No. 2.— Suitable for a Large Garden 220 No. 3,— Suitable for a Medium-sized Garden .. . . i i o No. 4.— Suitable for a Small Garden o 10 6 Carriage free as per terms of Catalogue Choice Collections of Flower Seeds. Containing only popular kinds of easy growth, which will make a pretty and effective show during the summer months. All Flower Seeds sent post-free. For full Detailed List of Collections, see D. R. & Co.'s Illustrated Flower, Vegetable, Agricultural and Garden Requi- site CATALOGUE, sent gratis and post free on application to DICK RADCLYFFE & CO., 128 and 129, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON. stock vebbenas. John Keynes' STOCK PLANTS are now ready. Very fine and clean. CASTLE STREET NURSERY, SALISBURY. BLOOMING RHODODENDRONS. Two Hundred Thousand good healthy plants, having not less than five up to ten and fifteen buds each, of the finest named hardy kinds, will be supplied at from £s 'o /■to per 100, and iZs. to 30^. per dozen. Samples, with lists of tht sorts, will be forwarded on apflication. KALMIA LATI FOLIA. Well furnished and healthy and covered with bloom-buds, 15 to 18 in., at I2J. and iSs. per doz., or ^5 per 100. HARDY AZALEAS. The finest English and Ghent varieties, splendidly budded, £S '0 £.7 loj. per 100, or iZs. per dozen. ANTHONY WATERER, KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. THE NEW PLANT and BULB COMPANY Beg to call special attention to their NEW LIST (No. 31), just published. CONTEtTTS: NEW HARDY BULBS, NEW and RARE LILIES, NEW HARDY CYPRIPEDIUM, NEW FERNS, SEEDS of NEW HARDY FLOWER- ING PLANTS, &c. ; All of sterling merit, and at low prices. Post-free on Tpplication. /oii'/rii /t nil nfj-h ii:ls E S W begs to intimate that in the event ol an; Customers Fnot receiving this Catalogue, if they w ill < nicate with him a copy will be sent LION WALK, COLCHESTER. Richard Smith's GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS Contains the following exxellent sorts (Carriage Free):- PE AS, Ringleader quart „ Improved Sangster's .. Veitch's Perfection „ ,, Prizetaker „ Blue Scimitar BEANS, Johnsons Wonderful .. „ BRUSSELS SPROUTS .. .. ;; ^V-aSe^er-""^ W V. W CABBAGE. Early Nonpareil .. CARROT, Early Horn oz. CRESS, Broad-leaved pkt. LEEK. Musselburgh LETTUCE, Paris White Cos .. .. „ MELON ONION, White Spanish PARj£rY.E:,?a'?uried:: ;: ". pkt. RADISH, Wood's Early Frame . . „ Long Scirlet „ pkt. TURNIP, Early Snowball „ Early Red-top TOMATO, Large Red VEGETABLE MARROW pkt. SWEET MARJORAM •■ SEED WAREHOUSE, 61, HIGH STREET, WORCESTER. February io, 1S77.] rHR GA RDENERS' CHRONICLE. 167 To Planters of Forest Trees and Otliers. THE HEATHERSIDE NURSERIES COMPANY (Limited) have decided on clearing the foUowmg Surplus Stock, and will accept half the current 100,000 PINES, Weymouth, 3 to 7 feet. 100,000 FIR. Scotch. 9 to 15 inches. 200,000 QUICK, 2-yr. bedded, i to 1% foot. 10,000 OAKS, Scarlet, 5 to 8 feet. 50,000 PINES, Austrian, 3 to s feet. 50,000 PINUS RIGIDA, 3 to 6 feet. 100,000 LAURELS, common, i to 2 feet. .0,000 CHESTNUTS, Horse, 5 to 9 feet. And many thousand others. For prices and particulars apply to THOMAS THORNTON, Manager, Heatherside Nurseries, Bagshot, Surrey. To the Trade.-Seed PotatoB. AND F. SHARPE will be pleased to send their SPECIAL CATALOGUE of SEED l-OTAXOS to those of the Trade %vho have not yet received one. It comprises all the principal English and American varieties worthy of cultivation ; they are all grown from the finest selected stocks, and the prices will be found very moderate. Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. H. AM. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, • Tottenham Nurseries, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, Netherlands, has to offer the following ;— YUCCA ANGUSTIFOLIA, strong plants, i foot high, £^ per dozen, £1-2 10s. per 100. In my nursery this beautiful new Yucca withstood, without the slighte APPLES, strong 2-yr. Palmettcs and Pyramids, ;^i8 15^. per 1000. HARDY AQUATICS at the lowest prices. Presented (by post) on appUcation, NEW CATALOGUE for 1S77. MESSRS. CLIBRAN and SON will have great pleasure in sending their PRICED DESCRIPTIVE LIST for this Spring, free by post on Their stock of Florist Flowers, Bedding and Soft- 'ooded Plants generally, all ; surpassed by f advantage to Purchasers is that none of the plants offered are taken directly from a warm propagating house and sent off, but are all carefully hardened and most of them potted off singly, and are thereby fitted to travel either by rail or post without the slightest injury. A great proportion are autumn-struck plants, and many of the undermentioned can be sent by post : — Abutilons, in variety, 3J. 6d.\ Iresine Lindeni, 10s. per 100, per dozen. I 2s. per dozen. Achimenes, in variety, 33-- per 1 Iris, German, 3,^. per dozen. 100, 2s. per ao2 per dozen, non-tuberous, Golden Gem, &c. I Carnations, tree, in variety, 95, per dozen. Centaurea ragusma, 3^. per Chrysanthemums, near 10,000 3J-. per dozen. Cinerarias, 40J. per 100, 6s. per dozen. Clematis, in variety, 60s. per 100. 9J. per dozen. Coleusjin variety, 20^. per 100, Cyclamens, in variety, 6s. and Dactyiis DahliS. Delphir Gardenia florida, 6s. to : per dozen. Greenhouse Plants, 9^. to : Geranium, Tricolor, 3.?. 6d. „ Bicolor, 20s. per 100, „ Silver-edged, 3^. 6d. ,^ Double, 20s. per 100, per dozen. ,, Zonals, for bedding, : per 100, 3^. per dozen. I, Brenchtey Helianthemums, as. 6d. pe Herbaceous Plants, 20s. pei Heliotropes, in variety, 2s. 6d. per dozen. Hepaticas, /^s. per dozen. The Oldlield Nt ,, Irish, 3^. "per dozen. Lobelias, 8^. per 100, 2s, Mesembryanthemum cor Hum fol. var., lof. per 2S. per dozen. Mimulus, in variety, 35. Myosotib, 6s. per 100, is. Phloxes, 25J. per 100, 3J. 6d. Potentillas, double, gi'. perdoz. Polyanthus seedlings, ^s. per 100, TS. per dozen. Primroses, double, 4^, to 9^. per dozen. ,, old double velvet, is. 6d. ,, single, assorted colours, 2s. per dozen. Pyrethrums, double, 6s. to 95. per dozen. Roses, HP., from ground, bs. to gs. per dozen. Rock plants, 15^. per 100, 3^. Saxifragas, in variety, 3^. per Sedums, in variety, 3.J. perdoz. filaucum, &c., 8f. per 100, Stove Plants, 95. to i8j. per Succulents, 45-. to 6s. per dozen. Tropaiolums, 3J. per dozen. Veronicas, 3s. per dozen. Violas (an immense stock of M r>fe E. G. HENDERSON k SON Offer the following in Seed, of quality the best that can be had, at per packet : — CINERARIA-l ,, double-flowered, 2S. 6d. and 5^. PRIMULA SINENSIS, crimson, scarlet, and white (better cannot be had), separate or mixed, zs. 6d. and s^. ,, „ double-flowered, true from seed, 2s. 6d. and 5^. CYCLAMEN PERSICUM GRANDIFLORUM— brilliant colours, with large-size petals and perfumed flowers, is „ tuberous-rooted, double-flowered, mixed colours, 2j. 6d. BALSAM— we trust to none but'our own saving— mbced, is. ; nine colours, 2^. bd. PINK, from named collection, is. and 2J. 6d. CARNATION, mixed, 2S. 6d. See Catalogue for separate LOBELIA, Brillia Gem, speciosa — from pot pla: Lustre Improved, Defiance — t and Magn'^ pumila grandtflora, jest red. Blue Stone, „ double flowered, SWEET WILLIAM, extra fine, is. „ ,, from named flowers, is. and 2S. 6d. [each. STOCK, East Lothian, scarlet, white, and purple, 6d and is. ,, Intermediate. Brilllantissima, and others. See Catalogue. AURICULA, extra choice alpine varieties, 2S. 6d. SOLANUM, Improved Hybrid, as grown for the London „ HENIJERSONI, conical-shaped berries, is. GLOXINIA, drooping and erect, is. 6d. each ; mixed, 2S. 6d. WALLFLOWER, double German, NOVELTIES in FLOWER SEEDS. lector, flowering freely, height, producing long terminal spikes of pure white flowers with yellow eye. It is recommended for pot-culture, flowers throughout the autumn and winter when most acceptable for bouquets and table-decoration, producing its bloom in terminal spikes. It will be found a desirable and useful substitute for Lily of the Valley, as used in our bouquets with so charming an effect when arranged so as to overtop the other flowers by i or 2 inches, is. BROWALLIA ROEZLI, is. COBCEA HIRSUTA, 2s. 6d. HUMEA ELEGANS ALBA, is. AGERATUM SNOW- FLAKE, IS. MIMULUS BRILLIANTISSIMA, scarlet self. is. MENTZELIA ORNATA, fine plant (see description in Catalogi ■ TORENIA FOURNIERI, nual form of this beautiful ASTER, Firelight, most beautiful and SAxTfRAGA NEPALENSIS, fii new quilled PAP AVER UMBROSA. showy flowers, is. LIATRIS PYCNOSTACHYA, is. CANTERBURY BELLS, double frilled flowers, variety of colours, is. CUPHEA ROEZLI, is. BAMBUSA GRACILIS, PINE-APPLE NURSERY, MAIDA VALE, LONDON, W. New and Choice Seeds for 1877. T SCOTT'S Priced * Descriptive ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of 52 pages will be useful and reliable GROS GUILLAUME GRAPE (Roberts' Variety). The largest Black Grape In Cultlvatioa. Eyes or Scions from fine, strong, well-ripened wood, los. 6d. each 'onic^e of January 27, pages 102 and 117, or apply to Messrs. "W. TAIT & CO., SEED AND NURSERY ESTABLISHMENT 45, CAPEL STREET, DUBLIN. CHARLES LEE and SON (Successors to Messrs John & Charles Lee), of the Royal Vineyard Nursery Himmersmith, W., beg to announce that in con- SEED TR-VDE so successfully carried on for many years by the late Firm and they trust the same lil iven to Messrs John & Charles Lee will be . Ne V Fir Charles L<-e V Son pledge ,ing First-class £ them every department, which the Krge resources at their command will enable them to supply with considerable advantage to the Public both as regards quality and price. With a view to a more extensive production of Stove and Greenhouse Plants of the best quality they intend to almost entirely rebuild their extensive ranges of Glass on a new site, a portion of the old Nursery being taken up for building purposes. CHARLES LEE and SON, Royal Vineyard Hammersmith, W. , where the general bi " addressed t _ of the Nursery Special Offer to Builders and Otliers. JAMES GRANT, Bridge Nursery, Barnes, S.W.-LAURELS, common, 2 to 5 feet. PRIVETS, broad-leaved, 3 to 5 feet ; sempervirens, 3 to 4 feet. LILACS, common, 4 to 6 feet ; grandiflora, 4 to 6 feet ; white, 4 to 6 feet. PLUMS, Victoria, pyramid, dwarf-trained, and standard. CURRANTS, Red Grape, per 100. THYME, common, per 100 ; Lemon, per 100. For prices apply as above. RALPH ROBSON, Nurseryman, Hexham, has to ofiFer the following :— LARCH, Native, i-yr. seedling, fine. ASH, 2-yr., 2-y'r', 2 to 3 feet, fine POPLAR, Black Italian, a to 3 feet, fine. GOOSEBERRY BUSHES. Lancashire varieties. FRUIT TREES, standard and dwaif-trained, of all kinds. All the above are fine clean stuff, and well grown. Prices on application. G DOWNS, Bagshot, Surrey, can supply, • for Cash with order :— PmCS LARICIO. 3-yr. seedling, 10^. per 1000. FIR, Spruce, 6 to g inches, bedded, 17.?. 6(i. per 1000. ARBOR-VIT^, American, 1% to 2 feet, 12^; 6d. per 100. HOLLIES, Green, i foot, iSs. per 100. RHODODENdVon'pONTICUM, I foot, 2s. 6d. per dozen. AZALEA PONTICA, x to i^ foot, 3^. 6d. per dozen. ABIES ORIENTALIS, i to i^ foot, 35. per dozen. GOOSEBERRIES, of sorts, 2^. per dozen. CURRANTS, of sorts, 2s. per dozen. PEARS, Pyramid, in six leading sorts, gf. per dozen. No chaige for packing. ENDER AND SONS, Bedford Nursery, Plymouth, beg to offer Seed of their strain of Large- flowering PETUNIAS, which is the finest in the world. Single, 2S. per packet, 200 seeds ; double, ^s. per packet. None genuine unless bearing our seal, " Hender & Sons." Mr. W. Paterson, Gardener to Her Majesty the Queen, Balmoral Castle, speaks of them as follows :— " Your Petunias are very fine ; indeed they are the finest strain of seedlings X I __j \€ .u_:. --(.jt-g .^vere fully known to the nd sale for your seeds." ublic you would be s — J. Keynes, Salisbury. " The Petunias I had from you were splendid, and greatly admired by thousands who visited Kensington Park," — J. Brown, Model House. "Your Petunias are quite a new strain, many blooms measuring ^% inches across, of the most brilliant colours imaginable ;_ the markings are endless, and each plant is a distinct variety. I had a very high percentage of double flowers."— G. Jarret, Florist, Newbury, Berks. " Colours beautifully blended, a peach or rose colour, with white lines or spots — crimson, mottled with pure white, &c., reminding one of a kaIeidoscope.'*~J. Burley, Bayswater. " A very superior strain of striped and blotched varieties, in every way the finest we have seen." — Gardeners' Chronicle. "The flowers are of fine form, good substance, various and pure in their zo\<^\xx%."~Gardtners' Magazine. " Fine [bold flowers, with white ground, striped and flaked with purple and crimson " — TIw Garden. " We have fifty flowers of Hender's seedling Petunias, each a distinct variety, large, each strikingly and beautifully coloured." — J ourtial of Horticulture. "The extraordinary size and e.vquisite blending of colour is truly astonishing. "—Rev. H. A. Cruwvs. il/^JrcAart/, Tiverton List of Testimonials post-free. We could supply a dozen E WALKER, Farnborough Station, Hants, » has to offer the following : — FIR, Spruce, 6 to 9 inches, bedded, 25J, per tooo, CHESTNUTS, Spanish, i foot, 201. per 1000. PINUS LARICIO, 3-yr. seedlings, 201. per 1000. ABIES ORIENTALIS, 1 foot, 20J. per 100. HOLLIES, Green, x foot, 20J. per 100. BERBERIS AQUIFOLIA, 1% foot, 201. per too. Surplus Stock— aU Transplanted. KW. PROCTOR has to offer of the » above :— ASH, Weeping, 7 to 8 feet stems, 20s. per dozen. BERBERIS bULCIS. 2% to 3^ feet, 20s. per 100. ,. ACJUIFOLIA. I'C to 2 feet, ^s. 6d. per too. CH1> I NT r. il 1 ■, '. 1.] 3 feet, 81. per too. II< 'I I '. ' ,1 Kv and well rooted, 1% to 2 feet, 22s. itet, 32i. per 100. L.M 11: Kushy plants, iJ4 to 2 ft., 40J. per 100, LAKUKNLi.U. o to 10 leet, 40J.' perioo. MEZEkKON, Red, iti to 20 inches, 25^. per too. POPLAR, Balsam, 11 to 13 feet, 9s. per dozen. SYCAMORE, 10 to 12 feet, gr. per dozen, r and bu; 1 feet, „ Evergreen, 2 to ^ feet. 20s. per xooo. „ OVAHFOLIUM, very bushy, a^ to 3M feet, 71. M. PINUS "STROBUS, or Weymouth, well furnished plants, 3 to ''The'llmsenes' Ashgato Road, Chesterfield. 1 68 THE^i GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February io, 1877. THE BEST BUILT HOTHOUSES, CONSERVATORIES, &.c. AT THE LOWEST PRICES. Plans and Estimates given for Horticultural Buildings of every description, either in Wood or Iron. H, Ormson's Work, on an extensive scale, both Building and Heating, may be seen at the Royal Gardens, Kew, and at many of the Seats of the Nobility and Gentry throughout the Country. CAST-IRON AND SLATE FOUNDATIONS, IF PREFERRED TO BRICKWORK. PLAIN AND INEXPENSIVE HOTHOUSES Designed and Built with a strict regard to Economy in Price, the best of Materials and Workmanship, and Practical Adaptation. ORMSON'S PATENT TUBULAR CORNISH BOILER and Ormson's Patent Divisional Hot-water Apparatus SURPASS ALL OTHER SYSTEMS OF HEATING BY HOT-WATER. HOT-WATER PIPES, BOILERS, &c., AT WHOLESALE PRICES. Surveys made and Gentlemen wailed on in any part of Ike Country. Plans and Estimates on application. Tenders from Drawings prepared by Architects. HENRY ORMSON, HORTICULTURAL BUILDER and HOT-WATER APPARATUS ENGINEER, STANLEY BRIDGE, KING'S ROAD, CHELSEA, LONDON, S.W. ' T. H. P. Dennis & Company. Motto, " Art with Economy-;" as applied to Conservatories. HORTICULTURAL BUILDINGS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS & HOT-WATER HEATING APPARATUS ERECTED AND FITTED IN ALL PARTS OF THE KINGDOM. ESTIMATES GRATIS. Show Rooms : MANSION HOUSE BUILDINGS, LONDON, E.G., where full-sized Specimens of Greenhouses, &c., and Hot-water Apparatus at work can be inspected. Works: CHELMSFORD. ESTABLISHED A CENTURY. ^-^ NOW READY, ^„ .,A WM, ROLLISSON & SONS' '^' ^\ NEW AND GENUINE ^ Flower Seeds, Vegetable Seeds, Farm Seeds, CAREFULLY SELECTED FROM THE BEST ENGLISH AND FOREIGN STOCKS. SEED CATALOGUE FOK 1877 GRATIS AND POST FREE ON APPLICATION. /^ Also TENS of THOUSANDS of > WELL GROWN STOVE, GREENHOUSE and HARDY PLANTS OF EVERY DESCRIPnOV ARE ALW\^S IO BL SEFN AT THE NURSERIES, TOOTING, THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 169 -'^fe i^ ./^^g^on THE ROYAL W!ORFOl.K SEED lEStAtLrSHiyiENT DANIELS' SEED POTATOS. Our Stocks I'l I'UlAloS are warranlcd True to Name and Free from Disease, all being carefully selected at the time of growth, and afterwards passed through the hands at least three or four times before being sent out, and all inferior, mis-shapen and forked tubers carefully discarded. To improve the culture and encourage the diffusion of really good varieties, we have determined to offer at the lowest possible rates Collections of Potatos toe E\-niiiiTiON Purposes, and trust our efforts in this direction w ill meet a want so much felt by our Customers and the gardening community generally. The selection in all cases must be left to us ; it will be very carefully made, and only those of known excellence and superior qualities included. 95 . cha A a carefully labdlni and /■aclt. The above are nett prices for cash, wit packing. Seed Orders of the value of 20J. and upwards includ ng Potatos, carriage free to any Railway Station ir England or Wales. Price Lists on application. Special Quolations i;tvcn for large qnanUlus Our Stock of Potatos is the most complete in tl e Kit j, dom, and consists of upwards of eighty varieties DANIEI.S' ILLUSTRATED GUIDE AMATEUR GARDENERS. The most complete, useful, and beautiful Seed Catalogue ever published. Price I J., post-free. Gratis to Customers The "Illustrated Guide for Amateur Girdeners contains 112 papes of beautifully illustrated Letterpress with two superbly finished Coloured Plates, Original Articles on the Rearing and Cultivation of %arious Garden Crops and Flowers, and complete Instructions for the successful Management of the Kitchen and Flower Gardens throughout the year, together with a Select List of choice Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds Seed Potatos, &c. The most practical and comprehensive Guide for the Amateur yet issued, and should be read by every Horticulturist. FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR 1877. BALSAM Williams Supert Strain BEGONIA FRfEBELII PEt.ONIA SEDENI SEMI PLENA PEGONIA Hybud finest miNed CINERVRIA Weuhenlis E\tra GLOMNI'V Fiiiebt Drooping Van PRIMULA Willianib Superb Strain Bed White m Mived 5J ,s el -s 6/ and PRIMULA SINENSIS FIMBRIATA COCCINEA (new) colour 1 nlhant srarlet w ith bright sulphur ej e e\quisitel\ funded and of great substance P\ RE THRUM GOLDEN GEM SOL-VNUM Williams Iniprived H>bnds STOCK A\illians Improved Giant Scarlet Bromptor WAI I FLOWER Harbinger Auti mn and Wmtei lv"\ l-w- VEGETABLE SEEDS. Per packet ~s i PEANS Williams Early Pi jlitic Duaif PcenLh-per ql , BRUSSELS SPROUIS, W tldis Gunt, one of the CUCUMBEWaller" Hero (Nett) P«r pac e i Osmaston Manor .. 2 ENDIVE Williams t loria Mundi i MELON Osinston Manor Hjbnd a , Laura s Beauty (New) 2 SATURDAY THOMAS ANDREW KNIGHT. CIRCUMSTANCES render the publication of a portrait of Tho.mas Andrew Knight particularly appropriate at the pre- sent time (see p. 177). In the first place, as was the case with the portrait of Hales, the founder of vegetable physiology in this country, and which we gave in a recent number (p. i5), there is a special fitness in calling to mind their services to horticulture at a time when a laboratory — the great want of our times from the point of view of vegetable physiology — has just been erected at Kew. In the next place, the publication of the portrait of Knight at this juncture may serve as a protest against a policy which would so degrade and fetter the Royal Horticultural Society as to prevent it proceeding in the useful, honourable career that it did when Knight was its President. Thomas Andrew Knight was born of a good Hereford- shire family in 1759, and died on May 11, 1838. The story of his life is %vritten in "A Selection from the Physiological and Horti- cultural Papers " published by him in the Transactions of the Royal and Horticultural Societies. With our crowded columns, it is impossible for us to offer a sketch of his career, but this omission is the less im- portant from the existence of the memoir just ciuoted. We can only allude to a fe.v points of salient interest. He appears to have been of such shy and retiring habits that, had it not been for his introduction to Sir Joseph Banks, it is probable that vegetable physiology would have not had the services of one of its most original expositors, and horticulture would — so far as this country is concerned— have been deprived of almost the only modicum of science, so far as that relates to plant-growth, it has possessed till of late years. Knight seems to have read but little, and to have known but little of what his predecessors had done ; and whatever may be the disadvantages of this, it had its coiTipensating advantage in a freedom from preconceived opinion and from what has been termed the "dust of the schools." In iSo4the Horticultural Society was founded by Mr. John Wedgewood, Sir Joseph Banks, and others. Knight was one of the original members, the Earl of Dartmouth being Presi- dent, and Mr. Wedgewood Secretary. In iSi I, after the death of Lord Dartmouth, Knight was dected President of the Society, and held that office for the remainder of his life. Mr. Sabine became Secretary shortly after Mr. Knighl'i election as President, and " his zeal and activity, supported by the reputation of the President, gave a new impulse to its exertions, and en- listed among its supporters not only men of' science and practical gardeners, but nearly all the rank and wealth of the kingdom. With the ample means thus placed at the disposal of the Society information and produce were collected from all parts of the world, and were distributed with unsparing liberality ; and by the sound physiological principles taught by the President and the unceasing activity of the Secretary, a complete revolution was effected in the science and practice of gardening, and a great public benefit was conferred throughout the kingdom by inducing many in every class of life to employ their leisure hours in an innocent and hcjlihy pursuit. . . Long before his death, Mr. Knight could safely contemplate this .Society as a permanent means of applying to thi 170 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 10, 1S77. benefit of the community those physiological principles which he had laboured through life to establish." Mr. Knight's first paper to the Royal Society was that famous one in which he maintained inter alia that the life of a graft or of a cutting was limited like that of the stock from which it was taken, and in that way he accounted for the decay and degeneration of many old varieties. Though this opinion was stated with great ingenuity, and backed up by many facts, yet the balance of evidence has shown that in this par- ticular Knight was in error. Of more practical importance were his researches on crossing fruit trees for the purpose of obtaining new and improved varieties. To Knight has sometimes been attributed the first practice of hybridi- sation, but this is an error. Gamerarius a century, and Linnasus half a century before Knight, had suggested if not practised it, while Kolreuter, forty years before Knight, actually put it into practice. To Knight's labours in 179S must, however, be attributed the practical realisation of the idea so far as fruit trees are concerned. Among his other papers, to which we can only cursorily allude, are those curious ones, wherein by sowing seeds on wheels revolving vertically and horizontally, he was enabled to determine that the descent of the radicle into the ground was due to gravity, and to demon- strate the effect of centrifugal force upon seed- lings. The rise of the sap, the channels through which it passes, its change in the leaves, the consequent formation of wood, bark, and buds ; the growth of roots according to the nature of the soil, and _ the fact that fibrous roots are not always, as Mirbel and others thought, annual, but only in certain plants — these were among the points which occupied Knight's atten- tion. Knight was no microscopist, indeed in his day the microscope was a rare instru- ment, and it had not attained to the per- fection it now has. Hence it is that many of his notions are no longer tenable, being contradicted by the minute structure of plants, of wlTich he knew comparatively little. Knight's p ipers on physiological horticulture are, for the most part, based on his scientific investigations, and are indeed the application to practical ends of those researches. His paper before the Horticultural Society in 1S04, on the means of producing new and early fruits, is a case in point. These practical papers are very numerous. They form the mine from which Lindley and other writers on scientific horticulture have bor- rowed largely, and furnish excellent examples of the kind of research which a horticultural society should promote. We do not cite more of these papers because they are probably well known to many of our readers, and much that Knight taught is now interwoven into the daily practice of horticulture. It may, however, be of interest to add a list of the varieties of the best fruits raised by him. Apples — Spring Grove Codling, Downton Lemon Pippin, Herefordshire Gillyflower, Grange Apple, &c. CAi.7V7fj,— Elton, Waterloo, and Black Eagle. StrjiL'bcrria.—'E.Wow and Downton. A large and long-keeping red Currant. /'///mi.— Ickworlh Imp^ratrice, a large purple Plum not named, and two improved Damsons. AV^/i/r/V/fj.— Imp^ratrice, Ickworlh, Downton, and Allhorp. /•t./z-j.— Monarch, Althorp Crassane, Rouse Level, Winter Crassane, Belmont, and many others. Many e.xcellenl and productive varieties of Potatos, of which the only one named is the Downton Yam. ' The Knight Pea, and improved varieties of Cabbige. MIMICRY IN FUNGI. Foii many years past I have observed a phenomenon in connection with the higher fungi which, had it been observed in the case of animals, would, I have little doubt, been put down under the head of " Pro- teciive Resemblance." Quite recently a case was pub- lished in the columns of the Ganloicrs' Chronkh, where Agaricus fastibilis, a poisonous fungus (greatly resembling the common Mushroom, but widely sepa- rated by anatomical characters), grew upon a Mush- room bed. During the past week a correspondent of the Gardeners' Chronicle has sent a dense mass of fungi from a Mushroom bed to be named. At first sight the plants of which the mass consisted had appa- rently all the characters of the subgenus Clitocybe, and I was inclined to refer them without doubt to Agaricus dealbatus, because this white-spored plant (which generally grows in Fir plantations) is in the habit of occasionally forsaking its normal place of growth and appearing on Mushroom beds. The Mushroom-bed variety of Agaricus dealbatus is well known, as (when in this position) it always grows in groups, and the caps of the fungi are much lobed and undulated. My surprise, therefore, was great, on examining the spores of the plants, to find them not white but pink ; the fungus was not A. dealbatus but A. orcella. Both species have exactly the same white, lobed and undulated tops, the same anatomical characters, and the same strong fungoid odour ; more- over, both are edible. In the Gardeners Chronicle for November 16, 1S72, p. 1528, I published several instances of a similar mimetic habit in fungi, as — i. Cantharellus carbon- arius and Agaricus atratus, two totally d'fferent fungi, with strong external resemblances ; these commonly grow in company on wood ashes, z. Agaricus fas- cicularis, A. alnicola, and A. conissans, diverse fungi, with almost exactly the same coloration and habit, which grow in company on stumps. 3. Agaricus carbonarius and A. spumosus, found on wood ashes, &c. Every fungologist is acquainted with Agaricus cucumis. It is known in an instant by its strong odour of stinking fish ; it grows upon the ground and upon fragments of dead wood, and has red-brown spores. Now I have found a plant with every anatomical character of A. cucumis, in exactly the same habitat, with the same abhorrent odour, but with white spores. According to Fries, this colour of the spores makes the plant another species belonging to a different section of Agarics. Is it so, or is it possible for a brown-spored Agaric to have a white- spored variety ? There are white varieties of several of the larger fungi, and every mycologist will remem- ber the case of A. cretaceus which has been placed at various times by different authors in the white, the pink, and the purple-brown spored sections. Agaricus parilis, a white-spored Agaric, and A. popinalis, a pink-spored species, are distinct, but they have strong external resemblances, and I have frequently found them growing together. I have seen the white-spored Agaricus ostreatus and the pink- spored A. euosmus so much alike in general aspect that it was simply impossible to distinguish one from the other without reference to the spore-colour, and the odour has been the same in both. With me they grow on the same trees, and at the same season of the year. Had I time to refer to my drawings and notes, I could give many other instances of "mimicry" (or what might pass as "mimicry") in fungi. W. G. NITROGEN AND VEGETATION. In a lecture by Dr. J. H. Gilbert, delivered at South Kensington, which has recently appeared in these columns, the subject of the agricultural statics of nitrogen has been very fully treated. The lecturer showed, from the Rothamsted experiments, what quantity of nitrogen is actually found in various agri- cultural crops grown for many years without any supply of nitrogen in the manure ; he discussed the various natural sources of nitrogen which are available to plants ; and, finally, he considered the losses of nitrogen which the soil suffers by drainage, and possibly in other ways. It is clear that if our know- ledge of the subject were complete, we should be able to account for the increase of nitrogen in a soil and crop at harvest by merely summarising all the gains and losses of nitrogen which had taken place through- out the year. At present, however, so much informa- tion is still needed as to the supply and the loss of nitrogen, both in the case of soils and plants, that no such account can be attempted, even in general terms. Fresh light on such a subject is therefore especially welcome. We propose to give in the present paper a short account of some recent French investigations of peculiar interest : they were published for the most part after the delivery of the Kensington lecture. It is a well-known fact that ammonia is one of the substances which are capable of supplying nitrogen to plants ; every farmer is indeed familiar with the potency of ammoniacal manures. It has also been long known that air contains an exceedingly small quantity of ammonia, and that this substance is also found in rain, dew, and all terrestrial waters, includ- ing the ocean. Soils also contain very small quan- tities of ammonia. This wide distribution of ammonia is due to the fact, that both free ammonia, and its car- bonate, are gases which diffuse rapidly in the atmo- sphere, and are thus carried to every part of the globe. With these general facts chemists have long been acquainted, but the laws which regulate on the one hand the volatilisation of ammonia from water or soil into the air, and on the other its absorption from the air by water and soil, have never been made the sub- ject of study. M. Th. Schlosing has quite lately treated this subject in a masterly manner in a series of papers read before the French Academy of Sciences. By logical deductions from known facts, and by an extended series of new and ingenious experiments, he has indicated the laws under which the transference of ammonia takes place. The following is an outline of his general conclusions. When air containing ammonia (or carbonate of ammonium) comes in contact with pure water, the ammonia is absorbed by the water till a point is reached at which the ammonia in the water and air are at the same tension. At this point the ammonia is probably by no means equally distributed between the two, but the air and water are then in equilibrium. Did the water contain more ammonia it would yield it to the air ; did the air contain more ammonia it would yield it to the water. This equilibrium is at once disturbed by a rise or fall of temperature. If the tem. perature rises, the tension of the ammonia in the water is increased, and ammonia passes into the air until a new equilibrium is established. If the temperature falls, the contrary takes place, and ammonia is trans- ferred from the air to the water. M. Schloiing has constructed an apparatus in which air containing a known proportion of ammonia can be passed through water, and the quantity of ammonia taken up by the water ascertained. He has experi- mented with pure water and with sea water, using air containing those proportions of ammonia which are actually present in the atmosphere. He has also varied the temperature from near the freezing-point to the highest heat attained by a tropical ocean. By such experiments he has succeeded in reducing to a mathematical expression the laws which regulate the interchange of ammonia between air and water. These fundamental laws being known, it is now possible to calculate the percentage of ammonia in the rain formed by the cooling of any warm wind of known composition, and to solve by calculation all questions as to the distribution of ammonia between air and water of known temperature. One result of these calculations is to show the impossibility of rain ever completely washing out the gaseous ammonia from the air through which it falls. The whole of the nitrate of ammonium in the air may indeed be removed by rain, as this salt must be assumed to exist as float- ing particles of dust, but the gaseous ammonia can never be thus abstracted. Indeed rain falling from a colder to a warmer region of the atmosphere must frequently give up ammonia on entering the warmer stratum. Schhiiing has, in fact, observed that the air is sometimes richer in ammonia after rain. Calcu- lation also shows that the rain successively formed during the cooling of a warm wind will become richer in ammonia as the cooling progresses. This is again consistent with the fact that the rains of winter are sometimes richer in ammonia than those of summer, although in winter the air contains less ammonia than in summer time. Some of the most important of Schliising's conclusions are those drawn from experiments on sea-water. The ammonia in sea-water exists in a diffusible form, and not in the state of fixed salts as supposed by some chemists ; sea-water, therefore, readily parts with its ammonia to air when the tension of ammonia in the wafer is greater than that in the atmosphere. In the tropics, where the surface water is raised to a high temperature, the conditions are most favourable for a transference of ammonia from the ocean to the atmosphere. Schlosing believes that the principal source of the ammonia of the atmosphere is to be found in tropical regions ; here the tension of the ammonia held by water or soil is so much •'EBRUARY lO, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 171 increased by llie high temperature that a far larger proportion of the amrr.onia must pass into the atmo- Ephere than in colder regions. Once in the atmosphere the ammonia is immediately diffused in all directions, and is carried by winds to all quarters of the globe. In Sch'ii.ing's determinations of the ammonia present in air, he found much more in southerly winds than in northerly, especially in winter time. The ammonia of the atmosphere Schlijsing regards as of primary importance in the nutrition of natural vegetation. That plants are capable of assimilating gaseous ammonia Schlosing himself has shown, in confirmation of the earlier results of Sachs and Meyer. The absorption of gaseous ammonia by the leaves of plants is, however, not the only mode in which the ammonia of the atmosphere becomes available for nutrition — ammonia is also absorbed from the atmo- sphere by soil. The action of the soil is probably more important than that of the living plant. R. Warrington. (To Iv THE GENUS AGAVE. The illustrations which will accompany the present series of papers are selected from photographs which were made three or four years ago of the principal specimens in the collection of Mr. Wilson Saunders. In selecting these, as well as in planning the Refiigium, the principal idea of Mr. Saunders was to place on record plates of those plants of which it was not possible to preserve satisfactory specimens in a her- barium. In Agave and its allies this seemed par- ticularly desirable, because there are a very large number of closely-allied forms, of very few of which figures have been published. Accordingly, Mr. Saunders had photographed all the different forms in his collection which were in a sufficiently mature con- dition to make it worth while to do so. Altogether about sixty forms were thus recorded, and at the same time I made notes upon the specimens. Mr. Saunders has presented to IheKew Herbarium a complete set of the photographs, and it has been thought that many readers of the Gardeners' Chronicle would feel an inte- rest in having an illustrated account of the genus to refer to. My original idea was simply to print with the figures the descripiions of the plants to which they refer. But now that we have lost General Von Jacobi, who devoted himself to the group with so much enthusiasm and perseverance for a long course of years, it seemed desirable to attempt something more than this. Utile as I feel myself competent for the task. The naming of lliese plants has for so long rested in General Jacobi's hands that, as so often happens in similar cases, others have neglected them, and now that he is gone we are in great danger of drifting into a state of utter confusion. Any one accustomed to determine plants knows how difficult it is to work from descripiions alone, and here we have a very large number of described species, of which there are neither figures nor herbarium speci- mens to fall back upon. It is greatly to be wished that some one who has the necessary, time and oppor- tunity would step forward and take up the matter. In the meantime, while waiting for the appearance of this coming monographer, having, afier studying the collection of Mr. Saunders, gone through our own collection at Kew with Jacobi's book in hand, and having also studied the very rich series belonging to Mr. J. T. Peacock at Hammersmith, I propose to take advantage of this opportunity to give a summary descriptive enumeration of all the species with which I am acquainted, treating the matter from the point of view of a general botanist. For a non-specialist to have his say about them is, perhaps, in the present state of things, the best thing that could happen, for there cannot be any doubt that a large proportion of the so-called species to which names have been given cannot be considered as established on safe grounds. Many rest solely upon notes taken upon one or a very small number of flowerless individuals, and no doubt when they are fully studied in a mature and flowering condition a great many of the 155 names that stand in General Jacobi's list will have to be placed as varieties or mere synonyms. Besides the writings of Professor Karl Koch and General Jacobi — the latter contained in his well-known monograph that came out in the llamhur^^ Gartenzdtnn^ from 1864 to 1S67, and two supplements which appeared in the Abhaiidluiii;m der Schksischin GaellschafC— there is an excellent recent paper on the Agaves found within the limits of the United States by Dr. G. Engelmann in the third volume of the Transoe- liom of the Academy oj Science of St. Louis. Jacobi's latest catalogue will be found in V^e^nXf, Gartcnftor.i for the year iS6S, at p. 346. Key to the Genera. — Agave and its three American allies may be distinguished from one another by the following characters, the only other genus that approximates to them being the Australian Dory- Perianth forming .1 distinct tube above the PrrL-mth" slit il .inuteobloir-* ovary, or very 5 fusiforir ^ perianth broad obloni,', "l Uontally. Filaments much riquetrous at the base. ) he perianth Unear-lanceo- \ Fila- 1- half. Subgenera of Agave, founded on Inlloresccnee. — The best primary subdivision of the genus Agave is furnished by the inflorescence, in which we have the three following well-marked types, which were defined long ago by Salisbury {Genera of Plants, edit. Dr. J. E. Gray, p. 78) as three distinct genera. Subgenus I. EuAGAVE (Agave, Salisb.). — Flowers in clusters, crowded at the end of branches, which form a broad deltoid chandelier - like panicle. Examples — A. americana, A. Scolymus. Subgenus II. LiTT.EA. — Flowers in pairs (rarely in threes), arranged in a dense simple cylindrical sub- spicate panicle. Examples — A. geminiflora, A. filifera. Subgenus III. Manfreda. — Flowers solitary, arranged in a lax simple spike. Examples — A. vir- ginica, A. maculata. These correspond to the three sections of Dr. Engelmann, who calls them Paniculata;, Geminiflora', and Singuliflorse, and as the structure of the perianth is quite uniform in general character in all the three, we certainly cannot properly regard them as divisions of a higher than sectional value. Although I would much rather use these as my primary subdivisions, if it were practicable, yet as the inflorescence of a large number of the species is not known I shall be obhged to follow Jacobi's plan of adopting a sequence founded upon leaf character. Where I give between the generic and specific name of the plant the word Euagave, Litta:a, or M.infreda in brackets, it implies, therefore, that the inflorescence is known, and that it conforms to the character of the type as just defined ; and where no subgenus is mentioned, it implies that I am not aware that the inflorescence has been noted. The Manfreda inflorescence is restricted to one peculiar type of leaf, but Litta:;a cannot be known from Euagave by any foliage characters, and both as regards the leaves run through a wide range of variation. Gronps of Agave founded on Leaf-character.— Tht best groups founded upon leaf- character, which I am able to construct, run as follows, viz. : — Series I. CoRIACEO-CARNOS.-E. — Texture of the leaf rigid, not fleshy nor yielding to the touch when mature. End spine large, hard and pungent. Teeth usually large and very horny, rarely small, or the edge minutely denticulate or filiferous. I. Group Filiferrc. — Edge of the leaf splitting oft into distinct threads. Examples— A. filifera, A. II. Group MarginaU-e.— Edge of the leaf furnished all the way down from the top to the bottom with a distinct horny border, of the same texture as the teeth. Examples— A. lophanta, A. univittata. III. Group Submarginatcc. — Edge of the leaf with a distinct horny border as in the last group, but beginning at the top and failing to reach the bottom. Examples — A. applanata, A. Hookeri. IV. Group Americans.— Edge of the leaf without any distinct horny border ; teeth large. Examples — A. americana, A. potatorum. V. Group Rigida;. — Edge of the leaf without any distinct horny border ; teeth small, but distinct, del- toid. Examples— A. tigida, A. xalapensis. VI. Group Strialre. — Edge of the leaf without any distinct horny border, and only minutely serrulate. Examples — A. striata, A, dasylirioides. Series 2. — Carnoso-coriace.e. — Texture of the leaf thick, fleshy, and yielding to the touch when mature. End spine small, scarcely at all pungent. Teeth never large, as is commonly the case in the first series, small but distinct, deltoid, horny at the tip, the edge sometimes filiferous, minutely serrulate or sabentire. VII. Group Geminiflorce. — Edge of theleaf splitting off into distinct threads. Example — A. geminiflora. VIII. Group Aloidea?. — Edge of the leaf furnished with distinct deltoid teeth ^ — \ inch long. Examples —A. Celsiana, A. Sartorii. IX. Group Gasterioidex.— Edge of small ensiform leaf minutely serrulate. Examples — A. virginica, A. variegata. (This is the group with the Manfreda inflorescence.) X. Group Subintegrifolis. — Edge of thelarge oblong, spathulate leaf minutely serrulate or subentire. Examples — A. attenuata, A. Ellemeetiana. Series III. Flexiles, or Yuccoide.e — Texture of the leaf thin, firm, flexible, like that of a Yucca. End spine small, slightly pungent. Ttelh always distinct, small or moderately large. Only a single group, XI. Examples — A. vivipara, A. yucccfolia. Most of these eleven groups contain only lew species, the large ones being the second, fourth, and eighth. J. G. Baker. PLEASANCE SMITH. This lady, who died on the 3d inst., in her 104th year, has claims upon the respectful memory ot our readers. Apart from her great age — which is in this case sufficiently authenticated— Lady Smith, for her own sake and that of her husband, deserves a tribute of respect from all interested in natural his- tory. We cull some particulars of her life from the Times of the 5th inst., and to them we are enabled, through the kindness of Mr. Kippist, to add some few details : — " She was born in 1773, two years before the out- break of the American War, sixteen years before the fall of the Bastille. At the age of twenty-three (1796) she was married to Sir James Edward Smith, who was then a young physician of limited means, but had the courage to purchase on his own responsibility the collections and library of Linnreus, and thus became the founder and first President of the Linnrean So- ciety. Sir James found in his young wife a helpmate who took the deepest interest in his pursuits, and their house at Norwich became the centre of the literary and scientific society which then distinguished that ancient city. He died in 1S2S, so that Lady Smith, after thirty-two years of wedlock, lived in widowhood for nearly half a century ; for twenty- eight of those years she resided in the house built by her father in the High Street of Lowestoft. She had a constitution without a blemish ; she hardly knew what illness was till within the last two or three years ; she had preserved almost all her teeth, and her eyesight was good enough to enable her to read reports of speeches in the Times ; her hearing remained almost unimpaired to the very end. To the time when her eyesight began to fad her handwriting was of that clear and beautiful kind which in these days is seldom seen. Even when her eyes grew dim she continued to write letters to those she loved, and though the lines disclosed the difficulty she had in carrying h£r pen evenly along the paper, the thoughts and language showed no decay of vigour in her mind. In youth she was extremely handsome, as may be seen from a picture of her as a gipsy, painted by Opie, soon after her marriage. She preserved many traces of this beauty, and at the age of 100 her un- dimmed eyes and fresh colour never failed to call forth the admiration of those who saw her. But what si ill more caused admiration was the unabated freshness and youthfulness of her sympathies and affections." The history of Sir James Smith's purchase of the books and collections of Linnajus, of the chase of the treasure by a Swedish vessel sent to recover it for the Swedish nation, which had allowed so great a prize to become the property of a foreigner— all this is well known to naturalists. Vv'hat follows is not so well known outside the Linnean Society, and therefore it is worthy o( mention here. Sir James Smith was the founder (178S) and first President of the Society, and the latter at his death became the possessors by pur- chase of the library and coUtctions of the great Swede. Lady Smith kept up to the last an unabated interest in the prosperity of the Sociely, and from THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February io, 1S77. time to lime corresponded with its oflicers, and con- tributed memorials and relics of Linntcus, as well as of her husband. Amongst other donations to the Society may be mentioned the correspondence of Sir James Edward Sjnidi, beauufully mounted and arranged, and occu- pying nineteen qu:irto volumes, with occasional ex- planitory notes written in that neat roundhand writing which was characteristic of her even to the last. From these notes and letters in great measure were compiled the published memoirs of Sir James Smith. In order to make the gift the more complete, the officers of the Society requested Lady Smith to favour them with a portrait of herself, to be inserted among these letters ; and in complying with this its surface are representations of the flower and seed- vessels of the plant as well as of the Litchi, the Man- gosteen, and other fruits. On another occasion she presented to the Society Toland's Lije of Millon, which had formerly been the property of Linnaeus, accompanied by a letter which showed, as almost all her letters do, how she retained a cheerful even playfully happy tone of thought and expression into extreme old age. Alluding to the Life of Milton, just referred to, she says she gives the book to the Society without apprehension, inasmuch as it is *'too small to be an incumbrance, and too valuable not to be welcome." In May, 1873^ Mr. Bentham being then President of the Society, a congratulatory address on the part are indebted for the privilege of illustrating the species. Dr. Engelmann, the learned monographer of the Cac- tacea: of the Mexican boundary, has also kindly identified the plant for us so far as the materials before him would allow. The plants are usually simple, but when injured by fire " they branch from the base, and form a pile of prickly balls." The flowers are green- ish, the fruit nearly an inch long, blueish, and of the shape and taste of a Gooseberry. E. viridescens is described in the latest recension of the Calilornian flora (Botany of Calfornia, vol. i. ; Polvp(ta!,e, by W. H. Brewer and Sereno Watson; Gamopdala, by Asa Gray, 1S76, p. 245) quoted below. Telipogon Crcesus, RM. f* The Telipogons form a wonderfully a:Lhereal genus. They have narrow thin stems with distichous FiC. 26. — ECIIINOCACTUS VIRIDESCENS. request Lidy Smith, in September, 1S72, forwarded a photographic copy of the portrait by Opie above alluded to, and which does indeed represent a lady of singular beauty. On the back of this photograph is written by Lady Smith herself this inscription — which is the more interesting as she was then in her hundredth year—" Fleasance Smith, Lowe- stoff, b. II May, 1773, copied from Opie's portrait 1798" In May, 1869, she presented to the Society a cirved rhinoceros horn, accompanied by a note, mentioning the fact that the horn had been sent to Linnaeus from China, and had been described by Sir James E. Smith in his Exotic Botany, and which is figured in Lady Smith's AAmoir o{ her husband, vol. ii,, p. 230 The hollow base of the horn is carved to represent a Lotus (Nelumbium) leaf, and on of the Fellows was sent to Lady Smith on the com- pletion of her hundredth year, and a characteristic letter was received in reply. It is quite clear, from the statements of those who had the privilege of knowing her personally, as well as from her letters, that the grave has closed over one not more remarkable physically than for the virtues, the graces, and the charms of her mind. leaves, now crowded together, now distant. The generally ancipitous racemes bear very conspicuous bracts with dorsal keels ; and the flowers are New Garden Plants. ECHINOCACTUS VIRIDESCENS.* Some plants of this striking Cactus have lately been ntroduced by Mr. J. T. Peacock, to whose courtesy we Heads solitary (4—; ssed, with about thirl obtuse tuberculaled ribs, and a woolly depressed summit ; sp limber of obfonp. triaiigulis acuminato ,11 anlico bene breviori. j.ii 1 vilhs ascendentibus lei. losis : labello vatde tr., apiculato; nervis tredt densissimo : basi velulii C. BruchmUIIer (deditainic Low); Carder a Telipogon Croesus, Rchb. f. i ' ' r of CiUfornia chb. f. : sepal! 1 Linnaa, xli. February io, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 173 usually very striking. The narrow triangular sepals are totally hidden by the thin, very broad, grand petals, and the lip. Originally two species were dis- covered by Humboldt and Bonpland ; by-and-bye, after a long interval, a few more came. Lately, how- ever, it became necessary to publish no less than twenty- seven species at once. My collection at the present time contains more than half a hundred species, many of them due to Messrs. Wallis, Roezl, Klaboch, Krause, Bruchmiiller, and Patin. These beautiful butterfly-like things— provided we had such creatures with three wings ! — have yellow flowers and a short column, now full of violet hairs, now with a fabulous crown of striking forked hairs, now with white senile hairs, seldom quite naked. The variation of the petals and lip, too, is very great ; a considerable num- ber have those organs equal, others unequal ; some from the revolutionary States of Colombia. Amidst these is, I am glad to say, Telipogon Crcesus, the first flowers of which Mr. Low gave me many years ago. It is one of the best species of the genus, well covering with its flowers a modern German five-shil- ling piece, yellow, with a dark network. It would be a great success to secure the Telipogons in Europe, since they afford some new types. Their cousins, the Trichoceras, are rather pretty, and much easier to introduce for their more plump bulbous growth, but their flowers are too small ; while the majority of Telipogons have much larger flowers. There is no doubt that they would prefer a very cool treat- ment. Director Linden, who was the first modern traveller who met with Telipogon, indicated them as growing in their native country at an elevation of 10,500 and 7840 feet (see Lindley, Orchidece Linden- iana, p. 23). H. G. Rchb. f. I of bright colour. There are scarcely any flowers in I the garden, and yet nothing can be more pleasant to the eye than the arrangement, by judicious fore- thought, of scarcely half-a-dozen species of ( trees. The gardens bear a matured aspect of quity, and are of great age. They were pla '55°. ^y II- Tribolo, under Cosimo I., and carried out, in the latter half of the sixteenth century, by Buontalenti. Many of the statues are restored an- tiques, and include four unfinished works by Michael Angelo, said to have been intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II. Another magnificent garden, or rather park, is in course of completion on the heights of San Miniate, from which a fine view of the city and its surround- FlG. 27.— VIEW IN [AIN ENTRANCE OF THE EODOLI VI DENS, TL TCNCE are as thin as the thinnest tracing paper, others have a stronger texture ; some have few, others numerous nerves, and these are either quite simple or connected by transverse bars. There are some with many projecting small dots on the side of the n;rvts. At present the writer of these lines only knows of a single case of a Telipogon having flowered in Europe. It was in 1847, when Messrs. Veitch flowered Telipogon obovatum, Lindl. The late A. Bruchmiiller, who dis- covered several new species on the old hunting- grounds of collectors at Ocafia (Crcesus, hastatus, auritus, Alberti, BruchmiiUeri), made it a point to try to bring the Telipogons alive. Sitting on mule- back, he had his small cases with his pets before him, but they died when he came to the hot regions. I have now a reasonable hope of our at length seeing the plants alive, since Mr. W. Bull sends me specimens to name, of Orchids brought home by Messrs. Carder and Shuttleworth FLORENTINE GARDENS, At the back of the Pitti Palace, and immediately adjacent to the botanical garden, are situated the famous Boboli Gardens. From the higher part of them a fine panorama of the city is obtained, enriched by the pleasant foreground of the garden. Grand specimens of Cupressus pyramidalis break the beautiful distance and rise out of a charming labyrinth of terraces, pools, fountains, sculpture, and noble walks deeply sheltered by avenues of Oriental Plnne, Quercus Ilex, and Laurus nobilis. The evergreen Oak is the fike de rhislancc of the garden, here trimmed into wall- like masses enclosing long vistas, again trained overhead into a complete arcaded shelter from the summer sun, and occasionally rising up as separate individual? above the general level of the sea of leafy verdure. One notable feature is the absence ings is obtained. It is on a much larger scale than the Cascine or Boboli, though it cannot, for many years, compare with either in their mellowed richness of the planting which age alone can give. From the limited time at my disposal, I had but little opportunity of examining the indigenous flora of the neighbourhood, so rich in bulbous plants ; but through the kindness of my friend, Mr. S. Snmmier, I was enabled to obtain several species from their native habitats. Our first visit was to a meadow between the Cascine and railway station, in which on March 2 two forms of Crocus biflorus, nearly out of flower, were most abundant in some places, almost wholly re- placing the turf. The commonest form was the little striped variety. Crocus pusillus of Tenore, intermixed with cstriatus, a pale lilac unstiiped variety with a bright yellow throat. Compared with the " Scotch 174 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February io, 1S77. Crocus" of British gardens, whiich Dean Herbert supposed was derived from it, it is a weedy little plant, and on looking through Gussone's herbarium at Naples I was fortunate in finding a specimen from a native habitat on the road between Ariano and Monte Calvello, near Salerno, labelled pusillus var. b. Tenore, precisely identical with our garden plant ; so that there is little doubt that the Scotch Crocus was derived from South Italy. In- termixed with the Crocuses at the Cascine was Colchicum Levieri, apparently of smaller habit than C. autumnnle, but its flower is unknown to me. On March 3 Mr. Sommier accompanied me on a pleasant excursion to the north-west of the city. Pass- ing out of Florence by the Via Bolognese we visited the Villa Ilerzen, the grounds surrounding which are interesting to the botanist as the habitat of various bulbous plants. In the terraced Olive gardens and vineyards both the white and blue varieties of Hyacinthus orientalis occur in great profusion. There are also five or six species of Narcissi, including Bertolonii, Tazetta, odorus, italicus, papyraceus, and a species allied to papyraceus of shorter and more robust habit and rather larger flowers, bulbs of which I obtained through the courtesy of Dr. Herzen. Gagea arvensis is an abundant and attractive little plant in the fields surrounding Florence ; and Narcissus etruscus, a species separated by Professor Parlatore from N. Tazetta, occurs on the south side of the oily. From the Villa Herzen we ascended to the village of Ptatolino, passing en route the grounds of Prince Demidolif, who is one of the most successful cultivators of stove plants in Italy. In a wood about half a mile beyond the village of Pratolino the lowland form of Crocus vernus occurs in the greatest profusion, including an endless series of varieties from pure white to deep purple, correspond- ing with nearly every variety produced by the Dutch cultivators. Scarcely two individuals were pre- cisely alike, and seminal variation must be a constant character of the species. The ground was covered with a dense matting of dead leaves, and often through seven or eight thick- nesses the flowers had penetrated without the slightest displacement or deviation. The leaves of the late winter's fall were tough, and as yet undecayed, and it seems difficult to believe that the penetrating force of the delicate flowers is merely mechanical. Mr. Sommier informs me that a much larger form of Crocus vernus is found at higher elevations about Florence, and specimens sent me by Mr. Groves of Florence, from Monte Marone, in the Abruzzo, ob- tained at an elevation of 6500 feet, are larger than the Pratolino form. A parallel variation in size occurs in the case of Crocus minimus in Corsica, the typical small form being restricted to low elevations, whilst on the mountain tops, from 2500 feet up to 6ooo feet, it attains the size of Crocus versicolor. Geo. Maw, F. L. S. Florists' Flovi^ers. " The Auriculas are delightfully on the move," wrote a well-known cultivator a few days ago. This was the experience of a northern locality ; here in the South they also commenced to move days ago. A revived root-action is taking place, and this manifests itself in an awakening growth. It is the occasion when the Auricula cultivator braces himself to action, for his plants now need all his care and attention. One important duty required at his hands is that of top-dressing the plants. This is of great value to them, for during the autumn and winter the roots fill up the body and bottom of the pot. When they commence to root in spring they are put forth from the stem of the plant just beneath the soil, and they are at work near the surface ; hence the necessity, therefore, for a supply of good rich soil for these roots to feed upon, for they are the main feeders during spring. Without good roots actively at work among ,the soil, it is useless to look for finely marked pips of 'excellent quality. Some cultivators do something else '.than top-dress their plants ; they also make a point 'of giving them freshly cleansed quarters. The plants 'are taken out of the frame on a fine day, and carried into a summer-house or any place of temporary security ; and then the interior of the frame is care- fully cleansed and brushed. In the case of an old- fashioned garden frame, in which the plants are stood on an ash or gravelled -bottom, it is customary to stir up the surface and take some of it away, and add a fresh covering of sand, coal-ashes, &c. Mr. John Hepworth, of Huddersfield, a well-known amateur cultivator of the Auricula, prefers to make his bottom of clean washed sand from the road, with which is mixed a quantity of fresh slaked quicklime. Next comes the cleansing of the plants. The process can scarcely be better expressed than in Mr.- Hepworth's own words, as given in the Florist aiiil Pomologist. "After clearing the frames," he states, "I com- mence to clean the plants. Having first ob- tained a small threepenny painter's brush, I take the pots one by one, give the plants a good brush- ing all over the leaves, aho underneath, and round the bole of the plant." This is very necessary, for during the prevailing mild weather green- fly con- gregates quickly about the hearts of the plants, espe- cially on plants kept in rather close quarters. This done, then follows the process of top-dressing. Mr, Hepworth well describes this act in plain and simple terms. "I take a wooden skewer, run it round inside the rim of the pot to the depth of an inch or so, then turn the pot on one side, just giving it a slight tap with the open hand till all the loose mould has fallen off, and having at my hand some fresh well-sweetened mould, not over old, as some folks recommend, I fill up the pot with a small tin scoop to its usual depth of about half an inch from the rim — not too full up to the leaves of the plants, but leaving the bole of the plants slightly visible. This done, the pots are placed in their usual place in the frame, laying a mat or two temporarily over the lights at night till I have gone through the entire collection. Then, having got them in the frames, I put on the lights, and keep them on for a fortnight or so, tilting them slightly at the back, but allowing the plants no rains or artificial waterings during that fortnight." The soil used for top-dressing is generally one with some unctuous food in it for the young rootlets. That generally employed is one part good hearty loam, one of leaf-mould, and the remaining two parts well- decomposed cow or sheep manure. The application of water carries the fertilising properties on the sur- face soil down to the large root-feeders below, and they do derive benefit from the dressing. A'. D. Forestry. The difficulties of growing Game Covert are in most districts very considerable, owing to the circum- stance that what should constitute shelter, protection, and food lor one class of game, is eaten, destroyed, and rejected by others. The rearing of covert for phea. sants alone, for example, is cheaply and easily accom- plished ; but when the threefold object of growing plants productive of food for birds, and shelter and protection for winged and ground game is to be attained, the work is difficult, and often impossible, not to speak of the expense and tediousness of the opera- tion. When to the ordinary difficulties and obstacles of growing game covert in inland and favourable dis- tricts we add those arising from a maritime severe ex- posure, it taxes the most experienced and skilful forester severely to know how best to attain it. After many abortive eflorts under the latter adverse circum- stances I have at least partially succeeded under the following practice. Thorough drainage, by whatever means, is an essential condition ; for although we hear much about certain trees and shrubs that luxuriate on wet soils, observation and experience very clearly demonstrate that no arborescents will succeed, and endure for any length of time, in soils other than dry. The numerous kinds of Willow, the Alder, Ame- rican hag, or Bird Cherry, Spiral, with wild Briar, and common Bramble, all grow more or less successfully upon comparatively wet ground, but it must not on that account be concluded that they either prefer such, or that they will not thrive better upon good dry soil. Willow and Alder are frequently consigned to cold wet bogs and marshes, but that is simply because in such situa- tions most other trees refuse to grow at all, and the former at best, under such circumstances, are but short lived and uns'ghtly, unmistakably indicating that ihey also prefer dry to wet soils. In planting game covert within the influence of the sea, other matters than those for inland planting have to be considered, which the following examples will illustrate. On a bank sloping towards the open fulfils the 1 ns by partially retaining its., I better soil than the Beech to » I German Ocean, soil dry and of good quality, well adapted for the growth of most hardy evergreens commonly planted for game covert, and which was desired to be grown on the site for that purpose, especially to afford protection during winter, it was evident that no evergreen would stand the winter in such an exposure, and it was chiefly winter covert that was required. What was to be done ? Deci- duous plants would grow, but they would not produce winter covert. Evergreens would grow to some extent in - summer, but they would not stand the winter. On seeing a young Beech tree with its seared leaves adhering tenaciously, I concluded such might, in some measure at least, meet the requirements of the case, and I forthwith proceeded to plant it closely and extensively, and with very satisfactory results. The Beech, as is generally kno*n, retains its leaves throughout the winter, so long at least as it is low and bushy, as in hedges clipped or pruned ; and in this state the leaves, though dry and withered, afford comparatively good protection to game, the best at least that can be produced under such a combination of adverse circumstances. The Lucombe Oak, and also the common Oak, when the latter is kept low, like the Beech, retain their leaves during winter, and only defoliate when the buds begin to expand in spring. Unlike the Beech, however, the former is expensive, and the latter more choice of soil, while neither of them branch and spread out so well as the Beech. Tlie common Bramble ti ments of such situ foliage, but it requires better grow luxuriantly. The Daphne and Berberis make excellent under- covert, as they both spread and rise to a fair height. They also produce berries which pheasants are very partial to. The common Privet is again a well-known favourite covert for game, and will succeed upon any dry soil, even under the shade of deciduous trees. Neither of the three latter, however, will endure severe maritime exposure, and hence should not be relied upon for that purpose. The Sea Buckthorn is an excellent plant for seaside planting, and none endures the salt spray better. As it defoliates in winter, however, it is on that account less suitable than Beech. The common Elder, where the soil is good, grows well at the very margin of the sea, and though rendered leafless several times during the summer months, will yet shoot forth anew, and overcome its privations. C. V. Mic/iU; Cullcn Heme, Cidleii, yannary 30. OSarbcu (Djjcratians. PLANT HOUSES. Plant Stove.— AUamandas not yet started into growth should be got to work at once, cutting them well back, soaking their balls, getting away half of. the old soil, and repotting in new, which make quite solid ; at the same time putting them on their trellises, by doing which now before they begin to grow the- danger ol breaking the young shoots in the operation is done away wiih. Clerodendron Thompson! and ' Balfourianum, that are still at rest, ought to be started now. Do not cut them back, but soak the balls, and train them on the trellises they are to bloom upon. Caladiums, too, should be started : the amount of pot-room given them will of course be regulated by the size the plants are intended to grow to. It desired big they must not be stinted in the size of their pots ; where they are wanted small, say, in 6 or S-inch pots, the bulbs can be divided, not having the pieces too |:f big in this case. As a decorative plant for conserva- tory use the small-leaved C. argyrites is very service- able ; for this purpose it should not be grown too hot, and ought to have a place not far from the glass : by these means it will be somewhat prepared ri lor the lower temperature it will get during the summer. The majority of the fine-leaved occupants of the stove can now have their annual potting. Alocasias of the Veitchii and metallica type will not succeed if potted in material that is at all adhesive, their roots rotting directly they come in contact with it. These plants ought to be shook out each spring, and the soil renewed \ that which is best suited to their requirements is the fibrous part of good peat, to which add a liberal quantity of sphagnum and rotten manure that has been exposed to the air till quite dry, as also a fair amount of sand ; for A. macrorhiza nothing answers better than turfy loam and half-rotten dung in equal proportions, with the addition of some , and. Vi'here it is desirable to increase Marantas, the THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 175 crowns can now be divided — an operation which is better done in tlxe spring, before they commence to grow, than at any olher time. Where it is the inten- tion to u^e these plants for conservatory decoration in the middle of summer, or for exhibition purposes, it will be well to grow them at the coolest end of the house. The tups of Dieffenbachias that have got shabby at the bottom should be taken off and struck ; in a warm close atmosphere they will root easily : bits of the old stem, &c., having two or three joints, if put in little pots and not suffered to get too wet, will also strike. AUamandas, Bougainvilleas, &c., that were started some short time ago, will now be sending up their new shoots, and where it is the intention to increase the stock of these plants their propagation should be attended to. As soon as the young growths are 6 inches long take them off with a heel and put them in little pots well drained and two-thirds filled with good peat to which has been added one-sixth of sand, filling them up with sand. For early blooming cuttings should very soon be put in of Euphorbia jacquiniieflora ; when the young shoots which the earliest plants make have got 6 inches long take them off with a heel ; if this is not done with this Euphorbia not many will strike. Some cuttings of Luculia gratissima should also be got in now. By putting some in at the present time, and others later on, a succession of this useful decorative subject can be obtained. Epiphyllums that have finished flowering and are beginning to grow should, if they need it, be potted at once ; but do not overdo them in the matter of root-room. Where, as recommended about two months ago, the old tan was got out and new brought in, it will be a good plan to now add 10 inches or a foot more, mixing it well with that which is in. By so doing the atmosphere of the house will be improved, and through the heat which will be generated a saving will be elTected in fire. It will not heat so well if it is trodden too hard. It will be well to introduce into heat another lot of Ghent Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Deutzia gracilis, double Prunus, Andromedas, and Kalmias. Some more Azaleas ought also to be put in to succeed the earlier ones, as likewise Richardias. Tulips, Nar- cissus, and Hyacinths will at this time need less heat to bring them into bloom. There is no hardy plant that is better suited for forcing than Dielytra spectabilis ; not only is it a fine subject for conservatory decoration, but the flowers, for form, and also for colour, are well fitted for mixing in a cut state with other things. It must not be submitted to too much heat, and it ought to be near the glass. Ferns. — A commencement should now be made in potting. If this is left till the young growth is pushed up, it is sure to get a check which will make it come crippled. If it is desirable to restrict the plants in size, this may be managed by only giving them small pots. Where, on the other hand, they are wanted to be as large of their kind as can be grown, they must have abundance of root-room. The material that answers best for the generality of Ferns is good peat, to which add a little sand and about a seventh of coal cinders, charcoal, or crocks broken small : the cinders I prefer. A mixture of this kind does not often get into a bad, sour state. T. Baincs. FLOWER GARDEN, ETC. Where alterations have been going on, turf- laying is not completed, let it be hastened forward, as it will still get well rooted before the drying winds of March set in. Any planting not quite finished had better be brought to a close as early as possible, for the busy time will soon be upon us, when all hands are expected to be fully occupied. Hardy climbers and Roses on walls and trelliswork may be pruned, nailed, and tied as required. Hybrid Roses in sheltered places that are pruned now, will bloom some time before the general collection, the cutting of which may stand over for a few weeks longer ; all tender kinds had better remain protected until all danger from sharp frost is past. Spire-like plants, such as Irish Yews, Cupressus, &c. , where the ties which keep them in form have come loose had better be attended to without delay ; the rain and heavy gales of wind have been very trying for such plants. Nursery- men now prepare and send out those trees with single stems, and they are a great improvement on the plants which were formerly grown. Where spring gardening is carried on, the flower-beds or borders will require attention, and the surface of the ground to be stirred, which will assist the plants. The open winter has been extremely favourable for the growth of weeds ; let them be hand-picked, and the beds, walks, &c., all made clean and orderly. Box and all other edgings may be made, but the plants or slips oi Box, which are usually cut and trimmed before being planted, are better left untopped until the middle of May ; by that time they will have made some roots, and got hold of the ground. Should the stock of any of the varieties of Pelargonium be short of the number required (or turning out, put in strong cuttings as fast as they can be had ; they soon root and make fair plants in a temperature of about 60" if kept near the glass, which makes them stiong and short-jointed. Spring cuttings of the variegated sorts, if small when taken off. seldom make good plants. T. Blair, Shntblatld Park, February 6. FRUIT HOUSES. Vines.— When the Grapes are well set and thinned in the early house, the inside borders should have a thorough soaking with tepid liquid manure at a tem- perature of 85°. If the drainage is satisfactory, the water should be applied until every particle of soil has received a liberal supply. Where the sun-heat without cost, which was driven into the outside border last August, was preserved by a good covering of dry leaves or Fern, with wooden shutters over all to throw off wet, the external roots will have been doing good service. Fruit and foliage will make rapid progress, with every chance of colour being satisfactory, and red-spider will be placed at a discount as compared with houses in which attempts have been made to confine the roots to the interior. Attend to tying out until every part of the trellis is covered with foliage. Mulch with horse-droppings, which may be sprinkled every evening, or the borders may be syringed with tepid liquid manure ; close early in the afternoon, run- ning up to 85° with sun-heat, and give a little night air on all favourable occasions. Houses from which the fruit has been removed to the Grape-room should now be ready for closing when the proper time arrives ; if pruned late, bleeding should be guarded against by dressing with styptic ; and if the borders are unsatisfactory, steel forks should be brought into requisition, every particle of sour or inert soil removed, and the roots relaid in good turfy loam, burnt earth, old lime rubble, and crushed bones. If the roots have the range of inside and outside borders one or other of these may be operated upon without the slightest fear of losing a crop of Grapes. Get Vine eyes into heat. Prepare a bed for the reception of pot Vines intended for next year's forcing ; shake out and repot when they have commenced growth, and plunge when the bed falls to 80°. W. Cdcman. Melons. — Where very early Melons are required, a few of the strongest plants should be selected for special treatment, and as some varieties bring their fruit to maturity much quicker than others, I may here state that Gilbert's Victory of Bath, Eastnor Castle, and Turner's Scarlet Gem, are free setters, very prolific, and of exquisite flavour. Assuming that the cultivator has full command of top and bottom heat from hot-water pipes, the pit should be filled with fermenting Oak leaves or tan for the reception of the fruiting pots, which may be plunged in rows nearly touching each other, and having filled them to within 3 inches of the rim with the compost previously recommended, turn out the plants singly, train up the trellis, under generous treatment, and when they have thrown out sufficient side shoots, which invariably show at the first joint, to ensure a set of two to four fruit on each plant the points may be pinched out of the leaders, and the laterals in their turn may be stopped one joint below the fruit after it begins to swell. Select two of the most promising for the crop. Thin out the laterals, to prevent overcrowding of the folhage ; support the fruit well up to the trellis, feed with liquid manure, and keep all second growths closely pinched. Ply the syringe freely, close at 80", and run up to 90^ with sun-heat. The stems and foliage of Eastnor Castle, being densely covered with hairs, which hold moisture, this variety is impatient of morning syringing. If closely followed up this system will admit of their crops being taken in time for planting the pit with winter Cucumbers. Plants intended for pits and frames should be stopped and allowed to break before they are planted out on the hills. The latter should not be made large at first, as the soil is liable to burn in the centre. Make fre- quent sowings for succession, as sturdy young plants are preferable to those which have become pot-bound. W. Coleman, Eastnor Castle. The Cherry House. — The temperate nature of the weather so far this season has been such as to allow us almost wholly to dispense with fire-heat in this de- partment, and a very satisfactory state of progress in the trees will be apparent under the influence of such suitable conditions. At this time the buds and blos- soms will be rapidly unfolding. At this stage of development we usually apply over the trees, with a syringe, water in which Quassia chips at the rate of about I lb. to every 4 gals, of water has been steeped for four or five hours. This will be found an effectual remedy for removing any green-fly which may exist. Attend to former directions in regard to regulating the temperatures, to syringing, &c., until the flowers are fully expanded, when the use of the syringe should still be continued, but in moderation, according to existing circumstances. Take advantage of fine days for the purpose of fructifying the flowers as soon as the pollen is in a fit state. Give regular attention to trees in pots, using only clear water, until such time as the fruit is set. These conditions in detail, are like- wise applicable to Plum trees which are placed under similar aspects. Strawberries in Pots.— Early started plants which are in flower now should have the best suitable position which is possible where the fullest benefit can be derived from sunshine, warmth, and air. These plants should be lightly syringed twice every day, and it will be advantageous to brush the flowers over, or give them a shake with the hand during the time they are in flower. To hasten the ripening period of such the plants will, when the fruit is fairly set, stand a higher temperature — even 65° or 70° at night, and 10° more during the daytime, will not be too much, providing they can have the advantage of an airing daily. Maintain the supply by introducing fresh plants as the space and requirements demand. Now is a good time to start in cold pits a good batch of these plants. G. T. Miles, Wycombe Abbey. HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. There are few gardens at the present day, either large or small, but what have a certain number of pyramidal Pear trees, or what bear the name of such, however much they may deviate from that most natural and pleasing of all forms of training. If managed in a proper manner the branches ought to be as nearly equidistant as possible, and about 18 inches apart, regularly decreasing in length from the bottom to the top, so that the solar rays may have full and free play among them, without which any fruit they bear is sure to be deficient in colour, and all those good qualities that constitute a really first-class Pear. Now that the time has arrived for the pruning of these, any that have become misshapen or in an unsatisfactory state from being crowded with weak, superfluous wood, should be taken in hand at once, and have it cut out close to the branches from whence it originated, and any long awkward spurs on those remaining should be shortened back, that the strength of the tree may be concentrated in those left, by which means they will become stiff and strong, and able to carry a fair crop of fine fruit without being dragged down from their proper position. Some, however, prefer what may be termed the pen- dulous pyramid, which is a very graceful and desirable form to grow them in, and one in which the sap, having a salutary check, does not rush away to the ends of the branches and cause them to push strong terminal shoots in the way it does when they are in an upright position, and which results in robbing the spurs lower down of their due share of nourishment. The plan some adopt to get them in this shape, by tying brickbats on them, to cause them to bend down, is a most objectionable one, not only in appearance, but in many olher ways ; and although it can be done at less cost, it is accomplished in a far neater and more satisfactory manner by running a piece of fine galvanised wire from the tip of the branches to pegs or stakes in the ground, round which they can be drawn and tightened at pleasure. In the train- ing and support of those on walls I have found galvanised wire staples most valuable, and not a tithe of the labour and expense of nails and shreds, that require annual renewal, and which are so objectionable from the disfigurement and damage caused to the wall by their use, besides affording, as they do, a lurking-place for all kinds of insects. By driving a few of these staples, which may be bought at a cheap rate, into any of the joints along the course the main branches take, they may be firmly secured to them by pieces of tarred twine, that will last for years without any further attention, and do away with what in tree management has hitherto been a constant source of expense and annoyance. Among hardy fruits the Raspberry is one that is held in very general esteem, and now is the time to overhaul any plantations of these, to get the canes thinned out and regulated, and any stakes that may have decayed renewed, for their proper support. The manner of using one of these to each is not to be commended, as when they are so placed it is very rarely that the old rotten piece can be got out, and these left in the ground immediately contiguous to each plant are often a source of mitchief by generating fungus, which, attach- ing itself to the main roots, paralyses their action and throws the top out of health. Not only is this the case, but the young canes from growing up among the fruit-bearing branches become drawn from having an insufficiency of light and air playing upon them. If stakes are used, the best way is to place them midway between each plant and bend half the canes each way to meet them, so as to form a series of arches. Trained in this way much shorter stakes suffice, and both fiuit and young growth have a fair chance by standing clear of each other. Where fresh plantations are needed, set about them now, which should be done by deeply trenching the ground it is intended they should occupy, working in at the same time plenty of thoroughly decomposed manure. Soil of a loose sandy nature suits them best, and in planting select the strongest or most fibrous rooted canes, one of which is sullicient to put in each position at from 3 to 4 feet apart. J. Shepl'arJ. IVootvcrsloiic Pari. 176 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 10, 1877. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1877. APPOINTMENTS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MONDAV, Feb. .2 { ^"Ite," ns^Room/""""" ''""^ ■'"'^" "' Tuesday Feb i^ \ Royal Horticultural Society : Annua r Royal°Hoilicul't"u"r'af bociety ; Meeting o \VrD.\ESDAY, Feb. I4-; Scientific Committee, at t^M^ Sale ol Shrubs, Koses, Bulbs, &c., ai L Stevens' Rooms. THORSDAV, Feb. 15 { |'iKf?,^Ss''ai ^e"en"^ Root^s"- S,„„„c.w, Feb. ., { ^t sfev^nfaS."'' '""' ^"'^'^ "'■ THE apprehensions felt by many at the recent utterances of the Council of the Royal Horticultural Society in the Times will, it is to be hoped, be allayed at the forthcoming Annual Meeting. If not, we can but look upon the change of policy hinted at as altogether retrograde— nay, abso- lutely suicidal, and almost a justification of those who would seek to found a new Society. What has been the general outcome of all the meetings, stormy and peaceable, the dis- cussions, the letters, the varied expression ol opinions during the last few years? What but this, that the Royal Horticultural Society must revert to first principles, be a horti- cultural society in fullest reality, not half real, half sham, as now ? We are weary of reiterating the proper scope and duties of a horticultural society. The right key-note has been struck again and again, in the Council- room, and out of it, by some whose voices are now quiet in the grave, as by others happily still among us, even by members of the existing Council. But, we are told that the debenture-holders and the Commissioners between them play the part of Pharaoh, and refuse to let the horticulturists go, and that, under these circumstances, we are to make the best of a bad bargain— grin and bear it — eat our Leek, and do other unpalatable things. What the best of a bad bargain in the opinion of the Council is, is shown in the following extract sent us some time since for publication ; this we had not the heart to print then, but now, in view of the approaching annual meeting, we must do, though with bitter humiliation : — ''4. The Council have determined to continue the South Kensington Gardens on tlieir former footing, and to make them as attractive to the residents in their neigh- bourhood and of London generally as the means and nature of the Society will permit. "5. If the subscription income of the Society for next year be raised to j/Jio,ooo, the South Kensington Gardens will be secured to it certainly until 1892, to the great advantage of the residents and owners of property in their neighbourhood. If such income be not raised, those gardens will pass into the possession of the lessors, and probably be built over. "6. To place the Society in a more prosperous and secure position than it has ever occupied nothing more is wanting than, for the present year, a renewal of a part only of the subscriptions which have recently been dis- continued, and for the coming year an effort which wealthy South Kensington would scarcely feel, and which will raise the ^10,000 above referred to. .... "The Council are trying, so far as their funds will allow them, to meet the wishes of their London Fellows. The principal western entrance has been re- opened ; the gardens, which have suffered nothing that a few days' labour will not repair, are being put in order ; and the bands and promenades in the conservatory will be resumed on an early date." The horticultural expenses have been reduced to a minimum. Such men as Berkeley, Dyer, Hemsley, and others have been with scant ceremony dismissed from their offices, on account of insufficient funds ; even the salary of the librarian has been cut off The work at Chiswick has been reduced to a point lower than which it can hardly go. We have acquiesced in all this because we were told it was essential ; we assented to it because we saw the Council bravely struggling to pay its debts ; nay, we are told, and no doubt truly, that there are now no obligations whatever save the lien of the debenture-holders, and that is looked on as a debt and not a debt ! We witnessed with the greatest pleasure the paying up of prize- money, and the distribution of the long-overdue medals. We saw a general desire to conciliate the horticulturists, and to do, so far as extremely crippled -means would permit, good horticul- tural work. On these grounds we assented to the economising policy of the Council, though it was often pain and grief to us to have to do it. But now what reward are the horticulturists — thoss self-sacrificing horticulturists who have kept what little life therehas been in the Society for the last few years — to have for all this ? Doubtless an extension of true horticultural work— something towards the reorganisation and reconstruction of the Society on a proper footing. But no ; will it be beheved that the " gardens are to be continued on their former footing"? Bands and promenades, and all the worn-out machinery that have proved the downfall of the Society, are to be restored. Does not every one know that it is the South Kensington Garden upon which the Society has absolutely thrown away ^73,000, which has. been the main cause, if not the only one, of all the Society's troubles ? — and yet it is to be reinstated as before, if rneans permit. If this were only intended as a temporary measure, no objection could be made to it, but the gardens are to be kept till 1S92 if— oh, the force of that little if !— if the income can be raised to ^10,000. Most earnestly do we wish it may not be, if such is to be the result. At any rate, in place of expanding the basis of the Society, making it national and popular, searching the gardens of the country for new Fellows at a low subscription, instituting local committees and local secretaries all over the country, encouraging local societies, teaching gardeners of all degrees by precept and example, striving to create a general interest in garden- ing, and to do good to peer and peasant in every accessible corner where a flower can blossom, a fruit tree grow — in place of all this, we are to go on piping and fiddling to a South Kensington audience, who neither un. derstand our work, nor care for our play. It may be said, and with truth, that hitherto the horticulturists have not of themselves been able to maintain their own society. But why ? Mainly because the Society has neglected its proper work to provide a recreation ground for the inhabitants of wealthy Kensington, and has taken no pains to do good to the people and the country at large. And, on the other hand, what have the South Kensington residents done for the Society ? Have they enabled the Society to pay its way, to keep up the gardens ? Have they done the horticul- tural work of the Society, made its exhibitions, served on its committees ? Have they even had the grace to come and look on with a smile of approval ? Not a bit of it. They have not done any one of these things. Had it been otherwise it might have been prudent, nay just, to consider their interests, but, like rats, they have left what they thought a sinking ship. If they come back they will be as useless to a horticultural society as before, for it has been proved that they will not come in numbers sufficient to make the gardens pay their own expenses. They have no sympathy with the objects of the Society, so that even if they did come forward in their thousands we should still cry, warned by past experience, /wu tali auxilio ncc dcfcnsoribiis istis. But it may be this is all a jest on the part of the Council, to be explained on Tuesday next — that their utterances are meant to be taken in a non-natural sense, as some persons are said to interpret the Thirty-nine Articles ; or in a Pick- wickian sense — any sense but what seems to be the right one. If this be the real interpretation we may perhaps admit that " It was right to dissemble your love," but ask, " Why did you kick us downstairs ? " The judges in the Horticultural Department of the Philadelphia International Exhibition, 1S76, recommended to the United States Centennial Com. mission for awards a "very choice collection of new and rare plants, well grown and in excellent condi- tion after transhipment of such delicate articles — an exceedingly creditable display," exhibited by Mr. B. S. Williams ; also "a small collection of Filmy and other Ferns," exhibited by the same gentleman ; " a very rare collection of Rhododendrons, Hollies, new and rare Conifers, broad-leaved evergreens of the best kinds for lawn decoration," exhibited by Messrs. Jas. Veitcii & Sons, Chelsea; also "an exhibit of evergreen plants, consisting of the best varieties of Rhododendrons, Hollies, Aucuba?, &c., for fine growth and careful training, and unique in new kinds," shown by the same firm. A medal was also awarded to Mr. W. Bull for "coloured plates of flowers." The judges were :— Dr. George Thureer, Messrs. W. D. Brackenridge, F. Pent- LAND, and W. Saunders. • We are requested to state that the Schedule OF Prizes for the Auricula Show to be held on April 24, at the Crystal Palace, as a Southern offshoot of the National Auricula Society, will be ready for iisue in the course of a few days, and may be obtained from Mr. E. S. Dodwell, II, Chatham Terrace, Larkhall Rise, Clapham, S.W. The subscriptions, which amount to nearly ;^70, will be nearly sufllcient to admit of a Uberal prize list being issued, and to meet the incidental expenses. The classes seem to be framed to suit growers of every grade, so that if the competition is at all what may be expected the show will be a most interesting one for the lovers of the Auricula, much more so than any which has taken place in the South of England during the pre- sent generation at least. It has been decided to adopt as few restrictions and limitations as possible, in order to secure greater breadth of and variety in the several classes. The chief of those adopted are :— To require dissimilar varieties in classes containing two or more plants ; to permit only one truss in Auriculas, but not to limit the trusses in the classes of alpines ; to admit shaded and unshaded varieties amongst these latter ; and not to confine Polyanthuses to the gold-laced types. In every class it is desired that the best should win, and so that the leading properties are not violated no rigid or fast rules beyond those indicated above will be observed. The premier class will be that for twelve dissimilar varieties— and here it may be pointed out, for the consolation of our Northern friends, who generally adopt very rigid rules in these matters, that although the committee does not in this case bind the exhibitors to showan equal number of the four usual types— green, grey, and white-edged and selfs— or even representatives of each, yet those who best illustrate these several types will assuredly come nearest to the only essential limitation, that of dissimilarity. The success of this attempt to organise an Auricula show in London shows that the taste has not altogether died out, and that it is possible, if set about in a right manner, and by the right men, to obtain the support of the growers and admirers of a particular flower, in an honest attempt made to advance the interests of floriculture through any of its many channels. The whole of Mr. La.xton's valuable stock of seedling and other Pelargoniums, including Vesta and Mrs. Trevor Clarke, which have been awarded First-class Certificates by the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, has passed into the hands of Mr. R. Gilbert, of Burghley. The stock of named and unnamed seedling Roses, grown by Mr. Laxton, has been acquired by Mr. Turner, of Slough ; and Messrs. Veitch & Sons have secured all his seedling Peas, including five Certificated varieties, and all the seedling Strawberries, including Pioneer. February io, 1S77.; THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [77 The continuous rainfall has ii/s—i"= 55. December .. .. 34.6 Natural Natural Me.tn ! Temperature at fofH/rs".^f;L?'Dec.^. for House Slatted Dec. t. April r. First month, December 34.6 10.5 April .. 4°; I Second „ January.. 35.1 15. 1 Jul". ;: Ml Fourth ;; March .. 3S.7 Sixth ;; May :: 50.2 4.0 : September.. 54.^ From these figures it will be seen that Nature sup- plies a considerable mean monthly increase of tempe- rature in the soil during the first four months of growth in spring— beginning at March with 38°. 7 ; April, 45°. I ; May, 50°. 2 ; June, 55°.8 ; reaching the maxi- mum in July, at 59^.4, after which commences a steady decline. It has been proposed to cover early Vine-borders early in autumn, and to depend upon Fern or thatch and covers to supply the necessary root temperature for forcing during the winter months. I fear there would be considerable risk attending this method, where the roots are all outside, as though no doubt a few degrees more than the natural underground temperature would be secured, yet I doubt if more than the natural increase of tempera- ture in the soil could be looked for ; indeed, from December to February there would probably be a steady fall, as the heat retained in the border in autumn would be gradually given out and lost, thus giving a falling instead of a rising under- ground temperature during the first three months of growth, and reversing Nature's method. Even assuming that these coverings furnished an increase of temperature corresponding to the ordinary under- ground increase, that would only give a rise of 4°. i from December to March, the natural temperature at I foot underground being, December, 34°. 6 ; January, 35°.! ; February, 35°. 2 ; March, 38°. 7. Too much artificial heat is no doubt injurious to early Vine borders. If we go to the other extreme, and give none at all, I believe that will be found equally so. Experience and observation of Nature's teachings would seem to indicate that the road to success lies between the two extremes. D. Melville, Dunrobin. Poinsettias. — In many places the conservatory is attached to the mansion or villa, the stove being some distance away, as is the case with me. The ladies go into the conservatory a hundred times where they would only go into the stove once. Therefore, to enjoy them as much as possible, Poinsettias should be moved to the conservatory as soon as they have tolerably good-sized bracts. On December iS I took my plants into the conservatory, and to-day, Feb- ruary 5, they are still quite fresh. The temperature ranges between 48° and 55°, but never above the latter. I keep them on as dry a bottom as possible. They require much less water when removed to a colder house. G. P., IlollanJ House, Weston-super- I\/ere. Three-quarter Span-roof Garden Frame.— Messrs Boulton & Paul, Rose Lane Works, Norwich, have favoured us v.'ith the accompanying illustratii:)n, filZ- 29, of a new fr.tme made by them for growing Cucumbers, Melons, &c., and for storing plants. It is made to give greater height and n than other frames made by the same firm. The front is II inches high without the light, 32 inches high at the riJge, and 22 inches high at the back. The front lights can be turned back on to the lights behind, and back lights be turned on those in front, giving access to all the plants inside. They are made of red deal, and glazed with 2I-oz. glass. The illustra- tion shows the lights to open with gearing, any of the lights can be lifted up when required without alter- ing the other lights. The back and front gearing work separately. Large Garden Pots.— Having seen at pp. So and 147 notices of the different sizes of flower-pots in use, I thought it might be interesting to some of your readers to know that galvanized iron pans serve the same pur- pose, where a size of pot larger than is made at the potteries is wanted. Wooden tubs are generally used for plants requiring a shift at this stage, but these are not very durable, though made of the best material, when used for plant growing. We don't know how long galvanised iron pails will last, but should expect them to last much longer than wood. Some may have doubts about using iron for plant growing, iron being considered to be injurious to plant roots ; but such does not appear to be the case with galvanised iron, as we have had them in use for the past twelvemonths for different sorts of plants, which are in the best of health. The pans are full of roots, and the roots in contact with the iron are as fresh and healthy as those grown in the common earthenware pot. I may say that they are painted outside the same colour, and made the same shape as the common flower-pot, and at a little distance the one would not be known from the other ; also that the first cost of them is little more than the price of the largest- sized pot made in this locality. F. G., Leys-woo J, The Buckley Fund.— In the interest of those for whom the above fund has been subscribed, I, as hon, treasurer, beg to announce, that at a meeting of the committee held on Monday evening the 5 th inst. at the "Criterion," Piccadilly, a sub-committee was appointed to take preliminary steps for placing one of the sons of the late Mr. Buckley in a suitable institu- tion with a view to his receiving a sound education, c&c. It was I'urther decided to hold another meeting in the same place on the 19th inst., at 7 o'clock P.M., for the purpose of hearing their report and arriving at some decision with respect to the manner in which the balance of the fund shall be applied. Any gentle- man wishing to subscribe will please do so at or before that meeting, when it is hoped as many sub- scribers as possible will make it convenient to attend, George Deal, 13, Carlyle S.jmire, Chelsea, Feb. 7. Bottom-heatWithout Cost.— I was tickled wilh an article at p. 107 on " Boltom-heat Without Cost." I read it carefully, and found that it was Knight's theory revived— namely, that the earth was heated by the air, and not the air by the earth, and, cri^o, no plant could have any cause to complain that was placed on a stage of wood, since the red brick pot and the soil therein had the same warming apparatus as that which warmed the foliage of the plant. The reasoning was faultless, but, alas ! the theory could not be reduced to practice, for the Pine-apples grown upon shelves were shabby and worthless, and the system has been a laughing stock from that day to this by practical men. The Pineapple has pecu- liarities that are not always taken into account. The plant is a regular pitcher-plant, carrying in its capacious sockets a large amount of water against a day of need, and its channelled leaves are formed by Nature to keep up the supply by every watering, sprinkling, condensing, &c. By whatever means it quenches its thirst, one thing is certain, that it will endure great bottom-heat and turn the same to good account ; the plant is a surface feeder, and never travels far unless it gets planted out on a bed of decayed leaves, and like half the plants known riots in leaf-mould. The difficulty in getting bottom-hett for the Vine is great, on account of the rambling character of the plant, for it will travel in good pasture 30 or 40 feet from the place where it was planted. Its rambling shoots are notorious runners, but not more so than its feeders, but as the one works in the dark, and the other in the day, vague notions are entertained respecting them. The practised eye, however, will recognise a healthy feeder, and read its history ; its size, its colour, its plump appearance, are all marks of excellence regarding the medium in which it has lived. An eminent Grape grower in the North has given us the mode by which he manufactured the finest simples of Grapes that up to that time had ever been seen, and they certainly got bottom-heat, and perhaps three times as much water as we wtre wont to give to growing Vines ; but let any one examine a Vine branch, and see the sec ion of the one- year's wood, which is open like a sieve, so that when a Vine blee^ls from misminigement it runs like "a sma' still." Much judgment is needed to hold the candle to the Vine, for the wet and warm time is only to be tolerated when the plant is making wood, fur when the fruit is ripening that swill would be ruinous to the fruit, both as to size and flavour. I mean to say that the necesary quantity of water could not be given to Vines unless the border were heated, and however useful it may be to cover borders with litter, leaves, boards, &c , to keep out fro. t and chilling rains, the extraordinary size and quality of Grapes exhibited as grown by heated borders settles the point of the vast importance of bottom-heat ; and from Mr. Knight down to this time nothing marvellous has ever come of inside borders, simply because the heat of the house does little to warm the earth inside beyond the depth of a few inches. Cuttings not only strike best in a good bottom-heat, but much time is gained thereby, showing that a temperature much above what a cold frame yields is the best artificial medium for success in that line. I do not recollect ever seeing the earth forming the floor of a vinery or Peach-house well managed, for when watered at random by the boy in charge it is well wetted on the surface but not so lower down, and when the fruit has hung long on the trees the earth will be dry enough, if it were clay, to burn for bricks : and who is to guarantee its sufficiency of water, for the earth must not be forked beyond a few inches lest the roots should suffer ? At Cluny, in Aberdeenshire, the fruit-houses were kept in the neatest order I have ever seen, for the surface soil wore holiday attire, and con- sisted of finely sifted very black peat or bog earth, and tickled into the corners with a very small birch besom. Now the state of the inside border, thus disguised and painted black, could not be ascertained ; and the Peach, being a hardy plant, certainly got bottom heat as much as it required for nothing. I went to Leek, in Staffordshire, once to see two tanks containing gold fish, and was surprised to find what a temperature the fish could bear, for they thronged the place where the warm water came in from the engine, and bred freely. Again, at Maidstone, where the con- densed water from a paper-mill entered the river, the place was thronged with small fish, who evidently THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. took kindly to water not heated by the sun's rays. Boltom-heat for most exotics, and also for many native plants, is certainly one of the salient points of the best practical horticulture. I have seen Orange trees restored to health and vigour by the application of bottom-heat long after they had ceased to be orna- mental, and this alone should stand for something in making up the score of bottom-heat, for the tubs and boxes usually employed in Orange culture make them clumsy to handle, and although they are surrounded on all sides with " bottom-heat without cost," they have not benefited by it ; so that I fear if a thermo- meter were inserted one foot below the surface of the floor of a vinery, or of the surface of a large Orange tub, we should have the clearest evidence that the writer had given us the "cold shoulder " instead of " bottom-heat fornothing." AUxantUr Forsyfk. Inside Vine Borders. — I am pleased to be able to confirm the statement made by Mr. Wildsmith at p. 150. As to the inside borders of the houses at Heckfield Place I may say that I am firmly of opinion that as good Grapes, if not better, can be grown in inside borders as in outside ones. As to the lasting properties of Vines grown in inside borders I can say that we have here a late house of Black Hamburghs, which was planted about thirty years ago, and in which the rods measure 20 feet. The lenglh of the house is 33 feet, and the inside border 9 feet wide only. I may also state that this house bore a most excellent crop of fruit last year. On an average the bunches weighed from i lb. to 2 lb,, and were of a beautiful colour. There were about 250 bunches, with large berries and well finished, y. Clarke, Gr, to Lord Haitin?s, Mdton Constable, Dereham, Zephyranthes Atamasco. — The plant grown as the Atamasco Lily in most European gardens is, I think, not the A. Atamasco of LinnKus, but L. Can- dida of Herbert. The true Atamasco is, I believe, very rare at present in Europe. I first saw it in flower at Leyden in April, 1S74, and having received some bulbs from Kentucky, through my friend M. Leichtlin, this last autumn, 1 was pleased to see it out in my own greenhouse on February 4. The flower, which is well represented in the Botanical Magazine, vol. vii., pi. 239, is 3 inches long, pure white when open, with a long trilid stigma and yellow anthers ; the leaves are thin, narrow, and channelled, but in a variety from the Southern States, which is said to have a larger flower, they are quite linear. The plant is doubtfully hardy in this country, though Herbert says it will stand out if planted in white sand. Zephyranthes Candida (Herb.) is an autumn-flowering plant very inferior in beauty to the Atamasco Lily, but is extremely hardy, and increases freely by offsets, which the other does not seem to do. It has thick, fleshy, evergreen leaves, which endure a severe frost without injury, and a flower about il inch long. It comes from the banks of the Rio de la Plata in South America, where it is very abundant, and is well figured in the Botanical Register, vol. ix., pi. 724. The finest of the whole genus is Zephyranthes carinata, which is now pretty common in England, and which does well in a cold frame. Its large pink flowers appear about August. There are also in cultivation Z. sessilis, a Jamaica plant, which I found common in gardens in Ceylon, flowering in April ; and Z. tubispatha, a very pretty species, which I first saw at Messrs. Haage & Schmidt's nurseries in July, 1S75. The bulbs seem difficult to manage, owing to their habit of breaking up into many small ofl'sets, which do not flower. Z. rosea is a greenhouse plant, with a small pink flower like a miniature Z, carinata. The Z. ochroleuca and sulphurea of gardens is Habranthus Andersoni. I may add that Xiphion Histrio was in flower on Christmas Day, and X. reticulata on February 2 in the open ground, both at least a month before the usual time. Different species of Croci have been in flower without intermission all through De- cember and January, whilst Tree Pieonies are now in full leaf. Can any one tell me how to distinguish between Lachenaliapendulaand L. tricolor, as neither Mr. Baker's descriptions in the Journal of the Linncan Society, vol. xiii., nor the numerous figures in the Botanical Magazine and Jiigister, seem to give any constant characters by which they may be separated. As far as I can see, L. pendula, tricolor, quadri- color, aurea, luteola, and orchioides (Hort.), not L. orchioides of Botanical Magazine, 854, are all varieties of the same plant. H. J. Elwes, The Season.— Is not this a most unusual season? On Saturday, the 3d inst. , looking round the garden I saw many diff'erent flowers in bloom, and hearing the charming notes of our native songsters made my heart rejoice as on an April morning. I h.ave a small bed of Tritoma Uvaria, on which I counted seven spikes of bloom. More young ones are throwing up their tender heads, and looking as cheerful as though it was July. I must admit that our soil, about 3 feet of good loam, is very suitable for them, but the situa- tion is very high, about 500 feet above the level of the sea, and 2 miles from it. On the same day I gathered some beautiful Roses, including Marechal Niel, and I saw Cowslips, Myosotis, Veronica, Virginian Stock, Brompton Stock, Wallflower, Swett Rocket, Polyanthus, Violets, Snowdrop.s, Primroses, Crocuses, Fuchsia, Vinca, Daphne, Ericas, Jasminum, Berberis, and the male Aucuba, all in flower.— y. P., Ore Place, Hastings. The Double Poinsettia.— This, with me, has been very fine, the centre bracts coming up well, and when fully developed formed quite a dome-shaped head, having a very biilliant appearance. Next year, when the plants have gained more strength, I have every reason to believe it will be much finer. It is a decided acquisition. R. Willmet, Glenart Castle, Arkloii/, Co. Wickloio. West's Patent Trellis. — The new adjustable trellis, of which figures are annexed (figs. 30, 31), is the invention of Mr. J. F. West, of Lynmouth Lodge, Reigate. It is a contrivance which is espe- cially likely to be useful to amateurs, since it does away with the, to them, often inconvenient use of ladders and steps in the manipulation of their Vines, whether it be the tying-in or adjustment of the shoots, or the tedious work of thinning the berries. Instead of having to mount up to the roof to perform these operations, those who have this trellis fixed can have the Vines brought down to any convenient height, so that in fact they can be carried out while the operator is standing on the floor. It will be equally available in the case of roof creepers in conservatories, so that if not too costly it may be regarded as a boon to this class of cultivators. Whether or not it will come into general use in the of vineries, Cucumber-houses, &c., de- pends very much on the price at which it can be fixed. The following are some of the explanations given : — " Ey the use of this trellis such portions of a Vine or its produce as are inconveniently placed are rendered movable, so as to be brought within easy reach for the various purposes of thinning and cleansing the Vine or plant, gathering the produce, or any other object for which facility of access is desirable, and which by the ordinary method is attended with great difficulty. A great advantage in this arrangement of trellis is, that it can be moved gently by gradation to any suitable posi- tion in order to subject any portion of the produce of the plant to the sun's influence. The lowering of the trellis cannot in any way injure the stem of the Vine, if trained as in the drawing, the deflection being very slight. - The trellis may be constructed of either iron or wood ; when made of the former, which is prtferable in many respects, it combines lightness of appearance with strength and durability ; it can, moreover, be fitted to any shaped house, \'ines covering a lineal space of 60 or more feet may be lowered singly or together by turn- ing one handle. In the drawings, AA (fig. 30) shows the trellis in position and lowered ; nn the chains for lowering and raising ; and cc the drums and pulleys round which the chains work, dd (fig. 31} shows tire form and con- struction of the trellis." Vegetable Exhibitions. — Mr. Gilbert's query concerning future "vegetable shows" is exceedingly well-timed, as I hear from Mr. McKinlay that the Potato Show committee is to be convoked on the 14th, and some pressing suggestions in favour of the incorporation of a committee or society under the name of the " National Vegetable Exhibition Society " would probably on that occasion meet with considera- tion and possible acceptance. Having already had two years' trial, out of which the committee has come with success, it is but fair towards it to assume that it possesses within itself those elements of government and business capable of carrying out to a successful issue an annual exhibition of kitchen garden produce on a truly national scale. To form another committee to inaugurate "vegetable shows" would be to fritter away means and strength. There is too much reason to fear that this is now being done in the formation of Rose, Auricula, and Carnation and Picotee societies, because these are all floiists' flowers. All of them specially appeal to the interests of the trade and the sympathies of the gentleman amateur, and the same body might well arrange for and conduct the whole, adding also the prominent florists' flowers of the late summer and autumn to its lists of exhibits. In reality the promoters of these societies should have made a bold and spirited dash, and have formed a "National Society for the Encouragement and Exhi- bition of Florists' Flowers," and then, instead of a number of small and comparatively insignificant bodies, we should have possessed a national body worthy of the name. Fruitists might well take a similar course, as "national fruit exhibitions" held annually in the metropolis or elsewhere are among the horticultural wants of the age. We have fre- quent large fruit shows away in the North, but these are not, after all, representative, and are chiefly local in their operation. A national exhibition of fruits might well become one of the greatest horticultural events of the year. Looking at what has been accom. plished with Potatos alone at the Alexandra Palace, and with vegetables generally at South Kensington, it is evident that if the two things were allied a grand exhibition would result. If the Potato Show com- mittee has allied to that harmlessness of the dove so characteristic of the Potato cultivator the wisdom of the serpent, it will at once determine to widen its borders, and embrace in its future shows all the most desirable forms of kitchen garden produce. About ^100 given in prizes for Potatos, and a similar amount for collections, large and small, of seasonable garden vegetables, would be productive of splendid results, and the introduction of exhibits raised from seed, added to Potatos, would be largely instru- mental in evoking support and aid from the seed trade in a body, and much pleasanter results might be expected to follow than has been the case for the past year or two when vegetable growers have had to look to one or two enterprising firms only for encouragement. That the formation of independent societies will tend to weaken the position of the Royal Horticultural Society there can be little doubt, but when the governing body of that society shows so little sympathy for horticulturists, and so much for the local gentility of South Kensington, it can scarcely complain if horticulturists, finding their wants still unsupplied, should summarily set about satisfying them in their own way. There is not a gardener or cultivator in the kingdom but will prefer, with his annual guinea subscription, the privilege of voting and taking part if desirable in the management of the society to which he contributes, and one and all of these new bodies will give him freely what the Royal Horticultural Society withholds somewhat contemp- tuously. Beyond these considerations, however, lies the fact that there are few horticulturists that have not their specialities, and for the promotion of which they are willing to make their little sacrifices. The Royal Horticultural Society appeals to no speciality, and its chief strength just now lies in the support it receives from certain of the trade who find its meetings a useful mode of advertising or keeping their productions before the public. To Mr. Gilbert and scores of other gardeners a " Vegetable Exhibi- tion Society " would appeal with special force, and would be certain to provoke almost an enthusiastic response. The Potato committee will do well to consider this whilst the course is clear, and exhibitors are anxiously awaiting the event. A'. The Course of the Sap.— Mr. Andrew Murray's theory has the merit of simplicity, and, so far as it goes, is true ; but it goes a very little way, and leaves everything unexplained. That the sap is imbibed by the roots, and flows gently and persistently, except in tlie coldest months, through the stem to the leaves, where its watery part undergoes evaporation, is well known. That the sap never descends is admitted. It is contended that it is changed in the leaf into the proper juice of the plant, and finds its way down- wards and in all directions as required for nourish- ment and growth. A tight ligature round the stem causes an enlargement above it, as Mr. Murray admits; but his illustration — "a pent-up stream swelling after it has passed an obstruction "—is not happy. A stream pent up by a partial obstruction swells behind the obstacle, and not beyond it ; and this fretjuently happens in the obstructed stems of trees. If there should be any latent buds below they will break and grow, as gardeners know, and accord- THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February io, 1S77. ingly practise when they want boltom-wood. Mr. Murray's paper implies a denial of all downward growth. He ignores Dr. Darwin's experiment, recorded in books, by which he traced the ascent of a coloured infusion, in a species of Euphorbia, to the extremities of the leaf, and the descent ot a milky juice in another set of vessels from thence into the petiole, on its way to the stem. But those who have practised ringing, or watched its effects, need not look further for evidence of a downward growth. To mention one among many cases. A thriving young Scotch Fir in my shrubbery, about 4 feet high, was completely barked below the branches for about 2 inches by the friction of a ligature. This happened in winter. The following year it grew but little, but threw out an abundant foliage of a lighter colour than before, and the next year, in addition, a numerous crop of small cones. All this time, and during a third season, the whole stem above the denuded part increased in girth, while below it remained as before the accident. Ultimately the wound grew up by an advance of the upper lip, and the tree, but with a spindly shank, resumed its ordinary growth. Such are the ordinary effects of ringing— an enlargement of the upper branch at the expense of the lower stem and the roots ; a shorter growth of wood, a disposi- tion to form flower-buds, and, in the case of fruit trees, earlier, larger, and more highly coloured fruit. How may this be explained, except on the theory that an unusual supply of the proper juice is stored in the ringed branch, and that it is full fed, while the stem and roots are deprived of their usual share, and so perhaps checked in their action. Mr. Murray's theory does not guide us to an answer — it seems to be useless. ^. S., Seveiwaks, Mildness of the Season. — This place is situated about 500 feet above sea level, which no doubt has much to do with our singular exemption from frost. We have, however, the disadvantage of lying on the north side of an extensive ridge running eastward from Tunbridge Wells, and so steep, indeed, is the incline northwards that the sun does not shine on any part of the ground in the kitchen garden before 9.30 A.M. at this season of the year. Our altitude and posi- tion does not altogether account for the condition of things at the present time. In the rockwork round my house scarlet Pelargoniums of sorts are still alive, the old lemon-scented variety appearing to be very comfortable, and putting out new leaves. Petunias and Maurandya Barclayana against a wall continue to grow, and Verbenas are growing almost as well as they did in the summer, but do not flower. I took cuttings from them on Monday last, which evidently will strike freely in heat. Inter- mediate Stocks planted for seed last spring still continue to flower ; and two large Hollies moved last spring have been in flower since November. They are both males, or I might have had the opportunity of watching the results, for although so exeeedingly mild, the excessivle rainfall has made winged insects scarce. Potatos Heft in the ground at lifting time, 5 feet from the way in the kitchen garden, are 7 inches high, and have lea es quite sound. Farther from the wall their tops were touched, but I see to-day (February i) that they are making fresh leaves. Notwithstanding the mildness, the want of sun has prevented wall trees from making that progress which they often do during sharp frost when there is sun- shine with it. They look much more promising, how- ever, than they did at this time lastyear. D. Budianan, S/!eru i 35-0 .6,4 4>- ■t 3 9'34-5 73 { tt^W D.OS 300s -1-0.28459 35 4 " 5 40 ■1- I 9 34-4 78] WNw' D.OO 5 30.13 -1-036507 3.9.884.. + ^hl-i 8SJ DO! 6 30.06 + 03054.6 44.3,.o.3'48 + ,.8|46 6 91 30.00 -f 0.23 60 I 4S>i4o'52.5 4i3.< 45-9 41-7 ** ^ D.r4 Mean 2999 + 0.23523 39-..-3.»4S'- .6,5 sum -Dull, very cloudy. fell in morning, and ; 4. — A fine bright day. Cloudless at nij 5. — Fine but cloudy. Dull, with thin r C-.— A fine cloudy day. Occasional thi ing. Mild. 7. — Fine, but cloudy and dull at times. of rain at 8 p.m. Temperature for the season. LoNMON : Baromdcr.—'Dwxxw^ the week ending Saturday, February 3, in the suburbs of London the reading of the barometer at the level of the sea de- creased from 30.24 inches at the beginning of the February io, 1S77.I THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 185 week to 29.95 inches by noon on January 28, in- creased to 30 17 Indies by the morning of the 29th, decreased to 29.3S inches by the morning of the 30th, increased to 30.10 inches by noon on the 31st, de- creased to 29.97 inches by the evening of the same day, increased to 30.10 inches by the morning of February 2, decreased to 30. 02 inches by the after- noon of the same day, increased to 30. 27 inches by the morning of the 3d, and was 30. 10 inches at the end of the week. The mean reading for the week at sea level was 29 99 inches, being o, 27 inch below that of the preceding week, and 0.03 inch above the average. Temperature. — The highest temperatures of the air varied from 524° on February 2 to 451° on January 31 ; the mean value for the week was 50.1^. The lowest temperatures of the air ranged from 3 1 4° on January 3 1 to 422" on February 2 ; the mean for the week was 36J". The mean daily range of temperature for the week was 14°, the greatest range in the day was 16J on January 29 and February 3, and the least 10° on February 2. The mean daily temperatures of the air were as follows :— Jan. 2S, 43°. 3; 29th, 41°.! ; 30th, 43°. 8 ; 31st, 38^.5; Feb. I, 44°. 9; 2d, 46°. 7 ; 3d, 42°. 7 ; and the departures in excess of their respective averages were — 5°. I, 2^.8, 5^.4, 0°. I, 6^3, 8", and 3°. 9. The mean temperature of the air for the week was 43°, being 4°. 5 above the average of sixty years' observations. The highest readings of a thermometer with black- ened bulb in vacuo, placed in sun's rays, were 102° on Feb. 3, and 89° on Jan. 30 ; on Feb. i 52° was the highest reading. The lowest readings of a ther- mometer placed on grass, with its bulb exposed to the sky, were 281" on Jan. 29, and 26° on the 31st. The mean of the seven low readings was 313°. fF<«^\ ' LIVERPOOL) '° 'LOR STREET^ Is in use over many thousand miles, of all the leading Agricultural Societies. It is constructed with POWERFUL WINDING STRAINING PILLARS, RIGID INTERMEDIATE IRON POSTS, STRONG and DURABLE WIRE CABLE STRANDS, Forming the most efficient Strained Iron Fencing known for agricultural and general purposes. Continuous Bar Iron Fencing. With bars"secured by F. M. & Co."s Patent Self-Iockine Joints, which effectually prevent the uprights being pushed aside, and are independent of loose pins, wedges, or staples. IRON ENTRANCE and FIELD GATES, IN WROUGHT AND CAST IRON, Designed for tlie Mansion, Villa, or Farm, WICKET AND GARDEN GATES, In Great Variety of Patterns. Iron Hurdles, Bailing:, Tree Guards, FRUIT ESPALIERS. WALL FRUIT TRAINERS. &c. I@- Illustrated and Described in F. 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I be found in the Nursery or Sick Room, Damp Build- Exhibited the Exhibition of 1871 of Scientific Illustrated Prospectuses and Testimonials on application. J. F. EARWIG AND CO.. 36, Queen Street, Cheapside, E.C. This Stove introduces a strong (not burnt) ' February io, 1877. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. THE PATENT "EXCELSIOR" LAWN MOWER, The simplest and best ever introduced. Waite, Burnell, Huggins & Co., 28 L I I 1 R I II AMI s STI 1 1 I I 0\nON EC % >/M ^^ Ij^unmNfr, ^W tOR. ,"?EDDI/q r^^miimi .IXb % INCHES lo^^ OTHER s 3 ON ApPL/c ? '2& BELGIAN GLASS for GREENHOUSES, &c , L b ob J II c n 1 1 of BETHAM & SON „ T WET IH \MhS SIKI 1 I KM ")V T C B. i: b. havK always a large Stuek in London of 20-in. by 3RIST0^, THE THAMES BANK IRON COMPANY, Old Barge Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London. HOT-WATER BOILERS SURREY SIDE, BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE PIPES CONNECTIONS WITLEY COURT" BOILER (Silver Medal 1872). TRENTHAM IMPROVED ■' BOILER, with Water- way End and Smoke Consumer. 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Teachers and Students of the several sciences in which the Agriculturist is interested — BOTANY, CHEMISTRY, PHYSIOLOGY, ENTOMOLOGY, NATURAL HISTORY— are constant contributors. Especial attention is given to AGRI- CULTURAL IMPLEMENT manufacture. Improvements in Machines are reported — New Inventions made known— Patents discussed — and the Implement Factories of the Country described. Engravings, always necessary in such cases for intelligible description, are given without stint. No expense is spared in ILLUSTRA- TIONS. Not only Implements, but Plants, Weeds, varieties of Cultivated Crops, &c. ; and Animals —Breeds of Horses, Cattle, Sheep, and Pigs ; also Poultry, Insects, General Natural History; and Buildings— Farmhouses, Homesteads, Cot- tages ; Photographs illustrative of Country Life and Occupations, whether at home or abroad : —all these provide subjects for the Engraver. Portraits and Memoirs of Noteworthy- Agriculturists are also occasionally given. SUBSCRIPTIONS, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE, Including Postage to any part of the United Kingdom : Twelve Months, 19s. 6d. ; Six Months, 9s. 9d. ; Three Months, 5s. P.0.0. to be made tayablc at Hit King Street Post Office, W.C., to William Richards. PuDLlsiliNa Office and Office for AnVERTlSBMnNTS, 7, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND, 1 90 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 10, 1877. THE CULTIVATOR. A Portuguese Monthly Agricultural Journal, wl circulates in Portugal and her possessions, and in the Princ Towns of the Brazils. This Paper offers an excellent medium for Advertisement every description of industry and of every article of consu ising charges, Zd. per square inch, Translation included, r cent. Discount for six months ; 20 per cent. Discount : months, if paid in advance. s. the Editor of the Cultivnlor, St. Michael's, Azores. Belgian. BULLETIN d'ARBORICULTURE de FLORICULTURE, et de CULTURE MARAI- CHERE. A monthly horticultural work, with superb Coloured Plates and Illustrations. Published since 1863 by F. BuRVKNicH, E. Pavnaeet, E. Rodigas, and H. J. Van HuLLE, Professors at the Horticultural School of the Belgian Government at Ghent. Post paid los. per annum. H. J. VAN HULLE, Botanical Gardens, Ghent, Belgium. Farms, Estates, Residences. Any one desirous of Renting a Farm or Residence, or Purchasing an Estate, can have copies of the MIDLAND COUNTIES HERALD supplied free for six weeks on stating the purpose for which the paper is required, forwarding name and address, and six halfpenny stamps for postage, addressed, " MidtandCounties Herald Office, Birmingham." The Midland Counties Herald always contains large numbers of advertisements relating to Farms, Estates, and Residences for Sale and to be Let. Notice. (By Afpoititment to the Royal Horticultural Society.) To HORTICULTURAL IMPLEMENT MAKERS, NURSERYMEN, FLORISTS, and OTHERS. A DAMS AND FRANCIS INSERT 1\- ADVERTISEMENTS in all Newspapers, Magazines, and Periodicals. List of London Papers on application. Illustrated Catalogues. HM. POLLETT'S COLLECTION « of over SEVEN HUNDRED BLOCKS suitable for Flower, Vegetable, and Agricultural Seed Catalogues. Customers can have the use of any of them gratis. H. M. P. Publishes small SEED CATALOGUES in two sizes, which can be altered to suit the requirements of small consumers. Specimens and Prices on application. POLLETT'S Horticultural Steam Printing Works, 12 to 15, Bridgewater Gardens, Barbican, E.G. THE SYDNEY MAIL NEW SOUTH WALES ADVERTISER. CONTENTS: — INTERCOLONIAL and GENERAL NEWS. SPORTING and the FIELD, in whic BELL'S LIFE in SYDNEY. RECORD of RACES, and NOTES on the TURF. CRICKET and AQUATICS. THE FLORA of AUSTRALIA (Drawn and Engraved specially for this Journal). NATURAL HISTORY (Original Articles). AGRICULTURE, PASTORAL, HORTICULTURE. GOLD FIELDS and MINING generally. STOCK and SHARE REPORTS. ORIGINAL and SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES. TALES by POPULAR ENGLISH and AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS, THE FASHIONS. DOMESTIC ECONOMY. INDOOR AMUSEMENTS. THE CHESS PLAYER. THE HOME CIRCLE. COMMERCIAL NEWS. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. The SYDNEY MAIL has a wide circulation throughout the Australian Colonies, New Zealand, Polynesia, &c. It contains a large amount of informa- tion on a great variety of subjects. Subscription in Advance, £1 per Annum. Single Copies, ^d. ; Stamped, ^d. ENGLAND. The undermentioned Newspaper and Advertising Agents are authorised to receive ADVERTISEMENTS, which must be paid in advance, for the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD and SYDNEY MAIL :— London .... Mr. George Street, 30, Cornhill, E.C. Mr. F. Algar, 8, Clement's Lane, Lom- :'iSe E.C. Messrs. Gordon & Gotch, St. Bride Street, Fleet Street, E.C. Birmingham Mr. R. S. Kirk, 90, New Street. Liverpool . . Lee & Nightingale, 15, North John Street. Bristol James & Henry Grace, Royal Insurance Buildings. Edinburgh . . Robertson & Scott, 13, Hanover Street. Glasgow .... W. Porleous & Co., 15, Royal E.\change Place. Copies of each Journal are filed at the above Offices for the use of Advertisers. No-w ready, In cloth, 16s. 6d., J HE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE VOLUME for JULY to DECEMBER, 1876. W. RICHARDS, 41, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C. Llnnean Society.— Now Ready, rPRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNEAN Sold by LONGMAN and CO., Paternoster Row : and by Mr. KIPPIST, at the Apartments of the Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly : of whom may be had all or any of the preceding volumes. The Fellows of the Society are requested to apply to Mr. KIPPIST for their copies, between the hours ) and 4 o'clock. POTATO DISEASE and PREVENTION. — Printed Cultural Directions, which have never failed since the Life History of the Disease was discovered in 1S60, will be sent out the first week in March, price ^d. each, or 3^. JESTOE, Basingstoke. On Monday, the 19th i e workshop, the uses of them, and how to use samples of different kinds of work, &c., and full ,nd drawings. By Arthur H. G. Hocson. London ; LONGMANS and CO. REVUE de I'HORTICULTURE BELGE et feTRANGfeRE (Belgian and Foreign Horticultural Review).— Among the principal Contributors are :— A. AUard, E. Andre, C. Baltet, T. Buchetet, F. Eurvenich. F. Crepin, Comte de Gomer, De Jonge van Ellemeet, O. de Kerchove de Denterghem. P. E. de Puydt. C. de Vis. J. Gillon, A. M. C. Jongkindt Coninck, C. Koch, J. Kickx, L. Linden. T. Moore, C. Naudin, B. Oliver, H. Ortgies, E. Pynaert. E. Rodigas, A. Siraux, O. Thomas, A. Van Geert Son, H. J. Van Hulle, J. Van Volxem. H. J. Veitch, A. Westmael. and P. Wolkenstein. This illustrated Journal appears on the ist of every month, in Parts of 24 pages, 8vo, with a Coloured Plate and numerous Engravings. Terms of Subscription for the United Kingdom :— One year, 105., payable in advance. Publishing Office : 143, Rue de Bruxelles. Ghent, Belgium. Post office Orders to be made payable to M. E. PYNAERT, at the Chief Post-office, Ghent. ^ ADVERTISERS are. requested to note that although we do not object to receive Letters to be called for, we cannot undertake to forward them. w , Stretford, Manchester. WANTED, a GARDENER who thoroughly understands Growing Cucumbers and Plants for the London Markets.— Address, stating age, experience, wages, and reference, W.. Post-office, Wilmington, Kent. WANTED, a MAN and WIFE, without incumbrance.— Man as good practical Gardener, and to understand the Management of Cows ; assistance given throughout the year ; Wife to undertake Dairy am' , Cheapside, WANTED, as SINGLE-HANDED GAR- DENER, a married Man, without small children. Must have a good character for honesty, sobriety, and industry, .and be willing to make himself generally useful. Age not over 40. A Man whose Wife could take the family s washing WANTED, a young Man, as UNDER GARDENER, with good character. Wages 211. per week.— For further particulars .apply at ROBERT GREEN'S Bedford Conservatories, Covent Garden Market, W.C, up the Steps. ^ MESSRS. R. AND F. ALLUM, Nursery- men, &c., Tamworth, are open to engage a NURSERY FOREMAN for the Outer Department. He must be well up in Rose Growing, and have a good general knowledge of Fruit and other Nursery Stock ; also be able to Manage Men.— Apply, by letter, stating wages required, age. referen. : ground. w ANTED, a young Man as PROPA- GATOR and GROWER for Market (Soft-wooded).— Rose Nursery. Ashford, Kent. Propagator (Indoor). WANTED, a thoroughly practical PRO- PAGATOR of Roses, Conifers, Clematis, miscellaneous Greenhouse and Bedding Plants. No one need apply who has not had considerable experience in Roses, both as Propagator and Grower. — Apply, stating where last employed, age, amount of wages, &c.. to CRANSTON and CO., King's Acre Nurseries, Hereford. WANTED, a thoroughly experienced, practical, steady MAN. for Grafting and Budding Fruit Trees. Must be industrious and well 1 ^-' T. EVES, Gravesend Nurseries. Established WANTED, a Young MAN, with some knowledge of Growing Plants and Flowers for Market. Liberal wages to one who will take an interest in it.— L, J. WALKER. Wood Green, Waltham Abbey, N. w ANTED, IMMEDIATELY, for the Forcing Houses, TWO active, strong. Young MEN, Journeymen. Must have been accustomed to the Growing WANTED, a strong, active MAN, not under 20 years of age, as Third, to assist in the Flower and Kitchen Garden, and willing to make himself useful. Wages £1 per week. None need apply who cannot produce a good character. — C. CULLIFORD. Eartham Cottage, Sydenham Park, Sydenham, S.E. WANTED, TWO respectable Young MEN, to work in the houses. Must be used to Potting, Watering, and Tying.— Apply with references, to R. BULLEN, Woodlands Nursery, Hither Green, Lewisham, S.E. WANTED, an intelligent Young MAN, used to General Nursery Work and Propagating Soft- wooded Stuflf; one accustomed to a small Retail Seed Trade preferred.— S. BIDE, Alma Nursery, Farnham. WANTED, TWO Young MEN, in the Nursery, to make themselves useful ; those used to Tying Plants and Watering preferred. Wages, 185. per week. ■ ■ " ' • to R. WEATHERSIDE, Woodside WANTED, a Young MAN for the Pleasure Grounds and Kitchen Garden, principally the former, ^yages 1S5. per week.— GARDENER, Swarcliffe Hall, Ripley, BS. WILLIAMS requires a first-class Man • as SALESMAN and for the execution of Orders. He must know Plants well, and tlieir value. A Man from 30 to 40 years of age, who has filled a similar situation, preferred.— Apply, by letter only in the first place, to The Victoria and Paradise Nurseries, Upper Holloway, London, N. w Traveller. ANTED, a TRAVELLER for a Large General Nursery and Seed Business. Must be a thoroughly sober, steady, respectable and practical Man, well up in Plants, &c. Applications, stating age, salary expected, if married or single, experience as a Traveller, and in what parts of England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales ; also if used to call on Farmers as well as Bailiffs, Gardeners and Foresters, and their employers, to be addressed to B. B., Gardeners Chronicle, W.C. Seed Trade (Provliicial). ANTED, a goodJUNIOR ASSISTANT, ' ' , , . . ■ j,j ^ good House. — Address, ANTED, a young Man as UNDER SHOPMAN, in a Retail Seed Shop.— State wages, 3 GEORGE COOPER and CO., Seed Merchants, WANT PLAGES. BS. WILLIAMS, having at the present • time sever.al very excellent GARDENERS upon his Register, is desirous of placing them in Situations where great experience and trust are required. B. S. W. would at the same time beg to intimate that when a Gardener is applied for that the filling of the : ' ' ■ ■ ' ' that would prevent unnece - - - '- ■— -- - ^ London, N. character, FORESTERS, GARDENERS and BAILIFFS, who he can confidently recommend to any Lady or Gentleman. —The North of England Rose Nurseries, Catterick Bridge, 'Vorkshu-e. EG. HENDERSON • AND SON have many excellent GARDENERS of approved E. G. H. & Son will be pleased to answer any enquiries from Noblemen and Gentle men requiring such. — Pine-apple Nursery- Maida Vale, London, W. Head Gardeners. JOHN LAING can at present recommend with every confidence several energetic and practical Men, of tested ability and first-rate character. Ladies and Gentlemen in WANT of GARDENERS and BAILIFFS, or GARDENERS for First-rate Establishments or Single- hand Situations, can be suited, and have full particulars Stanstead Park and Rutland Park Nurseries, HillT London, S.E. ' applying r GARDENER (Head).— Age 37, married; thoroughly experienced in every branch of the profession. Good character. Left through death of employer. —J. P., 2, Cedar Cottages, Middle Lane. Hornsey, London, N. GARDENER (Head). -- Practically ex- perienced in Horticulture, Fruit, Flower, and Kitchen Gardening. Special merit for Grape growing. —J. LANSDELL, Broomfield Lodge, Chelmsford. Essex. GARDENER (Head).— Age 28, married; thoroughly acquainted with the general routine of Gardening. Good character and references. — A., Stationer's, 31, Devonshire Street, Holbom, W.C. GARDENER (Head),— Age 34 ; Scotch : nineteen years' practical experience in first-class estab- lishments. Good recommendation. Three years in present situation. —JOHN GUNNISON, Gardener, Hatchford, Cobham, Surrey. ^^^ GARDENER (Head).— Married, one child (aged 4) : a good practical knowledge of Vines, Pines, Peaches, Stove, Greenhouse, and Conservatory Plants, Flower and Kitchen Gardening, Early and Late Forcing, &c.— T. H., Carlion Gardene, Saxmundham. Suffolk. February io, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [91 \d). — Married ; twenty- GARDENER (Head), where three or more are kept, — Age 40, married, one child (aged 12) ; Thoroughly e\pi_Tienc(;d in Early and Late Forcing, Fruits, Flower'^, .IT'.! >',-.',-nil,- ■ ■ :;.->od Flower and Kitchen Gardener. Several v m - r, ; . i ,i'.,.,:i n ~K. L-, Abbey End, Kenilworth. GreenhuLi Wallinftc and Greenhouse Plants, Flower and Kitchen Gardening; a good Bedder, also good knowledge of Annuals. Ten years in present situation.— T. PUGH, The Quirnes, /^ARDENER (Head).— Age 40, married, VJ one daughter ; thoroughly practical in all branches of the profession, including Laying-out of New Grounds ; Murray field, GARDENER (Head), to any Nobleman or Gentleman requiring the services of a thorough practical Man in all branches of Horticulture. — Age 40, married, no family ; well versed in the general routine of Gardening to any extent. Good references. — G. R., 4, High Street, Highgate, London, N. riAF VT G years old). — A Gentleman wishes to recommend his Gardener as above ; thoroughly understands the general routine of the Garden. — H. B., 128, Grove Lane, Camberwell, Surrey. married, one boy (age 17). —Robert Fleming, for ten years gardener to the late R. Houghton, Esq., J.P., Sandheys, Waterloo, Liverpool, is now at liberty to engage as above. Excellent character from present employer (J. G. Houghton, Esq.), who is leaving Sandheys. — Address as above. r^lARDENER (Head).— John Johnston, \A Head Gardener for the last thirteen years to the Mar- quess of Londonderry, Plas Machynlleth. North Wales, has now resigned his situation, and wishes to oflFer his services to any Nobleman or Gentleman requiring the services of a good practical Gardener. Excellent character from present em- ployer.—Address as above. GARDENER (Head), to any Lady or Gentleman requiring the services of a good practical - ■ Wc Man ; age 25 — J.\mes Alexander, The Gardens, Woolley Park, Wakefield, will be pleased to treat as above ; has ' ' years. Can be well rt Foreman mended. Mr. Hudson, enquiries. /^ARDENER (Head), where one or more V_J are kept. — Age 31, married ; practically experienced in Early and Late Forcmg of Flowers, Fruit, and Vegetables, the Growth of Stove and Greenhouse Plants, for Exhibition or otherwise. Flower, Fruit, and Kitchen Gardens. Seven years' character. References and testimonials of the highest order. — R, J. K., Bradway. Greenhill. Sheffield. GARDENER (Head), to any Lady, Noble- man, or Gentlemen requiring a thorough practical Man, where three or more are kept.— Age 38, married, no family ; has had twenty years' experience in First-class Establishments : the Management of Land and Stock if required. Character and testimonials will bear the strictest investigation. — P. T., Read Hall Lodge. Whalley, Lancashire. GARDENER (Head), age 29, married, two children.— George Taylor, over three and a half years Gardener to the Right Hon. Cavendish Bentinck, M. P. .also late principal Foreman under Mr. R. Gilbert, Burghley, seeks an engagement as above ; well acquainted with all matters relating to Horticultiu'e. Highest character and testimonials. Wages expected, £,%q to ;^9o. Disengaged early in March. — Branksea Castle, Poole, Dorset. /^J_ARDENER (Head), age 31.— David Long VJ offers his services to any Nobleman, Lady, or Gentle- man requiring a thoroughly practical Gardener ; well up in Early and Late Forcing, Pines, Vines, Peaches, Melons, Stove and Greenhouse Plants, and Kitchen and Flower Gardening, Has been in some of the best places in England and Scotland. Excellent references. — DAVID LONG, The Longhills, Branston, Lincoln. ^ GARDENER (Head, or Working), where can be highly recommended.— H. E. PICKNELL, Advertise- ment Agent, Cuckfield. GARDENER (Head, Working), when from three to six Men are kept.-Three years' charactei , King's Road, Chelsea, S.W. -L. W., 36, Seal GARDENER (Head, Working), where several are kept. —Age 42. one son (age 17) ; thoroughly experienced in every branch of Gardening, first-class Fruit Grower. Indoor and Out. First-class reference. — D. S., Mr. Setts, Baker, High Street, Dartford, Kent. GARDENER (Head, Working), where another is kept. — Age 18. married, no family; twenty- GARDENER (Head, Working).— Age 38, married, no children ; thoroughly competent in all branches of Gardening, Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Excel- lent character from last employer.— W. BINT, 3, Fleet Road, Haverstock Hill, Kentish Town, London, N.W. GARDENER (HEAD, WORKING), where more are kept. — Married, no family ; understands Gar- dening in all its branches. Good character and testimoni.-ils. Wife, Charge of Poultry.- R. WALKLING, Calverton Hall, Nottingham. GARDENER (Head, Working), where four or more are kept — Age 40, married, no encumbrance ; thorough knowledge of Gardening, understands Pines, Vines, Peaches, &c.. Stove and Greenhouse Plants, also Flower and Kitchen Gardening. Highly recommended.— A. P., Grange- over-Sands, Lancashire. GARDENER (Head, Working).— Age 36, married ; thoroughly practical in Stove and Greenhouse Plants, the Cultivation of choice Fruits, Flowers, and Veget- ables, and thorough in all Gardening operations. Highly recommended. — FRANK CROSS, Gardener Saltisford, Warwick. GARDENER (Head, Working), age 30, married.— G. Smith, Gardener to T. Martian, Esq., can Good personal character if required, and testimonials from previous employers. — L. EVANS, Thurcroft Hall, Maltby, Rotherham. Yorkshire. /^ARDENER (Head, Working).— Age 36, VJ married, one child (aged 12); thoroughly competent and practical, with over twenty years' experience in the Culture and Forcing of Plants, Fruits, and Flowers, and the general Man- agement of good Gardens. Highest references. — eight years as Head. Cause of leaving, breaking up of Establishment. — F. JAMES, 40, Stanford Road, Fulham. S.W. f 4.ARDENER.— J. Simpson, Head Gardener VJ^ to the Right Hon. the Earl of Wharncliffe, Wortley Hall, Sheffield, would be glad to recommend his present Foreman to any Lady or Gentleman requiring a good Gardener, Twelve yesrs' experience ; three and a half years in present situation. Teetotaller. Exceptional references afforded on application. No single-handed place accepted. GARDENER, or GARDENER and FORESTER, to any Nobleman or Gentleman requiring a thorough practic.T.1 Man.— William Tantum, for the past eight years Gardener and Forester to D. W. P. Beresford, Esq., Fenagh House, Bagnalstown, Ireland, is now disengaged, and would be glad to offer his services as above. Has had very extensive experience in the Management of New Grounds and Plantations, both in England and Ireland, and is thoroughly efficient in all branches of Gardening. The above will be pleased to answer any enquiries as to his abilities and general character.— WILLIAM TANTUM, Messrs. J. Dickson & Sons, The Newton Nurseries. Chester. GARDENER (Single-handed).— Age 27, married ; understands Flower and Kitchen Gardening, Vines, &c. State wages.— S. A , No. 2. Senrab Villas, Southernhill, Reading. GARDENER (Second), in a Gentleman's Garden, where several are kept. — Age 35 ; ten years' experience.— T. E., Castle Place, Worcester. GARDENER (Second), under Glass or otherwise. — Single. Good character from last situation. — G. G., Cound, Salop. C:i ARDENER (Second), in a Gentleman's VJ place. — Age 21, single. Well experienced. Good references.- T. C, Caterham Manor, Surrey. GARDENER (SECOND), in a good Estab- lishment, where several are kept. —Age 24 ; thoroughly interested in the profession. Excellent reference as to character and ability.— A. B. C, Post-office, Stourton, Stourbridge. GARDENER (Second). — Age 24; well accustomed to Forcing in geneial, has also a good knowledge of Stove and Greenhouse Plants. Twelve years' experience. Can be well recommended. — T. S., 3, Rose Cottages, Railway Road, Teddington, S.W. G ARDENER (SECOND,or Single-handed). — Age 28, married, no family. Good references from nd previous situations.— Y. H., 56, High Street, Camden 1, London, N.W. G ARDENER (Second), or FOREMAN in Housps.--Age 26. __Can_be highly recommended.— B., Stanley Bridge Post-office, Fulham, GARDENER (Under). — Age 22. Eight years' experience. Can be highly recommended.— • Wahham Cross, N. years expc , Paul's Nurs GARDENER (Under), experience. Good chara Henley-ou-Thames, Oxon. G ARDENER (Under), in a Gentleman's Garden (good), where he can improve himself in the ;.— Age 17. Bothy preferred. Five years in presen' .n.— J. BIRCH, Hatfield, Herts. GARDENER (Under), in a good Garden. —Age 22 : has had the opportunity of acquiring a general knowledge of Gardening, both Outdoor and Under Glass, in his present situation, which he has held upwards of three years. Reference can be made to the Gardener under whom he is at present serving.— R. GRANT, The Gardens, Chilworth Manor, Romsey, Hampshire. GARDENER (Under), 01 for a few months. — Low wages to 43, Shakespeare Road, Stoke Newington, IMPROVER w.. GARDENER (Under), or IMPROVER, together or separate, in a Gentleman's Establishment. — Age under 20: has had several years' experience.— Address, stating w.aues and all particulars, to Mr. W. FLITTOR, Fellham, Middlesex. GARDENER (Under), as IMPROVER in the Houses. — Age 19. Two years' good " last place —H. D., Manor House, Pembury. K< FOREMAN, in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Establishment.— Age 24 ; has been brought up in the pro- fession. Two years' good character from List place. — G. D., 47, Peploe Street, Bishopsfields, Chester. FOREMAN, in a Nobleman's or Gentleman's Garden. -Age 24; has a thorough knowledge of Fruit Forcing, Plant Growing, &c. Good reference, — E. R., The Gardens, Swithland, Loughborough. Tj^OREMAN, or SECOND, in a Nobleman's -i- or Gentleman's Garden.— Young ; understands Early and Late Forcing both Fruit and Flowers. Good recommendation C. Post-omce. aiougti, liucks. FOREMAN, or JOURNEYMAN. — Wm. LuNT could recommend a young Man who has served under him with every satisfaction for four years to act as above to any Gardener requiring a steady, honest, sober, and indus- trious Man.— Broughton Hall Gardens. Skipton, Yorkshire. PROPAGATOR (General, Indoor). ~ First-class. Used to Grow for Market. Good references. Near London preferred.— M. P., Post-office, Hampstead Road London, N.W. ^^___ JOURNEYMAN, in the Houses.— Age 22 ; has had seven years' experience in large Establishments under Glass. Good references. -GEORGE MITCHELL, 144, Southampton Street, Camberwell, London, S.E. JOURNEYMAN, or IMPROVER, in a thorough good Establishment.— Age 21, Three years' acter from present situation. — A. B. , Post-office, Ashford, Kent. IMPROVER, in a Nobleman's or Gentle- man's Garden. — Age 18 ; fifteen months' good character. —A. B., Post-office, Shoreham, Kent. SUPERINTENDENT of Estate Works, J Public Parks, and Gardens.- Charles McDonald, ving resigned the Management of the Phosnix Park, Dublin, Erection of Buildings, Road-making, Drainage, Fencinf Forest Work, and Gardening in all its branches, and thorough) understands the Management of all kinds of Stock. Highe; references. — CHARLES McDONALD, Hetton, Skiptoi Yorkshire. TO BOTANISTS. — The Advertiser is anxious to obtain an appointment as ASSISTANT to any Gentleman going abroad on Botanical Research.— ALPHA, Gardeners' Chronicle Office, W.C. knowledge of the trade, is open to represent a good House c the Irish Ground, either on salary or commission ; he \ already an Agency, apart from the Seed Trade, which does r fully occupy AD Seed Trade. SHOPMAN (Retail).— Age 2r. First-class references. — BETA, G. Young, S, Scotia Street, Glasgow. SHOPMAN.— Fifteen years' experience in all branches of Seed and Nursery Trade. First-class references from leading London Houses. — N. B., Gardeners' C/^rg/w/g Office. W.C. DRAUGHTSMAN and ASSISTANT.— Several years' experience in a Horticultural and Engineering Firm. — W., 32, Stock Orchard Crescent, HoUoway, London, N. TO FLORISTS, &c.— A young Lady desires a re-engagement in a Florist's or Florist and Fruiterer's : thoroughly understands the business. London preferred. Good references. — M. L., 4, Station Road, Aldershot. To Noblemen and Gentlemen. BAILIFF, or STEWARD. — Age 36, married ; active and industrious ; thoroughly experienced in Farm and Estate Work. Good references. — X. L., Messrs. F. & A. Dickson & Sons, io6, Eastgate Street, Chester. EPPS'S COCOA: GRATE FUL— COM PORTING. " By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by careful appli- cation of the fine properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately-flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame." — Civil Service Gazette. Sold only in packets, labelled JAMES EPPS AND CO., HOMCEOPATHIC CHEMISTS, 48, Threadneedle Street, and 170, Piccadilly. 1 N A H A N'S lTl WHISKY. Kinahan & Co. finding that, through the recommenda- tion of the Medical Profession, the demand for their CELE- BRATED OLD LL WHISKY for purely medicinal purposes is very great, submit 1 ■'"- ' ' '"---- "--• ^- Dr. Hassall;-"! hai pies of this well-knowr soft and mellow to the taste, ; The Whisky must be pronounced to be pure, well-matured, and of very excellent quality. The Medical Profession may feel full confidence in the purity and quality of this Whisky." 20, Great Titchfield Street, Oxford Street, London, W. yxINNEFORD'S FLUID MAGNESIA. The best remedy for ACIDITY of the STOMACH. HEARTBURN, HEADACHE, GOUT, and INDIGESTION; and the safest aperient for delicate Constitutions, Ladies, Children, and Infants. DINNEFORD and CO.. 172, New Bond Street, London, and all Chemists. O L L O W A Y'S PILL S.— Good Digestion.— With the weather alarmingly change- :in will become inactive, and the digestion impaired, corrected by suitable means. Hollowav's Pills .iro I pleasure the following Analysis by H [92 THE GARDEN-ERS' CHRONICLE. [February io, 1S77. Seedsmen to SUTTON'S HOME-GROWN SEEDS, Sped-^men to Sutton's King of the Cauliflowers From Mr. T. Radone. GanicHcr to tJie Right Hon, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, SeMeviher 16. "Your ' King of the Cauliflowers ' is the admiration of every one. We have hundreds of the best Cauliflowers I ever saw ; they are a marvel, plenty 12 and 14 inches across, and as close and compact as possibly could be. It From Mr. Robert Cocks, Gardener to Lord Auckland, September 1. " Your ' King of the Cauliflowers ' Js a good variety, Price Is. 6d. per packet. large and oblong in shape ; the skin is russetted ; flesh perfectly white and mealy, and of exceptionally fine flavour. From Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gardener to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley, October 11, 1876. "I had one gallon of 'Magnum Bonum' Potatos from you, the yield from which was a,% bushels, four-fifths of them being as fine as those I showed in my collection at the Ale.vandra Palace. As to quality I cannot speak too highly, the flesh being perfectly white and mealy, and of a real Potato flavour. 1 have noted it for one of my main crop Potatos next year, and I doubt not but, when sufficiently known, many will follow my example." Per Peck Per Bushel . CHEAPER BY THE SACK OR TON. 53. Od. 17s. 6d. Sutton^s Hero of Bath. This superb Melon was introduced by us, and is acknow- ledged by some of the most eminent fruit growers to be the best scarlet-fleshed variety ever brought out. From Mr. W. Wildsmith, Gardener to the Right Hon. Viscount Eversley. " I consider your Hero of Bath the best scarlet- fleshed Melon yet in commerce, being A i in quality, appearance, and pro- ductiveness. His Lordship, who previously had a prejudice against scarlet-fleshed Melons, pronounces this variety superb." From Mr. Thomas Lockie, Gr. to the Right Hon. Lord Otho Fitzgerald, August 27. " I consider your Hero of Bath Melon the best I have ever grown of the scarlet-fleshed cLt^s. It is very handsome, of good Price 2s. 6d. per packet. SUTTON'S SPRING CATALOGUE AND PRICE CURRENT Containing Descriptive Particulars and Prices of the Best Vegetables, Flowers and Potatos, gratis and post-free. EOYAL BERKSHIRE SEED ESTABLISHIEUT, EEADIIG, BERKS. Editorial Communications should be addressed to " The Editor ;" Ai Printed by William Richakds. at the Office of Messrs. Bradbusy, said William Richards, at the Office, 41, Wellington Street, Parish of E Agent for Manchester— John Heywood, i and Business Letters to " The Publisher," at the Office, 41, Wellinston Street, CoYent Garden, London, W.C. iGNKW. & Co., Lombard Street, Precinct of Whitefriars, City of London, in the County of Middlesex, and Published by the , Paul's, Covent Garden, in the said County. — Saturday, February 10. 1877. Agents for Scotland— Messrs. J. Mbnzibs & Co., Edinburgh and Glasgow. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, (ItstaWiskir 1841. A WEEKLY ILLUSTRATED JOURNMi OF HORTIOULTUEE AM) ALLIED SUBJECTS. No. 164.— Vol. VI I. j } SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1877. the General ) PnCO 6d, I Newspaper, j POST FREE, 5j(/. Books, notices of. Csesalpina breviful Cinchona cultiiic. Curmeria Wallihii Eucha'ris amazonii Ficiis Cooperi Florentine garden; Florists' Howjrs . Flower marliet in Fuchsias, specime CONTENTS. Omphalodcs 1 OrniLhoKalnir blooming Gardeners' Royal Ben Grape, Clive House Seed- Laslia caloglo; Mandragora Phylloxera, the Royal Horticultural . Sweden, school gardei Meliant Miltonia Warscewiczi Mushroom culture Natural history . . Nitrogen and vegeta otes on open cultural So- Weather, the . . ,, effects of the mild . . Yew at Bettws Newydd The " Gardeners' Clironicle " In America. rpHE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION GARDENERS' CHRONICLE, Including postage to the United States, is $6.30 gold. , gold for U.S. currency at the tin Agents :- Messrs. B. K. BLISS and SONS, Seed Merchants, 34, Barclay Street, New York ; Messrs. M. COLE AND CO.. Drawer No. 11. Atlanta Post Office, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia ; and Mr. C. H. MAROT, 8r4, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia : through whom Subscriptions may be sent. Now Ready, In cloth, I6s. 6d., P-ff^: GARDENERS' CHRONICLE VOLUME for JULY to DECEMBER, 1876. ■W. RICHARDS, 41, Wellington Street, Strand, W.C. ROYAL BOTANIC SOCIETY GARDEN.S, Regent's Paik, N.W. EXHIBITIONS of SPRING FLOWERS, WEDNES- DAYS March 21, April 18. SUMMER EXHIBITIONS, WEDNESDAYS. May i6, June 13. Schedules of Prizes are ready, and can be had by post. ROYAL MANCHESTER BOTANICAL and HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. FLORAL and HORTICULTURAL MEETING, at the Town Hall, Manchester, on TUESDAY, March 20. AURI- CULA SHOW, FRIDAY, April 27. THE GRAND NATIONAL HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION OF 1877, MAY 18 to 25. For Schedules apply to the undersigned ■ - - -- ■ FINDI Botanic Gardens. Manchester. BRUCE FINDLAY. CRYSTAL PALACE.— ARTIFICIAL FLOWER and FRUIT SHOW, March 3 to .7, 1877. Intending Exhibitors may obtain Schedules on application to GENERAL MANAGER, Crystal Palace. CHARLES TURNER has still fine plants to offer. In addition to his own varied stock C. Turner has purchased Mr. Laxton's Roses. The Royal Nurseries, Slough. Roses, Roses, Roses. ROSES, Dwarf. — 25,000 good strong plants, and true to name, 35s. per 100, bs. per dozen, per my selection, package included. Terms Ca^h. C. ALLEN, Stone Hills Nursery, Heigham, Norwich. All Who have a Garden should send for WEBB AND SONS' SPRING CATALOGUE of VEGETABLE and FLOWER SEEDS, the best work on Gardening matters yet published. GERANIUMS, strong, from Store Pots.— Bijou, Vesuvius, Beauty of CalderJale, Perilla, Master Christine, Amy Hogg, Waliham Seedling, Aurond, Crystal Palace Gem, Indi.an Yellow. 91. per 100. W. BROADBRIDGE, Wellesbourne, Warwick. E. COOLING, Mil Larch— Surplus Stock. J NO. CARTER, Nurseryman, Keighley, has about 30,000 good, stout, transplanted Larch, 1 J^ to 2 feet, to offer, and will be glad to furnish sample and price. A SPARAGUS PLANTS, 20,000 2-yr., ARTHUR WRIGHT,' Nurs^man, Hendon, N.W. c Pear stocks, Extra Strong. HARLES LEE and SON have a few Thousands to offer to the Trade. Royal Vineyard Nursery and Seed Establishment, Hainmer- smith, London, W, WEBB'S COMPLETE COLLECTIONS of choice VEGETABLE SEEDS produce a constant supply of the best Vegetables all the year round. lOMPLETE COLLECTIONS for ' Large Gardens, ^^3 3^- 3"*i J^S SS- a:oods of 20f . value and upwards carriage tree to any Railway tation in England or Wales. 5 per cent, discount for cash. w Dahlia Pot Roots. RAWLINGS BROS., Romford (formerly Geo. Rawlings), beg to offer splendid varieties at f}S. per dozen. They will also send out their superb Seedlings, Earl of Beaconsfield and Singularity, in May. Wlnter-flowerlng Orchids. (ALANTHE VESTITA RUBRA > OCULATA. Price, t)S. per dozen, or 501. per 100. ■ WOOLLEY, Nurseryman, Cheshunt, He R OSES.— Extra fine Plants, 10,000 Dwarfs ' »" offer cheap. Special quotations given. ' ^..— n.-r eryman, Seedsman and Florist, CAMELLIAS.— Double White and Ri Offer cheap : splendid blooms. G. ELLEN, Manager, South Borne Winter Garde Bournemouth. Carnations and Piooteea, Named Show 'Varieties. WOOD and INGRAM offer fine Plants of dozen pairs, package free. The Nurseries, Huntingdon. Gentlemen's Gardeners, Amateurs, and Otliers GARDEN POTS of best quality, are requested to send their orders to J. MATTHEWS, Royal Pottery, Weston-super-Mere. Price List on application. The Advertiser has to Offer, FOR EXCHANGE, nice healthy Plants of GARDENIA, in 48's and 32's, also FERNS, GYMNO- GRAMA, PTERIS CRETICA. ADIANTUM PUBES- CENS, PHYLLODIUM AUREUM, &c. Would take double PRIMULAS, EPACRIS, DAPHNES, &c. MANAGER, Winter Garden, Christchurch, Hants. WANTED, to PURCHASE, for Cash, or liberal EXCHANGE in Plants, some good Specimens of CAMELLIA, alba plena and Masters!! rosea, 4 to 5 feet *j6hn''sTANDISH and CO., Royal Nurseries. Ascot. WANTED, Cuttings of GERANIUMS, Vesuvius. Madame Vaucher, Master Christine, any sort Tricolor, and good Bicolors. Also CALADIUMS and ALOCASIA LOWII. ORCHIDS, TUBEROSES, LILY OF THE VALLEY CLUMPS, SEEDS, &c., may be had in EXCHANGE. W. F. BOFK, 303. Upper Street, Islington, N. WANTED, good bushy Plants of ARALIA SIEBOLDI and ASPIDISTRA VARIEGATA; also a few large plants of OLEANDER and HYDRANGEA, JOHN MILES AND CO., Bristol Nurseries, Kemp Town, WANTED, Transplanted PINUS AUSTRIACA, I -to 2 feet and 2 to =^ feet 1 also GERANIUMS of sorts, well-rooted cuttings. State quantity B. R. DAVIS (late E. Pierce), Yeovil Nursery, Yeovil. WANTED, 300 to 500 PLANE TREES, 10 to 12 feet high. Send lowest estimate to Mr. J. GIBBS. Florist. 78, Cloudcsley Road, Islington, N. Aucuba Japonlca. WANTED, IMMEDIATELY, well berried Plants of the above, in pots, not to exceed 6 inches in height. Apply to DEC(JRATOR, Mr Jakcman, High Town. Hereford. w ANTED, SHALOTS. State price per POPE AND SONS, iso.' Market Hall', Birmingh.am. w ANTED, 3 Tons of OLD ASHLEAF. State lowest Cash price. S, A., Cardeners' Chronicle Office, W.C. A Constant Supply of the Best 'Vegetables Is Ensured For a Large Garden. • UTTON'S £ TIONSofCHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS. Carriage e to any Railway Station in England or Scotland, also to IT Irish Port. For a Moderate-Size Garden. ; SEEDS. Carriage For a Small or " Amateur's " Garden. SUTTON'S ^i i.t. COLLECTION of CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS. Carriage free to any Railway Station in England. Every one 'who has a Garden should read [UTTON'S AMATEUR'S GUIDE > IN HORTICULTURE. Now ready, post-free for 14 The Formation and Improvement of Garden Lawns. SUTTON'S SPRING CATALOGUE and PRICE CURRENT is also ready. Gratis and post-free on application. SUTTON'S CHOICE SEED POTATOS. — For Particulars and Prices see " Sutton's Descriptive List," which may be had, gratis and post-free, on application. U tYo nonet's ONS^The Queen's Seedsmen, Reading. SYMPHYTUM ASPERRIMUM (Prickly Comfrey). — Whole Roots Purchased at per cwt. after examination. State price delivered at Railway Station. F. CHRISTY AND CO.. 155. Fenchurch Street. E.C. HAWS, or THORN QUICK SEED.— Sound Haws, fit for sowing at present, or spring coming, guaranteed free from soil or other mixture, and thoroughly well preserved. About 30 tons on band. For lowest prices apply to GRANT AND CO., Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. PIR^A PALMA T A.— Fine crowns ' for forcing, 75^.: smaller, 25 j. to soj. per 100. CHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot. ORCHARD-HOUSE TREES, Fruiting in Pots :— Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pears, Apples, Figs Apricots, Cherries, Mulberries, and Oranges. RICHARD SMITH, Nurseryman and Seed Merchant Grape Vines. FRANCIS R. KINGHORN has still to offer strong planting and fruiting Canes of most of the . leading sorts. Particulars on application. Sheen Nursery, Richmond, Surrey. POT VINES.— 3000 Pot Vines, of all the best varieties, on Sale at the Garston Vineyard, 6 miles from Liverpool. Price LISTS post-free. COWAN PATENTS COMPANY. Garston, near Liverpool. B vines. Vines, Vines. S. WILLIAMS begs to announce that his GRAPE 'VINES this year are unusually fine, and Sample sack on "d! BRINK.WORTH and SON, Potato Gro%vers, Reading. To the Trade. JAMES BIRD, Nurseryman, Downham, has to offer extra fine Standard MAYDUKE CHERRIES. O H N^PERIcTn S AND S 0 N~beg to offer the following ;— BEECH, fine transplanted, a to 3 feet, iSi. per 1000. BLACKTHORN, iM to 2 feet, loj. per 1000. Billing Ro.ad Nurseries, Northampton. CAUCASIAN PRICKLY COMFREY (Symphytum asperrimum).— Sets, 80.T. per 1000 : larger quantities at reduced prices.' Allowance to the Trade. tjircnlars and all particulars on application. JAMES DICKSON and SONS, " Newton " Nurseriel, 194 THE GARDENERS- CHRONICLE, [February 17, 1877. SALES BY AUCTION. SALE THIS DAY, at HALF-PAST TWELVE O'CLOCK. Consignment from Ghent— BulDs. &c. MR. J. C. STEVENS will SELL by AUCTION, ae his Great Rooms. 38, King Street. Covent Garden, W.C, on SATURDAY, February 17, at half- past 12 o'clock precisely. 300 CAMELLIAS, 200 INDIAN AZALEAS, all with huds; 100 Hybrid RHODODENDRONS, choice sorts: 200 TRITOMA UVARIA GRANDIFLORA, a splendid perennial for grouping on lawns ; 200 LILIUM LANCI FOLIUM ALBUM, 25 PHtENIX RECLINATA, joo ARECA MONOSTACHYA. 50 CHAM^EROPS EX- CELSA, and 50 LATANIA BORBONICA, from Ghent : also GLADIOLI, LILIUMS, Sc, for present planting, MOWING MACHINES, &c. On view the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. M The Collection of EstabUslied Orchids of the late F. G. WILKINS, Esq., of Leyton. R. J. C. STEVENS has received instruc- Rooms, 3S, King Street, Co' 1 THURS- le valuable late F. G. Wilkins, Esq., of The Poplars, Leyton, comprising, an other fine things, two magnificent plants of Odontogl Phala:nopsis, several extra fine plants of Odontoglossum larium, a beautiful assortment of C torea, &c , many with f ^-iri^t^' MaSevata & „ elegansTurneri, Aerides Fieldi'ngii, Saccolabiums, Cattleyas, Deiidrobium Wardianum, albo sanguineum extra, crassinode, and other good sorts : Ccelogyne cristata, Angraicum sesqui- pedale, Cypripediums, &c. May be viewed the morning of Sale, and Catalogues had. Ices : Oncidium fine) ; Lycaste SIdnl The Unrivalled Collection of SPECIMEN STOVE and GREENHOUSE PLANTS of the late F. G. WILKINS, Esq., of Leyton. MR. J. C. STEVENS has received instruc- tions to offer for SALE by AUCTION, on the Premises, EARLY in MARCH, the magnificent Collection of STOVE and GREENHOUSE PLANTS formed by the late F. G. Wilkins, Esq.. of The Poplars, Leyton. comprising Heaths, Aphelexis, Statices, Hedaromas, Ixoras, BougainviUeas, Clero- dendrons, Crotons, Anthuriums, Azaleas, Palms, Ferns, trained Pelargoniums, &c. This Collection is, without doubt, one of the finest in the kingdom, and has been grown and exhibited most successfully by Mr. Ward for the last ten years. Citr Auction Rooms, 38 & 39, Gracechurch Street, E.O. MESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS will SELL by AUCTION, at the Rooms as above, on TUESDAY, February 20, at half past 12 o'clock precisely, a choice collection of English grown double CAMELLIAS, 2 to 3H feet, beautifully set with bloom-buds and in perfect health : choice AZALEA INDICA, selected GREENHOUSE PLANTS, a splendid assortment of 500 Standard and Dwarf ROSES of the best varieties, selected FRUIT TREES. h.irdy AMERICAN PLANTS, CONIFER/E SHRUBS, together with some fine Bulbs of LILIU.M AURATUM and LONGI- FOLIUM, GLADIOLUS, RANUNCULUS, ANEMONES, also FUCHSIAS, DAHLIAS. &c. On view the morning of Sale. Catalogues may be had at the Rooms, and of the Auciioneers, &c., 98, Gracechurch Street, E.G., and Leytonstone, E. Tooting, S.W. MESSRS. PROTHEROE AND MORRIS are instructed by Mr. R. Parker, to SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises, The Exotic Nursery, Tooting, S.W., on THURSDAY, February 22, at 12 o'Clock precisely ; a splendid assortment of thriving young NURSERY STOCK, comprising several thousands of choice Evergreen and ConiferEe shrubs in specimen borders, admirably adapted for efl'ective planting ; a splendid assortment of Ornamental and Forest Trees, fine Fruit Trees. Box edging, Bambusa, Ivies, Roses, Clematis, Virginian Creepers, Lily of the Valley, &c. May be viewed prior to the Sale, and Catalogues may be had on the Premises, and of the Auctioneers, g8, Gracechurch Street, E.G., and Leytonstone, E. Final Sale this Season of Lllium auratum. MESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS will SELL by AUCTION, at the Auction Mart, Token- house Yard, E.C., on MONDAY, Febt - ■"■ ■ ILIUM ' SAS, GLADIOLUS, Hardy LILIES, IRIS, FERNS in choice clumps, AMARYLLIS, &c.. together with a con- signment of New Zealand TREE FERNS, &c. On view the morning of Sale, Catalogues had at the Mart, aad of the Auctioneers, 98, Gracechurch Street, E.G., and Leytonstone, E. Without Reserve.— Barnet, Herts. IMPORTANT SALE of well-grown NURSERY STOCK, consisting of a fine assortment of specimen Coniferje and Evergreen Shrubs, also 1000 Variegated Hollies, handsome bushy plants. 2 to 6 feet ; several remarkably fine specimen Hybrid Rhododendrons, 20co Bush)^ Aucubas, 2 to 3 feet ; clean-grown Fruit Trees, together with a choice assortment of Standard and Dwarf Roses, &c. MESSRS. PROTHEROE AND MORRIS will SELL the above by AUCTION, on the Premises, the Barnet Nurseries, Barnet. Herts, on TUESDAY. Feb- ruary 27, at I? o'clock precisely, by order of Messrs. Cutbush & Son. May be viewed two days prior to the Sale. Catalogues obtained on the Premises, at the Highgate Nurseries, and of , Gracechurch Street, E.G., and Leyton- Near Chlsleliurst, Kent. WM. HODSOLL will SELL by iVL AUCTION, at the "Black Boy" In Cray, on THURSDAY, February 22, at 3 for 4 the e.xcellent PEAT on about 5 acres of land, ii Quarter of an Acre each, to be dug and c Clearance Sale, Lee. Kent. S.E. MESSRS. PROTHEROE and MORRIS are instructed by Mr. B. Mailer to SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises, the Burnt Ash Lane Nurseries, Lee, adjoinini; the station, on WEDNESDAY, February 28. at 12 o'clock precisely, a portion of the land being required for other purposes, the valuable NURSERY STOCK comprising 1000 Pyramid and Standard Fruit Trees, 600 Standard Roses, 1300 Evergreen and Conifers Shrubs, 200 fine hybrid Rhodo- dendrons, 1300 Ornamental Flowering and Forest Trees, 1200 choice Ericas, Camellias, and other Greenhouse Plants. May he viewed prior to the Sale. Catalogues maybe had on the Premises, and of the Auctioneers, 98, Gracechurch Street, E.G., and Leytonstone. E. ELLIS, Gamekeeper, Pau t the place of Sale, and of 5 Cray Common, near Chisle- om Catalogues may be had ; he Auctioneer, Farningham. To Florists. Seedsmen, and Otiiers, TO LET, on Lease or Agreement, HOUSE, SHOP, and GROUND, well stocked with Small Plants ; has been in the line 40 years, and fortune made. Rent, ^65 ; Premium for Stock and Fixtures, £75. J. MIERS, Auctioneer, 507 and 509, Wandsworth Road, adjoining the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Station, London, S.W. 10 BE LET, forty-seven ACRES of good Agents and Sui-veyors, WANTED, a PARTNERSHIP, or SHARE in the BUSINESS of a FLORIST, by a young Man of experience in the Culture of Florists' Flowers for Market or other purpose. A person of similar Notice to Creditors, So. Re MR. JOHN HARRISON, Deceased. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that any persons having CLAIMS AGAINST the ESTATE of the late MR. JOHN HARRISON, of the North of England Rose Niuseries, Catterick Bridge (late of Darlington), are requested to SEND at once a FULL STATEMENT THEREOF to the undersigned : and all persons INDEBTED 1 all perse I ESTATE must PAY the AMOUNTS DUE, I her person being authorised t The Business will I Catterick and Scortor February 13, 1877. 3n as usual at the Nurseries WILLIAM HARRISON. HARRIET SCOTT, Wood-broker, Broom-maker, and Dealer in all kinds of Garden Materials, begs to notify that Mr. W. Uwins. her late Manager, is now NO LONGER IN HER EMPLOY, and requests that ORDERS may be given and ACCOUNTS PAID TO '~ few days. HER SON, who will calf il Woodside, S.E.— February i 1877. Standard Azaleas, Camellias, and Portugal Laurels. FAND A. SMITH offer the above, which • are unusually fine, and prices moderate. The Nurseries, West Dulwich, S.E. DASHWOOD, Qu GRAPE VINES, strong planting Canes of Black Hamburgh. Pearson's Golden Queen, Muscat of Alexandria, and other leading sorts, 3J. 6(/. to 5^. each. EWING AND COMPANY, Eaton, Norwich. EngUsli Yews. YEWS, English. — Good, strong, well-grown plants, jK to 4 ^ feet high, 751 to looi. per 10 included. Terms Cash. C. ALLEN, Stone Hills Nursery, Heigham, Nc M ANETTI STOCKS. — For Sale, a few housand, good clean stuft. Price on application. Apply Mr. JOHN HOUSE, Eastgate Nurseries, Peterborough. POTATOS, Rivers' Royal Ashleaf.— To be Sold, 2C tons, field grown and perfectly dry. Apply to Mr. THOS. BULMAN, Farm Bailiff. West Auckland, Bishop Auckland. Early Rose Fotatos. POTATO, Early Rose, the best in cult good sound seed, and warranted true, in cwt. baj bag gratis, on receipt of P.O.O. C. ALLEN, Stone Hills Nursery. Heigham, Notwi . fxl. per 100. Price to Trade, or for larger EWING AND COMPANY, Eaton, No: "EWS, 2000 for Sale.— 3 to 3J feet, -jos. per 100 : -i^A to 4j^ feet, qos. per loo. All well-rooted " ' ' ' Planting now. Well ad.apted Cannot see better grown, and and furnished. Good I JOSH. SPOONER, Goldworth, Woking. To the Trade. CHERRY, Morello, Maiden, fine ; APPLES, Lord Suffield, Blenheim Orange, New Hawthornden. Cox's Orange. Keswick Codlin, and other leading kinds ; MUSSELL PEAR and CRAB STOCKS, clean stuff. D. HEFFERMAN, Nurseryman, High Street, Egham, Now Ready, ^ CHARLES TURNER'S Descriptive CATALOGUE of SEEDS. Post-free on application. ' The Finest Dwarf Marrow Pea Is URNER'S DR. MACLEAN, See CATALOGUE, now ready. New Early Prolific Pea, LLAN'S CHAMPION. Full description in CATALOGUE, now ready. F Schoolmaster. INEST ROUND POTATO. Description, with testimonials, in CATALOGUE, now (?HARLES TURNER, The Royal Nurseries, Slough. FREDERICK PERKINS, Nurseryman, Regent Street, Cucumber Plants, clean, strong and healthy. FW. COOPER can supply the above: • Rollisson's Telegraph, Munro's Duke of Edinburgh, Blue Gown, and Tender and True ; also seed of all the varieties grown under his own supervision and guaranteed true. The Trade supplied. Florist, Huntingdon, CALCEOLARIA, Golden Gem, strong healthy plants, ss. per loo, 40J. per 1000. GERANIUM. Vesuvius, strong, autumn-struck, from itts. to 8j. per 100. Cash with order, package free. WILLIAM FIELD (late Field Brothers), Tarvm Road Nursery. Chester. For Cover. (ONTICUM RHODODENDRONS, lY" to 3 feet, fine, £,Z per 1000. J. FACKSON, Nursery, Kidderminster. LARCH, 60,000, \\ to 3 feet ; ASH, 2 to 4 feet; PINES, Austrian, fine specimens, 4 to 6 feet : the new HYDRANGEA, Thomas Hogg, 51. each ; CALCEO- LARIA, Yellow Gem, 55. per 100, Sultan, 75. per 100, strong autumn-struck plants. W. GROVE, Seed Warehouse and Ntirsery, St. Owens, Hereford. Morello Cherries.— Special Qffer to the Trade. hundred on appl The Nurseries, Wandsworth ( Price per dozen c imon, S.W. Herbaceous and Alpine Plants (Illustrated). THOMAS S. WARE'S CATALOGUE of the above for the present year is Now Ready, and in- cludes New, Rare, and Choice Perennials, Bamboos, and Ornamental Grasses, Bog Plants, and Aquatics; also, a few Bulbs. Post-free on application. Hale Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, London. Cabbage Plants. PABBAGE PLANTS.— East Ham, Enfield plants of the above, free to \J Market, Little Pixj Strong transplanted Engl'ish^OAK, '' '""'■ E.?glis WILLIAM MEADMORE, Nurseries, Romford, Esse.i. AVENUE and OTHER TREES.— Elm, Lime, Chestnut, Poplar, Oak, Beech. &c. Extra fine Beech. 3 to 4 and 4 to 5 feet ; Spruce. 2 to 3 feet. The above to be sold cheap. Ground must be cleared. B. R. DAVIS (late E. Pierce), Yeovil Nursery. Yeovil. Trade. A SPAR AG US.— Three million Grayson's LA- Giant, i-yr., loj. per icoo : 2-yr.. 15^. per 1000: 3-yr., OS. per 1000: two million Connover's, i-yr., 15s. per 1000 ; SEAKALE, planting, 30J. per 1000. For cash. RICHARD I ' " ' LOCKE. Red Hill, Surrey. Hardy Florists' Flowers. THOMAS S. WARE'S New SPRING CATALOGUE of the above, including Pansies, Violas Bedding), Delphiniums, Daisies, Pinks. Paeonies, Phlox, nd others, for immediate Planting, may be had ! Farm Nurseries, Tottenham, London. (Beddi Pyretl H To the Trade. UGH LOW AND CO. can still offer good Dwarf-trained Moorpark APRICOTS. Dwarf-trained PEACHES and NECTARINES. Dwarf-trained PLUMS (principally Victoria and Coe's Golden Drop), Dw.arf Maidei May Duke and Morello CHERRIES. Pric --■■--'- Clapton Nursery, London, E 1 apphc GERANIUM WONDERFUL (G. Smith). —Wonderful, a semi-double, intense orange-scarlet, is decidedly the best-habited, freest growing, and most piofuse flowering GERANIUM ever yet sent out, either as a bedder, pot plant, or for winter flowering. Being semi-double it never sheds, and so requires no gumming, is. td. each, 12J. per "' 'raper ) CO., Fern Nursery, Leamingtc Special Otfer of ELMS (Splendid), for Avenue or Hedgerows. Fine Huntingdon, from 20 to 25 feet high. 6 to 7 inches in circumference .it i foot from ground, lift with splendid roots, and warranted safe in removal. Cs per ico. ^^40 per 1000. CATALOGUES of cheftp and genuine SEEDS now ready. Post-free on application. BALL AND COMPANY, 4. Mercers' Row, Northampton. Nurseries : Bedford Road and Kettering Road. LARGE ESPALIER APPLES.— Very fine large Trees, full of fruit-buds, measuring 6 to 10 feet wide and 4 to 6 feet high. Names and price on application to FREDERICK PERKINS, Nurseryman. Regent Street, To the Trade. PRIMROSES, double lilac, \2s. 6d. per too, loos. per 1000. About 15,000 to 20,000 to dispose of, good "^ RODGER McCLELLAND and CO. 64, Hill Street, Newry. To Purchasers of Large Quantities, Market GARDENERS and OTHERS. SUTTON AND SONS can offer ;- SUTTON'S IMPROVED EARLY CHAMPION, the best and most productive Early Pea in cultivation. Sutton's Ringleader I Sutton's Racehorse Daniel O'Rourke 1 and other leading kinds. Lowest price per Bushel or Quarter on application. SUTTO^f AND SONS, Seed Growers, Reading. February 17, 1877.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 195 WEBB'S PRIZE COB FILBERTS, and other PRIZE COB NUTS and FILBERTS. LISTS of these varieties from Mr. WEBB, Calcut. Reading. EBB'S NEW GIANT POLYANTHUS, Florist Flower, and GIANT COWSLIP SEEDS ; also Plants of all the varieties, with Double PRIMROSES of different colours : AURICULAS, both Single and Double : with every sort of Early Spring Flowers. LIST on application. Mr. WEBB, Calcot, Reading. E E D S— S E E D S— A L L KIND S.— Before ordering your Seeds, send for Illustrated CATALOGUE, which contains full Directions, How, When and What to Sow. PENGILLEY and POOL (successors to the Heatherside Nurseries Company), 59, Queen Victoria Street, London. E.C. E Notice. DMUND PHILIP DIXON'S CATALOGUE of NEW and CHOICE SEEDS is now The Best Late Broccoli. BROCCOLI, Christie's Self-protecting Late White.— Pronounced by all who have seen it as the finest self-protecting Broccoli in cultivation. Price per packet, ij. dd. A limited quantity to offer to the Trade, price on ^^EDMUND PHILIP DIXON, The Yorkshire Seed Estab- E WING AND COMPANY'S LIST of NEW ROSES for 1877 now ready, and may be had gratis. Additional Houses have this season been built specially to extend the Propagation and Groivth of NEW and TEA ROSES. The plants are making vigorous, strong growth, and will be unusually large and fine. Their GENERAL LISTS of Roses. Fruit Trees, Orna- mental Trees for Avenues, Conifers, Evergreens, Clematis, &c. STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA.— Strong specimen plants of a very free-flowering variety, ic5._ td. each ; smaller. dozen. This oifer is for six weeks only le plants being worth double the money. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydoi To tie Trade. MESSRS, LEVAVASSEUR and SON, NuKSERVlilEN, Ussy, Calrados, France, have an immense Stock of Seedling FOREST TREES, Hardy, Coniferous, .and other SHRUBS, for transphanting and trans- planted. Priced CATALOGUES may be ■ ' ' Verbenas, Verbenas, Verbenas. WILLIAM BADMAN offers Purple King, White, Scarlet, Crimson, and Rose VERBENAS, in single pots, at 12^. per 100 : or turned out of pots, 10s. per 100. Good rooted Cuttings, 6s. per loo, 50s. per 1000, package included. Terms Cash. Cemetery Nursery, Gravesend, S.E. Special Culture of Fruit Trees and Roses. THE DESCRIPTIVEand ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE of FRUITS (by Thomas Rivers) is now ready ; also CATALOGUE of Select ROSES. Post-free °°THo'mAs"'rIVERS and SON, Sawbridgeworth, Herts. Roses, Fruit Trees, Evergreens, &o. WILLIAM FLETCHER'S CATALOGUE is now ready, and may be had post-free on application. The Nursery Stock generally is very fine, healthy, and wcll- rooted. Early orders are respectfully solicited. Ottershaw Nurseries, Chertsey, Surrey. TWELVE BEAUTIFUL ORCHIDS, ifls., established plants of fine sorts, as Cattleya citrina, Lxlia autumnalis, Lselia albida, Odontoglossum, Dendrobium, and upwards of fifty other sorts. They have all made fine growth JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydo To tbe Trade. OSBORN AND SONS can still supply dwarf maiden PEACHES, NECTARINES, and APRICOTS of the leading kinds, and a few Standards. Also Dwarf and Standard APPLES, PEARS, PLUMS, and CHERRIES. Fulham Nurseries, London, S.W. To tlie Trade. , , STANDARD and DWARF ROSES of the leading sorts— splendid "'-"- — ■■ ■" •>- '^"■^' ll-npened wood — about 15,00c . iranteed true to name. For lowest prices apply to GRANT AND CO., Park Nursery, Portadown, Ireland. EUONYMUS EUROP.« US. — Strong 2-yT. seedling plants, {.1 per 100, {,9 pcf io<>°- Of^" A. RATHHE and SON, The Nurseries, Praust, near Danzig, Germany. ^ :s gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery. Croydoi lND MCASLAN, AU S T GLASGOW. Established 1727. GARDEN and IMPLEMENT (64 pages) CATALOGUE rERBENAS, VERBENAS, VERBENAS. —Strong, well-rooted, healthy cuttings, perfectly free m disease. White, Purple, Scarlet and Pink, 6j. per 100, . per 1000. 100 rooted cuttings, in 12 distinct and beautiful ieties. first prize flowers, for 8s. Terms cash. H. BLANDFORD.The Dorset Nurseries, Blandford. LADY HENNIKER APPLE GRAFTS. 6 for ,i. 6i., 12 for as. id., 50 for 8s., 100 for 15s. A splendid Kitchen or Dessert Apple, weighs 18 oz., bears freelyon one-year's wood. Pyramids 3s. 6rf. , Standards ss. each. EWING AND COMPANY, Eaton, Norwich. Genuine Garden Seeds. W7"M. CUTBUSH AND SON have for many * » years held some of the finest Stocks of SEEDS in the Trade, and they believe that no house can possibly supply •— -r quality. CATALOGUES post-free on application. 3HGATE, LONDON, N. ; and BARNET, HERTS. To the Trade. HAND F. SHARPE'S ■Special Priced LIST . of HOME-GROWN GARDEN and AGRICUL- TURAL SEEDS of 1876 growth, is now ready, and may be Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. Centaurea candldlssUua or raguslna. WOOD AND INGRAM offer fine summer- sown plants of the above, thoroughly established in thumb-pots, at 20s. per loo. Package v- per 100, or is. dd. for The Nurseries, Hu Large Evergreen Trees for Screens. ILLIAM MAULE AND SONS offer Norway SPRUCE and CEDRUS DEODARA, 10 to feet high, well-rooted— the former at 5s. each, the latter . (,d. The Nurseries, Bristol. w Lobelias and Centaureas. LOBELIA PUMILA MAGNIFICA, from Cuttings, 4S per 100, free by post : 500 for i8s. CEN- TAUREA RAGUSINA, C. RAGUSINA COMPACTA, and C. GYMNOCARPA PLUMOSA, fine summer-sown plants, established in pots, 3s. to 4s. per dozen, 20s. to 25s, per 100. Mr. MARRIOTT, Mellish Road, Walsall, ALMS for TABLE DECORATION.- Twelve distinct choice sorts, ready to pot on into 5-in pots, 21s. Established in that size about 2 feet high, fit 1 immediate decoration, 42s. and 63s., according to sorts. A lar and valuable collection of exhibition specimens, from 21s. eac Packages gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. HIGl^ Special Offer— 150,000 Vesuvius. WILLIAM BADMAN offers strong autumn-struck VESUVIUS, from single pots, 10s. per 100 ; or from store-pots, Ss. per 100, 75s. per 1000, package included. Terms Cash. Cemetery Nursery, Gravesend, S.E. LARGE TREE BOX and EVERGREEN HOLLY. —Handsome, bushy, and well-rooted, will transplant with good balls of earth, 5, 6, 7, and 3 feet high. Tree Box lives under trees better than any other Evergreen tree. An inspection invited. Price on application to T. JACKSON AND SON. Nurseries. Kingston, Surrey. CHOICE TUBERS and ROOTS.— Twelve tuberous BEGONIAS, including Frosbelli, rosseflora, intermedia, Sedeni, vivicans, &g., for 21J.. very fine bulbs. Twelve CALADIUMS, splendid tubers, fit for exhibition, ready consisting of bulbs averaging 10 inches in circumference. JOHN H. LEY. Royal Nursery, Croydon. R^ : in large or small quantities, i-yr., 2-yr., ;-yr. old, 20^. per 1000. ,.yr. old, 25s. per icoo. j-yr. old, 35s. per looo. Price to the Trade on appli The Nurseries, Wandsworth Comn: , S.W. Planting Season. E BURGESS begs to offer the following : • —Strong Standard and Pyramid PEARS. ROSES, Evergreen and Deciduous Flowering SHRUBS, English OAK, ELMS, and LIMES, up to lo feet, and Spruce FIRS. Prices on application. The Nurseries, London Road, Cheltenham. /CABBAGE PLANTS,SEEDS, ROOTS, &c., \j of all kinds, for the Farm or Garden.-" Gee's superior Bedfordshire-grown Plants and Seeds have attained much celebrity."— Kja^ Bedford Mercury, July 29, 1876. The soils of the district offer facilities enjoyed at few places 101 bringing away plants, &c., and under the skill and perseverance of Mr. F. Gee they a cultural - • ' account. "~f^t(/*? Agri- CATALOGUES. — His Excellency Pierre Wolkenstein will feel greatly obliged if Nurserymen and Seedsmen will kindly send him their Catalogues. They should be forwarded (by post) to S. E. PIERRE WOLKENSTEIN, Secretaire de la SociAe Impi£riale d'Horticulture de Russie, St. Petersburg. N^ Presented (by post) on application, EW CATALOGUE for 1877. -i-^ For remarks and List of Plants oflfered, with prices, see hardened off, low in price See New Catalogue. WILLIAM CLIBRAN and SON, The Oldfield Nurseries, Well turnlsliecl Spruce Firs. ELACK, The Nurseries, WeUingborough, • Northamptonshire, offers the above, in sizes, from i!4 foot to 5 feet. Also PINUS AUSTRIACA, from 2 feet to 5 feet : YEWS, English, from 2 feet to 4 feet— all well-grown sent on application. P.S.— A very fine stock of St.andard LIMES. M ESSRS. JNO. STANDISH AND CO.'S [ Spring, 1877, It I,. Plants of Recent Intro.l" 1 Stove and Greenhouse I'l.mi Plants for Winter Forcing. Azalea indica and Camellias. Tree Carnations and Ericas. Ferns and Lycopods. Hardy Trees and Shrubs. Transplanted Forest Trees. Pres! , &c.. 1 apphc Special Offer for Cash, PEACHES and NECTARINES, Maiden, 3Sr. per 100; ROSES, Dwarf, fine clean stuff, including Francois Michelon, Celine Forestier, Madame Alace Bureau, Madame Verdier, Paul Verdier, and a few others,^ iss. per 100 ; AUCUBA JAPONICA and LAURUSTINUS, good, from Cutting Beds, 3s. kd. per 100. J AND G. LOWE, Uxbridge, ^ New Roses for 1877. A DESCRIPTIVE LIST of all the best New Roses of the Season is now ready. Extra fine plants ready in March. CRANSTON AND COMPANY, King's Acre Nurseries, near Hereford. ALTERNANTHERAS, by the loo or lOoo, from Stores, including the following varieties ;— amcena, amoina spectabile, amabilis, latifolia, magnifica, paronychioides, spathulata, tricolor, versicolor, 8s. per too, 70s. per 1000. For Cash with Order, package included. Special arrangements for large quantities. Stock plants of all the above that would produce an abundance of Cuttings. All other plants suitable for CARPET BEDDING, as used on the West Brighton Est. and other Public Gardens, at the above Price. WILLIAM MILES, West Brighton Nurseries, near Clifton- ville Station, Sussex^ Eliododenarons. T MATTHEWS AND SON, Milton O • Nurseries, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, have to offer fine bushy plants, thinly hite, I to i^ foot, 37s. 6(/. RHODODENDRONS, grown and well-n „ SPLENDIDUM, „ CAUCAsiCUM PICTUM, 10,000, light scarlet, i to I Yz foot, 50s. per 100. „ JACKSONII, scarlet, i foot, 40s. per 100 ; i to i}^ foot, bushy, 60s. per 100. „ HYBRIDS, from all the choicest named varieties, i foot, bushy, 20S. per 10s ; i to tj^ foot, 30s. per 100 ; ij^ to „ PONTICUM. 10 to 12 inches, 50s. per 1000 : 12 to IS inches, los. per 100; 15 to 18 inches, ISJ. per ico ; 18 to 21 inches. 40s, per loc ; 2 to 3 feet, sos. per 100 ; 3 to 3M feet, bushy, Sos. per 100. YEWS, English, clean, well-grown plants, 6 to 9 inches, 40s. CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA, fine Ornamental tree for Lar/ns or Wood Planting as shelter for Game, also for Garden Fencing, 2 to 3 feet, 30s. per 100 ; 3 to 4 feet. ASH, Moun 'lanting a 2S. \d. per 100 ; i}< to 2 feet, ■ per TOO : 2 to 3 feet, 30s. per 100. CURRANTS, quantity of extra strong Black Grape, CATALOGUES of all other Nursery Stock free H Large Flowering Petunias. ENDER AND SON'S Strain is the Finest in the World, We beg to offer seed of the above strain, which is brought to its present perfection by over twenty years' hydridisation and selection. Each year we selected the best varieties for seed out of a large number of seedlings, for many years past numbering Mr, BtiELEV,' Hereford Road Nursery, Bayswater, miting in Gardeners' Magazine, says :—" This firm has done more to improve this plant than any one else : flowers measuring 4^ inches across, colours beautifully blended together, habits as short-jointed as Heaths, and as showy as scarlet Geraniums. "Y'our strain of Petunias is splendid."— J. Bekry, Gardener to Lord Robartes, Latikydrock. " 1 have great pleasure in bearing" testimony to the superiority of your Petunias."— J. Snow, Gardener io Earl of Morley, "The Petunias raised from your seed gave us the greatest satisfaction, and admired by every one. They were the best we " From the Petuni.is raised from your seed 1 took eight from the seed-pan, grew them on, and with six obtained the ist prize against eight competitors at the Royal Western Horticultura Society's Exhibition. Two years I have done similarly."— J, Relland, Gardener to W. Radford, Esq., Plytnouth. Single, 2S. per packet, 200 Seeds ; Double, 5s. per packet 200 Seeds. All packets sealed "HENDER and SON." We can supply a dozen Plants, named, which would include 3S-, post-free, in May. AMARANTHUSES, Henderi, td. per packet, and Princess of Wales, is. per packet, are the finest in cultivation t SONS, Nurserymen, Plymouth. SURPLUS NURSE STOCK. TAMARIX, two sorts, 2 to 3 feet, 12s. M. per 100 SPIR.«A FORTUNEI, 14s. per 100 FUCHSIA GRACILIS, 20s. per 100 YEW, English (fine), i' ,1 I'i CISTUS?slrl>n':,' , .] ,-'Tlo CLIANTHI'S 11 , I' 1 i 1,4. •> CEANOTIU>, I V 11 , < 1 . i.-,(. MUHLENliLcivl.V 1,U.M1L1...\A, 61 POPLAR i.-rn",'4't'o5'fe=t,3-s. phylla, 5 to 6 feet, 50S. per 1000 ; RODGER MCCLELLAND , 196 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 17, 1877. Camellias ^^^^ in Bloom. WM. PAUL AND SON (Successors to the late A. Paul & Son, established 1806), Paul s Nurseries Waltham Cross, N., respectfully invite inspection of their Collection of Camellias, now finely in bloom. Visitors by Railwaycan enter the Nurseries from the platform, " Waltham " Station, Great Eastern Railway. CRANSTON AND COMPANY PEARS, Pyramid, on Quince, extra strong bearing trees 3 to 4. 4 to 5, and 5 to 6 feet, all the leading kindb PEARS, Dwarf-trained, for Espaliers and Walls, well furnished, all the best late kinds. PEACHES, NECTARINES, and PLUMS, Dwarf trained. PEARS, Standard, beautiful trees, double worked. CHERRIES, Standard, 5 to 6 feet stems. APPLES, Standard, for the Garden and Orchard. ,, Cider. Standard, twenty to thirty of the best Hereford- R ALPH ROBSON, NURSERYMAN, He.Kham, ASH, POPLAR. Black ItaliaS, 2 ti 3 feet, fine. GOOSEBERRY BUSHES. Lancashire varieties. FRUIT TREES, standard and dwarf-trained, of all kinds. All the above are fine clean stuff, and well grown. Prices on application American Plants Wltliout Peat. WILLIAM MAULE and SONS beg to offer the choicest hardy English and Continental RHO- DODENDRONS, with BELGIC and other AZALEAS, at 3&f per dozen, or £\o per ico. The plants are grown in stiff loamy soil, on an exposed and Handsome Standard RHODODENDRONS, with fine heads, well set with bloom, los. 6d., 21J.. and 425. each. Large bushes of PONTICUM, CATAWBIENSE, and other M. C. JONGKINDT CONINCK, Tottenham Nurseries, Dedemsvaart, near Zwolle, Netherlands, has to offer the following : — without the slightest protectic ;r of 1875. Palmettes and Pyramids, 42^. per k APPLES. St HARDY AQUATICS at the loi GREEN TREE BO X.— The hardiest evergreen, exclusive of the Coniferac, thrives in almost any soil, especially on chalk. The wood is very valuable, and, on account of its being applied in increasing quantities to new uses, is rapidly rising in price. A few acres of Box trees planted now would in a comparatively few years be worth an almost fabulous amount of money. Very bushy and e.xtra well rooted plants can be supplied. 1% to 2 feet, 4s. per dozen, 251. per 100, ;^io per :ooo. 2 to 2]4 feet, 6s. per dozen, 35.^. per 100, £1$ per 1000. aK to 3 feet, 9s. per dozen, 60.1, per 100. £:zs per 1000. CATALOGUES of ROSES, FRUIT TREES, and General NURSERY STOCK, free. EWING AND COMPANY, Eaton. Norwich. H. 'Ac SPECIAL CATALOGUE of SEED POTATOS to those of the Trade who have not yet received one. It comprises all the principal English varieties worthy of cultivation ; they are all grown fron finest selected stocks, and the prices will be found moderate. Seed Growing Establishment, Wisbech. SPECIMEN AZALEAS (Winter flowers).- An abundance of splendid flowers can be had in a wee or two, or at once, by purchasing a few Specimen Azaleas, no opening flower. The plants are from 2 to 3 feet over, perfet shape, some hundreds of flowers and buds, which will last ft months at this time of the year. All new and valuable sort; 215., 31.1. 6d., and 42s. each, according to size and sort Eighteen plants only are for Sale. They are all worth doubl the money. Packages gratis for cash with order. JOHN H. LEY, Royal Nursery, Croydon. ShaUot Seed. DAVIS' PRIZE JERSEY.— A true Shallot, of immense size and exceedingly mild : with ordinary circumference — by far the best method of growing the Shallot. Treatment same as Onions. Price is. per packet. May be had of all Seedsmen in sealed packets, and Wholesale of Messrs. HURST AND SON, 6, Leadenhall Street, London, E.C.. B. R. DAVIS. Nu nd Seed W.-irehouse, Yeovil. Superb Ridge Cucumber. CUCUMBER, Foster's X.L. Superb Ridge. — This variety is a remarkably fine hardy, long, dark green Cucumber, and one that can be recommended with the greatest confidence. It is very prolific, and keeps its colour to the last ; all who have seen it growing are satisfied that it cannot be surpassed, and those who have tried its flavour are convinced of its e.tcellent quality ; length, 12 to 18 inches. Price 6.-/. and is. per packet ; price to the Trade on application. EDMUND PHILIP DIXON, The Yorkshire Seed Estab- lishment, Hull. w Half a Ton, Guaranteed True Native, SCOTCH FIR SEED. WISEMAN AND SON have to offer the ■ above, prepared by themselves, on very moderate ooo^SCOTCH^fTr, 2-yr. seedlings, very fine stuff. 150,000 LARCH, 2-yr. seedlings ^ As the ground is wanted all will 1 Grove Tenace and Friars' Haugh Nn isposed of cheap, es, Elgin, N.B. GODETIA, LADY ALBEMARLE. Firs^ class Certificitt Royal Horticultural Society, August 2, 1876. L magnificent new variety, grow- I foot high. Flowers 1% to leing produced in ion give the plants charming appearance. should Seed uith full cultural directic .r picket, IS. dd., post-free. :ely any plant such a lovely shade of colour." — '. I ilia Gardener, September, 187' " An extremely beautiful varit bearing flowers quite 4 ' Garden. Maz^ splendid variety, far superior to an^ fourrtal 0/ Horticulture. Au^. 3, 1S76. 2dsmen, and Wholesale and Retail of "A remarkable : other of the family.' May be had of all DANIELS BROS., THE ROYAL NORFOLK SEED ESTABLISHMENT, Norwich HENDERSON Offer the following in Seed, of quality the best that can be had, at per packet : — CALCEOLARIA— the variety ot colours, size, and shape of the flowers is the result of many years' continual CINERARIA- shape and brilliancy ,, double-flowered, 25. 6d. and si. PRIMULA SINENSIS, crimson, scarlet, and white (better cannot be had), separate or mixed, is. 6d. and 5J. ,, ,, double-flowered, true from seed, is. 6d. and 55. CYCLAMEN PERSICUM GRANDIFLORUM-brilliant ith large-size petals and perfumed flowers, is uble-flowered, mixed c BALSAM-we trust nine colours, PINK, from named . CARNATION, mis See Catalogue for sep exhibited every year ; MIMULUS, superb stra . Royal Horticultural Society. 15. ba. LOBELIA, Brilliant Improved, White Brilliant, Mazarine Gem, speciosa— from pot plants, pumila grandiflora. Lustre Improved, Defiance—the best red, Blue Stone, and Magnifica, is. each. PANSY, English, show flowers, is. 6d. ,, French, blotched, is. 6d. PETUNIAS, very beautiful, saved in pots, in separate sections at their Wellington Road Nursery, is. „ double flowered, is. and ar. 6d. SWEET WILLIAM, extra fine, 15. „ ,, from named flowers, is. and ss. 6d. [each. STOCK, East Lothian, scarlet, white, and purple, 6^/. and is. ,, Intermediate. Brilliantissima, and others. See Catalogue. AURICULA, extra choice alpine varieties, zs. 6d. SOLANUM, Improved Hybrid, as grown for the London Market, is. „ HENDERSONI, conical-shaped berries, is. GLOXINIA, drooping and erect, is. 6d. each ; mixed, 2s. 6d. HOLLYHOCK, from named collection, is. and is. 6d. PRIMROSE, POLYANTHUS, and OXLIP, best quality, mixed colours of each, is. WALLFLOWER, double German, mixed colours, 6d. and is. NOVELTIES in FLOWER SEEDS. ALONSOA ALBIFLORA. — New distinct species from Mexico, introduced by Mr. Roezl. the distinguished col- lector, flowering freely, from 12 inches up to 2 feet in height, producing long terminal spikes of pure white flowers with yellow eye. It is recommended for pot-culture, as in the conservatory it will prodi flowers throughout the autumn and winter acceptable for bouquets and table-decoration, found a desirable and useful substitute for Valley, as used in our bouquets eftect when arranged so as to overiop ine omer nowers oy BROWALLIA ROEZLI, is. COECEA HIRSUTA, is. 6d. HUMEA ELEGANS ALBA, is. AGERATUM SNOW- FLAKE, IS. MIMULUS BRILLIANTISSIMA, scarlet self, is. MENTZELIA ORNATA, fine plant (see description in Catalogue), beautiful TORENIA FOURNIERI, new annual fo combination of colouring, is. ERYNGIUM LEAVENWORTHII, ornamental plant, is. PYRETHRUM AUREUM LACINIATUM, fringed-lea Golden Feather, is. ASTER, Firelight, most beautiful and brilliant new qui SAXIFRAGA NEPALENSIS, fine papa'verumbrosa PINE-APPLE NURSERY, MAIDA VALE, LONDON, W. Seed Potatos. CHARLES TURNER can supply healthy sets of the following : — Early White Perfection, I Schoolmaster, Early White Don, Snowflake, Early Handsworth, | Princess of Lome, Early Reliance, I Fortyfold, Early Vermont, | Myatt's and Rivers' Ashleaf. Priced CATALOGUE on application. The Royal Nurseries, Slough. POTATOS for Planting.— Snowflake, per bushel of 56 lb., 12,1., per sack of 16 stone, 425. ; Paterson's Victoria, per bushel, 6s., per sack, 22s. Special prices by the ton. Both samples grown on the best Lincoln- shire soils, and are second to none. New 4 lb. Sacks, is. 2d. each. Remittances to accompany all orders. Retail price LIST, containing about thirty of the most useful sorts, free on application. Wholesale List on receipt of Trade Card. CHRISTMAS QUINCEY, Potato Grower and Merchant, Peterborough. CHARLES LEE AND SON (Successors to Messrs. John & Charles Lee), of the Royal Vineyard Nursery, Hammersmith, W., beg to announce that, in_ con- sequence of the Retirement of Mr. John Lee from the business, they have TAKEN OVER the ENTIRE NURSERY and SEED TRADE so successfully carried on for many years by the late Firm, and they trust the same liberal patronage so long given to Messrs. John & Charles Lee will be continued to the New Firm. Charles Lee & Son pledge themselves to devote all their energy to raising First-class Stock in every department, which the large resources at their command will enable them to supply with considerable advantage to the Public both as regards quality and price. With a view to a more extensive production of Stove and Greenhouse Plants of the best quality they intend to almost entirely rebuild their extensive ranges of Glass on a new site, a portion of the old Nursery being taken up for building purposes. All orders to be addressed to CHARLES LEE and SON, Royal Vineyard Nursery, the general business of the Nursery CANNON, Ealing iNursery; Mr. WEBB, Arboretum, and Mr. MARSLEN. Wood Lane, Isleworth. SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS ;- PRIMROSE, double yellow, 31. per dozen, soj. per too. „ double lilac, 2S. 6d. per dozen, 15J. per 100. ,, double purple-crimson, 65. per dozen, 45^. per 100. ,, double crimson, true, i8s. per dozen. ., single yellow, flowers in scapes, gs. per dozen. CARDAMINE PRATENSIS fl.-pl.. y. per doz., aoj. per too. SISYRINCHIUM GRANDIFLORUM, in pots, 3s. 6d. PANSY, Blue King, strong, 2y. per dozen, loj per 100. VIOLA, Blue Bell, strong, 2i. per dozen, los. per 100. ,, lutea Grievei, strong, ay. per dozen, 10s. per 100. POLYANTHUS, sorts, strong, =i. per dozen, los. per 100. DAISIES, white and red, 31. 6rf. per 100. WALLFLOWERS, double German, 6i. per too. „ single dwarf yellow, 6r. per 100. ALYSSUM SAXATILE COMPACTA. Sj. per 100. RODGER McClelland and CO., 64, HiU street, To Planters of Forest Trees and Others. THE HEATHERSIDE NURSERIES COMPANY (Li.MiTED) have decided on clearing the follo\ving Surplus Stock, and will accept half the current 100,000 PINES, Weymouth. 3 to 7 feet. 100,000 FIR, Scotch, 9 to 15 inches. 200,000 QUICK. 2-yr. bedded, i to 1% foot. 10,000 OAKS, Scarlet, 5 to 8 feet. 50,000 PINES, Austrian, 3 to 5 feet. 50,000 PINUS RIGIDA, 3 to 6 feet. 100,000 LAURELS, common, 1 to 2 feet. 10,000 CHESTNUTS, Horse, 5 to 9 feet. For prices and particulars apply to THOMAS THORNTON, Manager, Heatherside Nurseries, Bagshot, Surrey. VINES.— Strong, well ripened Canes of the following— (Fruiting Canes of those marked F) :— Alicante, F. Mill Hill Hamburgh, ' F. Mrs. Pearson, Black Prini " " ' '' Buckland Sw F. Burchard's Black Prince, F. Calabrian Raisin, Chasselas Musqui5, Canon Hall Muscat, De Coster, Duchess of Buccleuch, F. Duke of Buccleuch, ^s, 6 Dutch Sweetwater, Esperione, Golden Hamburgh, Golden Champion, Gros Colman, Gros Doti. F. Lady Downe's, F. Madresfield Court, Fruiters, loj. bd. ; mei CHARLES LEE an Seed Establishment, Ha Royal Vineyard, Syrian, Tottenham Park Muscat, F. Trebbiano, Trentham Black, F. Venn's Black Muscat, 7J. 6rf. to I SI. each, F. Waltham Cross Seedling, F. White Frontignan, F. White Nice, F. White Tokay, F. West's St. Peter's. a, -js. 6d. ; Planters, 5^., Royal Vineyard Nursery and JOHN L. COUPLAND, Florist, Hessle, tJ Hull, has to offer the following : — DOUBLE PELARGONIUMS-Beauiy of Oxton, Queen Victoria, Prince of Novelties, Captain Raikes, cucullatum flore- pleno. Konig Albert — Ivyleaf. FRINGED PELARGONIUMS - Marie Lemoine, , La Patrie, Prince of Pelargoniums, Donna Sol, Rebecca, Digby EARLY FLOWERING PELARGONIUMS - Prince Charlie, Alma, Kingston Beauty, Madam Gewitzski. James Odier, Breffitt's Scarlet. The set of i8, in 5-inch pots, for 21^. ; in 3-inch pots, 18s. ; or any 9 of the above, 13^. 6d., package included, on receipt of Post-office Order. A quantity of Captain Raikes to offer to the Trade. February 17, 1877.I THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 197 JM. E Vines. G. HENDERSON and • SON oQer splendid Fruiting Canes of :.iding kinds. Planting Canes, 3J. 6d., lid 7^. dd. each ; Golden Queen, Venn's V Muscat, and Waltham Cross, 43J. and :>er dozen. Trade supplied. Pine-apple Nursery, Maida Vale, W. GROS GUILLAUME GRAPE (Roberts' Variety). The largest Black Grape In Cultivation. Eyes or Scions from fine, strong, well-ripened wood, 10s. 6d. each Ditto ditto ditto second size .. .. js. 6 ^" "• Desciiplive ILLUSTRATED . A\ CATALOGUE of 52 pages will be l^ ^.^^R'O^A-^i forwarded to all applicants. It con- s much useful and reliable in- JOHN SCOTT, The Royal Seed Stores, Ye Tl It 1 Catxl j,ue IS net t,i/} s>al:saii tostJ,t,toMaftltca,Hs S W begs to intimate that in the event of any i omers not receivmg this Catalogue if they will CO le with him a copy will be sent Mr. Shirley Hibberd describes it, after two years trial, as '' thet'^ry model o{ a. gentleman's Potato." Price 2J. 6d. per lb., 7 /*. 15.1. HOOPER AND CO., Covent Garden, London, W.C. VINES, VI N ES, VINES. F. & A. SMITH, THE NURSERIES, WEST DULWICH, S.E., Offer from a large Stock strong well-grown fruiting and planting Canes, at low prices. List on applitatwn. AVENUE TREE Chestnut, 2 kinds. 8 Elms, 6 kinds. 8 to Oaks, fi kinds. 8 to I Poplars. 3 kinds. 8 I Sycamores. 3 kinds Sorbus, 3 kinds, 8 t Hornbeam, 8 to I2 feet. All the above are very fine and very cheap. CHARLES NOBLE, BAGSHOT. THE VALLEY, imported clumps, 9.1. per doze LARIAS, yellow, rooted cuttings, ^s. per 100 203. Upper Street, Islington, N. Splendid New Melon. 1877. CHARLES LEE AND SON (Successors to Messrs J. & C, Lee) have the pleasure to announce that they have purchased the entire Stock of MANN'S HYBRID GREEN-FLESH MELON, which they now offer for the first time. It has already earned a high reputation in London and the provinces for its many excellent qualities, among which may be mentioned a remarkably high and exquisite flavour at all seasons of the year — perfection of shape and size for dessert— a thin rind and melting flesh, with an overflow of perfumed juice. It is also a heavy cropper, and forces well. Dr. Hogg has spoken of this excellent Melon in the highest terms, and after tasting it pronounced it a fruit of the highest Mr. CuLVERWELL, of Thorpe Perrow, fellow judge with Mr. Fowler, of Harewood House, at the Leeds Horticultural Show, where they awarded a First-class Certificate to " Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon." speaks of it as "an exceedingly fine Melon, especially at that early season — the early part of Mr. Ingram, of Belvoir Castle, writes, in the third week of October, " that in spite of the disadvantage of a long term of gloomy weather, at that season of the year, * Mann's Hybrid Green-flesh Melon' was sweet, tender in flesh, very juicy, / prepared t aled packet 1 packets, at -^s. i CHARLES LEE and SON, Hammersmith. W. From Paris.— Roses, Pseonles, CamelliaB. T EVEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen, -Ll 26, Rue du Lie'gat. Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris, have many thousand ROSE TREES, Standards, Half-standards, Dwarfs, and on own root— New and Old sorts. LfiVfiQUE AND SON respectfully solicit Gentlemen and Nurserymen visiting Paris to inspect their Stock, the largest in Pars SPLENDID PYRAMID CAMELLIAS, price ras. to 50J. CATALOGUESand LISTS on application. From Paris— Large Bulbs of Gladioli, Seedlings AND NAMED SORTS. T EVEQUE AND SON, Nurserymen, -Li zb Rue du Li^gat, Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris, have n any thousand strong, healthy Flowering BULBS of GLADIOLI. The Seedling Bulbs are particularly recom- mended—their flowers equal to the named sorts (seeds have been taken from the best sorts of the collection). GLADIOLI, Seedlings. 8j. per 100, ;^3 per 1000, .1C26 per 10,000 ; mixed white, red, pink. Separate colours, izs. to 2ar. per 100 ; yellow. 24.J. per 100. Named sorts per 100, 10 sorts, 105. ; 25 sorts, 20J. ; 50 or 100 sorts (the best), from 25.^. to £,d, less or more, according to the novelty. All good flowering bulbs. English Cheques on London, or Post-offic. '" ' " ' Orders ( iy willf land PETUNIA, double large-flowered.- Yields a large percentage of double flowers, is. 6d. per packet. STEPHANOTIS FLORIBUNDA. — Remarkably free- flowering variety from the Mauritius. 15 td. per packet. CATALOGUES free on application. JAMES TYNAN, Seed Warehouse, 68, Great George Street, New Catalogue of Hardy Herbaceous and ORNAMENTAL BEDDING PLANTS. &c. ROBERT PARKER begs to announce that his New CATALOGUE is now published, and wifl be forwarded to applicants. It contains Select Descriptive and Price Lists of Alpine and Herbaceous Plants, Aquatic and Marsh Plants, Asters (herbaceous). Chrysanthemums (early blooming bedding varieties), Delphiniums, Fruit Trees, Helian- tbemums, Iris germanica, miscellaneous Bedding and Decora- tive Plants, Pseonia sinensis. Phlox (herbaceous), Potentillas. Pyrethrums (double flowered). Sweet Violets, &c. Exotic Nursery, Tooting, Surrey. S.W. SPECIAL OFFER FOREST TREES, &c. ALDER, r to ij^ foot, 14s. per 1000 : 15 to 20 inches, ASH, I to iJ4 foot, 14s. ; Mountain, iM to 2 feet, i6i. : 3 feet. 205. : 3 to 4 feet, 23s. : '4 to 5 feet, 30?. : 6 to g feet, per loo : 9 to 12 feet, 141. BEECH, i to iK foot, .6j. : i! 2 feet, i8s. ; 2 to 3 feet, 25^. : 3 to 4 feet, 4ar. : 4 to 5 feet, 6 O F . - ,--,—■ BIRCH, I to ij^ f :et, 20J. : 5 to 6 feet, Qs. per 100 : 6 to 8 feet, . : 10 to 12 feet, 25J. CHESTNUT, Mors, too : 3 to 4 feet, 6s. : 4 to 5 feet, gj. : 5 to et, 165. ELM, 3 to 4 feet, 24^. per 1000 ; ) 6 feet, 85. per too ; 6 to 8 feet, T.2S. : 8 to ic Balm of Gilead, 2 to 3 feet. 35J feet. ^■'i.!^- 1 3 feet, 6s. per 100 ; 3 to ii.°°'H'(^RNBEAM, 3 to : 6 to 8 feet, los. per 100 ; f i6s. per .000. LIMES, orway, 5 tc :u:. s'w'e feet.^20s. 'maple, N^ PINUS AUSTRIACA. x'A to 2 lect, 25s. ; 3 to 4 feet, 40J. : 4 to 5 feet, 7^. per 100 : 5 ti 8 feet, 15J. LARICIO. 3 to 4 f"t, 8s. : 4 tc 6 feet, I2S, WEYMOUTH, 5 to 6 feet, 12J, poplar. Black Italian, 1% to 2 feet, 15 3 feet, 20J. : 3 to 4 feet. 281. ONTARIO, 2j^ to 3J^ feet, 40S. : 4 to 5 feet, sos. : 5 to 6 6 to 8 feet. 14s. PRIVET, Evergreen, 3 feet, 171. ; 3 t DENDRON^. 1801. ; 2 to . ' AlargeSto.l SYCAMORE, i« t \^- GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 17, 1877. Complete Liberal Collections of C~(HOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS, J ISJ., 21^., 42^., 635., and 105s. each, carriage paid. As my new and choice seeds are now in large demand, please order early. SPECIALITIES :— CAULIFLOWER, Veitch's Autumn Giant, true, is. U. LETTUCE. Ale.\andra Cos, true, \s. per packet. ONION, Cantello's Prize, true, ij. per packet. BROCCOLI. Leamington, finest late, ii. td. per packet. CABBAGE, Alpha, fine, large, and early. li. per packet. CATALOGUE of New and Choice Seeds on application. R. B. M'COMBIE, Grower of Choice Seeds, &c., Christ- church, Hants. "POBERT AND GEORGE NEAL, XV Wandsworth Common, Upper Tooting, and Garrett Lane Nurseries. These Nurseries comprise about 50 Acres of well-grown and a most useful assortment of STANDARD, ORNAMENTAL, FOREST, FRUIT, and ROSES, and SHRUBS, all of which are in a most healthy and fit condition for removal. A personal inspection invited. CATALOGUES free on application. The Nurseries are within a few minutes' walk of the Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Common Railway Stations. POTATOS.— Snowflake, warranted true and sound, 25J. per cwt. ; Early Ashleaf, 20J. per cwt. Sacks included and carriage paid to any railway station in Great Western _- South-Western Railway, Reading, upwards, at 14^. per ton ; less quantities, 2or. per ton. Also best PEAT, at reasonable prices. D. BRINKWORTH and SON, Potato Growers, Reading, Berks. To tlie Trade. JAMES YOUNG, Brechin, N.B., offers the following : — 4oo,coo LARCH, seedlings, 2-yr. loo.ooo FIR. Scotch, seedlings, a-yr. 3,000 ASH, Mountain, transplanted, 4 to 5 feet. 10,000 BEECH, transplanted, ^ to 4 feet. 10,000 ,, transplanted, 2% to 3J^ feet. 500 HOLLY. Green, transplanted, 2 to sJ^ feet. 500 CHESTNUT, Horse, transplanted, 4 to s% feet. 1,000 LIME, transplanted, 3 to 4 feet. 1,000 „ transplanted. sK to 6M feet. 600 PINUS CEMBRA, transplanted, 3 to 4 feet. 15,000 SPRUCE, transplanted, r^ to 2 feet. Special offers on application. CHARLES NOBLE, Bagshot, can offer the following : — ROSES. Dwarf. t,s. per dozen. 25s. per 100, 2io,r. per 1000. PEACHES and NECTARINES, dwarf-trained, 21^. per do2en. XSQS. per 100. RHODODENDRONS, Hybrid named, fine, with buds, for forcing or grouping, \% to 2 feet, lis. per dozen. through. A ling, i^ to 3K I ITIC Seedling: i'^ t . PONTICUM, 1% bushy, 6j. per dozen, 355. KALMIA LATIFOLIA, i to i%. foot, buds, for potting, 75s. ANDROMEDA FLORIBUNDA, buds, for potting, 75J. and ERICA 'cARNEA,°very fine, 211. per 100. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO INTENDING EXHIBITORS. GLEICHENIA MENDELLI, 3 feet by 4 feet, in active growth ; the same, 2 feetby 2 feet, and several smaller, in excel- lent health. G. SPELUNC^, 3 feet by 2 feet: G. RUPES- TRIS, I'i foot by 2 ieet. ERICAS, hard-wooded leading varieties, well set with bloom and in the best of health, 2M feet by ^\i feet ; rM foot by 2 feet ; i^ foot by ij< foot ; all well trained and fit for immediate exhibition. Several Stove specimens of ALLAMANDAS, BOUGAINVILLEAS, CLERODENDRONS, on trellises, 3 feet by ^y, feet and 2K feet by 2>< feet, starting into growth ; also CROTON PICTUM and C. VARIEGATA, in fine colour, 4 feet by 3 feet— a fine pair. Several fine plants of COCOS WEDDE- LIANA, 3>/ feet, 10 leaves each. Specimens of APHELEXIS, DRACOPHYLLUM, HEDAROMA, .-and PHCENOCOMA. Also a great quantity of STOVE and GREENHOUSE PLANTS of intermediate sizes, to offer at greatly reduced rates : a good opportunity to those about furnishing new houses. 2000 CAMELLIAS, from i to 3 feet, well-grown healthy plants. List of names and Prices on application. An inspection respectfully solicited. HENRY WALTON, Edge End Nursery, Brierfield, near Burnley. Special Offer. EORGE FARNSWORTH has to offer large quantities of the following : — ASH, Mountain, 1% to sJ^ feet, i6j-. per 1000 : 4 to 5 feet, 2ar. BERBERIsTqUIFOLTA, bushy, i to 2 feet, i,os. per 1000 ; CHESTNUT, Horse,' 7 to 9 feet. tos. per 100. LIMES, 2-yr. layers, i-yr. transplanted, 3 to 5 feet, 95. per 100 : 6 to 8 feet, 255. per 100. LAUREL. Comnion, 2 to 3^ feet. 90J. per 1000. POPLARS, Balsam, 5 to 7 feet, 8s. per 100. „ Black Italian, 1% to 3J4 feet, 17.^. 6rf. per 1000; 4 »o 5 feet. 30s. per 1000 ; 5 to 6 feet, 6j. per 100. RHODODENDRONS, Hybrid and Pontica, mixed. 3-yr. seedling, fine, 5s. per jooo ; do. and 2-yr. bedded, iSs. LEAMINGTON BROCCOLI Has proved to be the finest late Broccoli grown. Received first-class Certijicale and Titio First Prizes from Royal Horticultural Society. In Sealed Packets only, u. each, free by post 13 stamps. FREDERICK PERKINS, Nurseryman, REGENT STREET, LEAMINGTON. G SEEDS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY. Wm. Paul & Son (Successor to the late A. Paul & Son— Established 1806), PAUL'S NURSERIES and SEED WAREHOUSE, WALTHAM CROSS, N. BEG TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE ILLUSTEATED CATALOGUE OK SELECT VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SEEDS, &c., Is no-d) ready, and will be forwarded, fost-free, on application. Many sorts are home-grown, and all are selected with the utmost care from the most celebrated stocks at home and abroad, in order to secure for their Customers the best quality that can be obtained. WM, IMPORTANT— Observe the Christian Name, PAUL & SON, WALTHAM CROSS, N, MESSENGER & COMPANY, CONTRACTORS, MIDLAND HORTICULTURAL BUILDING AND HOT-WATER ENGINEERING WORKS, LOUGHBOROUGH, Beg to inform their numerous Patrons and the Pubhc generally, that having erected new, more extensive, and commodious works, fitted with the best steam-power machinery, for the construction of Horticultural Buildings in Wood or Iron, plain or ornamental, large or small, they are in a position, from their great facilities and experience, to carry out with despatcl, in the best manner, at very moderate cost, the Orders with which they are entrusted. Only thoroughly well-seasoned timber used. Glasshouses erected on Messenger's Patent Principle are, owing to mechanical arrangements, very strong, most durable, light, elegant ; perfect efficiency for purpose intended is guaranteed; are economical in cost and maintenance. Messenger's Patent Boilers, Flexible- jointed Hot-water Pipes and Valves, are now in use in many thousands of instances, with the greatest success. Particulars on application. Plans and Estimates forwarded. Ladies and Gentlemen waited upon. The Plans of Landscape Gardeners, Architects, and others carried out. Richly Illustrated CATALOGUE postfree for 33 stamps. IlluBtrated CIRCULAE of Messenger's Improved Patent Tubular Saddle Boiler free. THE THAMES BANK IRON COMPANY, Old Barge Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London HOT-WATEE BOILERS. SURREY SIDE, BLACKFRIARS BRIDGL NEW PATENT CLIMAX BOILER (1874). i „s^lpp 66b 1874, Gardeners Ckntitclc "GOLD MEDAL" BOILER (Birmingham, 1872). PATENT "EXCELSIOR" BOILER (1871). 1^ Tlte largest and most complete Stock ' WITLEY COURT R (Sihcr Mcdil 187=) TRENTHAM IMPROVED BOILER, with Water way End and Smolce Consumer. TUBULAR," and every other Boiler of known merit or excellence. Trade ; upwards of Twenty Thousand Pounds' worth |^- Prize Medal Awarded at the National Contest, :hoose from. Birmingham, 1874. MILL'S PATENT AUXILIARY FUEL ECONOMISEB, ich can be attached to any ordin.ary Boiler. These Tubes are the greatest Economisers of Fuel and Preservatives of Boilers Fire- Bars, and Furn.ice Fronts ever yet introduced to the public. STAINTON'S NEW PATENT FROST DEFYING LIQUID (see "Gardeners' Cironlele," Aug. 19, 1876). HOT-WATER APPARATUS ERECTED COMPLETE. PRICE LIST on application ; or. Six Stamps for DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, 4th Edition. February 17, 1877,] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 199 BOULTON & PAUL, NOR^^^ICH, HORTICULTURAL BUILDERS AND HOT-WATER APPARATUS MAKERS. No. 62.- These neat and ornam* on a Lawn or Terrace, o The larger sizes make excellent Vineries; in No. 6 size 12 18 lb. of Grapes may be grown. Made of the best mateii: painted four coats, glazed with best 2i-oz. sheet glass. Ai size can be put together in a few minutes, and is then ready f These evct-llent span roof i..^,.,.,., ..^ ...« — .j..v girders to carry the hghts lights will turn completely over and He on the other side w attending to the plants inside. They are very portable ; a to 12 feet by 4 feet. The use to which they may be applit Carriage paid t Di Painted , any Railway Station in England, also lin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. times, and glazed with zi-oz. gl; ieight of Height to sides. ridge. £ s. d Ends -PLANT CASES. ntal frames will be found useful to pla ■ may be used for a Fern Case indoo houses Vinerieb Plant houseb Forcing houses Ferneries Peach houses Cucumber and Melon houses Patent Plant Protectors Forcmg Pits and Frames Melon Frames &.c con structed of the best materials m Wood and Iron combined, on thoroughly practical and scientific principles efficiency being our first consideration while due regard is piid to design nnd to the best method nf 1 description. tes furnished, ArcM- Hot-water Apparatus of ill best system erected and guaranteed to igns Desl{ descriptions Estir t Hot-> aapphc Catalogue of Horticultural Buildli 24 penny stamps, the cost ot which will be deducted from the amount of first order. Ready March i, 1877. Amateurs' Greenliouses as Tenants' Fixtures Price Lists free on application. Plant Protectors. Ground Vinenes, Melon Frames, &c.. Price Lists free on application. CASH PRICES Length Width l s d 6 feet 3 feet No 5 9 feet 4 feet 9 feet 5 feet 700 sxand. mide with bottoms and zmc trays for planting I for No I size, 12 j 6^ , No Any size of No 62 carriage paid to any Railway Station in England, also to Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow No. 64.-PATEN'T PLANT PRESERVERS, ARRANGED TO BUILD ON BRICK WALLS. This is the Practical Gardener's and Nurseryman's favourite frame, now largely used for storing the great quantities of bedding plants jng Melons, &c. This is made building on brickwork, as sho of No. 64. n No. 64 shows the fra t on brickwork, with a pit si enough for making a dung I growing Cucumbers, Melo This fnrm ran be made ue CASH PRICES. ) each ength, painted 4 times, gla , d. Length. Width. £, s. Carriage paid to any Railway _ :ation in England . also to Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. with 2I-0Z. glass. Carriage paid. Length. Width. £ s. d. 12 feet 7 feet 800 Our illustration shows a New Frame for growing Cucumbers, Melons, &c., and for storing plants. It is made to g ve greiter height and more conven ence than the Melon frame. No 75 The front is 11 in. high, w thout the light. 32 in. high at ' ' 22 in. hi{ ■ lights can be turned back > lights behind, and back turned on to the front 1 ght ing access to all the pknts They are made of the be deal, sides and ends 1 n 2 in. lights ; all are pa nted times, and glazed \ th glass, nailed and pu t the back The front CASH PRICES— C-vr I feet long 6 feet from front t No. 4 „ 1 No. 5 ,. = These i best n ade a d strongest t safely, and give satisfaction. ive thought they could have been packed t ■ I remain, gentlemen, your humble Cottage Oakmere Northw ch January 7 18 7 Carriage paid to any Railway Station in England, also to Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Packing Cases are charged, and half of the cost allowed if they are returned in good order, carriage paid, to our Works, within a month of delivery of the frame. New Illustrated CATALOGUE of Conservatories, Greenhouses, Peach Houses, Forcing Houses, Sfc., post-free, on receipt of 2.\ penny stamps, the cost of which will be deducted from the amount of first order. PARHAM'S PATENT SYSTEM of GLAZING (without Putty) on CHANNELLED WROUGHT-IRON RAFTERS secures almost entire immunity from Breakage of Glass, extreme facility for Repairs, and absolute freedom trom Drip. It u most e X tenstz ely adopted, and meets with unqualified approval. WILLIAM PARHAM, mrticultural Builder and Hot-w.rtcr Engineer, NORTHGATE WORKS, BATH ; 280, Oxford Street, London, W. *^* Full size Specimen Houses and Drawings of many important Works which W. P. has carried out may be seen at Desifijis and Estimates prepared free o( . charge for Horticultural Buildings and Holdfasts, 5 in. long, Rai Hot-water Works of any magnitude. ,s. id. per dozen. 3s. per A Ciop of Fiuit in Spite of Frost Is made a certainty by the use of PARHAM'S PATENT GLASS COPING. Price, with 2i ounce glass and iron framing. 2 feet wide, 2s. 6d. ; ■? feet wide, 3^. gd. per foot run. GALVANISED WALL -WIRING and ESPALIERS. Raidisscurs, Eyes, 4 in. long. No. i.) Wire, ^d. per dozen. 2S. per 100 y.ards. 200 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 17, 1S77. BLOOMING RHODODENDRONS. Two Hundred Thousand good healthy plants, having not less than five up to ten and fifteen buds each, of the finest named hardy kinds, will be supplied at from ^^5 to £\o per 100, and i8j. to 30J. per dozen. Samples, with lists of the sorts, will be forwarded on application. KALMIA LATIFOLIA. Well furnished and healthy and covered with bloom-buds, 15 to 18 in., at i2s. and id>s. per doz., or ^^5 per 100. HARDY AZALEAS. The finest English and Ghent varieties, splendidly budded £S to £-j los. per loo, or i8j. per dozen. ANTHONY -WATEREB, KNAP HILL NURSERY, WOKING, SURREY. Richard Smith's GUINEA COLLECTION OF VEGETABLE SEEDS Contains the following excellent sorts (Carriage Free) :— „ Fortyfold „ Prizetaker ,, Blue Scimitar . . BEANS, Johnson's Wonderful „ Broad Windsor „ Dwarf French . . „ Scarlet Runner BEET, Nutting's Red KALE, Asparagus . . Enfield Market ,, Worcester Incomparable „ Red Pickling .. CARROT, Early Horn . . „ James' Intermediate .. „ Improved Altringham CAULIFLOWER .. CELERY, fine Red .. fine White CRESS, Broad-leaved „ Curled „ Australian CUCUMBER ENDIVE. Moss Curled . . LETTUCE, Paris \ ,, Drumhead ,. Worcester Cabbage MUSTARD .. MELON ONION, White Spanish PARSLEY, Extra Curled ., PARSNIP. Hollow-crowned RADISH, Wood's Early Frame , „ Long Scarlet . . „ Red Turnip . . SAVOY, Green Curled SPINACH, Round .. „ Prickly TURNIP, Early Snowball Early Red-top TOMATO, Large Kea VEGETABLE MARROW SWEET BASIL .. SWEET MARJORAM '.. SEED WAREHOUSE, 6r, HIGH STREET, WORCESTER. THE NEW PLANTand BULB COMPANY Beg to call special attention to their NEW LIST (No. 31), just published. CONTENTS : NEW HARDY BULBS, NEW and RARE LILIES, NEW HARDY CYPRIPEDIUM, NEW FERNS, SEEDS of NEW HARDY FLOWER- ING PLANTS, &c. ; ,411 of sterling merit, and at low prices. Post-free on application. LION WALK, COLCHESTER. STOCK VEBBENAS. John Keynes- STOCK PLANTS are now ready. Very fine and clean. CASTLE STREET NURSERY, SALISBURY. Sole Metiallists for the Best Hot-"Water Apparatus at the United States Centennial International Exhibition, Philadelphia. W^RIGHT'S ENDLESS-FLAME-IMPACT HOT^WATER BOILERS. GUARANTEED THE MOST POWERFUL, THE MOST RAPID, THE MOST ECONOMICAL, THE SIMPLEST, AND THE CHEAPEST IN THE WORLD. .^.^ It is the only Hot-water Boiler in which The whole r is specially arranged 1 e the largest lost powerful " Hame impact," de- surfaces. Outside deposit reduced to a minimum by the endless strokes. The interior currents are specially arranged for the most powerful circulation, whereby nearly treble the amount of water is rushed through the furnace and nearly treble the amount of heat absorbed from the ascend- ing products. Inside deposit reduced to a minimum by the extraordinary circulation. Every volume of heat, large or small, \% forced to travel {iviU he nil lie) over the entire surfaces, from bottom to top, delivering scxiatteen blows on surfaces at right Entirely water-jacketted : loss of costly heat, therefore, ab- solutely impossible ; and danger from fire reduced to a minimum. The flame-stream is entirely broken up and disintegrated. Air and gases thoroughly mixed and burnt, and the formation of smoke largely prevented. The whole interior one large combus- tion chamber. The flame kept in most intimate contact with the entire surfaces. From its extraordinary rapidity, it will be found of the extremes! value in case of accident or mistake. By means of the "central rib" every inch of the interior is visited by the water in rapid circulation. Cold water fed in on one side, and taken away hot on the other. Water, once heated. The whole t deliver into the " hot column," one above the otl dinary power for actuating the circulation when so situated. May be erected, repaired, and taken down by any ordinary workman. India-rubber between all the joints, allowing every facility for expansion or contraction. Not a " fixture." May be altered to any power or level. In handy sections. Breakages easily repaired at triflinc; cost, &c. No horizontal heating. No brickwork. Outside flues entirely abolished. Sic. Fort :ase see our pamphlet, entitled, "Our Boilers and ;," which will be handed to all applicants, post-free. ; prepared to supply Thirty Different Boilers of 5, sizes, and heights, and can var>' these to suit any ■ situation or requirement. WM. WRIGHT & CO., HOT-WATER ENGINEERS. AIRDBIE, near GLASGOW, N.: THE ROYAL NORFOLK SEED ESTABLISHMENT DANIELS' SEED POTATOS. Our Stocks Ml i.M ,i>.^ :r u.iii.uiled True to Name and Free iroin DiscHse, all being carefully selected at the time of growdi, and afterwards passed through the hands at least three or four times before being sent out, and all inferior, misshapen and forked tubers carefully discarded. To improve the culture and encourage the diffusion of really good varieties, we have determined to offer at the lowest possible rates Collections op Potatos for Exhibition Purposes, and trust our efforts in this direction will meet a want so much felt by our Customers and the gardening community generally. The selection in all cases must be left to us ; it will be very carefully made, and only those of known excellence and superior qualities included. COLLECTIONS. 36 32 6 50 o ■ All carefully labelled and paclicd. The above are nett prices for cash, with no charge for packing. Seed Orders of the value of 2oj. and upwards, includ- ng Potatos, carriage free to any Railway Station in England or W.-iles. Price Lists on application. Special Quotations given for large quantities. Our Stock of Potatos is the most complete in the King- dom, and consists of upwards of eighty varieties. DANIELS' ILLUSTRATED GUIDE AMATEUR GARDENERS. Price ] , fst-frc Gratis to Customers. The "Illustrated Guide for Amateur Gardeners" contains 112 pa^es of beautifully illustrated Letterpress, with two superbly finished Coloured Plates, Original Articles on the Rearing and Cultivation of various Garden Crops and Flowers, and complete Instructions for the successful Management of the Kitchen and Flower Gardens throughout the year, together with a Select List of choice Kitchen Garden and Flower Seeds, Seed Potatos, &c. The most practical and comprehensive Guide for the Amateur yet issued, and should be read by every Horticulturist. s WMk% Mi •^^^^ Norwich.'''^ February 17, 1S77.] THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. (sOMPbETE €0LLECTI0N Vegetable^eeds, DISCOUNT RAILWAY' ■ WE ALSO SUPPLY COLLECTIOXS AT 103. 61, 153., 30s., 42s., 63s., and 105s. The above contain liberal assortments of the best V/EBB'S SPEIffG- CATALOaUE FOR 1877 Containa full instructions for the successful cultivation of THE BEST VEGETABLES and THE CHOICEST FLOWERS. Fostfite, IS Gratis to Customers. A publication of remarkable beauty and interest Th.^ book IS one of the best works on Gardening that has >et appeared — T/te Magnet January 8 1877 CHOICE FLOWER AND VEGETABLE SEEDS FOR 1877. Per p.icket —s. d. BALSAM. Williams' Superb Strain .. 2j. e./. and i 6 BEGONIA FRCEBELII 26 BEGONIA SEDENI SEMI-PLENA 26 BEGONIA, Hybrid, finest mixed 26 CYCLAMEN PERSICUM GIGANTEUM.-This is a great improvement on the old type, the flowers being thrown well above the foliage, each flower measuring from 2 to 2j^ inches in length ; purewhite, CYcTaMEN PERs7cUM"Tv1lhJins' Superb Strain. 51.. V (>d.,is. 6,i., and I 6 CELOSIA PYRAMIDALISPLUMOSA .. ..10 CALCEOLARIA, Williams' Superb Strain, si., 31. 6cl.. 2i. 6n'.,and r 6 CINERARIA, Weatherill's Extra Choice Strain, 5s., 3^. 6tt. , 2^. 6d. , and i 6 GLOXINT.\. Finest Drooping Varieties .. .. ..16 PRIMULA, Williams' Superb Strkin, Red, White, or Mixed ss., 31. 6,/., 2S. &/.. and i 6 PRIMULA SINENSIS FIMBRIATA COCCINEA (new), colour brilliant sCarlet with bright sulphur eye, exquisitely fringed and of great substance . . . . 50 PYRETHRUiM GOLDEN GEM 10 SOLANUM. Williams' Improved Hybrids .. ..16 STOCK, W.llia-ns' Improved Giant Scarlet Brompton i 6 WALLFLOWER, Harbinger, Autumn and Winter flowering 10 Fackits of Flotver Seeds, exccj>tiiis heavy kinds. Free by Pest. J The Queen's Seedsmen, WORDSLEY, STOURBRIDGE S ITURDAV, FEBRUARY 17, 1877. SCHOOL GARDENS IN SWEDEN. GOTHENBURG in Swe<3en has been lately basking in the (iill sunshine of celebrity on account of its experimental attempt to diminish intemperance by establishing muni- cipal public-houses. From the last accounts there seems some reason to doubt whether the experiment has been attended with all the suc- cess claimed for it, but no one will dispute the town's claim (if it care to make it) to originality and independent thought. The matter recalls to our mind another instance of a similar character emanating from that quarter, and relating to our own special subject. A tew years ago an attempt was made in Sweden to teach gardening at country schools, of which a full description was given at the time by Von Huttig of Gothenburg, which, how- ever, attracted no attention in this country. As, however, some features of the plan may possibly be of use as hints for ourselves, we think we may occupy the attention of the reader to worse purposes than by giving a summary of the information communicated by Von Huttig. By the term school garden is meant a garden granted by the Town Council or others in authority, to the public school of a district, in which the pupils shall receive instruction in horticulture. In Germany they are almost unknown, and in Sweden they are still rare'; and even at the present day they there receive much opposition from the prejudiced ideas of the people, who are of opinion that every minute not occupied in reading is so much time lost. For more than ten years an eminent Swedish author and pomologist, Dr. O. Eneroth, sought to awaken public interest to the importance of introducing horticulture as a subject of in- struction into our public schools. His efforts have not been wholly fruitless ; all the autho- rities, including the Ministry, desire the intro- duction, but as yet it is not the law of the land. A new school statute indeed has lately been promulgated, but sufficient provision has not been made for securing competent teachers. The teachers have to be taught before they can teach. Various other difficulties were encoun- tered, in the way of inducement, inspection, lime, interference with other studies, and the ambulatory character of many of the schools in Sweden, arising from the sparse population and the want of school houses. Where these do not exist, the master collects some of the scholars together in one peasant's house, then passes on to another in three months' time, when he gets some more — and so on. The teacher has often to go miles to his scholars — and it is not surprising that under such unto- ward circumstaiices the teaching of horticulture has not made the desired or expected progress. Some progress, however, has been made. The establishment of regular schools, with judiciously contrived school-houses built by the pecuniary assistance granted by the State, the provincial representatives, and the agricultural society of the province, as well as by private individuals, is going on. Every community requires, accord- ing to its extent of from i to 4 and more square miles, a greater or less number of school-houses, with a corresponding number of teachers ; and when any new school building is now erected, at the representation of the school inspector, a possible garden at some later period is borne in mind, and the inspector usually does not rest THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 17, 1877. untri the garden is laid out. Von Huttig has established a horticultural school, in which he gives lectures, which help to qualify teachers of horticulture. His efforts, however, are still mi>ch hampered, and he complains of the preju- dices of the community which have to be re- moved. The case, he says, was difierent in Schonen, where he had established a similar course in Alnarp's agricultural institution. The schools there are for the most part firmly estab- lished, the general interest in horticulture very great, and from forty to fifty candidates apply every year for the ten free situations which have been created there by the Agricultural Society. He acknowledges that no doubt the greater part of his pupils, who probably only visited his institute at the pressing representation of the school inspector, return to their homes soon to forget what they learnt with him, having no opportunity of making use of their knowledge. " The rest, however," says he, " especially when they have a garden to work in which has been laid out by an expert hand, are my pride, the joy of the community, and the model of the school youth ; for where the teacher has been able to awaken a love in the children for plants in garden, field, and wood (1 speak from experi- ence), there arises a new life in the house and home — the taste for order, cleanliness, and economy is awakened ; a fresher air goes through the whole property, and the industrious countryman ends by forgetting the brandy bottle in his occupation amongst the well-loved children of Flora and Pomona." The school garden, as used in Sweden, serves not only for the advancement of horticulture, but also as a means of attaining other aims — for instance, the nursery gardens of the school gardens directly and indirectly assist in the rewooding of the bare mountains and extensive wastes ; the kitchen garden forms the founda- tion of a future farm ; the fruit garden, which is laid out in the form of a small English park with indigenous and foreign trees, shrubs, and flowers, awakens a taste for order and cleanli- ness, love for plants and flowers in general, and the whole garden is instrumental in consolidat- ing the principle of "mine and thine," about which principle, as far as it bears reference to garden and forest products, boundless confusion is said to reign in Sweden. The system followed in the school gardens consists in entrusting to each of the elder school- children a part of the kitchen garden, of the orchard, and of the nursery garden, which they tend and care for under the superintendence of the teacher. The harvest of vegetables and fruit, as well as the fruit trees and berry bushes which it has reared, are allowed to be taken home by them, and prove to the parents of what use the school garden has been. \'on Huttig's e.xperience has been that no pupil meddles with or pilfers from his neighbour's property, and this respect, this holding sacred the property of others, may have no small influence upon the after life of the pupil. The Swedes are a peculiarly agricultural people, and taking advantage of this predilec- tion, the vegetable division of the school garden is arranged and considered as the foundation of agriculture. Amongst the hindrances met with by Von Huttig to the firm foundation of a school garden, the want of manure was a principal. When he proposed that the children, to the number of fifty, eighty, or 100, who frequented the school should procure manure from the cesspool, there was only one answer — none of the children would consent to that, neither would the community allow it. What was to be done ? This he got over by personal example. " I remember now with great grati- tude," he says, " to my much respected master, G. A. Fintelman, at that time a head gar- dener, residing near Potsdam, having once been ordered to bring a barrowful of manure from a cesspool, which he mixed with the earth with his own hand, as for the culture of Amaranthus it should be used in a comminuted state. I frequently make similar experiments here in Sweden. In my lectures upon the pre- paration or conversion of manure from latrines into compost or poiidrcile, or by its use in a liquid state, the pupils have to take part 7ioUns volens in the practical application of my instruc- tions, and the prejudices of my audience are immediately overcome. And in this way I am convinced many thousands of hundredweights of valuable manure, which is otherwise only a cause ofuncleanness,bad smells, and sicknesses, might be profitably employed, and all fear of the failure of the principal agent in forming a school garden, manure, would vanish." Next, as to the nursery garden of the school garden. The scholar (girl as well as boy, for the home garden will at some time or other have to be tended by the housewife) begins his work by the sowing of fruit kernels ; he sees them, his own property, shooting up, and watches their growth with the greatest interest. He promotes its growth by stirring up, keeping clean, and watering the earth ; he transplants the little stem, prunes it, forms his plants to beautiful strong trees, and at his departure from the school takes them to his own home, plants them on some convenient spot, and cares for them as a mother for her children ; he has seen that the tree has a living existence, and the love he bears for one individual extends to all that bears the name of plant. He will learn to understand God, who makes everything so beautiful and useful in His works ; and the too common destruction of old and young plants in garden and wood, from a spirit of mischief, will cease when the school gardens become universal. Nor does Von Huttig confine his nursery to fruit trees. It also has a place reserved for the sowing of forest trees, and he tells that he has found by experience that the school children afterwards often manage to procure a piece of the barren common from the com- munity in which to plant out their little trees, and protect them by fencing it round ; and he regards this as a commencement of rewooding the bare mountains, and of improving the climate, which, owing to the giant strides with which the extirpation of the forests in Sweden has been carried on, " will soon enough be so bad that the cultivation of the land will become impossible, and the means of sustenance for the inhabitants become precarious." The orchard of the school garden yields fruit for the wants of the house-keeping ; the trees provide shoots for the nursery, and for the replacement of the older trees in the com- munity. On that account, as many trees are planted as there is convenient place for in the orchard, each tree of a different sort. And as at the planting of the garden there is a choice of the best known kinds of trees, the school garden is gradually ousting the bad kinds of fruit which have been hitherto cultivated, and supplying their places by good sorts. The orchard must not be planted with the kitchen garden, as is often the case in Sweden, for then only dwarf trees could be employed. Tall trees would soon so overshadow the whole garden, that the vegetables sown or planted beneath them would die from want of light, air, and dew ; consequently, he usually plants the orchard on a small piece of ground at the side of the kitchen garden or nursery, but the plea- sure garden he places where there is plenty of space, planting it with fruit trees in different ornamental forms, with groups of berry bushes, with paths running in pleasant curves, and groups of flowers in fine, well-kept sward. A few indigenous, as well as foreiga trees .and flowering shrubs, give variety and heighten the aesthetic impression of the whole. The school garden he endeavours to make a pattern of cleanliness, order, and good taste. Where there is room for it, he makes a small plantation of Willows— which it appears are so much neglected in Sweden (although the country is specially suited to their growth) that they have to be imported for the basket-makers— even if only of a few rods in extent. Its manage- ment is conducted according to the rules of forestry. Where there is no room for this he encloses the garden, at least on one side, by a Willow hedge, which after its first growth is plaited, and later cut and clipped, for the sake of the withes, which are used for basket-work, ■S;c., or as cuttings. On the other side of the school garden he plants a Hawthorn hedge, which has been of late highly recommended in Sweden for the boundaries of different fields, &c. The school children, therefore, must be taught in the school-garden the management of such hedges. Lastly, the school-garden is intended also to afford instruction in book-keeping. For this purpose a journal is established in every school- garden. Each pupil of the school who has part in the garden has also part in the journal in which he, under the direction of the teacher, enters upon the proper side the expenditure for the kitchen garden, nursery and orchard, and duly and in proper place records the work done and the harvest gathered. And as in general a well-ordered book-keeping is in every busi- ness an occasion for the introduction of order and economy, such will be the result in school and house garden, as well as in the house and field. New Garden Plants. L.ELIA CALOGLOSSA, M. hyb* This is a very lovely new hybrid. The dark brownish pseudobulb and leaf are nearly like ihose of Lrelia Boothiana (Cattleya lobata), but, as staled, of different colour, more like a good Lxlia Perrini. At all events they are very small when you regard the great flowers ; these are as those of the Lcelia Boothiana, bat of a lighter purple. The lip is charming, not only for its anterior crisp and crenulate part, but for its colours. The disk is dark purplish, bordered with white. It has two sulphur-coloured areas in front of the disk, a purplish line running between those areas of same colour connects the basilar disk, and another covering the anterior lobe. The lateral edges of the lip are also light purplish. It is one of Mr. Dominy's very good products. No doubt a good Cattleya labiata was one of the parents. Whether Laelia crispa or Boothiana, that is not sure : I believe the latter. It has just flowered with Messrs. Veitch. H. G. Rclib. f. MiLTONIA WaRSCEWICZII. A new variety of this polychrome species has just made its appearance. It has sepals and petals, brown as usual, with white tips. The lip, too, has its small yellow area at the base, provided with projecting pro- clivities indicating the keels. The brown disk standing before it has a violet border, and this again is sur- rounded by another most pallid violet zone, the margin being white. It is unusually delicate, though it boasts neither vermilion nor gold. It comes nearest to the variety flowered in 1870 by \V. W. Saunders, Esq. It would be highly interesting to know whether these varieties keep constant in colour each year, or whether their colours change, as is most decidedly the case in Stanhopeas. 1 have to thank for the flower Mr. C. Newman, gr. to W. H. Michael, Esq., Cholmeley Park, Highgate. H. G. kchb. f. PELARGONIUM NEW LIFE. We referred at p. 39S of our last volume to this novel PelargoniQra, and now give the illustration (fig, 32) which appears in Mr. Cannell's catalogue for the present season. The variety or sport — for we knovp- not what it is— appears to have originated in the Isle of Wight, and to have passed last autumn into the hands of Mr. Cannell of the Swanley Nursery, Kent, ^ XZ.. r«T/(>g-/(T«n. — Pseudobulbo humili turbinato ; foHo cuneato ligulato ; racemo bifloro (certe etiam pIuriHoro) ; sepalis ligulatis acutis ; tepalis oblongis>ciitis lobulato-crispulis ; labelio oblongo lato medio trilobo, angulis lateralibus obtusis lobiilatis, lobo aniico iato obtiiso lobulato crispulo. H. G~ February 17, 1S77. THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 203 by whom it will be distributed. In habit and general character it is said to resemble the well-known popular variety called Vesuvius, differing only in having the blooms invariably striped. Mr. Cannell in his characteristic style remarks that " its sale and propagation will never cease until it is seen in every window." A cutting, it appears, has been stolen, and a reward is offered for its discovery. FLORENTINE GARDENS. Florence : March 2, 1S76.— Situated at a low level, and completely sheltered by hills, Florence in the advance of vegetation presented a greater contrast to the North Lombard/ plain than two degrees of lower latitude would represent, for spring was here at least a month earlier than at Trieste and the noithem Italian cities; and the /for/y;, or flower-women, both in the flower-markets and streets, were already well supplied with the early produce of the delicious duction of feathery masses of Ferula and Araucaria excelsa as central features. Our English climate would of course limit the avail- able selection, but with Yuccas, Thujas, Araucaria imbricata, Retinosporas, and other Coniferce, asso- ciated with Ferula, Gunnera scabra, and the common Rhubarb, just such effects could be obtained as are so pleasant to the eye in the Florentine squares. Florence is rich in public gardens. The Cascine, a continuation of the Lung Arno, is a noble promenade, well-kept, and perfect as regards planting and simple dignity of effect, though there is nothing special to note in a purely horticultural sense. The establish- ment, including the Muses de Storia Naturale and the Botanical Garden, is the central point of attraction to the naturalist visiting Florence, and for its size is one of the most complete and best ordered in Europe. It has been of gradual growth by additions made to the sptrola, or observatory, founded under the Medicis. The botanical collections include a fine series of wax models prepared by MM, Calamai and Tortari, under climate. Seen from the surrounding heights, the huge dome of the cathedral, with its many-coloured campanile, and the towers of the churches rise out of the dense variegated mass of the me- diaeval city, which dies away into the surround- ing grey hills through a bright halo of white villages and villas spreading up on all sides amidst Olive gardens, sombre groups of Cypressus, and light fleecy patches of Almond trees in full flower. One of the most striking features to the new-comer is the laying out of the squares or piazzas, in which the horticultural features harmonise so thoroughly with the surroundings, as to put to shame our own efforts at cily gardening, which in our West Central squares goes little beyond the fencing-in of an un- healthy deciduous thicket by a forbidding iron railing. In the Florentine squares the development of dis- tinct features is aimed at. Crowding is always avoided, and the symmetrical disposition of a few trees and plants, generally in association with sculpture and fountains, brings all into pleasant harmony with the architectural surroundings. Chamsrops Foitunei, C. humilis, ,ind tail Yuccas are contrasted with Thuja aurea and other Coniferre of massive form ; and a further oSntrasl to the whole is obtained by the intro- M (zonal) nlw life. the direction of Professor Amici, also a good collec- tion of wood sections, fossil plants, &c. The first nucleus of the natural history collection was formed by Pietro Leopoldo and Targioni, by the former of whom the garden was founded a few years after the museum. The formation of the splendid main her- barium (L'Herbier Central) is due to Professor Par- latore, the present director, who commenced it about the year 1S44, and to this has recently been added, in a separate adjacent gallery, the fine private her- barium of the late Philip Barker Webb. The botanical garden, immediately adjacent to the museum, though well-ordered, bears evidence of in- termittent growth, and consists of semi-isolated patches and terraces rising up to and intermixed with the Boboli Gardens. The glass-houses, as in most Italian gardens, are defective in structure, and the cultural details are, in consequence, scarcely equal to those in English establishments of the kind. In the cultivation of bulbous plants in pots and cold frames the garden greatly excels, and there is perhaps no other botanical gaiden in Europe that could exhibit so complete a collection ot European bulbs in a thoroughly healthy condition. Amongst the Croci, of which there is a fine series, there is a species under the names of lagenaeformis striatus and aureus striatus, to which I must draw the attention of Crocologists, as it accords with nothing that has here- tofore been described, with a bright orange limb, the three outer divisions suffused externally with bronze. It somewhat resembles the plants in cultivation under the names of stellaris and sulphureus striatus, but the almost entire slightly indented scarlet stigma separates it from the aureus and majsiacus group, and seems to connect it with susianus and reticulatus, between one of which and aureus it may pos- sibly be a hybrid : there were a few patches of it grown for ornament in the King's garden, but I could ascertain nothing about its history or origin. The botanic garden is too limited for an extensive collection of trees, but in a small open quadrangle fenced in by high walls under the Pilti Palace is an interesting collection of Chinese and Japanese species, including a grand specimen of Sophora japonica, various species of Camellia, Salisburia adiantifolia, Magnolia fuscata, M. Yulan, M. obovata, M. anonae- flora, Cunninghamia sinensis. Daphne variegata, Cham.-erops excelsa, Laurus Camphora, Hydrangea quercifolia, Thea viridis, &c. There are also a few good Coniferre scattered about the garden, but the general collection of trees is meagre, and might be augmented with advantage. G(o. Ma-u, F.L.S. THE PHYLLOXERA. A GENTLEMAN the Other day called my attention to a long article on the subject of the invasion of France by the Phylloxera, from the pen of Professor Planchon, of Montpellier, in the Rami da Deux Moiides for January 15 of the present year. From what this writer indicates, there is an opinion preva- lent, which, however, he does not seem to vouch for, that some of the American foxy Vines resist the attacks of the insect. [See our issues for August 21, 1S75, and June 3, 1S76. Eds.] If this could be verified , say by the Scientific Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, it would be worth while to grow such Vines as V. Labrusca, V. rotundifolia, or any other that might be found to be proof against the attacks of the pest, and inarch our own Vines on them, as Plums, Pears, Peaches, and other fruit trees are inarched or grafted. Some say that all the foxy flavoured Vines of America are exempt from attack. It is not for me to say how the committee should proceed in the matter, but one certain way of getting at the truth would be to plant a Vine infested with the insect in a box, or pot, with one or other of these American Vines, and in the course of one season the proof either way would be absolute. If this question could be set at rest, and the fact certified, that such Vines as I have alluded to really resisted the insect, a boon of immense value would be conferred, not only on this country, but on Europe. To practical men it is perfectly clear that though the sulphocarbonates, and other remedies proclaimed by French savans, may kill the Phylloxera, it is not possible to get it applied so as to secure this result. Any one who has seen and examined the vineyards of the Rhine, must know that the roots of the Vines extend into fissures of the rocks, where no insecticide can be got near them. If a remedy of universal appli- cation is ever discovered, it must be in the use of a stock that the insect won't feed upon ; and whoever makes this discovery will immortalise his name. From what Mr. Tillery wrote the other day, I observe that he is making experiments with some infested Vines : let me call his attention to the subject in hand. While on this matter it may not be out of place to remark that smaller matters than the ravages of Phylloxera have attracted the attention of Government, and that it might be well if by an Order in Council, or in some other way, it was made compulsory on any one having the pest to report it at once, and to destroy the Vines wiihin a given time. In this way it might be stamped out of the country, and kept out, if the importation of Vines was forbidden under a severe penalty. W. Thomson, Tweed Viitcyai-d, Februayy, 1877. FERTILLSATION OF PLANTS. (Ctmtilimd from p. 13.J.) rctiinia Holaeca. — A dingy purple variety was cultivated for five generations. The ratio of the average heights of the intercrossed to the self-fertilised was 100 : 71 ; but in the third; generation the difference was reversed, for the heights were then as 100 : 131. Mr. Darwin's explanation (p. 275) is, that the seeds from which the self-fertilised plants of the third gene- ration were raised, were not vi^ell ripened, which fact, 204 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 17, 1S77. he says, gave them an advantage (?), and refers to a similar case ill Iberis, but in p. 192 he attributes the inferiority of the very same crossed plants of this third generation of Petunia to their not having been suffi- ciently ripened, and thus producing weakly plants compared with the self-fertilised, as (he again says) also occurred with Iberis ; but on p. 103 we read :— " I record in my notes that the self- fertilised seeds [of Iberis] from which the self- fertilised plants were raised [and which were 5 or 6 inches taller than the crossed], were not so well ripened as the crossed." Hence, there are both errors of statement as well as adverse reasonings from the data! Mr. Darwin also accounts for the greater growth of the eighth generation of Ipomcea from their having been raised from unhealthy parents (pp. 38, 39). Surely, if it be bene- ficial to have unripened seeds and unhealthy parents, at least as far as height is concerned— and Mr. Darwin has selected that as his standard of supe- riority— natural selection ought to have prevented seeds from maturing, and encouraged the visits of aphides ! But I think we may find another expla- nation. On p. 274 Mr. Darwin adds a very signifi- cant sentence :—" It is a remarkable fact that in one pot in which the plants of both lots grew extremely crowded, the intercrossed were thrice as tall as the self-fertilised." This implies that in the other pots they were not so crowded. Now, there is abundant evidence throughout the book that inter- crossed and perhaps especially crossed plants, i.e., with new stocks, show, as a rule, a very great superiority over self-fertilised plants when struggling in competition ; but, when not crowded, or when grown in open ground, then the difference between their heights and weights is greatly reduced, and may be actually reversed. Indeed Mr. Darwin had already stated this fact in his Animals ami Plants under Domestication, vol. ii., p. 12S, in alluding to his method of culture: — "It is of importance that the two lots of seed should be sown or planted on opposite sides of the same pot, so that the seedlings may struggle against each other, for if sown separately in ample and good soil, there is often but little difference in their growth." I will return to this fact htreafter. Hence 1 would attribute the vigour shown by the self- fertilised plants of ihethird generation of Petunia to less crowding. And here I would venture to remark that Mr. Darwin's plan of sowing both intercrossed and self-fertilised seedlings in the same pot— though with the express object of imitating Nature, and thereby revealing the superiority of the former— would have been benefited had he also grown similar pairs in separate pots. Then, there is reason to know that the relative heights would have been much nearer uniformity. As it is, the absolute vigour of neither can be estimated, though the relative vigour is cleaily in favour of the intercrossed. Mr. Darwin, indeed, himself elsewhere recognises the great importance of freedom of growth for self-fertilisation to be suc- cessful ; for in speaking of an experiment with an equal-styled " perfectly self-fertilising red-flowered variety of Primula veris," he says : — "Judging from the previous generations, the extreme unproductiveness of the self-fertilised plants in this experiment was wholly due to their having been subjected to un- favourable conditions, and to i competit crossed plants ; for had they grown separately in good soil, it is almost certain that they would have pro- duced a large number of capsules." Canna Warscewicai affords another case resem- bling Pisum sativum, for this species is highly self- fertile, and "as plants are cultivated in pots, and are not exposed to competition, they have been long sub- jected to uniform conditions ; " and Mr. Darwin adds, "we have no right to expect much or any good from intercrossing plants thus descended and thus treated." And no good did follow, except that the intercrossed plants yielded rather more seeds, viz, as 100:85. But the self-fertilised plants mostly flowered before the intercrossed. There are two more plants, Esehscholkia call- fornica and and Reseda odorata, I will remark upon, for I think Mr. Darwin has drawn erroneous conclu- sions from them. If the reader will carefully peruse the first paragraph of chap, xii., pp. 436-7, I think he would be led to suppose that Reseda and Eschschollzia were good examples to illustrate the "injurious effects of self- tilisation, for as [some individuals of] these are sterile with their own pollen, they have been long naturally crossed, and the artificial crosses in my experiments," says Mr. Darwin, "cannot have increased the vigour of the offspring beyond that of their progenitors. Therefore the difference betiueen the self-fertilise J and crossed plants raised by vie cannot be attributed to the superiority of the crossed, but to the inferiority of the self-fertilised seedlings, due to the injurious effects of self-fertilisation. " The last sentence, which I have italicised, is very misleading. In the introductory remarks on Eschschollzia (p. 109), the second sentence directly contradicts the above, for it runs as follows: — "A cross greatly increases the productiveness of the flowers of the parent plant." This is repeated on p. 275, in the words, " A cross does some good." Mr. Darwin received seed from Brazil, where Eschschollzia is "absolutely self-sterile," and, there- fore, unlike English-grown plants, which are more or less self-fertile. It proved, however, to be not so sterile in this country ; hence he was able to raise self-fertilised plants ; the relative fertility of the intercrossed to the self-fertilised being as 100 : 15 —where the " 15 " represents so much absolute gain, and that is considerable for a single generation ; but in the next generation the relative fertility appears now as 100:86.7! Turning next to the comparative results between the heights of the first generations— i.e., grandchildren of those grown in Brazil— the heights are as 100 : loi, and in the second generation as 100:116! Mr. Darwin observes on this: — "As the grand-parents absolutely required cross-fertili- sation, I expected that self-fertiUsation would have proved very injurious to these seedlings. . . . But the result showed that my anticipation was erroneous." He next crossed the Brazilian plant with an Eng- lish stock, and it would be inferred by analogy that great benefit should accrue ; but the self-fertilised actually beat the crossed in height as 109 : 100, and in weight as IlS ; 100 ; and Mr. Darwin further remarks that the self-fertilised were also apparently superior in hardiness. The only point, then, where the crossed were superior to the self-fertilised was in fertility ; but when we remember that Eschschollzia is abso- lutely self-sterile in Brazil, it is more surprising to find the ratio so near equality in two generations. Surely, then, it is unfortunate that Mr. Darwin should have specially alluded to this plant as proving the " injuriousness " of self-fertiUsation, for his own data not only fail to support his conclusion, but main- tain exactly the reverse, for the acquirement of self- fertilisation is, per se, so much actual gain to the plant of a new and ready means of propagation ; secondly, having acquired that, such plants, by gaining new constitutional elements by transportation to this country, became more vigorous than the normally inter- crossed, or even than plants crossed with a new slock. Eschschollzia is not a unique case, for Reseda, like- wise mentioned as supporting the idea of the injurious- ness of self-ferlilisation, also tells against such being the case. Reseda lutea is sometimes absolutely self-sterile. Some plants, however, produced a few spontaneously self-fertilised capsules ; propagating from these latter in pots, the results gave the mean ratio of heights as 100 : 85, and in open ground as too : 82. And Mr. Darwin adds : — " It is a singular fact that the tallest plant in the two rows was one of the self-fertilised." The ratios of their weights was still more striking— viz., of those in pots 100 : 21, but in open ground as 100 : 40. Reseda odorata. — This species shows degrees of ferlilily from absolute self-sterility to full self-fertility. Arranging Mr. Darwin's results as follows : — I. Inter- crossed plants from the highly self-fertile parents, com- pared with self-fertilised, a (in pots), heights were as 100 : 82, weights as 100 : 67 ; i (in open ground), height as 100 : 105 (weights not given). II. Inter- crossed plants raised from a semi-self-slerile parent, and compared with self-fertilised plants, raised from the same parent. Mr. Darwin here makes a remark similar to that upon Eschschollzia : — "I expected that the seedlings from this semi-self-sterile plant would have profited in a higher degree from a cross than did the seedlings from the fully self-ferlile plant, but my anticipation was quite wrong." .7, height as 100 : 92, weight as 100 : 99 ; <>, height as 100 : 90 (weights not given). Now, comparing these two sets of results, a remark- able fact is seen, that in the first generation the plants from fully self-fertile and self-ferlilised parents grown in pots (fl) do not give such high results as the self- I fertilised plants raised from semi-sterile parents under the same circumstances. But while the former show a vast improvement when grown in the open ground (t., b), the latter show none ! Now it is a general rule, as already staled, that self-fertilised plants cannot stand competition at all equal to intercrossed plants ; but when planted in the open ground the contrast is greatly lessened, i.e., the ratio becomes more nearly one of equality, in other words the self-ferlilised recover vigour in a higher ratio than the intercrossed are improved by freedom of growth. So here, from I. {b] it is to be inferred that the self-fertilised have a greater " elasticity " of growth, so to say, than the intercrossed. This was likewise the case with the weights of Reseda lutea. II. [a) would seem to show that the vigour of the offspring from parents semi-sterile is relatively greater than that of the offspring from fully fertile parents when compared with the intercrossed plants of each kind ; and had not Eschschollzia showed a similar fact these results of Reseda could scarcely have been considered trustworthy. Hence it is very unfortunate for Mr. Darwin's argument to have especially selected Reseda and Eschschollzia, for they certainly do not prove any " injurious " effects to arise from self-fertilisation, but just the reverse ! The fact appears to me to be this :— The word "injurious" is a purely relative term. If a plant is so highly differentiated that it has not only become adapted to insect agency but also to be self-sterile, then, of course, to put its own pollen upon the stigma of a flower, rather than that of another plant, may be said to be, relatively to the latter process, at least use- less if not injurious. But when we see a plant thus usually self-sterile becoming, under changed circum- stances, self-fertile, this power of self-fertilisation is actually so much positive gain, as Mr. Darwin admits "the obvious fact, that the production of seed is the chief end of the act of fertilisation, and that this end can be gained by hermaphro- dite plants with incomparably greater certainly by self-fertilisation." Now it is clear that many plants have become highly differentiated by adaptation to insects, and in becoming so, the pollen has physiologically changed correlatively to such a degree as to be useless on the flower's own stigma. This therefore is so much absolute loss to the plant, as it now has to depend, with less certainty, upon the chance visit of insects ; but when the plant can recover its lost power, and especially when it can acquire fresh and new constitutional elements, then, as we see in Reseda and Eschschollzia, the first result is the absolute re-gain of self-fertilisation, while this may be accompanied by an equality with, or even a superiority in vigour to, the intercrossed. In a later communication I purpose continuing the subject of self-fertilisation. George Henslno. ASPECTS FOR PLANT-HOUSES. Mr. Bester's arguments in favour of altering the aspect of span-roof plant-houses, from east and west, to north and south, strike me as being a little one- sided, and I fear the plants would think so too, if only one side of the house was exposed to the sun. It appears to me that a lean-to house placed against a wall would suit the plant nearly as well, and be much warmer. As regards the shading of the house in winter by the framework, I should think that the sun about noon-day shining comparatively perpendicularly, first on the east side, then passing over the ridge to the west side, would meet very little obstruction, and I do not think the sun would melt ice on the north side of a span-roof at all. Secondly, the fact of a house being warmer at 5 o'clock than at 10 on a summer morning may be due to the ventilation being closed at 5 o'clock and open at 10, rather than to the effect of the sash-bars shading the interior. Thirdly, as to the impossibility of closing span-roof houses facing east and west till late on a summer evening, owing to the sun shining full on the west side till late at night — that is a question between the sun and the advocates of the eatlyclosing movement; and as the sun is rather behind the times in the matter of shortening its working hours, the only thing to be done is to leave down the blinds on the west side, till Old Sol retires for the night. This is surely better than in a roof facing south, where the sun only gets shining into the interior for a few hours near noonday, owing to the sash-bars acting as a shade as soon as it gets a few degrees on either side of the THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. 205 meridian— at least, if Ihey shade it in one case they will in another also. Now, let us look for a little at the position Mr. Bester advocates— viz , sides facing north and south. He says it receives the full force of the sun, and it shines right through the house. I say the sun can shine on the south side only, and if there are tall plants in the centre of the house, as is generally the case in span-roofed buildings, they will keep the sun from shining past them, and a lean-to would suit the same purpose, and be warm too. I believe there is more scorching due to the thin 16 oz. glass so extensively used now-a-days, than to the sun's glare on the moisture. All great cultivators will have great difficulties to contend with, in this world, so long as the sun goes its daily rounds in the hot-headed, independent way it has done hitherto ; and I would respectfully advise your readers to consider the other (or north) side of the question before they alter the position of span- roof houses. While an article like Mr. Bester's is very good as affording an opportunity of discussing the question in the pages of the Gardeners' Chroiiide, still, as a friend of mine, a horticultural builder, said to me the other day, "You have no idea, Mr. C, what trouble such articles give us builders ; for instance, when a gentleman getting up a span-roof house sees an article like this, he makes me put it up accord- ing to the directions given in the article ; and then other people seeing the house, blame the builder for placing it with a bad aspect ! and make up their mind that they will not employ me to do their work, if I do not know how to place it properly ! But that is a mild case. Why, it is only a month or two since one of the garden papers had an article copied from another paper giving full instruc- tions to those about to erect glass, with a specifica- tion, specifying among other things that the boiler is to be capable of heating the whole up to a tempera- ture of iSo° in the coldest weather, and the wood to be sent to the job without being painted or primed, so that people may see if the timber is good or not. Fine work it would be, especially in wet weather like this, and you know no person will take a builder's word against such an article. " It is the same in the heating, too. There is that new endless something boiler that burns dirt ; in fact I expect to hear every day that they are burning bricks in it, without fuel ; then we shall have a brick- kiln as well as a limekiln heating apparatus. In fact, I am thinking of bringing out a new boiler myself ; it is to be heated with turpentine flannels wrapped all round the boiler. You know there is an awful heat in a piece of flannel wetted with turpentine. I use it on my breast when I have a cold, so I can speak from experience, and remember, Mr. C, I shall expect a first-class testimonial from you when you see it." Aqua-Calida. NOTES ON OPEN-AIR VEGE- TATION.' The winter, so (ar as it has gone, has been rather remarkable, wind and rain in excess, with compara- tively little snow and frost, particularly in this district of Scotland. The first snow which fell, and perhaps the heaviest, was on the Sth and 9th of November, doing a vast amount of injury at the time by breaking down the branches, and damaging the bark of many deciduous and evergreen trees throughout Scotland, such as Oaks, Beeches, Elms, Silver Firs, and Spruces. This, with subsequent falls, rapidly dis- appeared. Although snow up to this time in this locality has been less in comparison to many winters, rain has, however, fallen in greater abundance during the last five months than has been known in this dis. trict during the same period for many years. So much has this been the case that all low and level grounds are saturated with water, and therefore very much against the flowering of many of the hardy spring bulbs. The Snowdrop, for instance, at this particular time (January 31) used to be abundantly in bloom, not only on the elevated grounds, but all over the level garden lawns ; now they are only to be seen partially in flower on raised and sloping banks where the ground is somewhat dry, while those on flat lawns and in low, damp situations are scarcely appearing above the surface of the soil. This dampness may also account for the backwardness apparent in the flowers of the Crimean Snowdrops {Galanthus pli- catus), Leucojum vernum. Crocus susianus, and even the varieties of Crocus vernus, all of which were recorded in flower during the month of January last year, when the weather was colder. I am not pre- pared to say how long it is since we had such an amount of moisture during any one winter ; this, however, I do know, that for the last fifty years we have never been troubled with water in some of our garden stokeholes till the last month, necessitating pits to be sunk in them, and a daily baling out of a quantity of clear water. What effect this excess of moisture will ultimately have on the roots ol many shrubby and herbaceous plants growing near the sur- face it is difficult to say. Owing to the comparative mildness of the winter, so far as it has gone, many of the autumn plants con- tinued more or less in flower throughout it, not, how- ever, in very good condition — kinds in all probability which would not have been in flower during an ordi- nary severe one, such as Primroses, Polyanthus, Gen- tiana acaulis, Veronica rupestris, Lithospermum fruli- cosum, Potentilla alba, Iberis, Aubrietia, Wallflower, &c., while the various species of Helleborus have been remarkably fine, as well as Tussilago fragrans, Sternbergia lutea, and Crocus Imperati (both the latter growing on high parts of the rock garden). Erica carnea alba, Jasminum nudiflorum, Garrya elliptica, and Viburnum Tinus. The flowers of the common Hazel have been particularly abundant throughout the month, and if no frost should occur a full crop of Hazel-nuts may be looked for in autumn. From the selected list of forty-two plants whose flowering has been annually recorded during the last twenty-seven years four species only flowered during January, while eleven species of this number were noted during the same month last year. 1S76. 'January 1S77, Corylus Aveliana . . January t Tussilago fragrans .. ,.12 ,, ,, 3 ,, Hepatica triloba .. ,, 12 ,, ,, 8 ,, Galanthus nivalis .. ,, 16 ,, ,, 15 ,, Besides herbaceous plants, there are also several other shrubby species which are usually noted as being in bloom in the open air at this particular time, but which are still considerably behind. Of these may be mentioned the Daphne Mezereum, Rhododendron atrovirens, R. Nobleanum, and Cornus mascula ; but whether this arises from the sunless, wet autumn, or the want of the necessary amount of frost to mature them for early blooming, it is difficult to say, probably both combined. In order to continue the meteorological tables which I have carried on during the last twenty-two years, showing the amount of frost during each month from October till April inclusive, I have to add the fol- lowing observations. During October, 1S76, we did not record a single degree of frost, notwithstanding that 353° were registered during the united October months for the last twenty-two years. The lowest markings were during 1856, 1857, and 1S62, when 3° only were indicated during each October month ; while the highest was during 1859, when 56° of frost were registered. The lowest markings during the month of October, 1S76, were on the 2d, 23d, 25lh, 26th, 27th, and 31st, when 37°, 37°, 36°, 37°, 33°, and 35° were indicated, while the highest morning temperatures were on the 7th, Sth, 9th, 17th, i8th, and 19th, indicating respectively 55°, 53°, 53°, 50°, 50°, During the month of November, 1876, the ther- mometer was thirteen times at or below the freezing point, indicating collectively 82°, being two more than was noticed the previous year— the lowest markings being on the mornings of the 7th, Sth, loth, nth, 29th, and 30th, indicating 26°, 26°, 20", 22°, 23°, and 25°, while the highest morning temperatures were on the 3d, 4th, 5th, I7lh, 18th, and 19th, indicating 45°. 45°. 46°, 45°. 42°. and 43°- During the month of December, 1876, the ther- mometer was twelve times at or below the freezing- point, indicating collectively 43°, while the correspond- ing month last year indicated Si'. The lowest tem- peratures were on the mornings of the 1st, 13th, 23d, 24th, 26th, and 27th, indicating 29°, 25°, 24°, 26°, 27°, and 27°, while the highest morning readings were on the 2d, 5th, 6th, 7th, lolh, and nth, indicating respectively 42', 43°. 44°. 45°. 43°. and 43°. This last January the thermometer was sixteen times at or below the freezing-point, indicating col- lectively 73°, while 103° were registered during the same month last year. The lowest markings outing lanuary were on the mornings of the 2d, 3d, 12th, iSth, 22d, and 23d, indicating 20°, 18°, 23°, 27°, 26°, and 28°, while the highest morning temperatures were on the Sth, gth, iith, 19th, 20th, and 2Sth, indi- cating 40°, 37°, 37°, 38°, 39°, and 37°. NITROGEN AND VEGETATION. {Condn(lc<)frr>mp. 171.) The absorption of ammonia by soil is controlled by a number 01 cona.i.vn^ ; the physical and chemical characters of the soil, its condition a, ^-^ moisture, and its being covered or not by vegetable growth, m.-^.. largely influence the extent of the absorption. Schlos- ing made experiments on two soils. The ammonia in these soils was determined, and they were then freely exposed to air, but sheltered from rain. Dry soil was found to absorb ammonia to a considerable extent ; a limit must, however, be reached as soon as the tension of ammonia in the soil equals that in the atmosphere. With moist soil the case is different ; here the ammonia absorbed is quickly oxidised to nitric acid, and the soil is consequently capable o( continuing the absorption of ammonia for a far longer time, and of taking up a much greater quantity. In the appropriation of atmospheric ammonia by plants and by soil, but especially by the latter, we appear to have an important supply of nitrogen to vegetation. The amount of combined nitrogen sup- plied to the soil by rain is known to be quite insuffi- cient to account for the amount found in the vegetable growth annually produced ; the supply furnished by the rain is, however, supplemented by this direct absorption from the atmosphere both by soil and plant. Schloiing has repeated with great care the experiments of Deherain, but can find no evidence that the decayed vegetable matter of soils has the power (as was asserted) to produce ammonia from the free nitrogen of the atmosphere. He believes that there is at present no evidence that the free nitrogen of the atmosphere becomes available to plants, except to the small extent in which it is converted into nitrous acid by electrical discharges in the atmosphere. This nitrous acid is oxidised and carried to the soil by rain in the form of nitrate of ammonium. Wliile this action of electricity is, in SchliJiing's judgment, the only original source of combined nitro- gen on the surface of our globe, there are several actions by which combined nitrogen is lost. It is absolutely lost to some extent during the decay of nitrogenous organic matter (as farmyard manure), when an insufficient quantity of oxygen is present, a portion of the nitrogen reverting under these conditions to the free state. It is lost to our soils to a large extent by the removal of nitrates in the drainage-water, a form of loss which has already been discussed by Dr. Gilbert in the lecture previously referred to. The loss to the soil from this cause must in many cases exceed the whole amount of nitrogen supplied by rain. The nitrates thus lost by drainage pass into the rivers, and finally into the sea. Here they serve as food for marine plants, which in thtir turn become the nutriment of marine animals. The plants and animals on their decay furnish ammonia ; but the ammonia contents of the ocean cannot exceed a certain point without interchange taking place with the air resting on its surface. The atmosphere is thus continually enriched with ammonia, which is imme- diately diffused, and carried by winds over the surface of the land. From the atmosphere the soil finally takes up as ammonia the nitrogen it had previously lost as nitric acid. Continents, with their porous soils, and shallow waters, are, in fact, an oxidising medium ; continental nitrogen tends to resolve itself into nitric acid, which finds its way to the sea. The deep waters of the ocean present no such facilities for oxidation ; here nitrogen finally takes the form of ammonia, and entering the atmosphere recommences its circulation in Nature. Such is the simple and beautiful conception of Schlosing. The ocean is the vast storehouse of com- bined nitrogen for the whole world ; ammonia is the carrier by which this nitrogen is gradually conveyed to every part of the globe, which supplies nitrogenous food to the whole vegetable kingdom, and balances the gains and losses of land and sea. If we believe with Boussingault that the production of nitrous acid by electric discharges takes place to a very con- siderable extent in tropical regions, far exceeding the amount annually brought down in r.iin in these higher latitudes, we have also in the am- 206 THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE. [February 17, 1877. monia of the atmosphere the vehicle by which this great original source of combined nitrogen is made available for the whole globe ; for as the nitrates produced by electrical discharges in the tropics run their course, they must sooner or later take the form of am- monia, and entering the atmosphere become subject to the laws of diffusion. We must, in conclusion, say a few words respecting the recent investigations of another French chemist, M. Berthelot. We have spoken already of the fact that an electric discharge through the atmosphere causes a small quantity of the nitrogen and oxygen in the air to combine and form nitrous acid. M. Berthelot has made the results produced by an electric discharge through gases a special subject of study ; he finds that many combinations and transformations can be effected by this means, and that a silent discharge of electricity produces a greater chemical effect than a visible spark. In the course of his experi- ments he observed that moist cellulose (filter-paper), or a solution of dextrin, absorbed nitrogen from ordinary air when placed in a vessel through which an electric discharge was maintained ; this nitrogen he states entered into non-volatile combinations, and was evolved as ammonia only when the paper or dextrin was heated with alkalis at a high temperature. In the earlier experiments Berthelot employed a powerful induction coil as the source of electricity ; in his last published paper he gives the results obtained when employing only the ordinary electrical tension of the atmosphere. The moist paper, or dextrin, was placed in a sealed glass tube filled with air ; the outside of the tube was coated with tinfoil, and con- nected with the earth. Inside the glass tube was another tube, insulated from the outer one ; this was coated with silver foil, and connected, by a platinum wire, passing through the outer glass, with the atmo- spere at a height of about 2 yards from the ground. The construction was such that the outer tube had the electric tension of the earth, and the inner tube the tension of a layer of air 2 yards above the earth's surface. The experiments continued two months. On opening the tube, and analysing the paper or dextrin, nitrogen was found in every case to have been fixed in appreciable quantity. These results obtained by M. Berthelot are certainly startling, and will require thorough confirmation before they can be received as established facts. In M. Berthelot's opinion they point to a hitherto unrecog- nised source of combined nitrogen to vegetation. Plants, on his view, acquire nitrogen from the atmo- sphere through the medium of electric action. The question will doubtless before long be submitted to investigation by other chemists. Before closing these notes of recent investigations we may remark how little either of them touch the great practical questions brought out by the Rotham- sted field experiments, and dwelt on by Dr. Gilbert in his lecture. The action of atmospheric ammonia, and of atmospheric electricity, however important we may suppose them to be, must have their action on the fields at Rothamsted as well as on other parts of the globe ; it is clear, therefore, that their united efforts are incapable of sustaining the small and gradually diminishing cereal crops which are grown at Rothamsted without nitrogenous manure. On the other hand, it requires a distinct kind of facts from those yet assumed to explain the widely different relations to nitrogen of graminaceous and leguminous crops, which is taught so prominently by the Rothamsted results, and is supported by universal agricultural experience. A'. IlarmpA'ii. SPECIMEN FUCHSIAS. The county of Wilts is famous for its splendid exhibition Fuchsias. A batch of growers living in the districts of Trowbridge and Devizes have for some years past vied with each other as to who should pro- duce the finest examples of cultural skill at the exhi- bitions of the Trowbridge and Keevil district horticul- tural societies, the Bath floral fc-tc, and other places, during the months of August and September, and the invariable result is such an exhibition of specimen Fuchsias as is perhaps scarcely equalled in any other part of the United Kingdom. The leading growers are Mr. J. Lye, gr. to the lion. Mrs. Hay, Clyfle Hall, Devizes; Mr. Thomas King, gr. to R. V. Leach, Esq., Devizes Castle; Mr. J. Doel, gr. to J. E. Hay ward, Esq., Trowbridge; Mr. J. Hobbs, gr. to J. Gayton, Esq., Trowbridge; Mr. J. F. Mould, nurseryman, Pewsey, and Mr. J. Matthews, Trowbridge. The illustration on p. 211 (fig. 35) represents an example of the well-known variety Arabella, one of a group of six varieties exhibited by Mr. J. Lye, Clyffe Hall Gardens, at the meeting of the Trow- bridge Horticultural Society on August 25 last. On this occasion Mr. Lye was placed 1st with six and four varieties, Mr. J. Hobbs being 2d in each class. Mr. Lye's plants averaged 6 to 7 feet in height, and from 3 to 4 feet in diameter at the base, most sym- metrical in shape, and with the lowermost branches completely draping the pots. Cleanliness, freshness, and a general style showing high-class culture, were the characteristics of all the plants in the leading groups in these two classes. Mr. Lye is now the champion grower of the district, and every year he has to run the gauntlet of a severe competition. His bited these plants 8 feet in height and 4 feet through, well covered with flowers. Mr. Lye does not confine his exhibiting to plants eighteen months old ; as his best specimens vary in age from one and a-half to five years, according to the duration of the varieties, as some last longer than others. After the plants are five years of age they are discarded, and replaced by young plants raised in the manner above described. But to continue the method of treatment followed by Mr. Lye. About the end of October, when the plants have done flowering, they are pruned back to two or three joints beyond where they were cut back the previous year, placed in their winter quarters to rest, and kept moderately dry. The last week in January or the first week in February, the roots of the plants are thoroughly shaken clear of the old soil, and repotted. The young — -=- — 1:r^^^^75--'-3^